How to Get Kids to Look at the Camera Lens

Before last night I’d never even  heard of a Shutterpal, nor did I know I needed one!  I think it is going to be great!    I have four grandchildren 2-7 years old and getting their attention simultaneously is tricky.  I think this monkey dangling from my camera lens is going to be key in getting some fun photos.   Using a Beanie Babies® Socks the Monkey ($4.99), I created a Shutterpal. (click to see the B is for Boy Blog Tutorial with more detailed directions and photos by a cool mom)   Won’t need to jingle keys or squeak a squeaky toy to get the baby to look at me when I want to photograph. Laura sent me the  link on how to do it but I did it the easy way, without a sewing machine. I did use the suggested seam ripper and a pair of really sharp sewing scissors to open the back seam and empty the stuffing and beans from the torso section of the little guy.  I cut out the entire circle of the lens cap right up to his seams all around the torso section.    Then I stitched all around the circular hole.  Added a red potholder loop as stretchy binding to finish off the raw edge and stitched it on with buttonhole thread.  Now I need to go and visit the grandchildren and try it out!! True you don’t always want them to look directly at the camera but with the four grandchildren I am thinking this will be a good solution.  Maybe I can do a fun monkey voice.  It is always great when the other grandmother is there to get their attention when we are doing the more formal posed ready-for-church-dressed-in-our-best shots.

This is not for Everyone

Won’t work with a point-and-shoot
but Laura sent me this DIY link.
Saw it and thought of me.
She knows how frustrating it can be.
For the times when you want to capture
a baby and/or toddler’s attention.
She  inspired me to be creative.