April 2, 2023

9 Tips for Making a Photoshoot with Children Easier

Avondale Park, Fall Family Session

Please enjoy these 9 tips for making a photoshoot with children easier. I have photographed families longer than most genres of photography. My oldest child is almost 20! If you have children, you probably know how families find their tribe. Parents find things in common with other parents, and if you live in a neighborhood with families, you probably get together for playdates, potlucks, and maybe even movie nights on the lawn with a projector. 

Private Residence, Fall Family Session

We lived in such a utopia for more than a decade when our children were young, and there were many times that I showed up to these events with my camera in hand. Photography is something I’ve enjoyed for thirty years. Any chance to use my camera, makes me happy. I got a lot of practice photographing my own children and also the neighbors’ children before I started my business. Now I’ve been photographing families professionally for close to eight years. The knowledge I’ve gained is helpful, and I want to share it with you.

Turkey Creek, Fall Family Session
  1. Remember, comfort is a huge component of happiness! In reference to a photoshoot, make sure that your child/children are comfortable in what they’re wearing. A brand new pair of stiff leather shoes might make for a grumpy subject.
  2. It’s important that your child/children are rested. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget. Try to schedule your photoshoot at a time that makes the most sense for everyone’s schedules.
  3. Have a snack or small meal before you leave for your photoshoot. Hunger can be very distracting.
  4. Decide on the clothes, shoes, and accessories before the day of the session and set everything aside, ready to put on without stress. (Just make sure that snack or small meal is before your child/children are dressed.)
  5. Don’t forget the wipes! These are good for children of all ages. Sometimes they trip and skin a knee, or touch something sticky, or have a runny nose. It’s nice to be able to clean up without missing a beat and keep creating photographs.
  6. I prefer a lifestyle photography approach when photographing families, so I try not to interrupt very much. With that said, it’s still nice to have a handful of images with everyone looking at the camera. Please bring a rattle or other small toy that makes noise that will get the attention of your youngest child/children.
  7. Consider bringing a blanket to your photo shoot. They can be used on the ground for sitting; to wrap up in when it’s cool; and they make great interactive parachutes, which kids usually love playing under.
  8. Please keep in mind to choose their toy wisely if you bring one. You want something that will get their attention, but not something they can’t live without. If you don’t want it in your photographs, you might need to leave it at home. Children sometimes have trouble letting their favorite things go.
  9. Children are unpredictable; that’s part of their magic! Don’t feel the need to apologize for your high energy kids! I’m drawn to free-spirits and spunky children because they make the most interesting subjects.

I’ve learned a lot from photographing children for the last two decades. I hope you benefit from reading these 9 tips for making a photoshoot with children easier. Please contact me to schedule your family session!

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