worried about scheduling a shoot with little ones?
There have been countless sessions where I have had parents worried about their children's attention span or behavior. You would be surprised how successful a session can be just by doing a little bit of preparation. Not only that, but oftentimes allowing your kids to warm up and to simply explore throughout the session can make for some truly authentic photos. July's blog will take you through some tips and tricks that'll help you survive your next family session with little ones - I promise, it'll be worth it!
preparation
There are actually several ways that you can help prepare your little ones for the session beforehand. Kids understand more than we think, and being honest with them ahead of time about what's going to take place will help. Check out a few specific tips below for more ways you can help them prepare and ease any nerves...
plan ahead
Believe it or not, if you are scrambling to put together outfits and get everyone ready right before the shoot, much of that stress may project onto your little ones. It's best to try and make sure you have everything ready to go in advance (like laying out your outfits). This will make for a smooth transition from leaving your house to arriving to the shoot. Plus, it's best to arrive on time. If you are running late, those precious minutes can make a big impact on your children's attitude, especially if it's nearing nap time!
keep things simple
If possible, try to keep your children's outfits simple and avoid too many accessories. This can often be distracting for kids, so the simpler the better. Many times these become toys during the session, and having to discipline them can result in tears or tantrums. Bonus: you won't have to worry about lugging these things around the session either. I'm always happy to help with outfit planning if needed!
feed em'!
Hangry is no fun no matter how old you are. Trust me when I say to be sure your kids aren't showing up on an empty stomach. We're all happier with a full belly, so provide your children with something to snack on in the car on the way there. In fact, you're welcome to bring snacks to sneak in the middle of shots if you're comfortable with it. This is a perfect way to give them a break, and it allows them to calm down from any pressure they may be feeling throughout the shoot. My best advice is to try not to bring out the snacks unless you have to, though! Otherwise, they may not be getting the immediate gratification they are looking for.
prepare a bribe
It may not be ideal, but if you are worried about how your children might act during the session, consider offering a bribe for good behavior. I have had many parents offer ice cream or desserts as a way to follow up a session. You can let them know ahead of time on the way there that said bribe is the end goal, and it's easy to remind them throughout the shoot: "Just a few more photos and then we can get ice cream!" It certainly doesn't need to be a sugary treat. You know your children best, so figure out a reward they would appreciate and use that as a way to push for best behavior.
during the shoot
Sometimes you can do all of the preparation in the world, but unexpected twists can happen. It's a simple fact that little ones can change moods quickly, so it's always good to expect that this might happen during your session.
01.
go with the flow
As hard as it may be to take a step back as a parent, do your best to allow your kids to warm up to the photographer. Besides, the repetition of parents saying "look at the camera!" or "say cheese!" can get frustrating for them. Try to let your photographer take charge and get their attention, otherwise too many people are talking to them at once, and it'll be even more difficult to get them to smile at the camera. Plus, I love a good candid shot anyway! A lot of the time, if I can't get everyone to look at the camera, I'll just suggest everyone talk to one another or tell some jokes. These are such fun shots to capture and truly feel much less posed.
02.
have patience
I have had quite a range of experiences with family sessions. Sometimes, I have to work quickly to get as many photos as I can before the kids become cranky and tired. Other times, I have to be patient and let them warm up. After all, I'm typically a complete stranger to them! Having the patience to allow your little ones to get comfortable will be worth it in the end. Let's explore and play around a bit before forcing them to step in front of the camera. Some of the shots of them playing can ultimately be the best ones in a gallery anyway.
quick tip - avoid naps
Please please please prevent your children from taking naps right before a shoot, especially in the car on the way there. Having to wake them up, bring them out to (typically) an unfamiliar place AND face can be a really hard adjustment. Although I have preferred times of day to shoot, I am always flexible to try and work to find a time that won't interfere with nap time or bedtime. We can always find locations with plenty of shade no matter the time of day. It's better to adjust to lighting than have to deal with a tired kid!
for the parents
As parents, it can be stressful to deal with a family session as you certainly want it to go smoothly and ultimately want some lovely family photos. Here are my last words of wisdom to help put your mind at ease and convince you to book the session.
lower expectations
Your family is unique - embrace that. I know you may have some Pinterest inspiration (don't we all), but allow yourself to expect that the session will run its own course. Trust that your photographer will capture your family and kiddos authentically, and understand that there's no perfect way for a session to go. You may have to forego some of the ideas you had ahead of time. Approach the session with an open mind, and if you let go of some of those expectations for perfection, you will truly have the best time.
let them be kids
This is my #1 piece of advice. I love to allow little ones to play and explore the location. They are only this age once, and it's so fun to freeze their personalities in time. The perfect photos are not always the ones where they are looking at the camera and smiling, but more so the ones that capture who they truly are at their current age. The best way to do that is to let them be little. Bonus: tire them out before you head home! Movement is key.
get creative
Again, you know your kids best. There are so many ways we can take some great photos simply by bringing in some fun things you may do at home. Some examples: dance, play ring around the rosie, sing a song, heck - I could even play some music! Think about some of the activities you love to do as a family and let's incorporate those into your photos. Not only can it give your little ones comfort, but it can capture the uniqueness of your family as well. These are always some of my favorite shots.
As always, I am happy to chat with anyone more about concerns and questions that may come up as you approach your session - or even if you are trying to decide if you want to book one in the first place. It can seem overwhelming, but I promise there are ways to have fun with it and create some special photos, especially if you can let go of some expectations. We'll get creative, have patience, and do what we can to keep those little ones happy!
Thank you if you have made it this far.
♡ Kylie
