Successful photo shoots with young children...

Family photos come with many different configurations of family members and ages. Being prepared for all scenarios and how to get the best photos possible is the experience you need from a professional photographer. With little kids, you are dealing with short attention spans, shyness, stranger fear, distractions, energy and more! Moving quickly is important with younger families as most little kids will only tolerate photos for so long. Introducing myself to the kids, showing them the camera and how it works and being playful is important to get them comfortable with me and the process. A relaxed, patient and playful photographer goes a long way to getting the most out of your photos.

For the parents, here are a few tips for making your photoshoot with kiddos the best it can be.

Before you leave home, make sure your kiddos are fed, well rested and hydrated whenever possible. Bring some favorite toys or treasured lovies to help with your kids being comfortable and I can use them to have them look at the camera and sometimes include them in the photos. Those lovies are icons of your family that you won't want to forget.
Pack some snacks! Kids get hungry during shoots and hungry kids can be cranky kids. Avoid snacks that take too long to chew (gummies) or can smear on clothes. Crackers type snacks, yogurt melts, and such are excellent choices.
Bring back up tops! I recommend packing a back up shirt/outfit because spit up happens! As do trips and falls which result in dirty shirts or knees.
Be playful! All of those photos you see of kids belly laughing had a parent making funny faces or doing silly dances behind the photographer. No one can make your kids laugh like you do. Toss them in the air, play chase, hug them, lay in the grass. We will get some posed photos but it's the in between, fun moments were the magic really happens. Those might just end up being your favorite images and getting their energy out helps them cooperate for the posed shots.
Be relax and go with the flow. Being stressed and tense definitely does not help get the joyful images you are hoping for. It may not be perfect but it will be memorable and create beautiful images of the season of life you are in.

This lovely family with young kids featured below embraced all of the tips above. We met on a morning at the historic Wayside Inn Grist Mill in Sudbury which was schedule around nap time. The parents were relaxed and full of joy and really went with the flow of what these adorable boys were feeling at the moment. We paused for bottles when needed and we zipped around and played. Needless to say, their photos will be a reminder of these early days as a family of 4. I was thrilled to meet them and play a part to capture their family's journey.

If you have questions about locations or times for a photoshoot that would work best for your family, feel free to contact me and I am happy to help. I would love to capture your family and make memories with you!

xo- Lisa