Every parent wants the perfect family picture, with everyone smiling and standing in a natural setting covered in soft golden light. But as any photographer or parent will tell you, it's not always easy to get that photo. It can be hard to get your kids to sit still, let alone smile for the camera, between tantrums, tears, and other distractions.
This might stress you out, or even prevent you from wanting to book a photo session. But let me reassure you — in my years of experience as a Spokane family photographer, there’s nothing I love more than putting parents’ minds at ease and wowing them with a smooth, fun experience for the whole family. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for connecting with teenagers, making little ones giggle, and even getting reluctant dads to enjoy the process.
But there are a few things you can do to help make sure your family photo session goes smoothly and keeps you sane in the process. These tips will vary depending on the ages of your children, but keep in mind that the number one goal is to relax and have fun. Your images will come out better and your overall experience will be better if you trust your photographer and come ready to roll with the punches.
Choose a location that's fun—but not too fun.
It's important to strike a balance when picking a location for your family photos. You might want to pick a location that's fresh and exciting, but not so exciting that your kids will get distracted. For example, a zoo or county fair might make for some cute photos, but it will be hard to keep your kids’ attention if there’s too much going on in the environment. You might feel more at ease selecting a location that is more familiar to you, such as your backyard or a favorite park. Consider the personalities of your children and the kind of environment that would help them feel relaxed and at ease.
Don’t forget snacks.
As a parent, you’re probably used to taking snacks with you everywhere. It's the same with a family photo shoot; you will undoubtedly want to pause occasionally for a snack or drink, especially if it’s hot or you have little ones with you. Avoid giving your kids anything messy or that will cause their clothes, lips, or tongue to become stained. Apple slices, Cheerios, fruit snacks, and veggies or other cut fruits are all healthy and clean options. In the chillier months, consider bringing thermoses of hot chocolate to keep everyone warm and toasty!
Let your kids just be kids.
Don’t set unrealistic expectations for your photo shoot. If you have young children, it's likely that they won't want to sit still for pictures and might even be running around a lot. Don't worry! Enjoy the moment and allow your photographer to capture your family as it is. The more you try to control your children with sharp verbal reminders to “sit still!” or “smile!", the more they may feel stressed and uncomfortable. And even if they do listen to those reminders, you aren’t likely to get authentic expressions that way. Instead, relax and let your photographer do what they do best. They will work with your kids' natural energy to get natural smiles and beautiful, unposed moments. Our kids feed off our energy, so the more relaxed we can stay, the better.
Stock up on baby wipes.
Even if your little ones are out of diapers, be sure to bring some baby wipes. Kids are messy, so during your photo shoot they might get into sand, dirt, leaves, or any number of other things. To clean those hands and faces, keep some wipes on hand. Along those lines, you may also want to consider bringing a change of clothes for everyone, just in case a sneaky mud puddle makes an appearance right at the beginning of the session.
Enjoy yourself!
Not every photo requires you to smile and pose for the camera. Give your children a squeeze, give your partner a kiss, and cuddle up as a family. Your photographer will be taking pictures the entire time and will be thrilled to have the chance to document your genuine love and joy; you'll love having candid, joyful pictures of your entire family. Try to be in the moment and don’t worry about if what you’re doing will make a good picture. Let your photographer worry about that!
Your entire family will have more fun and your photographer will be able to capture sincere, joyful smiles if you approach your family photo session more like a fun outing than as a task. And don’t wait until your kids are older because you’re worried they won’t “behave” for a photo session. Relax, let them be who they are, and enjoy the beautiful images you’ll get as a result!
Schedule a consultation with me today and we’ll go over everything you need to know to feel prepared for a stress-free experience!
P.S. I was a nanny before I became a family photographer. Over the course of my nanny career, I worked with 5 different families and a total of 8 different children ranging in age from newborn to 10. When I say I’ve seen it all, I mean it. Your children’s behavior, including tantrums and high-energy personalities, won’t phase me. So relax, have fun, and let everyone be themselves! I can handle it and work with it to get great family pictures.
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