My Biggest Piece of Advice?
Don’t worry about how your kids are behaving.
I know… easier said than done haha. But honestly? I could care less how your kids behave, I care far more about how you react.
If you stay calm, things usually settle down too.
Don’t try to force anything. We’ll take things slow, follow their lead, and let the session unfold naturally. I promise, everything falls into place.
If they’re running away? Make a game of it. Chase after them, run the other direction and get them chasing you instead. Use it as a strength rather than fighting against it.
If they’re refusing to wear their shoes and having a meltdown over socks? Let them kick them off and go barefoot.
If they’re hungry, bring out the snacks.
If they’re tired, slow things down for a minute, lay together and soak in some cuddles.
If they’ve had a big day and are feeling overwhelmed with all the emotions that come with being little, try shifting their focus instead. Ask them where they want to explore next, what photo they want to take, or what they want to do next.
Half the time, children just need the pressure taken off.
The moment it stops feeling like they’re being told to stand still and smile, and starts feeling more like a game, an adventure, or simply time together as a family, everything changes.
And honestly, years from now you probably won’t remember exactly how they were behaving in that moment anyway.
You’ll remember what’s pictured.
And if what’s pictured is you smiling, cuddling them, laughing through the chaos and enjoying them exactly as they were in that season, that’s the feeling the photo will hold forever
The Biggest Misconception About Family Photos
A lot of parents come into sessions thinking success means:
- everyone smiling at the camera
- children sitting still and listening perfectly
- no mess
- no big emotions
But lifestyle family photography really isn’t about perfection.
It’s about capturing your family as they actually are right now.
The way your toddler insists on being carried everywhere.
The way your baby buries their face into your neck when they’re tired.
The way your kids run circles around you while you laugh trying to keep up.
Years from now, those are usually the moments that feel the most nostalgic.
Not the perfectly posed smile.
Honestly, the best photos are usually the ones where your kids are moving, playing, exploring and simply being themselves.
Yeah, we can absolutely get that pretty family portrait for the wall that gets updated every year… but that only really takes a second.
After that? We capture the candid stuff. The real stuff.
No pressure. No expectations. Just you and your family exactly as you are in this season.
