After spending time working with your photographer on the perfect location and planning your family’s outfits, you are now ready and looking forward to your new family photos. But how can you be sure your family will be in a good mood and camera ready? In my opinion, the key is being prepared! Here are 5 tips to help your family photo session run as smoothly as possible:

1

Make sure your kids are rested. If your kids nap, give them time for a good nap. If they are older and no longer nap, don’t fill up the day with other activities. Have a relaxed day so they are ready to go when it’s picture time!

2

Feed your kids before you arrive and bring a snack and water. Hungry kids are less likely to be in the mood to take pictures.

3

Get dressed at the LAST minute so no one has to worry about clothes getting dirty or wrinkled before the photos!

4

Have fun and enjoy this time with your family. The most natural photos come when everyone (you too, parents!) relaxes during the photo shoot. Encourage and guide your children without forcing them to smile and without putting pressure on them.

5

Trust your photographer. We signed up for this! We do not expect kids to be perfectly behaved and we are good with that. We have a lot of practice getting special photos with REAL kids.