The Do’s + Don’ts of Bribery
Do you find it challenging to get your kids to smile for family photos? Finding the right bribe helps a lot!
With MGP Easter Minis fast approaching and other themed minis right around the corner, now is the perfect time to brush up on how to get your kiddos to smile for the camera!
Preparing for a photo shoot can be stressful, especially when you're not sure whether your family members will cooperate. It literally breaks my heart when we work so hard throughout the shoot to get smiles and some kiddos still refuse to smile. Luckily, bribery can be a game-change to hopefully lead to more smiles!
As a professional photographer, I'm no stranger to offering up rewards in exchange for a great shot. I'm willing to go above and beyond - even if it means buying your child a brand new car haha! Don't worry, though - I won't judge whatever bribe works best for your little ones. Over the years, I've learned what works and what doesn't when it comes to bribing kids. That's why I've put together a guide to help you nail those picture-perfect family photos.
Here are some dos and don'ts of bribery that I recommend:
The Dos of Bribery:
Bring the bribe with you: Your child will be more likely to smile if they can physically see the bribe you've promised them if it’s possible to bring it with you.
Bring something that can be eaten quickly or broken apart into small pieces: Marshmallows, gummies, tic tacs, dry cereal, or sips of applesauce can be given to your child throughout the session.
Bring a small object: A rock, penny, or toy car can be held in your child's hand, and it won't be visible in the photos or can be posed around so that it's hidden.
Provide a fun experience after the photoshoot: Going to the park, having a favorite lunch, or getting a treat can be great incentives for both kids and adults.
The Don'ts of Bribery:
Avoid bringing chocolate to the session: Chocolate melts easily and can get all over faces and clothes, creating a big mess that's not easy to clean up.
Avoid bringing sticky foods: Jolly ranchers for example can be difficult to eat quickly, and your child may end up just holding it in their mouth instead of smiling.
Avoid foods that will turn their mouths and faces different colors: Certain lollipops can make your child's tongue turn blue, so if you give them a bit throughout the session, their mouth will be blue in the photos!
Offer something that has no effect on your kid: If your child is food-motivated, offering them an amazing post-session experience won't be an effective bribe. Likewise, if they're not food-motivated, offering them snacks won't work either. Offering a bribe that has no effect on your child may make them less inclined to cooperate during the photo shoot.
These are intended for kiddos but some of these same tactics can be used on adults too 😂
No matter what bribe option you go with, it’s important to actually follow through with the bribe soon after the photos. Promising a trip to Disney in the next two years doesn’t have the same effect as immediately going to get ice cream on the way home. This will help with future shoots as well.
I have a repeat client with a little girl I’ve seen often over the past 3 years and she has finally learned she gets a lollipop post session so immediately smiles so she can get her treat faster.
I hope these dos and don'ts help you find the perfect bribe for your child. Here's to hopefully getting lots of smiles during your next photo shoot. Talk to y’all next week!