How to Prepare Your Kids for Fall Family Photos (Without the Stress)
There is something moms tell me all the time before a family session:
“Just warning you… my kids are crazy.”
Perfect.
Bring me the crazy.
Your kids don't need to stand perfectly still, look at my camera and give me their best school-picture smile for twenty minutes.
Actually, I'd rather they didn't.
The photographs I love most usually happen when everyone stops worrying about the camera and starts being a family.
Don't Spend the Car Ride Telling Them to Smile
This might be my biggest tip.
Try not to build the session up as something your kids have to perform for.
You don't need to spend the drive saying, “Remember to smile,” “Please behave for the photographer,” or “Don't mess up your clothes.”
Instead, tell them you're going somewhere to hang out, play and take some pictures together.
Because that's much closer to what we're actually going to do.
Feed Everyone First
I cannot compete with a hungry toddler.
Neither can golden hour.
Give everyone something to eat before you leave home.
For little ones, throw a clean, easy snack into your bag just in case. Preferably nothing involving chocolate, orange crackers or anything else destined to end up on a cream sweater.
Arrive Earlier Than You Think You Need To
Fall minis are short, so your session has a specific start time.
Give yourself enough time to park, get everyone out, fix a shoe, wipe somebody's face, brush hair one more time and walk over without feeling frantic.
Kids pick up on our energy.
Starting relaxed makes a difference.
You Don't Have to Make Them Cooperate
Once you arrive, you can stop working.
If your child doesn't want to smile, you don't need to stand behind me yelling his name.
If your toddler suddenly wants nothing to do with pictures, you don't need to apologize.
Let me work with them.
We might run. Play. Snuggle. Have a tickle fight. Race toward Dad. Look for something in the grass.
I'm not waiting for your children to become perfectly behaved little models.
I'm looking for pieces of who they actually are.
Let Them Move
Kids photograph beautifully when they're allowed to move.
Let your son climb into your arms.
Let your daughter twirl.
Let them run toward you.
Let Dad throw somebody in the air.
Movement creates the messy hair, scrunched noses, belly laughs and little hands wrapped around your neck that make photographs feel alive.
Don't Panic If Someone Has a Meltdown
It happens.
Someone may cry.
Someone may suddenly hate their shoes.
Your toddler may refuse to leave your arms.
Your seven-year-old may decide that making the strangest face imaginable is hilarious.
None of that means your session is ruined.
I've had moms leave convinced we couldn't possibly have gotten anything—and then fall in love with their gallery.
Twenty Minutes Can Actually Be Perfect
Parents sometimes worry that a 20-minute session isn't enough time.
For many families, especially those with younger children, it's actually a sweet spot.
We move quickly, keep things playful and finish before everyone is completely over it.
Mom, Please Get in the Picture
Once we're shooting, stop fixing everyone.
Don't spend the entire session adjusting shirts and checking whether your children are looking at me.
Get close to them.
Pick them up while you still can.
Let them lean into you.
Laugh with them.
Look at them instead of me.
One day those little arms won't fit around your neck quite the same way.
Those are the photographs you're going to want back.
Want to Feel Completely Prepared?
My free Fall Session Guide has outfit inspiration, planning tips and everything you need before your session.
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