how to prepare younger family members (and yourself!)
for having the very best experience
You have kids AND you booked a portrait session. GO YOU! Nothing about the raising-kids years is hard but one day - or so I'm told - we're gonna miss this. So let's buckle in and prepare for the very best possible portrait experience by adjusting our expectations and embracing the photoshoot day, however it happens!
Babies
Ahh babies. Those first months with a new person in your household are both wonderful and challenging. When possible, schedule your session at the beginning of your baby's wake window (i.e. right after a nap). Feed your little one a full meal or snack. The immediately before the session, change baby into his/her portrait outfit. (TIP: Be sure to pack a backup outfit for the unexpected blowout!)
toddlers & young children
Kids love routine. They thrive when they know what’s happening next. It would be completely against everything we know about their little brains to throw something new at them without prompting. To bring out the best smiles later, all you have to do is start talking about it now! Involve your child in the process. Let your child help lay out his/her outfit. If your family has had a photoshoot before, point to those photos on the wall and help them remember the experience. Talk about how the camera will be like the one on Mommy/Daddy’s phone but MUCH bigger. It won’t hurt and they will even have fun! Help their brains to create a positive picture of the experience before it begins. (Bonus tip: Pack a favorite noise-making toy for littles and/or a bribe for kids!)
older children & teens
Older kids & teens are hard at work developing their prefrontal cortex. Some may be of the opinion that they have better things to do than pose for family photos. Have a frank conversation with them leading up to your session. Hear their concerns or objections and mirror their affect. After connecting relationally, share why this is important to you and how their willingness to do something they may not want to do means a lot to you. When appropriate, offer an incentive like going to their favorite restaurant after the session. (Fun fact: I served as the youth director of a church for over 10 years so I'm right at home with this age group.)
words of advice & encouragement
for parents of young children
- Please don't worry about your child's behavior. I know this is hard to do. You're going to want them to be on their best behavior and that is understandable. However, if they seem to be in a bad mood, irritable or fussy, being firm and frustrated with them because of you are stressed about the shoot being perfect is only going to make it worse. Toddlers, kids, and even babies can sense stress from their parents. If you don't feel relaxed and calm, they won't either. If they are acting crazy or grumpy, we'll work with the crazy! There is beauty in the chaos.
- Try to remember that it's not up to you to make yourself look good and make them smile -- that's my job! Some of my all time favorite portraits of my own family are the ones when I let go and didn't worry so much.
- I'm a mom of 3 young kids and I have 10 years of youth ministry experience. I have directed VBS 8 times. Nothing can shock me and you don't need to prove to me that you have great kids that listen and follow directions. I know family portraits can be challenging and the challenge isn't a reflection of your child's normal behavior or how well you're parenting them.
- Let's try to avoid snacks and treats as much as possible during the session itself. Why? Because we'll have to wait for them to finish chewing before we can try again! We will find other ways to make the session fun.
- Just keep smiling! Even if you're trying to get one child to giggle and engage, do it with a smile! So often, parents are worried about getting their child to smile that when the child does smile, the parent has forgotten to smile themselves. This is why genuinely having fun together is vital to the success of the shoot!
