How to Have Stress-Free Family Photos (Squirmy Kids Included!)
Let's just be honest, family photos with little kids can feel like a lot of pressure. Somebody's not going to want to sit still. Somebody might cry. Somebody's going to be looking at literally anything except the camera. If that's the scene you're picturing, take a breath. As a mom myself, I can tell you that's actually a totally normal family session, and it's exactly what I'm there for!
My number one rule: let them be
Kids want to run? Play tag and chase them around. Only want mom to hold them? Lean into the extra snuggles (a few tummy tickles never hurt either). Want to pick flowers? Let's go pick flowers. That's genuinely my number one rule for family sessions: the second you stop trying to control every little thing, the magic shows up on its own. Some of my favourite photos have come out of the moments parents were sure weren't going to be photo-worthy.
Planning ahead is what actually makes the day feel relaxed
Here's the part people don't always expect: the "stress-free" part isn't really about the session itself, it's about what happens before it. When we've already talked through timing, location, and what to expect, there's no guessing on the day. That clear expectation is what lets everyone actually relax and be present instead of worrying about what's supposed to happen next.
About those outfits (and everything else you can't control)
Outfits are usually the biggest stress point for parents going into a session — and how the kids are feeling that day runs a close second. I totally get it. But truly, come as you are, and let's not overthink it. I promise it matters a lot less than it feels like it does right now. (And if you want more specific outfit guidance, I've got a whole post on that — What to Wear for Family Photos.)
Let their personality shine!
I promise you, one day the photos showing their silly, goofy side will mean more to you than photos where they stood straight, smiled, and looked "perfect." Forcing smiles and poses usually just ends in tears anyway. My actual job is to capture the real moments, so let's give those moments room to happen instead of forcing them.
If meltdowns happen, that's okay!
Your kids aren't the first ones to throw a tantrum mid-photoshoot, and they won't be the last! If we need to pause, take a break, or grab a snack, we can. There's no rules to family photos. (And if it makes you feel any better, my own kids throw a tantrum mid-photoshoot too, it happens to all of us! ;)
What you don't realize until you see the gallery
This is the thing I hear again and again: parents are convinced the session was chaos — that their kid barely smiled, that we "didn't get anything" — and then they see the gallery and realize we captured MAGIC!
So if your kid melts down, refuses to look at the camera, or turns the whole session into a game of chase — lean into it. Be yourselves, stay in the moment, and let me worry about the rest. The messy middle is usually where the best shots are!
