If you are looking for tips to have an easy photo session with kids then you are in the right place! Planning a family photo session with your children can make any parent nervous. Don’t worry that is totally normal! Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming Miami family photo session. Just remember that by doing these family photos you are boosting your child’s self esteem so no matter how overwhelming it can feel you are doing something amazing for your kiddos!
1. Relax!
Kids are like sponges and they pick up on everything. If you are cranky and stressed out your kiddos will notice and they will get cranky and stressed out. So relax and have fun with them, let them mimic that behavior instead! I like to tell my clients that we all feel guilty for not spending enough time with our kids so this is the perfect time to just focus on playing with them and having fun. This is probably the biggest secret to easy photo sessions with kids!
2. Let’s have fun!
For the super energetic kiddos I like to offer compromises. If they give me a smile at the camera photo with their best smile then the next photo they can run around mom and dad being silly. We will rinse and repeat this several times letting them choose the fun photos they want to do. I find this strategy to be a winner all around! Simon Says is another great option I use a lot.
3. Be prepared!
Kids (and husbands) need to be well fed and rested before our session, my magical tricks are no match for a hungry toddler! Give them a snack before our session but avoid chocolate or anything they might get on their clothes. Fruit snacks work great! If your little one likes to nap in the car try to arrive 10-15 min early so they can wake up and have a few minutes to adjust before we jump right into our session.
4. Have a chat!
I love capturing photos of parents interacting with their kids and a great way to do that is to just talk to them about whatever they are obsessed with at the moment. If you can let me know ahead of time about their favorite topic I can be sure to know a few key facts that will make them feel more comfortable talking to me. Once they are relaxed around me the photos get much easier!
5. Be patient!
This one is the hardest but it is an absolute must. Nothing ruins a session quicker than mom or dad getting mad and kids ending up in tears. It’s so hard to recover when that happens. Let the kids be a little wild but if you feel they’ve hit the point of not listening at all feel free to take them aside for a minute to have a calm chat. Sometimes they just need some one on one attention and a reminder that you are so excited about these photos!
I hope these tips for easy photo sessions with kids helps your next photo session. All the families for my Cherry Blossom Minis followed these directions and we had a fabulous time! Check out more of my favorites below and if you are looking for a Miami family photographer contact me today to schedule your next session!
Easy Photo Sessions with Kids
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2023.
