As a family photographer of over ten years, I’ve seen a few things.
I’ve seen kids literally lose their minds during a session, have mom leave thinking we got nothing, and then deliver a full gallery full of smiles. I’ve had sessions where people have said they’re so awkward, and then their gallery looked like they were models. I’ve showed up to a location that looked incredibly drab, or maybe it was even raining, but the images were still joyful and beautifully lit.
I’m not a magician, but sometimes it feels like it 😉
There is one thing that I can never “fix” or make better as your photographer though. And it’s a bad mood. I’m not talking about a toddler or child in a bad mood either. Even the grumpiest of kids I can usually get to crack a smile. I’m talking about you, adults. I know. You don’t want to hear this, do you? I’m not trying to play the blame game, but the adults moods and behavior dictate more in a session than anything else.
The Secret to Great Family Photos | It’s Not What You Think
So, you’re probably trying to figure out what the secret is. Perfectly styled outfits? The most amazing backdrop? Beautiful golden lighting? Kids that are angels and listen? As tempting as all of these options are, it’s none of these things.
The secret to great family photos is one simple thing: joy. All the galleries that my clients love the most is not because of perfect light, the styled outfits, kids that listened 100% of the time, or a stunning location. It’s the joy of the people in the photographs.
At the end of the day, while many of us want that “smile and look at the camera” photo for the wall or a holiday card, the photos that light people up are the real ones. The authentic belly laughs from your toddler. The smile when dad sees his son running towards his arms. The closeness of a mother and her new baby.
And these are the images that I’ve learned to create after years of experience working with all kinds of families.
Don’t Ruin The Joy | Every Parent’s Struggle
The one thing that makes me so sad as a photographer is when an adult tries to control the situation so hard that they then become incredibly stiff and irritated looking themselves. I know. I am a mom. My kids rarely behave like angels. But neither do yours I take it. So I’m unsure why parents expect kids to act differently for a photo session, especially if there’s pressure from an unhappy parent about the behavior.
Pressure never helps children behave better in any setting, but especially in photo sessions. Encouragement to try something new or interact with me? Great. Demanding they smile, look at me, stand still is a recipe for disaster.
Do I wish I could turn your kids into perfect angels? Sure. It would be nice. Crazy kids is not why photo sessions can be stressful though. It’s usually the expectations parents put that are too high or not age appropriate for their children.
How To Have a Joyful Family Photo Session
Trust me. Seriously, trust me. I have worked with hundreds of families. While we are all unique, most photo sessions go quite similarly. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to keep kids engaged and entertained.
Sometimes my “tricks” might feel like giving into what your kids wants – like playing with rocks, picking flowers, or running. I am not trying to undermine you by saying “hey, let’s let your kid run like a wild animal!” when you don’t want them to. What I am trying to do is make the experience fun so the child wants to continue engaging. And honestly, kids running like wild animals makes for some great candid photos!
Let your kids be kids. If you know your child is shy to meet new people, now is not the time to force them to be my best friend right away. If you have an active toddler, expecting them to stand still for twenty minutes is unreasonable.
Have fun yourself. The best sessions are the ones where not just your kids are smiling and having fun, but you are too! It’s okay to let loose a little bit. It’s okay to go along with a game, even if it feels silly. When in doubt, smile yourself and pretend you’re having fun because it will look far cuter than a concerned or grumpy face.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the secret to great family photos!
Northern Virginia Family Photography Sessions
Looking to have your own great family photo session in Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia?
I’d love to be your gal – as long as you’re not going to be grumpy 🙂 Contact me here.
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