Keep these tips in mind to help ensure a smoother session experience for everyone!

1. Don’t forget to feed your child before the session. Also, pack snacks just in case hunger strikes again while we’re shooting. Go with non-messy snacks that don’t require tons of chewing. For example, gummy candies are sticky and take a long time to chew, and sometimes they stain the teeth or lips. But pretzels or goldfish crackers can be eaten quickly without leaving a mess.

2. Bring more than one outfit. Make sure you always have backup clothes just in case, for you and your children. It’s amazing how often a kid will fall into a mud puddle or spill something on themselves just as the session is starting. And I recommend that you don’t change your child into their session clothing until after you have fed them. And to reduce the chances of spillage, I recommend water rather than anything brightly colored to drink.

3. Let your children help when picking out clothes for the session (unless this will cause them anxiety). Most kids love to have a sense of control and love to participate in choosing their own clothes. By letting your children wear their favorite shirt or shoes, they will likely feel more comfortable and more willing to engage during the photo session. To keep this from becoming a stressful situation, you may want to choose 2 or 3 pieces of clothing that are the desired color, and let them choose between those options, so no matter what they choose, you’ll be happy with the outcome.

4. If you have a young child, try to schedule the session after nap time so your child will be well rested and happy for photos. You know your child best. If they are usually happier first thing in the morning, request a morning session slot. Some kids do better after their afternoon nap. From personal experience, I recommend avoiding scheduling their session right before or during their usual nap time. That’s a recipe for disaster and will make things much more difficult for everyone.

5. Come prepared to have fun. Some parents think they should bribe their kids in order to get them to cooperate during the session. Promises of ice cream or extra Netflix time may help your child engage, but it’s also possible that these promises will just cause extra anxiety and communicate that the photo session is something unpleasant that they will have to endure, like a root canal. Instead, focus on having fun during the session itself. The session time is the reward, because it’s a time for your family to play together, for your child to have your undivided attention, and for them to be the focus for that whole time. 

6. Bring along your child's favorite toy or blanket. Having a comfort item will help your child be more at ease in a new, unfamiliar surrounding. Just be aware that this will probably become a prop in some of the portraits, so make sure it’s something that you’d be okay with photos of it. 

7. Talk to your children about the session and explain what’s going to happen. If your children are informed about the situation, it will be less scary for them when they come to the session. Tell them that they are going to meet a new friend who has a camera and is excited to take some pictures while they play with mom and dad. Let them know that you’ll be there the whole time and you’ll play lots of games together while the photographer takes photos. The more you can prepare them, the better the outcome will be!

8. Bring a grandparent (or someone else your child loves). Bringing along reinforcements is always a good plan, especially if your child is young, shy, or if this is their first experience in front of the camera. If Grandma lives close by, or if your child’s favorite uncle has the day off work, bring him or her with you. You can encourage this family member to help get your child to relax and smile during the session. You may consider bringing a beloved pet for the same reason, and maybe even including them in some of the photos!

9. Wear sturdy shoes. It’s a good idea to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes to your portrait session, as it’s challenging to chase a little one around in flip-flops or heels. During the session time, I may ask you to grab your child if he keeps running out of the frame. Don’t worry, this is normal and it’s not a problem! It’s just an opportunity for us to get our daily step count in as we carry them back to the photo session. During an outdoor session, I may have us walking around exploring, so we all need to be prepared to keep our feet safe and comfortable.

10. If your child doesn't fully cooperate during the session, don't panic! Even with great preparation, sometimes kids still don't behave how you want them to. Don't feel embarrassed! An experienced family photographer has seen it all and will know how to go with the flow and still get great pictures. Let your kids be kids. Don't threaten, bribe, or punish them, as that will escalate many children. And it won't give them or you the fun experience you want.