Here’s the truth: the best family photos almost never come from kids who are perfectly posed and on their best behavior. They come from kids who are comfortable enough to be themselves— which means running, laughing, ignoring my directions, and generally being kids. My job is to capture that. Your job is just to show up without stress.
Talk about it beforehand, but keep it casual
Let your kids know what’s happening, but don’t build it up as a big formal event. “We’re going to a park to take some photos and then maybe get ice cream” works better than “You need to be on your best behavior for the photographer.” Lower the stakes and they’ll be more relaxed.
Feed them before the session
Hungry kids are the enemy of good photos. Make sure everyone has eaten a real meal before we meet. Bring snacks as backup, especially for toddlers. A granola bar at the right moment has saved more sessions than I can count.
Let them warm up at their own pace
I never start shooting the moment we meet. We spend the first 10–15 minutes just hanging out, letting the kids get comfortable with me and with the environment. By the time I lift my camera they’ve usually forgotten I have one.
Don’t stress about the meltdowns
If a tantrum happens — and sometimes they do — we just take a break. We walk around, find something interesting to look at, let the moment pass. I’ve never had a session that was ruined by a meltdown. I have had sessions where the recovery from the meltdown produced the most beautiful, real images of the day.
Bring a comfort item for little ones
For toddlers and babies, having a favorite stuffed animal or toy nearby can make all the difference. We don’t have to include it in the photos — it’s just good to have as a security anchor when they need it.
The families that have the best sessions are the ones who come in relaxed and ready to have fun. That energy is contagious — it spreads to the kids, and it shows in every single photo.