The Clock is Running

When photographing young children there is a very small window to get the shot. They get bored and patience hasn't developed yet. I think the key to keeping them engaged is to play their games. For example, let them show you their favorite place to play or ask them to play in the leaves, or snow, but make it fun and all about them. 
I recently did a shoot with these siblings, Margot and Jack.

​Jack was into the whole photoshoot; posing for me and actually coming up with locations and posing ideas. He became my little director. Margot was into it for about 10 minutes and that was it. I followed her around hoping she would give me just one more shot and then one more and then one more but all I got was the word "No". Well, I can't really tell her mom I didn't get any pictures because she said "No".  So, I played with them both and followed her around wherever she went, every once in while pulling out my camera; "No". But, I didn't give up, I walked very quietly behind the bush where she was playing and finally snuck in a few and got these! Gotcha!

The moral of the story...don't give up and try to play their game as long as possible. Something will come from it.