Prepare For Your Session

Lower your expectations.

Then lower them some more.

This is not meant to be discouraging in any way, but kids are unpredictable. If you have your hopes up too high, and your kids aren’t cooperating, you set yourself up to be disappointed instead of enjoying your time together as a family. If we focus on having fun over perfection, you’re guaranteed to walk away with images you love.

Toddlers

Toddlers love to run away. But to make the most of your time with me, please be prepared to pick them up and bring them back quickly. Don't let them wander off. You may think your child is going to keep running away and continue being uncooperative, but sometimes it takes a few tries to find the thing that grabs their attention. So keep picking them up and bringing them back (even if they resist) while I work to distract and engage them!

What To Bring

It's always a good idea to bring water with you. If you want to bring snacks (or bribes), I recommend cheerios, goldfish, pretzels, raisins, or marshmallows. Avoid snacks that may cause your kids to drool (like fruit snacks) or ones that melt (like M&Ms).

Speaking of bribes... Bribes can be really helpful as a last resort if kids aren't cooperating. Generally speaking, kids under 3 do better with immediate rewards (e.g. "If you smile, you’ll get a marshmallow. If you sit here, I’ll give you another cheerio."). Delayed rewards like going to dinner, getting ice cream, or playing at the playground after the session tend to work best with older kids.

You're welcome to bring a neutral colored blanket if you want any photos sitting down in the grass. I almost always have a blanket with me though, so this is optional.

Stay Engaged

Please put your phone away during our session. When we're posing, think of things that make you laugh. Be affectionate. Get close. Whatever it is you do to love on each other when you’re hanging out at home, do it during your session. If your child is being shy or suddenly gets upset, it's okay to cuddle with them for a few minutes. I often look for those tender, unplanned moments to capture, and they usually end up being my favorite photos. Bottom line: I don’t want you to feel like you have to be perfectly staged for every photo. It's perfectly fine if your child is fidgety. Movement is good, and my camera is fast!

Arrive On Time

If your session starts at 10 AM, tell yourself it starts at 9:45 AM. It is always better to be early, especially if you've booked a mini session. This gives you a buffer to deal with last minute bathroom emergencies, accidental car naps, or confusing GPS directions. I often have sessions scheduled back-to-back, and I cannot guarantee I'll be able to extend your time with me if you are significantly late.

In order for me to do my job well, I need your kids to trust that I'm a safe space for them to express themselves.

I really don't want any part of this to be stressful.

If on the day of your session, your child refuses to wear the beautiful outfit you picked out, that's okay. If your child insists on bringing a toy or wearing handmade jewelry that doesn't match, embrace it. Authenticity will always beat perfection. Your kids are way more likely to cooperate if you're relaxed and signaling that it's okay to have fun and come as they are.

With that in mind, please don't yell at your kids during your session. In order for me to do my job well, I need your kids to trust that I'm a safe space for them to express themselves. I will intentionally do things to be silly, and they may get a little hyper in response, but that's okay! When they are distracted having fun with me, they are more likely to follow my directions.

Your photoshoot should be something fun to do as family, not something everyone is dreading. If you're feeling concerned or anxious about anything leading up to your session, please reach out so I can help put you at ease.

I have so many prompts and silly gimmicks I use during family sessions to get your kids laughing and smiling for the camera. It's usually best if you let me take the lead. I'll worry about whether or not they're looking at the camera or following direction. Your job is to keep the vibe relaxed, fun, and engaging. Give lots of cuddles and words of affirmation.