Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountain like a flame.
W.B. Yeats
Planning a Family Session with young children may sometimes feel a bit daunting. Often, parents worry about keeping their kids entertained during their session and there is always the concern about wanting them to have good behavior. As your photographer, I am here to tell you to let go of all these worries and prepare to have some fun!
Young children give life and energy to a session! Childhood seems to last forever when you are in the middle of raising them, but trust me, it’s over in the blink of an eye. And when it’s over, you are going to miss those precious years and their imaginations.
I understand the desire to want them to be calm and “smile for the camera.” But usually those moments are not authentic and your kids will likely become frustrated and stop cooperating with you. So I am going to ask you for a favor during your session…Allow them to have fun! To move around freely and play. To explore what is around them and authentically connect with their family and nature. I promise, we will be sure to capture those moments where everyone is looking at the camera but I also promise to capture you and your kids loving on each other, holding each other and playing with other!
Children are usually uncomfortable when a session starts. If this is our first time working together, they don’t yet know me. They may be clingy and not want to smile. These things are all normal and expected! Allow me to help them relax and focus on what’s around them instead of my camera and stiff poses. I am a mom to three boys and I have photographed outgoing kids and quiet ones. So do not stress about your kids! I promise they’ll end up having a blast during our session! Just give them a break on the stern corrections and rules that day. Allow them to be kids and be authentically themselves!
With that said, there are some things you can do before your session and things you should bring with you to your session that will ensure all goes well!
I plan my sessions around the best lighting of the day. In the summer months the sun sets much later in the day than it does in the winter months. This can put a glitch in your naptime and bedtime routine. If possible, lay them down for their nap a bit later in the day or let them snooze a second time that day. Whatever works to allow them to be awake and in a good mood!
Do your kids have a special blanket or doll or stuffy they like to carry everywhere? If so, bring it to the session! We will be sure to get some photos of them and their special stuffy and then some without. One day they’ll no longer need those security blankets and you’ll miss the days they did! Sometimes older kids play a musical instrument or have a special hobby. I will always encourage them to bring those items with them so we may photograph them with it.
Let’s face it, kids like to explore and they usually don’t mind getting dirty! If we are shooting your session on the beach, the water, wind and sand always play a part in your photographs! If we are in the woods, by a creek, or even in an open field, there will always be something to get into! And while I love to capture these moments, I have found it’s always a good idea to have some things to help clean them up if needed:
I always recommend clients bring a towel to dry or wipe off, a couple bottles of water (or sippy cups) in case someone gets thirsty, some snack foods that won’t stain their mouth or clothes, a special treat they may have once the session is over, any props you’d like included in some images, and perhaps a small toy to occupy them if they become frustrated or are taking a break from the session. Depending on the weather, you may also want to bring a cute sweater or jacket in case they get cold. It’s also a good idea to bring a couple bandaids and tissues for the occasional boo-boo or runny nose! The beach is windy, so plan ahead for your hair! While I absolutely love long hair that blows and moves in the wind, I recommend a brush and a headband just in case! Additionally, if you have a concern that your child may not tolerate a lot of photos, bring along a friend or family member they trust, who will entertain them when they aren’t taking pictures! Having that help allows you to continue your session without worrying about your child!
On the day of your session, it’s normal to worry about getting everyone dressed on time and having perfect hair and makeup. But leave the worrying about your young kids’ behavior and cooperation to me! When we start your session, I want you to take a deep breath and let go of your worries and just focus on our time together. Focus on those moments and allow yourself to connect with each other and just be authentically yourselves!
…Because the experience is just as important as the photos!
