Organizing a photo shoot with kids as models can be very challenging. You don’t want a crying child before the camera starts clicking.

We had a shoot not too long ago where we had to use toddlers and pre-schoolers as models for a campaign, and our fears didn’t really materialize. Kids can definitely be among the best subjects to shoot, as they are not the type to get conscious and are just plain fun.

So what to do if your kids have been asked to model, or if you just want to take a photo of them for keeps?

Here are some tips we learned along the way:

Tell your child beforehand what he or she is supposed to do. Talk to them as if what they are going to do is just a normal thing, but make them feel excited.

Parents should always be there if the child gets a little camera-shy. The parents will do most of the work, making the kids feel comfortable while the photographer clicks away. Photographer Migs Castro adds, “Let that somebody familiar stay somewhere behind the person taking photos. This will help get the attention of the kid, and let him or her look in the direction of the camera.”

Let them play. It’s surprising how some kids can really be gung ho in front of the camera. Let them just be themselves, and sometimes they can be having so much fun, they would even tell the photographer to shoot more.

Bring their favorite toy, game or pastime. We had an opportunity to shoot a 2-year-old. Since they’re still too young to comprehend what you want them to do, bring their favorite toy; in our case, we had to let him watch his favorite K-Pop video on the iPod in the direction of the camera.

Make it quick. Since kids can get a little impatient in front of the camera, the photographer must be fast enough and know the perfect time to take the shot.

Promise them a prize after. Migs Castro adds, “Strike a simple deal with the kid, something like, ‘Stay still and smile at the camera. After this, let’s have ice cream.’”

The best photos of kids are when they are in their natural environment. It could be as simple as being ready with the camera and taking candid shots.