How to Prep Your Kids for Family Photos

September 20, 2021 • Leave a Comment

How to Prep Your Kids for Family Photos

Do you love the thought of having amazing family photos to hang on your wall and share to your family and friends but dread the thought of a photosession. Moody Husband/Partner, grump un-cooperative kids, sweat rolling down your back while you try to smile and keep your cool?

You’re not alone!

I send a guide to my clients to help them prepare their kids for their photo session so I’m going to share some of my best tips for you, too!

1. Plan Ahead

The absolute best thing you can do to set yourself up for photo day success is to plan ahead. One of my favorite sayings ever is “Failure to prepare...prepare to fail.” haha It’s so true.

Make sure you map out your timeline correctly and allow for lots of wiggle room in your schedule for the unexpected things that come up.

If you think it will take you 20 minutes to drive to your sesison location? Plan for double. Traffic, unexpected toliet stops and getting lost all can cause you stress. YOu can even visit the location before hand so that you are familiar with the parking and meeting points

Think it’ll take 90 minutes to do your hair and makeup and get the family ready? Plan for at least two hours. Make sure you also check for traffic and road closures before you leave your house.

Pack your bag of supplies the night before. Extra water for everyone, healthy snacks for the kids, and little treats for bribery. It works! Fruit snacks are great because they’re small and don’t melt in your hands or pockets. Just say no to Chocolate Buttons at least until the session is done

If your kids are still of napping age, you’ll also need to plan your day around naps so you don’t have to wake your kid up right before you have to leave the house. That’s almost a guarantee that you’ll end up with a tired grump kid during photos.

You may have to move the nap earlier in the day, which means your kids may need to wake up earlier that day, which means they may need to get to bed earlier the night before…you get the idea.

Try not to do any extensive physical activity the day before your session so you ahve full energy. Photo sessions can be very physical...lifting children, playing, running and playing games so make sure you are well rested and ready for a workout! lol

2. Have a good breakfast/ lunch

Depending on you session time make sure you have a good meal before your session. If your kids have not eaten andyou just bring a small and/or unhealthy snack it will leave your kids still feeling hungry or could even lead to a sugar crash in the middle of your session.

A healthy, hearty snack will give them the energy they need to run around be themselves.

Whole wheat toast with peanut butter, cereals, bananas, and grapes, raisins are great slow release engery foods…just make sure they eat before they get dressed

3. No Screen Time

It’s well known that screens affect kids’ moods and temperament, so if you can limited or avoid all screen time (phones, tablets, TV, etc.) for the entire day or, at the very least, 4-5 hours leading up to your session will lead to happier kids

4. Tell Your Kids What Your Expectations Are

Kids just want to make their grown-ups happy. If you’re clear about your expectations with your kids, then the entire experience will be more smooth and enjoyable. Use phrases like, “We’re getting ready to meet __________ (your photographer’s name) to take some family photos. We will be there for _______ minutes and I expect you to be a good listener, to have some fun, and follow directions. If you do these things then it will be a fun and easy time! If you’re having a hard time, just let me know and we can take a break for a drink or snack.

5. Give Necessary Information to Your Photographer

I love to send a questionaire to my clients so I can get to know you and the needs of your family. If you have a child with special needs, a sensory processing disorder, developmental or cognitive delays, please let your photographer know several days before your session. Be as specific as needed to help your photographer feel prepared to meet your child.

For example, if your child is shy and need time to warm up, or responds to games and instructions.

Or if your child gets easily overwhelmed around people with high energy, it will be best for your photographer to be as calm and gentle as possible.

Another thing that may be helpful for your photographer to know is if you are a blended family. If Noah’s dad is married to Clare, and Noah calls her by her name and not “Mum,” then this is helpful for the photographer to know when giving direction to the family. We always want to create a comfortable environment for everyone.

6. Plan a Special Treat or Event

Maybe everyone can go out to dinner or have a special takeaway after your session, or you could organise to stay longer at the location to have some family fun...have some icecream or organise a softplay , a trampoline park the next day. Think of it as giving the children a reward for a job well done!

7. Have Realistic Expectations

It won’t go perfectly. Give your family a break and give yourself a break. Accept your children for how they are that day and embrace the chaos of family life. Photos are to document all aspects of your family. If you give off unhappy energy, the children wil feel that too. Love your kids for who they are in that moment. Even if they don’t want to smile or be held.

Put yourself in their shoes...Mum is rushing around, gettign everyone dressed, trying to match outfits, kids cant find their shoes, baby has taken off their nappy and trousers. Mum and dad are stressed. Dad is thinking about all those jobs he wants to do this weekend and has to get his photos taken. . They’re rushing to get you out of the car because they’re running late, you’re at a place you’ve never been before and someone you’ve never seen before is trying to make you smile and laugh while holding a big black camera in front of his/her face. Its cold, hot, raining or windy and all you want to do is go back home and play Minecraft! I don’t know about you but I would feel incredibly overwhelmed in that moment, too.

You see where planning ahead and trying to stay calm will really help, right?

YES!

Kids feed off their parents’ energy. If you’re stressed and anxious, your kids will be too. Do your best to relax and enjoy the moment. The whole point of getting portraits taken is to cherish these family memories. They are unique to your family. No family is the same and every memory is precious

So, that’s it! What do you think?

Leave a comment let me know. I always love hearing from you!

Vicky

Victoria Sturdy Photography - Cambridge and Surrounding Area Photographer

Victoria Sturdy Photography offers a wide range of photography services including Boudoir, Newborn, Maternity, Family, Business Branding and so much more!

About Me:

Hi there, I am Victoria Sturdy!! I am the one answering all the emails, posting on social media, and taking all your lovely photos. I have been doing photography for about 5 years. I love bright colours and anything cutesy. I think was born in the wrong era. I absolutely love anything vintage especially old hollywood glamour and pin up outfits! When I am not taking photos I am out buying more props for my future sessions or of course spending time with my amazing Husband and four children! Family is incredibly important to me and I cherish every moment I spend with them! I love capturing those everyday moments that just make you laugh, cry or just enjoy the chaos of having a large family. I love how I can make these moments last forever.

This website is my way of showing you my work and what I am capable of and how much photography means to me. I post new photoshoots as soon as I can in hopes to keep my website new and exciting! I am more than happy to be creative and brak out of my comfort zone and try something new, so if you don't see the certain style you are looking for message me and we can work something out. I am always curious and love to learn new tricks and techniques. I hope you enjoy my work and have a fantastic day!

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