Little Ones
Photographing little ones is one of my favorite parts of what I do, and I've learned that the best way to get genuine, beautiful photos of children is to let them be children.
They don't need to sit still, smile on command, or cooperate perfectly for an entire session. In fact, some of the sweetest photographs happen in the moments when they're running, laughing, snuggling, or doing something completely unexpected.
Don't Stress About Behavior
This is probably the most important thing I can tell you:
Your child does not have to behave perfectly for us to have a great session.
If they don't want to smile, that's okay. If they need a break, we'll take one. If they're shy, we'll give them time to warm up. If they want to run around, we'll find a way to incorporate that.
Please don't feel like you need to apologize or constantly correct them. I would much rather capture your child's real personality than force a perfect smile.
Before Your Session
A few things can help set us up for success:
Make sure little ones have eaten beforehand.
Bring water and a small snack if needed.
Bring a favorite comfort item or toy.
Make sure they're rested when possible.
Avoid telling them they have to smile or behave for pictures.
Give yourself plenty of time so you're not arriving rushed.
Let Me Take the Lead
It's completely natural to want to help your child cooperate, but during the session, try to let me take the lead when you can.
I'll use prompts, games, movement, silly sounds, and plenty of patience to help them feel comfortable. Sometimes I'll ask you to interact with them, and other times I'll ask you to simply let me work with them.
Trust me, even if it looks a little chaotic, there's usually a method to my madness.
Bribes & Rewards
If you know your child responds well to a little incentive, that's okay! Just keep it simple and avoid making the entire session dependent on getting a reward.
Sometimes a favorite snack or small treat can be helpful, but honestly, your attention and connection are usually my favorite tools.
Play with them. Hold them. Make them laugh. Whisper something silly in their ear. Let them show you something they're excited about.
Those moments create the photographs we're really after.
And If They Cry...
It's okay.
Really.
We can stop. We can take a break. We can change spots or switch things up.
Sometimes a few minutes of patience is all a little one needs to reset. And sometimes the tears become part of the story, too.
You don't need to manufacture a perfect family moment. I want to photograph your family as you actually are. That includes the joy, the connection, the chaos, and all the little moments in between.
So take a deep breath, let your little one be little, and trust in the magic of the moment.