How Baby Laugh?

An-D

I'm trying to get a job at a photo portrait place, got an interview and after doing a resume check, testing my retail skills and photographic ability, the interviewer throws me a curveball.

She says: "Pretend I'm a 2-year old girl who is crying because I think you're going to give me a shot. Make me laugh."

I froze up instantly. While, I think I could make a child that young laugh in person, I can't think of anything that would get the same effect outside of the actual experience.

I have experience dealing with kids. I was a superviser at an aftercare program for 3 years (K-8)...but younger than that, and I'm kind of iffy.

My normal political humor and references to obscure 90s pop culture would likely not do the trick in this instance (unfortunately). So, H/A, what are good ways to make babies laugh?

Topia

Babies are simple and respond to simple stimulus. Smile and laugh at them, tickle them, get then going (I know you can't continue this if you're taking photos, but get them into a happier mood). Make funny faces. Different things work for different babies.

Hell, the whole "look at this duck while I squeak it" actually works with some babies.

Improvolone

Do different weird things. Don't be afraid to get on the ground, make a weird noise, hit yourself in the face with something soft and make a big surprised face, my 16 month old son loooooves it when he pushes something/you out of his way and you make it fly across the room.
Whatever you do that makes them laugh, keep doing it.

Sure you might not be able to do all of that and take pictures, but it will curtail the crying and get them in a better mood. What did you say?

saint2e

Most small children that I come across who are initially scared of me (people's kids at church) usually warm up if I let them hit me and then over-exaggerate it like crazy. Like, fall back and stagger around as if you've been sucker punched by Ali...

I do this a couple times and they're usually laughing and pleased with the fact that they can "beat you up".

Of course some parents don't want you teaching their child to hit, so YMMV.

Improvolone

Oh, and if X doesn't work right away, it probably never will. Stop doing it, do something completely different.
Oh, squeaky duck didn't work? I'll try squeaky alligator. No!

Stevie2Sxc

Children aren't very complex, mentally. They're simply things. Tbh seeing you get 'hurt' in a sort of lame cartoonish fake way is almost bound to make any child burst out in laughter.

My nephew honestly hates me cause he doesn't even smile unless i hurt myself. and he laughs even more if the pain is real. like i once fell down the stairs and got injured pretty badly and he burst out into fits of laughter while i was on the floor with a broken wrist. devil child, honestly.

but silly faces and cartoon-ish fake violence works almost every time. and for the ones that don't laugh at that, have a funny-looking puppet standing by just in case

RUNN1NGMAN

Did this 2-year-old just arrive via basket on the stoop with a sign around its neck saying "Take my picture"? Ask the parents what makes the baby laugh, and ask them to try and get the baby to laugh. If the parent's can't do it, the baby certainly isn't going to laugh at weird photographer guy with the squeaky bird.

Doxa

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

Did this 2-year-old just arrive via basket on the stoop with a sign around its neck saying "Take my picture"? Ask the parents what makes the baby laugh, and ask them to try and get the baby to laugh. If the parent's can't do it, the baby certainly isn't going to laugh at weird photographer guy with the squeaky bird.

Good point but at the same time if its a family photo the family won't be able to get the baby to laugh while they're posing.

cycle through games like peekaboo, have a stuffed animals and impersonate the animal with a weird cartoony voice.

An-D

These are great. I was told that I was allowed to do crazy stuff to achieve laughter, so fake-hurting might work (Though parents might be all 'Booo, we like our child to not hit people!'). I'll definitely try a few of these.

Infidel

I don't think there has been a friend's baby yet that hasn't responded well to my stupid faces.

It's about all I know, but it works well!

I also am the roughhouse "uncle" and that's more of a toddler thing, but yes they are quite amused that they can take you.

One buddy had his 4yo son with him during a BBQ last week and was beating on my brother who was getting a little tired of it. I am standing in the doorway and I just look at him and give him the "I will fight you" line, and he pops out from behind his mom and is shouts/roars "BRING IT ON." I was a little scared but everyone else got a good laugh out of it. :P

Figgy

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

Did this 2-year-old just arrive via basket on the stoop with a sign around its neck saying "Take my picture"? Ask the parents what makes the baby laugh, and ask them to try and get the baby to laugh. If the parent's can't do it, the baby certainly isn't going to laugh at weird photographer guy with the squeaky bird.

As a professional photographer, you're supposed to be able to do this on your own. It should not be up to the parents to make the photo they are paying you to take successful.

Now, if the kids are being little brats and crying and screaming, then yeah the parents should step in. If the OP said, "I'll just get the parents to make the kid laugh. If they can't, I can't," he would not have gotten the job.

Seaworthy

Bring a prop or two. Little kids like bright and colorful or cute things.

Wezoin

Topia wrote: »

Babies are simple and respond to simple stimulus. Smile and laugh at them, tickle them, get then going (I know you can't continue this if you're taking photos, but get them into a happier mood). Make funny faces. Different things work for different babies.

Hell, the whole "look at this duck while I squeak it" actually works with some babies.

I really really really wouldn't advice tickling a kid in a photo place - pretend you're going to or w/e, but all it'd take is one over-reactive parent to accuse you of touching their kid.

Nataneko

I worked at a studio where my job was basically to make kid laugh so they smiled in photo. depending on the age and the character of the baby, different thing will work. Put kid music, tickle them, use a feather to tickle their face, make fun/strange noise, exagerate your expression. With a 2 years old I once pretended I found his smile then you put it back on his face. He'll make you do it again and again but at least he'll smile. You have to be silly and not care about looking strange/stupid.

xeviq

I used to work as a portrait photographer.
1. Act like a total ass. Don't worry about being embarassed, they're two years old, some still poop themselves.
2. Don't be too loud, that frightens them.
3. Fuzzy, soft, squeezy things are a good idea.
4. Blow raspberrys, and other funny noises from your mouth.
5. Get the parents to help. So fucking what they're paying for the pictures?! If their kid isn't smiling, and you have tried your best, have them get the child's favourite toy they have with them, have them tickle the child, whatever.

Keep in mind you are a stranger that is automatically a red flag for some kids.