Save yourself a few hundred bucks by taking photos yourself – all you need is a smartphone (or basic camera) and a little know-how. For years I photographed dozens of clients (and plenty of adorable upsherin boys) using just natural light. Even though I put down my pro camera when I started working with Kosher.com, I never miss a chance to snap photos of my kids when the weather calls for it. (Or not! Read on!) This guide is packed with ideas that have worked for me over and over, and I’m sharing them all right here.

Do make sure your little ones are well-rested and well-fed.

…because you can’t photoshop a tantruming toddler out of a photo. This is my #1 rule for a successful shoot.

Do take the standing shots first.

…if the outfit wrinkles when you breathe in it. Get those full-body shots out of the way, then move on to sitting and laying poses. Even better? Choose a comfy outfit they can run around in without worrying about creases. One of my favorite standing poses is a jacket slung over the shoulder.

Do get down to their level.

Shoot at face level or even lower. Yes, this might require you to kneel, squat, or lie on the ground – whatever it takes! This gives kids a “larger than life” feel and brings more personality into your shot.

Do use props!

Props make everything feel less staged and more fun. Think: books, toys, stuffed animals, a balloon, or even a lollipop (save it for the end!). Don’t forget the aleph beis. Props keep little hands busy and smiles natural.

Do take advantage of overcast weather or shade.

Cloudy skies = free natural light diffuser. If it’s sunny, place your child in open shade or have a parent or assistant stand at just the right angle to cast a shadow over your little one’s face. I’ve used this trick many times.

Do take advantage of the zoom (if you’re using a real camera).

Zooming in gives you that magical blurry background (called bokeh) that you love. But if you’re on a smartphone, walk closer instead of zooming in – digital zoom will just ruin the quality. You can always crop later.

Do tell them to jump.

For a toddler that won’t sit still, try this: Say “Jump on three! One… two…” then snap the photo before three! That pre-jump grin is gold. (Catching them mid-air is a bonus!)

Do have an assistant (or puppet) to bring out their smiles.

Have a parent pretend to tickle you, or sneeze a toy off their head while standing directly behind you. With two year olds, the sillier the better! If you’re on your own, avoid antics that require you to move around too much or you’ll end up with blurry photos. Instead, ask them about their favorite Morah/friend/toy. Ask them to play peekaboo and act dramatically terrified when they yell “boo!” Make age-appropriate jokes like singing a song they know – but get all the words hilariously wrong.

Do invest in a shutter hugger!

Get your child to focus by using a shutter hugger to direct their gaze. I use one like this and make it “talk” to the child – it works like magic by turning my camera into a friendly face. I do not leave to any photoshoot without it!

Here’s one that works for a smartphone.

DON’TS

Don’t say “say cheese!”

It works for teens… not for toddlers. You’ll get a grimace or exaggerated smile at best. Use silliness instead (see above).

Don’t threaten.

“Smile or no treat later” never ends well. My rule is any adult threatening kids to smile has to leave the shoot. Keep it fun and lighthearted!

Don’t tell your child you’re going to take photos in the park…

…if your child associates “the park” with swings and slides. I’ve had shoots where the child kvetched for 45 minutes that they wanted to go to the park with the parent insisting “we are at the park!”

Don’t let the rain stop you!

One of my favorite photoshoots of all time was taken in the rain. There’s nothing that will bring out the personality in your fun-loving boy as having him jump in puddles. Put him in casual clothes and cute rain boots. Don’t forget the rubber ducky!

Don’t forget the details.

Take super closeups of that yarmulke barely pinned to his wild hair, mini hands holding the tzitzis, and pudgy fingers pointing to the aleph beis. These kinds of photos are priceless and I always regret that I didn’t capture more of these.

Don’t forget your mission: to capture him.

Every client wants that one. perfect. shot. But It’s not about perfect poses. It’s about capturing your little boy just as he is at this special milestone. Let your photos tell that story!