Imagine this scenario with me for a second:

Your kids didn’t nap today. You’ve been breaking up fights over who gets the pink Paw Patrol bowl to eat their snack in, dealing with tantrums over not finding the right shoes, and once they’re found, somehow there’s still a problem because they wanted a different “one” and you have no idea what they’re talking about now. You can’t find their water cups, so you send them off on a hunt, and they don’t come back. So you go looking around your house to find they got into your bathroom drawer. Your patience is running thin, but it was hours ago. And not only do you feel your only productivity was keeping your kids alive, you’re now stressed because you know family photos are tonight, and not only do you have to get your little munchkins ready, but what about you?

SIGH.

You’re probably hoping you can at least get 1 good smiling picture of them AND you, in the same shot. To you, that one photo might be worth the $300+ you’re probably spending.

If this scenario sounds familiar at all, you belong reading on. This post will discuss a few tips that photographers and parents can utilize at their next family session to make it a success.

This is mostly on me, the photographer, to handle. I know your kids aren’t a fan of standing in one spot or forcing a smile. Honestly, do we even like that? I always come preloaded with prompts and ideas to get the kids moving (and this also gives you a little break). Here are a few I enjoy using:

“Red Light, Green Light” Hold hands with siblings (or parents) and run when I say “Green Light” and stop when I say “Red Light”
Picking flowers (insert whatever makes sense here) for parents/siblings (usually little weedy looking things, not someone’s garden ;)
“Ring Around The Rosie” or “Tag” This gets kids laughing, and even if someone gets a little upset, I’ve already gotten 15+ images from the start that I can almost guarantee you’ll love

**Number 2:**
**Interaction**

**(Family and Self)**

The prompts facilitate this interaction. But to explain a little further, after I give a prompt, I stop directing to allow space for candid moments to occur. I don’t always want to direct kids, often, they come up with some pretty funky/cute things on their own. It’s an authentic moment we get to capture, that always means the most looking back. I might say anything from:

“Show me how you…” jump so high, run so fast, spin in circles, clap your hands, etc.
“Can you…” give mom a hug/kiss, hold hands with brother, dance with sister, ask dad for a piggy back ride, sit on dad’s lap etc.

You get the idea. These come naturally in the moment, and as the parent or photographer, you can suggest these things.

Here’s one you may not all agree with, but hear me out. Remember the one photo you wanted with everyone smiling? Well, I try my best to get you a few throughout our session, and usually I’m successful with my strategies, but when this is difficult, it helps to mention what they get after for doing this for you. I understand not utilizing the bribe method when your kids need to learn to do something because it’s necessary, or is “the right thing to do” etc. But taking a good family photo at their age, isn’t really on their “important” radar.

If you’re following me on this, here’s a few incentives to offer, that I’ve seen success with. *Tip: Make these special, yet don’t bribe them with something that would affect you negatively if it didn’t happen. This makes follow through much easier.

Ice Cream (DQ/at home)
Extra reading time with mom/dad before bedtime
Technology (iPad games in the car/whatever else)

Family photos are not supposed to be crazy stressful. As a photographer, I see it as my job to instill confidence in you, that I can capture photos you’ll love. Above are just a few ways to ensure you get what you want out of your session. If you enjoyed these tips, check back for more photography related content to come.

-Savannah