Kids are impossible tiny creatures some days, and no amount of bribes or tickling or cajoling will make them acquiesce to your requests for smiles and looking like the perfect family.
However, there are few things that you can do to make your day go as smoothly as possible.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Most photo sessions I do are about 30 minutes, but I’ve personally found nearly all kids max out at about 20 minutes for photos. The older ones are able to go a bit longer, but most toddlers are completely done with all formal photo nonsense in 20 minutes or less.
So it’s a good idea to get all the most important, difficult photos first! Start with your big family group photo where everyone needs to be looking and smiling, then move on to photos of just the kids.
After that, you can start trading between photos of mom with kids while dad makes silly faces for them, and dad with the kids while mom blows bubbles for them to watch.
You can end the last 10 minutes of the session with photos of just mom and dad, plus any fun, informal shots that make the kids happy like piggyback rides and tickle sessions.
Bribery and Bubbles
Some kids do better having the session explained in detail - what’s going to happen and what to expect, while others just want to get out of their scratchy shirts, and no amount of talking will change their minds.
Bringing things like bubbles, toys that can be in photos, and a few snacks that won’t stain or make a mess are all good ideas. Bribing older kids with a trip out for their favorite ice cream when they’re done also works wonders.
At the end of the day, you are the one who knows your kids best, so don’t be afraid to speak up and let your photographer know what is going to work best for you and your family on the big day.
May the odds be ever in your favour,
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