PHOTOSHOOT TIME! You’ve picked an amazing photographer ;), you’ve chosen the perfect location, and your outfits – coordinated to perfection. But HOW THE HECK do you make sure your kids behave?!
Let me help you – but first a disclaimer. This is 100% based on my style and approach to family shoots. This is about making sure everyone in the family has fun and enjoys the shoot. This does not mean the kids can or should be allowed to misbehave or get into dangerous situations or anything like that. This is just about the approach to the shoot. If your kids run towards the road or try to pick up dog poop or something, I’m going to be right next to you yelling for their safety. That’s MOST important.
That being said -the best thing you can do for yourself and for your kids is to put zero pressure on this photoshoot. Talk to them about it for a week or so before. Hype them up, let them know that Katy is going to come take their pictures. They get to go to the park and run around and it’s going to be SO MUCH FUN.
The last thing we want to do is pressure the kids into thinking they need to stand there stiff and say cheese every time they see the camera.
Now – that does not mean I’m above bribes. Bring new toys or a new book to read in the car, let them know afterwards you’re getting pizza and ice cream. Bring a soccer ball and kick it around while we shoot. Bring your puppy so we can play with him. I’ve even been know to bake cookies for when we need to get them recentered.
There’s going to be some times where I’ll prompt you specifically or guide you into the next movement. A lot of it will be letting you interact with your babies naturally. Here’s some examples of how I might prompt you –
- Tickle party!
- Everyone hold hands and walk towards me
- Attack mom and dad! Get them!
- Lift your babies up high in the sky
- Give kisses!
- Cuddle puddle! Everyone on the blanket!
Prompts like these will let everyone have fun and keep the photoshoot on the right track. There will INEVITABLY be chaos. Whether a kid falls or cries or wants to run crazy, it just happens.
But if the kids are having a moment, stay calm. Let them ride it out and we’ll move onto the next activity. If you can embrace the chaos a bit, we’ll get natural movement and photos that really show your babies in the exact moment / stage they’re in right now.
And you might just end up with some magic like this –
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