Worrying about your family photo session is a real thing for most parents. “What if my kids don’t sit still?” “What if they don’t listen?” These are fears of many parents with small children before family photos. Luckily there are things you can do to help ease this stress. The first thing is hire a local professional photographer. Pros will have games, tips and prompts that will help everyone feel relaxed and naturally interact for great candid photos.
Here are some tips for the parents:
What to Say Before the Photo Session?
Talk About the Session Like an Adventure
Kids respond to enthusiasm.
Instead of:
✘ “We’re taking photos.”
Try:
✔ “We’re going to explore the mountains!”
✔ “We get to play games and take pictures!”
It sets the tone for fun instead of pressure. Once at the shoot a professional photographer will take over and encourage the kids to explore and play while taking candids and helping them feel comfortable.
What Should My Kids Wear for Photos?
Dress them in comfortable clothes.
If kids are uncomfortable in their clothes they will look uncomfortable in the photos. That does not mean you have to dress them in sweats. But try and find something that they can run and play in comfortably while still looking nice. Choose:
- ✔ Soft fabrics
- ✔ Stretchy layers
- ✔ Comfy shoes
- ✔ Well-worn outfits they’ve worn before
Should we dress up or keep it casual for family pictures?
It is best to be comfortable while also being as dressy as possible for your family photo session. This might include:
- sundresses
- button downs with khaki pants
- jeans and a nice top
- skirt
How do we coordinate outfits without matching?
It’s less important to completely match and more important to coordinate. Coordinating outfits would be a color palette or complementary colors together.
Can I Bring Snacks? Should I Bribe Them?
Bring snacks + water (but not messy ones!)
Snacks and water breaks are important to a successful photo shoot. Bring a few snacks that are quick and easy with the least mess possible.
Best options:
🍎 Fruit snacks
🧁 Mini muffins
🥨 Pretzels
🫐 Dry fruit
💦 Water
Avoid:
✘ Chocolate
✘ Bright candy
✘ Anything that stains
We want happy faces, not messy ones!
To bribe or not to bribe!
Bribing should not be necessary during your family photo session. A good professional photographer will have enough tricks and games to engage the family and help the kids have fun and look natural. Small bribes such as gummy bears can work wonders during photo breaks but too often than not kids get hung up on the bribe and don’t look natural or start to cry.
What if my Toddler Won’t Sit Still?
A good family photographer will be well skilled at capturing a toddler on the move. Many family photographers will begin with motion and games to help kids feel comfortable and allow them to have some fun while getting use to the atmosphere.
Let Them Take Breaks
We move at their pace. If they are not interested in sitting on the blanket and want to check out the flowers- let them! It makes for the sweetest candid photos, alleviates the tears and helps them relax. A pro photographer will allow the kids the explore and keep the proper pace of the session.
It’s OK if your child needs to:
✨ Explore
✨ Reset
✨ Snack
✨ Take a moment
What if my Kids Don’t Cooperate for Family Photos?
A good family photographer will have tricks and games to help kids feel comfortable and have fun during your family photos session. Games will include:
- walking
- spinning
- jumping
- telephone
- answering silly questions
- red light green light
These games will help the kids feel comfortable with the photographer and be more likely to have natural smiles for the photos. (It also loosens up adults!)
How do you get natural smiles from kids during family photos?
Natural smiles come from kids when they are feeling comfortable and having fun. Including motion in the beginning of the photo session is a great ways to get kids nervous energy out and an opportunity for fun and natural smiles. Interactive games like peekaboo and telephone will illicit natural smiles and candid photos.
Don’t stress if they’re wiggly!
Wiggly kids are GREAT for photos. Kids don’t need to sit still — they just need to be themselves. The moments you want to remember forever is who they really were in that moment in time. It might be messy, loud and chaotic but it is real.
I build sessions around:
✔ Play
✔ Movement
✔ Curiosity
✔ Games
✔ Snuggles
Can we Bring Props or Blankets for Our Family Photos?
Props and blankets are great options for family photos with young kids. Sports equipment can help a family interact and kids relax and feel comfortable. For winter photo session to feel fun and cozy bring items like:
- blankets
- hot chocolate
- holiday items
- wreath
In the summer bring items like:
- ball
- frisbee
- kite
- bubbles
In the fall bring:
- pumpkins
- apples
- costumes
- baskets for collecting leaves
Bring a comfort item to the family photos.
Small things can help a child feel secure:
🧸 A favorite stuffed animal
🌟 A special blanket
🚗 A tiny toy
We can even incorporate it into a few photos or the photographer will use it to “help” take the photo!
Do You Guide Us the Whole Time?
Yes, professional photographers will guide you and help you feel and look your best. Pros will pose everyone and then use a prompt or game relax and interact.
Trust the pro and the process for your family photos!
I’ve photographed every personality: shy, wild, sleepy, hyper, stubborn, silly.
There is always a way to create beautiful images of who you and your family is in this moment in time.
Your job?
Love on your kids.
My job?
Capture the magic.
🤍 Final Thought
Happy kids make honest, beautiful photos — and the key is letting them be themselves. and to have fun with the experience!
📅 Ready for stress-free family photos in Crested Butte? Let’s make it easy + joyful.
📧 rebecca@thirdeyephotographycolorado.com
🌐 thirdeyephotographycolorado.com
For more about family photography including the Most Beautiful Locations in Crested Butte check out my blog!
comments +