The number one concern of every Mom who is booking a family photo session is “what if my kids are grumpy for our family photo session?” I’m a mom too, so I totally get it. It is OKAY if your kids are crabby or hyper or shy! Babies, toddlers, and tweens (even hubbies) can have trouble turning on the smiles during their family photo sessions. It is completely expected and completely normal! My job as your professional photographer is to work with your kids (and hubby, haha) to quickly turn things around and make your family photo session fun for everyone, even the grumpiest of kiddos. However, there are a few things you can do before our session to get your kids, toddlers, and husbands ready for a successful family photo session.

1. TALK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

It’s important to start talking to your kids about the family photo session ahead of time. I suggest talking about it when you start looking for outfits or when you start choosing a location for your session. Let the kids take part in the planning process - find out which shirt they like the best out of two choices. Offer to let them bring their favorite toy to get a special photo with it. Talk about how important and special the photo session is to you, and how it is something fun for the whole family to do together! The more excited you sound, the more excited and cooperative they will be when the day comes.

Another way to help them get excited is to talk about the photographer! Show them a photo. Tell them everything you know about him or her: “Mandee took photos of you when you were a baby!” “Mandee has a little boy your age too!” or “Mandee went to QT last week and spilled ketchup all over herself and her son thought it was so funny.” (follow me on social media–I’m sure I will give lots of good material for you to use to get them to laugh). Getting to know your photographer will help everyone feel more at ease during your session.

2. SCHEDULE THE SESSION AROUND NAPS

If we are shooting your family photo session outdoors, I prefer shooting one to two hours before sunset or one to two hours after sunrise. This gives me the best light to work with when shooting outdoors, to create gorgeous images for your family. However, if this absolutely does not coordinate with your child’s nap schedule, it will NOT give you gorgeous images. So be sure to consider how your session time will work with your child’s schedule. If you think your kiddos will not do well shooting at these times, I suggest scheduling your session time right after a nap.

3. TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

You’ve been waiting so long to have family photos taken and you just want them to be perfect. I think I’m talking mostly to the moms here when I say: your session most likely isn’t going to be perfect. Your kiddos may not behave. They may be tired or hyper or shy. If you’re stressed out and worried, you will be able to tell in your photos. Often times, kids just don’t want to be still simply because they’re kids. I get it. I have seen it ALL, often from my own son! #photographerskid

That being said, it is important to try to relax at your photo session and trust me. Your real life is beautiful and a good photographer is going to tell the story of you and your family, I promise! If that means that your child needs extra snuggles and won’t look at the camera, look forward to those sweet photos of your babies snuggling with you. If that means that your littles want to run and play, I bet you’ll love those images of them just being “kids.” I’ve had many clients tell me that they’re shocked when they get their images back when they thought there would be nothing useable from our session.

When working with families, I try to emphasize that fact that while the session may not seem perfect, I won’t leave our session without feeling confident in the images I’ve captured. Please don’t stress about things being perfect and put your trust in me.

4. EAT BEFORE YOUR SESSION

Oh my goodness, I have made this mistake before and it is not a fun one to make! Hungry kids (and husbands) are probably the crabbiest of all. Of course, you do not want to feed the kids while they are dressed in their best for their family photo session. I suggest eating (even if it's just a snack) right before heading out to your session; just make sure you leave time for a quick change into their outfits after eating. For toddlers, be sure to still bring along a non-messy snack like cheerios, popcorn, baby puffs, or marshmallows to munch on and keep those growling tummies away (or to use as bribes!). Another good incentive for kids is the promise of a trip for ice cream after a fun photo session.



5. DRESS IN COMFORTABLE OUTFITS


There’s nothing worse than a toddler or child wearing an itchy dress or clothes that are too tight. That will be the only thing on their mind if they are wearing uncomfortable clothing. It's nearly impossible for any photographer to convince your kids (or husband) to be happy when they are physically miserable. In that same vein, make sure to dress your kids for the weather. Don't let that sunshine fool ya! If you put your littles in a t-shirt and expect them to be all happy and smile while having their picture taken on a cold, fall morning...boy oh boy you are in for a surprise. While we transition into the colder months, it's important that you have a backup outfit in case the one you chose isn't going to keep you and your family warm. Nothing is more stressful than trying to find everyone new outfits on the morning of your session because it is suddenly freezing cold, when yesterday it was 85 and sunny!

Oh yea...and don't forget to...IRON YOUR CLOTHES the night before so you're not rushing around with a hot iron!

I hope that if you’ve been a client of mine in the past, you’ve felt well taken care of, comfortable, and loved your portraits from our time together. Is your family ready to book a family photo session in the St. Charles county area? Contact me HERE to get details on how to book your next photo session!