Corporate Head Shots-Ann Arbor, MI Photographer-Pretty Ellen

If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now...working with adults every now and then is awesome. They listen, they pose the way you ask them to and they never run away from me. I donated a free session and 5 high res digital files to the Young Women's group at church for a fund raising event they had a few weeks ago. Ellen said she was in a bidding war with another woman but eventually won and today we did our session. Ellen is a beautiful lady and very, very intelligent. She is writing a book in fact and that is why she wanted her portrait taken. Here are a few of the first files I've finished tonight for a quick sneak peek.

I've never really done corporate head shots before so posing Ellen was a first for me. Plus she is an older sophisticated woman in a gorgeous suit so I couldn't have her sitting on the ground. Have you ever taken pictures for working professionals? If so, what are some of your tried and true poses and locations to do this sort of thing? More to come soon! =)

How to get your toddler to SMILE for the camera

Getting McKenna to sit still long enough for a picture is hard enough...getting her to smile for me is nearly impossible most of the time but she has finally gotten to the age where this little trick actually works. This is pretty much how the conversation went and the pictures correspond...

"Hey McKenna." Picture 1 (getting her attention)
"What is that you have there?" Picture 2 (looking at her fire truck)
"Oh I know...it's a hot dog!" Picture 3 (laughing at my dumb guess)
*I go through a series dumb guess that really get her going Picture 4 (head back in hilarity)

Tickling (or the threat of tickles) was a good trick when she was younger and the tried and true..."Don't you smile! Don't you do it! You better stop it!" They just can't resist that one.

Bribes are also a great incentive although the smiles aren't always as genuine.

Do you have any great tricks for getting your children to smile in pictures? Any favorite stuffed animals or noise toys to recommend? I'd love to hear about it!