Did your child (grandchild) sing, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?” this past December? If so, did you record a keepsake image of his/her condition?
As a professional children’s photographer, I suggested parents bring the child to me for an excellent professional image at this once-in-a-lifetime age. What’s cuter than children at this stage?!
But I also encouraged parents to take snapshots of their children at home in the fleeting stage of front tooth loss. Here are some tips for capturing genuine personality while you’re documenting that empty space:
Please, never tell your child, “Say Cheese”. That’s a recipe for just that- a cheesy smile. Instead, take candid photos while your child is engaged in daily activities such as playing with a sibling, pet or favorite toy. Remember that kids like to feel they have a say, so you might approach picture taking by asking, “I’d like to take a photo of you doing something you like to do. Any ideas?”
Often just starting a conversation with your child will yield photo opportunities. Asking questions like, ‘What funny thing happened at school today?’ or ‘What would you do if it started snowing right now?’ (assuming it hasn’t been snowing continually for the past 3 weeks!) ‘What are your favorite smells?’ ‘What was the most fun you had last summer?’ ‘Who are your two best friends? Why do you like them?’ ‘What’s your favorite meal?’ ‘What character from a book you read recently was silly? Brave?’
Make it your goal to get one very special image of toothlessness. It will be a treasure that evokes a smile for years to come.