If you’re preparing for a photo session with your children, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below Top 8 Tips for Making Photos with Kids Easier will definitely come in handy before your upcoming session.

Don’t make a huge deal out of it before you get there 

You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace such as letting your energetic daughter’s hair stay straight instead of curling it because she won’t sit still. Or if that hat that you love is itching your son’s head, just quickly and easily give up on it. Focus on the big picture and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Make it fun

Let the kids have a couple “fun pictures” where they get to pick their own pose or props. You get to keep the more serious photos while they get to keep their silly photos. This way everyone wins. If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm. Also trust the process that sometimes the portraits of them moving around will be your favorite portrait of them because it’ll capture them in their true form. It’ll capture their true smile and maybe even a laugh.

Be prepared

If you’re going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea. If you are having your own photos taken too then you might want to bring a babysitter or family member along to watch the kids. If you happen to be shooting in a remote location, you never know when you might need something like bug spray, tissues or a first aid kit so bring that along too.

Be patient

Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing. Work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic.

Let your photographer direct the kids

More than likely your photographer will pose the adults first and then throw the kids into the photo just in time to start hitting the shutter button. Just focus on the photographer in these moments, smile and look at the camera. Let the photographer get the kids attention and remind the kids to smile, to remind the kids to sit or stand or where to put their hands. As soon as you start trying to direct the kids, the image is lost because the kids might have it perfect but you’re not looking at the camera. An image makes more sense when a child isn’t looking at the camera versus an adult not looking at the camera.

Don’t Yell at the kids

Yes, sometimes there are moments where discipline is needed. But I promise, as soon as you raise your voice or get frustrated with them the photo session will be over. Tears happen. Faces get red. No one is happy and everyone is just done. Just sit back, relax and we’ll get the shot. Promise!

It’s ok to ask for a break

We photographers get it! Sometimes we need to let the kiddos run off a little bit of energy or grab a handful of GoldFish to make the rest of the session successful. So don’t hesistate to ask for a five minute break to try and get attention back on track.

Have a chat

Get your children talking to both you and the photographer about topics such as school or their favorite songs. This allows them to feel more comfortable around your photographer and will also give your photographer a chance to capture a few candid and cute expressions.

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