Meltdown-Free Family Photos
How to Keep Your Kids Happy During Your Family Photo Session
When a family of three becomes a family of four, of course it’s time to freshen up their family photo collection! What a pleasure it was to capture big brother Miles’ excitement over introducing me to his new little brother, Nate, 3 months.
Family photo albums are a living heirloom that you can treasure and enjoy for years to come. But what happens when the day of your scheduled shoot comes around and your kids are.not.having.it.?
In this blog, you’ll see how we can proactively avoid meltdowns before they happen, and also encourage the quietest of your children to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
You’ll Learn How I Can Help:
Customize our session to your child
(To the energetic kiddos)
(To the shy and quiet little ones)
Keep Mom and Dad feeling comfortable and confident in photos
Bring out the best in your kids on photo day
Don’t Spend Any More Precious Energy Worrying About This Fear:
You’re already daydreaming about your gorgeous new family photos – the bright and airy portraits you’ll hang on your walls, and your family all colour coordinated, hair-brushed and smiling. Someone’s going to do your hair and makeup for the first time in … you can’t even remember how long. You’re going to get to look at these beautiful portraits everyday.
And then, a thought suddenly stops you in your tracks…
The meltdown.
The beet-red face, hysterics, streaming tears, stomping feet, and the day you were so looking forward to quickly turning into a nightmare.
Even the most soft-spoken, good-natured, docile children have bad days.
But what do you do when your little one’s unpredictable mood is threatening the whole plan you had for photoshoot day?
Fortunately, when you work with an experienced family photographer, there are lots of ways you can avoid meltdowns, bring out the joy in your child, and get the shot.
At Reflections of Life photography, we have a few tried-and-true ways to keep your kids happy and entertained during your session, so that your photos turn out even better than you planned.
The Things Our Children Know:
We cannot underestimate the impact that our current environment can have on our children. Whether it’s a global pandemic, world events, or the big and little troubles of our daily lives, there is so much going on – and they can sense it. I have seen from experience that our children are highly perceptive, and those feelings can show up in lots of different ways:
Temper tantrums
Squirming
Clinging
Fatigue
Hiding their face behind you
Obsessing over one particular toy
Sudden crying
Bursts of energy
Whew, and that’s just to name a few. The important thing to remember here is that it’s no one’s fault. It’s part of this rollercoaster of motherhood, and I am here to help you enjoy your time together on photoshoot day! I’m a mother of four so I promise, I’ve seen it all before - nothing scares me!
When any child comes through my doors, I treat them with the gentleness and patience they deserve before asking them for smiles or poses. (And hey, I take the same approach with parents too! Trust me Mama, I know what it’s like to be worn out and at the end of your rope before 9 a.m. has even rolled around).
Before we begin, I take some time to get to know your children first. I’ll introduce myself, talk to them and show them around the studio space so they feel comfortable. These few minutes of introductions will help your children know they are in a safe space. It will also give you a few moments to gather yourself once you arrive.
Every child is different, so creating a safe space for them might mean helping them feel grounded and seen, or it may mean gently drawing them out of their shell.
Here are a few ways I can help with both!
Customizing Your Session to Your Child’s Personality (Without Compromising Your Goals):
Need to Keep Things Quiet and Calm for the Best Photo Experience?
Big energy is so beautiful in our children. Just imagine where their excitement, boldness and passion will take them one day? Over my years of motherhood and family photography, I’ve found ways to help kids be truly, authentically themselves without leading them down the road to over-tiredness and meltdowns.
I’ve created my natural light studio to be a bright and airy place so you can all feel calm from the moment you arrive. Designed with simplicity and minimalism, the studio avoids bringing any over-stimulation or overwhelm to your children thanks to:
Neutral tones
Natural light
Blank walls
Open space to move around freely
But don’t worry, we will still have fun! Boredom doesn’t make for great photos either:
We can play slow-motion superheroes
Or freeze-dance with your family’s favourite songs (Dance Monkey anyone?)
