Family photoshoots are meant to be a time of excitement and joy, capturing beautiful moments throughout the years as a connected family. However, family photos tend to create stress, tension, and discomfort, turning your dream photos into a nightmare. But I am here to say, there are ways to prepare your family, especially your kids, for nice and comfortable photos.
To begin, make sure that if family photos are what you want, and you have your spouse there, that you tell your spouse about photos, and make sure they are on board. There is nothing worse than dealing with antsy kids and a spouse who couldn't care less. Make sure that you talk to your spouse beforehand of what you need, and how to best support you during the photoshoot.
With your spouse on the same page as you it is only a matter of getting your kids on board. And whether they are super little or in their teens, kids love to give a hard time about taking photos. So how do you get your kids on board with taking family photos?
If you have a young child, there is a chance that taking photos is a lot for them. A lot of children feel stressed, or overstimulated with someone they do not know taking photos of them. So when navigating family photos, try to put yourself in their little shoes. It is a LOT to go from the peace and comfort of home, to the stress of a location and a new person whose job is to watch them. With this information how do we make younger kids feel comfortable for a photoshoot?
5 Tips to help young kids be comfortable for family photos:
- Take your kids to a location they already know and feel comfortable with. When taking family photos there seems to be this trend of taking photos in a location that no one has seen before, and is unaccostomed to. You do NOT need to do this. Family photos do not have to be completely formal photos, they can be fun and have movement and show your kid in a setting they like. This will automatically lead to more comfort than a location no one has been to before. Here are some examples of a mommy and me shoot I did at a playground:
a.If a playground is not your vibe for photos (despite how obviously adorable it is) try to atleast take the kid to the photoshoot location you desire. Let them see the location, the pretty aspects of it, what there is to enjoy. The more accustomed and familiar your child is with the photoshoot. Comfort comes from familiarity.
- Don’t make your kid wear something that they feel uncomfortable in. The camera can not filter out discomfort. When a child hates the texture, look, or general feel of the clothing they are wearing it will show. So pick out something that you know your child will like. Or, if you want something new for the shoot, have your child come with you to purchase and listen to them when they express your concern. Preparation is what makes for a successful, and comfortable photoshoot.
- Get to know your photographer before the shoot. Is this a photographer who has worked with kids before? Do they know what to do to calm a child down? How would your child react to this person? These are things you can judge and look into before your shoot to get acquainted with who will be taking your pictures. And show your kid some of their work! If you were to look at my portfolio**** you would see laughter, playfulness, and enjoyment. Show your child why you want to book the photographer you chose, and say positive things about the photographer and their work to spark excitement for your child.
- Examples of positive things to say about your photographer would be “look at this photo, doesn’t that look pretty?” “Wow, that looks like so much fun, do you think that would be fun to do?” “Look at how silly this is, we can be silly too.”
- Don’t freak out if your child starts crying. Crying is a normal thing that happens at a photoshoot. You do not need to apologize profusely, or think that you are burdening a photographer that has worked with kids. If your kid starts crying, take a break. Let them calm down. Have someone not in the photos hang out with them until comfort is brought. Have other photos taken in that time whether it is portraits, or you and your partner. Allow your child to have their moment, and come back with they are ready.
- Bring someone who will NOT be in the photos to your shoot. This is in my opinion the MOST important thing to do during a photoshoot with young kids. Even if you do not think you will need another person, bring them. While at the discretion of the photographer, if I am taking photos with a young child I require someone be there that is not going to be in the photos. This is because if your kid starts crying, you have an allotted amount of time. Have your child spend time with this person that you trust so you can continue your photoshoot. If you want someone to make silly noises or faces to perk up your child, that is the person for the job. Your photographer can not hold a child and a camera at the same time. Bring someone you trust to help you make your photoshoot easier.
If you follow these tips your family photos will come out better, authentic, and something to look back on positively. Rather than a dreaded experience, family photos can be fun and enjoyable memories.
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