How Do You Make a Baby Smile in a Photoshoot?

Hello mamas, as a wife and mom myself, I know firsthand the incredible joy that comes with seeing your little one's first smiles. Those bright baby grins are heart-melting.

A baby is smiling

When you're capturing such precious newborn and family moments through photography, getting your little one to share one of those toothless smiles feels like striking gold.

Over the years as a Winnipeg newborn photographer, I've picked up some tricks and tips for encouraging smiley shots during photo sessions. While every baby is different, these are some of my go-to's for bringing out the grins:

Here Are 5 Tips To Make a Baby Smile in a Photoshoot

1. Pay Attention to the Sleep Cycle

Keep an eye on the baby's sleep patterns and breathing during the session. Those sweet smiles often emerge when they're transitioning between sleep cycles. If you notice their breathing change, little eye movements behind closed lids, or tiny facial twitches, have your camera ready - a smile may be coming.

2. Perfect the Gentle Tickle

With a feather-light touch, you can sometimes get a smile by very delicately tickling around a baby's cheeks, lips, or even the bottoms of their feet. A gentle stroke along their jawline or hairline can work wonders too. The key is being extremely soft and tender.

3. Whisper Sweet Nothings

Babies seem to really respond to the comforting sound of their parent's voices, especially mom's. If they're getting fussy, I'll often invite the parents over and have them whisper sweet words, sing quietly, or make shushing noises near the baby's ear. Hearing your loving, familiar voices can instantly soothe and delight them into a calm, happy state.

4. Play a Little Game

Peekaboo is an oldie but one that keeps generating giggles. Gently waving a soft fabric or placing a stuffed animal near their face and quickly pulling it away can capture their rapt attention. Add some high-pitched "peek-a-boo!" calls and you just may spark that joyful baby smile and laughter.

5. Blowing Breezes for Newborn Smiles

One of the most effective tips for tiny newborns is to blow gentle puffs of air around their face and hair. The light breeze seems to tickle and delight brand-new babies, often surprising them with the most adorable expressions and grins. Just be careful not to blow too hard.

While these tips can definitely help, sometimes smiles come down to plain old patience and following the baby's lead. My best advice is to relax, have fun, and don't get discouraged. Even if we don't capture that grin, the beauty and candid moments of your photo session will be simply unmatched.

For me, there's nothing more fulfilling than preserving treasured memories of families welcoming their little miracles. Every newborn smile and every adoring look between parents and their new baby fills my heart right up. Getting to play even a small role in celebrating your incredible journey into motherhood is the greatest honor.

So if those first days are coming up, or you're just looking to celebrate your growing family through new portraits, I'd love to start planning your session. Reach out today and let's get the camera ready to document these fleeting moments and all the beautiful joys and smiles to come!