I’ve been photographing Yuma families since 2015 and I’ve learned a heck of a lot about what makes a successful photo session. I know that as a parent photo sessions can be hugely stressful! But there are lots of ways to make ease that stress and help ensure a fun and successful session.
Before I offer some tips, I want you to know that I'm a mom of three and a seasoned photographer so there's not a behavior that I haven't seen expressed. I’ll direct your kiddos throughout the session. I will talk to them, make jokes, have them take deep breaths or shake the stiffness out of their pose. My sessions are a little like playdates with snuggles, hah! And most kids end up having a pretty good time!
Ok, let’s dig in to some tips!
Ten tips for a less stressy photo session!
Make sure your kiddo is rested. Tired kids are grouchy kids so make sure they get a good night’s sleep and a nap if they’re still in the napping phase. This applies to teens as well. On the way to your session, try not to let your kiddo fall asleep in the car. Waking them suddenly when you arrive at your session can also cause grouchiness.
Make sure they have a full belly. Give them a small meal or snack before leaving for the session. Bring non-messy snacks to the session for younger kiddos in case they need a pick-me-up. Also, bring lots of cold water. This is YUMA, yo! We can get hot even in the winter so cold water is a must.
Talk to your kids about the photo session at least a week before so they know what to expect. Be positive and enthusiastic and they will most likely adopt the same attitude about it. Let them know my name and that I’m going to hang out with them, play with them, and that I want to see whatever fun things they’re doing at the moment. Has your kiddo learned to jump really high? Did they learn how to braid their own hair? Did they recently get their permit? Encourage them to show me and tell me all about it! This makes for fun and natural connections with me, and therefore with my camera. Also? I truly adore children (even teens!) and I WANT to see and document their little milestones. Those little bits of joy make life pretty darn sweet.
Keep photo day low key. Don’t schedule a lot of things or run a bunch of errands that day. Kids can easily get tired and overstimulated. Build in a little downtime before your session so kids (and parents!) can build up some energy.
Bribe your children. Seriously, we are not above bribing! With younger kids it's nice to have a treat on hand, and with older kids a treat after the session is a great way to encourage cooperation. Treats during the session should be non-messy so your kiddo stays clean, nothing sticky or melty.
Let them help make decisions on what to wear. Kids can start to have strong opinions about what they wear at a very young age. Indulge them! I mean, we wouldn’t want to take photos in an outfit we dislike, ya know? Make sure they are comfortable in their clothes. Avoid tight or itchy clothing, and anything that prevents them from moving freely. If you want them to wear something specific allow them to choose between two items. For example, if you want them to wear a dress, give them a choice between two dresses and you’ll both feel good about the decision. When a child feels confident and happy with their appearance, they will enjoy being photographed so much more. Be sure to clean their face. It’s super common for kids to have “crusties” around their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Have all of your styling decisions made and lay out everyone’s outfits at least a day before your session. Last minute scrambling will definitely cause unnecessary stress. With a little preparation, everyone can calmly get dressed and ready without arguing or resisting.
Don’t tell them to say cheese! This usually results in unnatural expressions. As I’ve talked about above, I have techniques to create those natural smiles and expressions. And we’ll all be talking and joking together! Please try not to reprimand your kiddo during the session unless safety is an issue. This can bring down their mood for the remainder of the session. It’s normal for them to be fidgety and a little uncooperative at times. Don’t worry, I will still get good photos! I got you. If your child has a meltdown or any kind of misbehavior, please do not worry! I photograph humans, not robots, and small humans have lots of emotions that they haven’t yet learned to manage. Please know that I will never judge a behavior. This parenting gig is tough and we’re all doing the best we can. Your kids are lovely and dynamic people and I will completely fall in love with them!
Let me know of any special circumstances with your kids. Knowing the whole picture allows me to be prepared and tailor the session to your family’s needs. Let me know of any neurodivergence, physical differences, etc. Even small things like your child currently favoring one parent over another (super common).
Have a positive attitude about your session and tell your kids how much fun it will be. If you or your partner aren’t thrilled about having photos done for whatever reason, do not share that with the kids. The negative vibe will rub off on them and that’s not cool for anyone. Your photo session is the perfect opportunity to spend one uninterrupted hour with your family. Long after you’re gone, your children will look at the photos from your session and remember how much fun they had with you on that day. Kids grow so fast and life is short! Enjoy this moment with your loves.
