The Number One Tip I Give My Clients for their Photography Sessions

I know family photography sessions can be stressful for many reasons, and while I try to do my best to make them as easy and stress-free as possible for my clients, it can still be challenging for little kids to participate in these sessions particularly if it interferes with their nap schedules, what they want to do in the moment, or if it scares them to have a stranger with a weird contraption (my camera) pointing at them.

All of these things can happen and can be outside of mine and the parents’ control. But, when it does happen, what I do is give the children space, and let them decide where the session is going. What I mean, is that if the kids want to run, then we run. If they don’t want to pose and smile, then we don’t. If they want to be with mom instead of with dad, we do that. Whatever makes the kids most comfortable is what we run with.

Then, I also give one piece of advice to my clients that holds true whether this situation takes place or not: don’t have any expectations for the session and be willing to run with the punches.

You wouldn’t think so from looking at these photos, but for most of this session both kids were having a very rough time, crying, and wanting to be held by their mother. And because the parents were absolutely perfect at making light of the situation, playing with them, cuddling them, and reassuring them, we were able to get some wonderful photos despite the actual chaos that was happening. In the end, everyone had fun and we got what we wanted, but I believe the outcome had been much different had the parents grown frustrated with the situation.

Kuddos to all parents that do significant work to prepare for these sessions, and also to all my wonderful clients who trust me to do my work while they focus on just being with their kids. This is how we make the magic happen.