We’ll pile you up on the couch for tickles and snuggles
We’ll encourage curiosity by having your kids pick toys that interest them
We have gorgeous books
Natural wooden blocks to build towers with
Wooden cars
Kids can hear a lot of “no” in a day (hey, no judgment here). I just want to make as many “yes” opportunities available as possible to your kids when they’re in the studio. I am well-practiced and prepared with ways to bring out your family’s authentic energy without overstimulating and causing hysterics, thanks to a plethora of fun wooden toys and ideas that match the aesthetic you want for your photos.
Need to Draw Your Shy Little Ones Out From Behind the Curtain?
And then there are the quiet souls in this world. Their beautiful sensitivity makes us all stop in the middle of our rushing, task-oriented lives to just sit in awe of the littlest miracles around us – the way a bubble falls and sits on their little hand, the way a fluffy blanket feels when they rub it against their cheek, and the way they create their own sweet music when there is silence.
For these children, I have found special ways to nurture them out of their shell so they can feel safe having attention and expressing their emotions:
Tickling each other with soft white feathers
Blowing bubbles together
Playing with cars on the floor with Daddy
Driving a wooden car over Mom’s baby bump
Brushing baby’s hair softly with a baby brush
Snuggling close together
One of the most important ways I can make children feel at home right away is by connecting with them beforehand. If you let me know in our first meeting that your child is particularly shy or nervous in front of the camera, I would be glad to send a video to them, introducing myself and showing them the studio before they come. This way they can feel more familiar with me on photoshoot day.
Keeping Mom and Dad Relaxed is Part of the Equation:
If you’ve been around kids for more than 10 seconds in your life, I probably don’t have to tell you that kids take in (and act out) the energy around them.
So, I want to create and encourage the kind of energy we need that day – comfort, calm and most importantly, joy!
Having your outfits picked out ahead of time, and having your hair and makeup done at the studio are just a few ways I help take a load off your mind on photo session day so you can feel prepared and relaxed.
I encourage you to do some deep breathing on your drive to the studio so you can walk in looking forward to this time instead of running ahead to crisis-control mode.
(And while we’re on the subject, here’s one less thing to worry about: my studio doesn’t have breakable things, sharp edges or clutter – there is lots of space for your children to be free and move around safely, without you feeling nervous at all.)
Moms Can Have Fun Too:
Does it ever feel like you never get a chance to be “the fun parent” in the family? You’re so busy making sure everyone is fed, clothed, brought to dentist appointments, and signed up for soccer that it really can be really challenging to feel in the mood for some lighthearted fun.
That’s why I’ve created a magical experience for your photo session, so you can reconnect with your playful side, and your kids can see you having fun too, and feeling good about it!
And let’s lean into the fun! We can show our kids that we have a mischievous side too:
Tickling
Making funny faces and sounds
Twirling in the sunlight
Telling them they may not –under any circumstances– kiss daddy, or they will be punished with more kisses! (They will utterly delight in “breaking the rules”).
Once your session begins, don’t worry – I’ll give you pose directions as we go, so you can feel natural and authentic as you get in front of the camera. Think of me as your personal stylist and support team on photoshoot day. I have learned so many ways to help you feel comfortable in front of the camera so you can just enjoy the moment.
Helping Dad Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera:
Just as each child is unique, I also see it as my job to support adults during the photo session to help them feel comfortable. It’s very common for moms to reach out to me saying that their partner doesn’t love being in photos, or is uncomfortable in front of the camera. That’s why I love giving dads actions to do in the photos – having a task or action to focus on helps them feel more comfortable in front of the camera, like:
“Dad, throw your daughter in the air and catch her”
“Release the tickle monster!”
“Dad, whisper your favourite thing about mom in her ear!”
Photography that Works For Your Family
We won’t force smiles. We’ll create real, irresistible joy and capture every moment of it.
Whatever your child’s personality, preferences or mood, I am ready to find the joy that is always living inside them. Whether we need to make more space for that joy or help them feel safe enough to express it, I really see my job much like Jen Hatmaker explains this parenting philosophy:
“If you’re trying to catch them being their best selves, then you’re going to see it, and I’ll bet it’s happening more than you think it is.”
We’re going to look for the best in them, during your entire photo session. Even more, I’ll create situations that will bring out the best in them, whether it be with toys, games, or just some good old love and attention that makes every child feel special. And remember this, they’ll be spending time with their two favourite people in the world (Mom and Dad) so it’s already got the makings for a wonderful experience.
