1. "Behave" is a bad word

This might be my biggest piece of advice.

If there's one thing I know about working with kids for almost 20 years then having some of my own, I know if you tell them one thing, they're going to do the opposite even harder.

Try not to spend the entire day saying:

"You better smile for the pictures."

"You need to listen to the photographer."

"You won't get your cookies if you don't listen."

I know the temptation is real. You spent money on these photos, everyone is dressed nicely, and you would really like one picture where everyone is looking in the same general direction.

And we can absolutely achieve that! But it's hard to expect that the entire duration of the session with littles ones who aren't able to remember what snack they ate on the car ride over. Putting pressure on kids to perform can make them more nervous or resistant once we actually start.

Instead, keep the conversation positive and simple. Tell them:

"We're going to take some pictures, play a little, and hang out together."



That's it.

No performance review required. I have had families bring easy, clean snack bites to keep morale and motivation up during, but that's mainly to maintain the kids' composure. I mean, I get grumpy when I'm hungry, and I have way more coping mechanisms for that as an adult.

So give them some grace, and we will see how it unfolds! I promise, even the most "chaotic" of sessions produce highly deliverable galleries in the end.

2. Let Them Know Who I Am

If your child is shy around new people, it can help to talk about me before the session.

You can say something like:

"We're going to meet Taylor. She's going to take some pictures of us and play some games with you."

Notice I said play, not make you smile.

My goal is to get kids comfortable with me, not immediately stick a camera in their face and demand a perfect grin.

It can also help to share some of my favorites with them so we can have a connection. Here are a few of mine:

• chocolate ice cream + brownie bits
• blue
• drawing + writing
• stickers
• reading

And PLEASE have them share their favorites with me as well! It's actually one of the items on the questionnaire I send families when booking a session to list the interests of their child. That information is vital for ensuring a smooth transition.

Some kids warm up quickly. Others need a little more time. Both are completely normal.

I am always willing to work with you to help your kids feel the most comfortable they can be.

3. Don't Over-Schedule the Day

If possible, give your family a little breathing room before your session.

Try not to schedule your child's soccer game, birthday party, dentist appointment, grocery shopping trip, and family photos all within a three-hour window.

Because that's when we end up arriving at the session like:

"We're here! Everyone is exhausted! Someone lost a shoe! Let's make memories!"

Give yourself time to get ready, eat, use the bathroom, gather your things, and arrive without feeling rushed.

Your stress becomes their stress.

A calm beginning makes a huge difference.

4. Feed Your Kids

This sounds obvious, but please don't underestimate the power of a snack.

A hungry child is rarely interested in participating in family photos.

Try to give your kids a meal or snack before your session so they're comfortable and satisfied.

If your child needs a snack during the session, that's okay too. Bring something along if needed. Popular snacks are Cheerios, yogurt-covered raisins, peanuts, baby puffs, etc.

Just maybe avoid anything extremely messy or chocolate-covered right before we're taking photos.

Oh, and bring water. Florida dehydrates people faster than a jackrabbit on a date, and children or no exception.

5. Don't Bribe Them With Something Huge

A little incentive isn't the end of the world.

But I don't recommend promising your child a giant reward in exchange for smiling for every photo.

Why?

Because once they get the reward—or decide they don't want it—they may have no interest in cooperating anymore.

Instead, make the session itself feel like something fun.

We'll walk.

We'll play.

We'll explore.

We'll snuggle.

We'll make silly faces.

The best smiles usually happen when kids forget they're being photographed.

(Plus, I usually have stickers to celebrate at the end of the session!)

6. Bring a Comfort Item If They Need One

If your child has a favorite lovey, blanket, stuffed animal, or other comfort item, feel free to bring it.

We may not use it in every photo, but having something familiar nearby can help if they need a moment to reset.

And sometimes those little comfort items become part of the story.

I've had a child bring her favorite rock before. They were inseparable, and she carried it in her arms like a baby for every shot.

Another boy brought his emotional support metal lunch box. Pictures were not happening without that metal lunchbox clutched tightly in his grip.

And you know what? THAT'S a memory in the making. Years from now, you'll look back on those photos and be reminded of how little they were and how those seemingly insignificant items were their whole world that day.

7. Let Your Kids Be Kids

This one is huge.

Your child does not need to stand perfectly still.

They don't need to smile at the camera in every photo.

They don't even need to look at the camera.

Some of my favorite images are the ones where kids are:

• Running
• Laughing
• Dancing
• Exploring
• Holding Mom's hand
• Climbing on Dad
• Looking at their siblings
• Picking flowers
• Throwing leaves
• Completely engrosses with a bug crawling on the ground

Those moments tell the story of who your family is right now.

And that's what we're really trying to preserve.

8. Let Me Do the Directing

You don't have to spend the entire session telling your kids what to do.

In fact, I'd rather you didn't.

Let me guide everyone.

I'll give you prompts and activities that encourage natural interaction rather than asking your children to perform.

Instead of:

"Smile!"

We might:

"Everyone run toward Dad!"

or

"Mom, give your kid the biggest hug you can."

or

"Okay, everybody look at each other and try not to laugh."

Spoiler: someone always laughs.

And that's usually when we get the good stuff.

9. Don't Stress If Someone Cries

I know.

This is probably your nightmare.

You spent time getting everyone dressed, you drove across town, and suddenly your toddler is crying because you breathed in their direction.

Take a breath.

We can pause.

We can cuddle.

We can take a snack break.

We can change activities.

We can give them space.

And sometimes the photo of Mom comforting a crying toddler becomes one of the most meaningful images in the entire gallery.

Not every photograph needs to be a smiling portrait.

Sometimes the real story is the moment right before the smile comes back, when you're actually being a parent.

10. Give Yourself Permission to Have Fun

This might be the most important one.

Your kids will take their cues from you.

If you're stressed about whether they're behaving, they're going to feel that.

If you're laughing, playing, cuddling, and enjoying your family, they'll usually start to relax too.

Don't worry about whether your house is clean.

Don't worry about whether your toddler is being "good."

Don't worry about getting the perfect photo.

Be with your people.



I'll take care of the rest.