One day, these photographs will show your children how small they once were, and how loved they were.
One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “What if my children won’t cooperate?” It’s a fair worry. Little ones don’t sit still on command, and they certainly don’t smile because a stranger with a camera asks them to.
The good news is that they don’t need to. Some of my favourite family photographs happened in the moments in between: a toddler running off, a giggle at the wrong time, a little hand reaching for Mom.
Plan the day around your session
Family sessions are timed for the best light, early in the morning or in the late afternoon. To help your little ones arrive happy, plan the rest of their day around the session: a good nap beforehand if they still nap, and a proper meal before you leave home. A well-rested, well-fed child is a happy child.
Prepare them (a little)
Tell your children what’s going to happen in simple terms: “We’re going to meet Sean, and he’s going to take photos of us playing together.” Keep it light and fun. Too much pressure, like “You must behave and smile nicely”, often has the opposite effect.
What to bring
- Snacks, but nothing messy or colourful.
- Water for everyone.
- A towel.
- A favourite toy or comforter, which can help settle a nervous little one and sometimes ends up in a lovely photograph.
- Wet wipes for little hands and faces.
- A spare outfit, just in case.
For clothing, have a look at my guide, What to Wear for Your Family Photoshoot.
On the day
I keep things relaxed and playful. I’ll take the posed family photographs early, while everyone is fresh, and then let the children play, explore and be themselves while I capture it.
I’ll use games, silly sounds and a bit of patience to get those natural smiles. If a little one needs a break, we take one. There’s no rush.
Let go of perfect
My best advice for parents is to relax. Children pick up on our stress. If you’re enjoying yourselves, they will too, and that’s exactly what shows in your photographs.
You don’t need to correct every moment or fix every hair. That’s my job. Yours is simply to be together.