As a photographer, I don’t want to just ask kids to smile for the camera. Instead, I create an atmosphere that makes them want to smile because they feel genuinely happy, excited, noticed and loved.
For me, it’s never only about producing breathtaking photos. It’s the intention behind them that makes them extra special and the family time it creates: the experience of having your photos taken, of being taken care of, the fun of looking through the pictures together afterward, and the lasting reminders on your walls that you are all part of a family unit.
You and Your Children Deserve to Feel Seen in Beautiful Family Photos:
Research has shown that family photography can have positive effects on your children’s self-esteem. I believe this is true in two ways: 1. Having their photos taken and feeling confident while someone gives them the attention they are worthy of
2. And also in seeing themselves in photos on our walls, photo albums, Christmas cards, home videos … any way they get to see themselves as part of your family unit.
There’s a reason why kids love looking at photos of themselves when they were younger. It helps them see themselves as part of your family’s story right from the start.
At Reflections of Life Photography, we offer several different print and keepsake items for you to bring home with you when we meet up after your session at your Image Reveal.
After a dreamy family photo session together, we created two beautiful wall portraits as well as a linen heirloom album.
Wondering what family photos to choose for your prints? Not to worry! I’ve had a lot of experience curating the perfect photos for an album collection and organizing gallery walls. We’ll sit down together, I’ll share my design expertise, and we’ll create something beautiful together. I won’t leave you with more tough decisions or add any DIY tasks to your busy schedule.
Conclusion:
The most important takeaway is that no matter what happens during the photo session, whether your kids are perfect angels, or they require a little extra nurturing and guidance, the right photographer will always get the shot. At Reflections of Life Photography, we offer family photography done right the first time.
When it comes to family photography, I encourage you to embrace the chaos of your family life. Usually, the most beautiful moments of pure emotion and connection are happening amidst a wild rodeo.
Choose a photographer who can work with your family’s energy, and will create a safe space for your loved ones. Then, just be yourselves!
About This Beautiful Family
What an absolute delight it was to document this family of three’s journey into becoming a family of four! We got some beautiful images of them together as a family and some solo pictures of Nate as a baby (plus some excellent photos of big brother Miles playing with his little brother).
View Their Finished Artwork
- How they made their house feel more like a home -
If you want to create something beautiful like this for your home and family, message me. I'd love to give you more information on booking a portrait session here at Reflections of Life.
Client Testimonial
”We couldn’t have asked for a better experience with Karen. We were initially nervous about how Karen would manage to capture images of my busy toddler who runs away anytime the camera comes out, but she worked her magic and he was mesmerized by her techniques (she has lots of tools in her “toolbox”) to engage him in the session. We also were nervous about getting good photos of our 3.5 month old since he was well past the newborn stage but she was phenomenal at capturing so many special moments with him, getting him smiling, giggling, and interacting with us all.
When you have a new baby, it can be difficult to decide where to spend money and commit to investing in photography, but from experience as someone who was hesitant, Karen is worth every single penny!!! Booking with her is more than just photos, you get an amazing, kind, and professional experience from the beginning to the end. Her studio is stunning and spotless with so many attention to details. Her assistant Christine is also so kind and helpful at ensuring everyone looks their absolute best throughout the entire shoot.
We are soooo glad we invested in these memories as they are equally as priceless as the fun time we spent in the studio getting them documented.” - One Happy Mama
If you’re expecting a new baby, connect with me. I highly recommend that you book your portrait session in advance to save your spot. 😊
Want to shop the studio wardrobe?
Hi there, I'm Karen! I am obsessed with newborn baby yawns, giggling kids, and jumpsuits. I'm a mama of four who understands the busyness of everyday life. I've learned to love and enjoy it through lifestyle photography. I know what it’s like to look back on my children’s first years and feel like they flew by so quickly. I don’t want any other mamas to forget what their baby’s little fingers and toes looked like all curled up. My hope is that I can help you create albums and prints to serve as physical reminders of these sweet times throughout your baby’s early years. Contact me for info.
