Capturing The Chaos: Tips On How to Have A Great Family Photo Session

Are you feeling apprehensive about your upcoming family photo session? You are not alone! Even the most experienced family photographer can tell you that having your kids "misbehave" during a lifestyle family session is a common fear. But don't worry, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to help ensure that your family session will go off without a hitch. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to overcome the fear of your kids "misbehaving" during your family photo session.

First things first, I want you to take all expectations for that "perfect family photo session" in your head and throw it out the window. Yes, we will get the "hang on the wall" shot, but it is not my #1 priority. My idea of a successful session is capturing you just as you are; with no facades.

All in all, its about taking in the moment and letting your kids be kids.

Talk to your kids about expectations

In my opinion, a big reason kiddos don't enjoy family photo day is that they weren't well-prepared for what was going to happen. Here are some tips to help that should help you prepares your kiddos for photos:

1. Make it sound like a fun adventure. Let them know you're going to have a family day, dress up a little, and let them know that a friend is going to take your photos.

2. Don't bribe them to be good. That will only set them up to think it's not a fun thing and they aren't going to like it.

3. Please do not "prep" them on how to smile! Our goal is for them to be themselves and get those authentic smiles. "Say cheese" will never come out of my mouth unless they are not falling for all my other crazy antics.

4. Naps & Snacks! Need I say more? A tired/hangry toddler does not equal a good time; can I get an amen! 😂 . Have them nap as close as possible to leaving the house, or if they are non-nappers, keep your day very chill & relaxed so they're not exhausted by the time your session comes around. Don't forget to pack non-messy snacks that they LOVE! Goldfish, fruit snacks, mini marshmallows, cheerios or puffs.

Choose a photographer you trust

As a nanny of almost 15 years, and photographer of 8 years, I can confidently say i'm kind of a kid whisperer (insert shoulder brush here. 😂). I have a Mary Poppins bag of tricks for all personalities; moody teens, busy toddlers who love the word "no", and serious babies who never smile.

Don't fret, we will definitely get the "grandparent shot". You know the one I'm talking about! Everyone looking and smiling; something the grandparents can hang on the wall.

Take a deep breath, trust me to do what I do best and you will walk away saying “wow. that was so much fun”.

Relax and enjoy the moment

The more you relax and roll with the punches, the better your session will be. I promise. I know that it feels scary to let go and trust me, but I can almost guarantee that every image on my IG feed was a genuine personality shining through.

The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your kiddos will be.

We are not in a rush!

When you book a full session with me, you will receive up to 1 hour of shooting time. We won't necessarily need to use all that time, but it is there for a reason. This gives us time to play, explore, shoot, and of course the snack breaks. We won't rush the session with poses and forcing kids to stand still; I want this to be fun and relaxed.

That’s it! I hope these tips helped ease some of those worries a little bit and helped to create that magical family session you’ve been dreaming of. If you still need to get your session on that calendar, I would love to connect with you and start planning a fun, relaxed session to capture your beautiful family.