Creating Magic Even When the Kids Aren't Feeling It

Let’s talk about family sessions with young children. Oftentimes, moms come to the session and are very worried about how their children will behave. I try my best to make sure they know that there is nothing that I haven’t seen before. From babies with blow-outs to toddlers with tantrums to pre-teens with attitude, I promise that I can handle it. Your children’s attitudes do not have to determine the attitude of your session. Sometimes kids take some time to warm up. If I can take kids just 30 ft. away from their parents, they turn into totally different humans! Here are a few of my favorite tips for creating beautiful portraits when the kids are not in the mood. 

Take the Pressure Off

I completely understand the pressure that parents feel on photo session day. You have made an investment not only in the photographer but also in outfits, hair, makeup, etc., and you want to be sure that your photos turn out well. The problem is that children pick up on this nervous energy. I think it is helpful to talk to kids about what you’ll be doing, but try to keep it light and exciting. Present the photoshoot as something fun that you get to go out and do, not something that they need to be on their best behavior for. 

Laugh and Giggle 

One of the best ways to capture authentic personalities in portraits is to laugh together. I like to make little jokes and find ways to keep the mood of the session light and fun. It can be a little easier to get a laugh out of younger kids with jokes and teasing the parents. Older children can be a little more reserved with their real smiles. If you, as a photographer, are laughing and having fun, however, it will surprise you how even the toughest pre-teen can come out of their shell! 

Play a Word Game 

There are some simple games you can play that make for the cutest photos! I love to have the family play telephone, where one person whispers a silly word or phrase into the next person's ear and it gets passed along to see what everybody heard by the end. This game is especially fun for sibling portraits. It can either get a genuine smile or look like they are passing secrets, which is also adorable. 

Tell a Story

Another way to get some fun expressions out of kids and keep things fun is to tell a story as you photograph them. These can either be scary stories for older kids to get a laugh, silly stories for little kids, or Disney stories that keep the kids engaged and excited. 

Take a Walk 

It is to be expected with kids (especially toddlers) that emotions will come up. They are in a new place, in new clothes, being told what to do. That can be a recipe for tantrums. I have found that getting the parents and kids a little break from each other by taking a quick walk can do wonders. You can either take the kids yourself or the whole family for a little change of scenery and a little less holding still. If you have an assistant or second shooter, this is a good opportunity to get sibling shots and parent shots separately. 

Pick some Flowers

One of my favorite portraits is of a child picking flowers. It is such a natural and beautiful thing that children love to do. It doesn't feel forced or uncomfortable. Go for a walk with the kids and allow them to do what they want to do. I promise that you will find ways to create unique and authentic photos for the family. 

There are so many ways to change the direction of a family session. In my career, I have only had to re-shoot one family session due to behavior. And when it comes down to it, that worst-case scenario was no big deal! We just rescheduled and tried again. Giving kids a little room to breathe and play works wonders.