Preparing Your Kids for Photos

I’m a mom of 3, so I get it… there can be a lot of anxiety when you’re investing in family photos. What if my kids don’t smile? What if their smile looks forced? Those fears are real, but I want to share with you a few of my best tips to get the most out of your photos.

Do your homework. Inside your client portal, you will have a questionnaire to fill out about your family, and children specifically. The more detailed you can be about their interests, personalities, and any special needs or concerns, the better I will be able to connect with them in the short time we have!

Set expectations. Let your kids know ahead of time that they will be getting photos taken, and consider agreeing together on a special treat or reward for after the session. If they are older, you might explain to them why it’s important to you to have family photos taken— you love THEM and want to remember this stage in your family’s life! Believe it or not, this can go a long way to getting your child’s cooperation.

Come prepared. Bring snacks and water for your session. This helps make sure no one is starting the session hungry or thirsty, and that snack can save the day if a little one has a meltdown mid-session! If you have a toddler or baby in your family, consider bringing a favorite toy to get them looking at the camera and smiling. If the weather is hot, you may consider a small battery-powered fan. If it’s cold, you might want to bring coats or blankets for those who are waiting for their turn to be photographed.

Keep it positive. As much as you try to prepare, sometimes kids have a rough day, and that's okay! If your child isn't warming up right away or smiling like you hoped, don't get frustrated with them or try to force them to smile, as this will only make things worse! The most important thing you can do as a parent is to keep things encouraging and upbeat. I have a variety of strategies for bringing out natural smiles, including a lot of games and interaction. You can help me by playing along and keeping things light-hearted. Most kids get so caught up in having fun as a family that they can't help but smile!