You may be feeling a lot of uncertainty about how your child(ren) will do at your next family photo session, and wondering what you can do to help set them up for success. That’s why I’ve put together this list of tips for you! I hope it gives you a greater sense of confidence leading up to your session!

Be mindful what you say to them

Avoid saying things like “I need you to behave during our family photos” or “If you are good I’ll give you a special treat after the photo session.” Instead, hype them up about how much fun it is going to be! Because the truth is, my family photo sessions are all about playing and having fun!

Mao said, “my 5-year-old son who always thinks it’s annoying whenever I take his photos actually said that the photo session with Michaela was so much fun, as if going to the playground!”

2. Tell your photographer about your child’s personality & interests

One of the most important things I always ask about before a family photo session is each child’s personality and interests, and honestly the more information you can share, the better! This helps me plan ahead for what activities might be best suited to bring out your child’s true personality.

3. Let go of perfectionism

Sometimes kids will have tantrums or cry after falling and hurting themselves during a photo session, and this is perfectly normal. I’ve never had instances like these ruin an entire session before, and honestly some of the sweetest moments I’ve photographed are the times when a parent is patiently consoling their child through their difficult emotions.

If something like this happens, try your best to breathe, go with the flow, and just be present with your child. Getting anxious and pressuring your child to behave a certain way often just prolongs the stressful moment that you’re trying to get past.

4. Get their wiggles out before indoor sessions

For my outdoor sessions I definitely provide a lot of opportunities for kids to be wild and playful as much as they please, but for in-home or studio sessions this can be a lot harder to do, especially if the session also includes a newborn.

In these scenarios it is especially important for high-energy toddlers to get their wiggles out before the session. That way they can continue to play during the session, but without getting too wild in a confined space.

5. Bring their favorite items (except for screens!)

Bringing some of your child’s favorite items to your family photo session can really make a huge impact for them because you’re choosing to incorporate something that brings them joy, and of course it’s a huge plus too if those items are things that can cultivate more interaction between you as a family!

Some examples could be small stuffed animals, blankets, bubbles, fidget toys, or books. Definitely avoid bringing any sort of device that has a screen for them to play with, as this does nothing but cause distraction and prevent meaningful interactions. If possible, make sure these devices are not in a place that’s accessible during the session so it isn’t even an option.

6. Bring your child’s favorite snack

As Snickers always says, “you’re not you when you’re hungry,” and of course we want everyone to be feeling like their best self during the photo session. Having a few snacks on hand like granola bars or cheese sticks can be that simple boost that your child (or even you or your partner) needs in order to have the best photo session possible.

I’ve even had families bring picnic baskets of food and blankets so they can lay down and eat together as part of the session, and honestly I love this idea!

7. Made sure your child feels comfortable in THEIR clothes

There’s not much of a point in having the cutest outfits for your child if they are clearly uncomfortable in them during the photoshoot. Make sure you take into account things like the weather and the clothing texture so your kiddo doesn’t end up being too hot, too cold, too itchy, etc.

Need more advice on choosing outfits? Check out my other blog on what to wear for family photos!

8. Adjust nap times if necessary

The unfortunate truth is that sometimes the best time of day for photos doesn’t line up very well with nap times, but you may be surprised at how well your child does at a photo session even if it requires some changes to their schedule.

During the summer months especially, I will hear concern from moms who don’t want to wait for golden hour in the evening because it will require their child to stay up past their bedtime. The truth however is that there are ways to solve this problem, and one of those ways is to temporarily adjust nap times.

I go into greater detail about these solutions in my other blog on how to prepare young children for an evening photo session.

Have any other questions on how to prepare your kiddo(s) for your family photo session? Shoot me an email! I’d be happy to help!

Be mindful what you say to them