10 Tips on How to Prepare Your Children for Your Family Photoshoot

It's the day of your family photoshoot, and you're running around the house trying to get everyone out the door - clothes everywhere, kids half-dressed, and trying to get food into your toddler's mouth. Then finally, you're loaded into the car and on your way to the photoshoot. You give your kids "the talk" - you know, the one where you tell them to behave, listen to the photographer, and smile for the camera.

No doubt, it's a hectic situation. As a parent, you want everything to go smoothly but don't worry, with a bit of planning, you can make the experience enjoyable. 

Here are 10 tips to help prepare your kids for your family session! 

1. Talk About the Photoshoot 

It's important to talk to your children beforehand to ensure they know what to expect. Keep things light and exciting by explaining why it's special and why you want to take family photos. 

Rather than overwhelming them with too much information or bribing them to smile, let them know that the photoshoot will be a fun family day out, with time to play and enjoy each other's company while someone takes photos. 

2. Involve Your Kids in the Planning Process

To increase your children's enthusiasm and cooperation, involve them in the planning and decision-making process. This will make them feel valued and important. Talk to them about options for location and what they might wear. Ask them what they would like to see or do for the pictures. Jump?  Twirl? What’s fun for them? You want it to be fun and reflective of your family’s personality.

3. Pick the Right Time

Picking the right time can make a huge difference..It's important to consider your kids' schedules and routines to ensure they are well-rested and fed. As I'm sure you know, this is when they are more likely to be in good spirits.

Avoid scheduling too close to nap or meal times. If your kids are hungry or tired, they might  become irritable and less cooperative making the process more challenging. 

It's also important to consider the time of day. Scheduling it for early morning or late afternoon is beneficial because the lighting is softer and more flattering. This will create a better backdrop for your photos and provide a more comfortable setting (for example, no squinting in the bright sun and not too hot).

4. Keep your Children Fed and Hydrated

Hunger and thirst can quickly turn a happy kid into a grumpy one. Ensure your children have eaten a good meal beforehand to help keep their energy levels up and prevent them from becoming irritable. Bringing snacks and water for your children can help with this. It will lead to more natural, relaxed poses and better photos.

When packing snacks, choose foods that are easy to eat and won't make a mess. Some good options include apple slices, grapes cut in half, crackers, or granola. Don't forget a water bottle, especially if it’s a warm day.

5. Get a Good Night's Sleep

Make a good night’s sleep a priority so everyone is refreshed and energized.

It can be tempting to stay up late the night before to ensure everything is ready.  However, this can work against you and your kids.  Lack of sleep can cause fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before. Even a consistent bedtime routine in the days leading up to the photoshoot would be helpful. You want to see lots of fun, energy and ease in your photos.

6. Choose comfortable clothing

What your child is wearing is also important. It impacts how confident they feel and how much they enjoy participating. Think about what clothes your child is comfortable in.  You want them happy with what they’re wearing, and able to move, run and play. With Lofoten weather, consider dressing them in layers or bringing extra layers with you, so they can easily adjust to changing temperatures.  Also, comfortable shoes which are suitable for walking and exploring are necessary.

To get your child excited about their outfit, give them options so they feel they are making the decision themselves.

7. Talk to your Children about the Photographer

Some children can be hesitant or shy around strangers.  To help them feel more at ease, talk to them about the photographer, her role and what to expect. 

Explain to them that the photographer is friendly. She will be taking pictures of all of them and it's important to cooperate so you can have great family pictures. Encourage your children to ask the photographer questions.   Let them know that standing in different positions or making silly faces is all part of the fun. This should help your children feel more comfortable and relaxed during the photoshoot. 

8. Keep it relaxed

Getting caught up in the desire for the perfect shot is easy to do. To achieve this, encourage your children to be themselves and have fun.The most memorable shots come from candid and unplanned moments.

Take breaks to rest and recharge when needed. Knowing that kids have shorter attention spans, it’s okay to be mindful of their needs. During the photo shoot, embrace the imperfections and have a good time capturing genuine moments and memories.

9. Be Positive and Excited - Your Kids Pick Up on Your Vibes

Your attitude and energy can influence your child's behavior and mood. Approach the session with positivity and excitement and your child is more likely to follow suit.

10. Celebrate the experience

Wrap up the day by celebrating the experience with your kids! Go for ice cream, a treat of their choosing or another fun activity because it could help leave everyone with positive, lasting memories of the photo session. It also shows your appreciation for their participation.

When you receive your gallery of images, review the photos together and discuss your favorites.  It helps foster excitement over the experience and sets a positive precedent for future photoshoots.

All won't go perfectly and that's okay. Give your kids and yourselves some grace. Your session is meant to be a fun activity and hopefully, these tips help make that happen.

Are you looking to have your special family memories captured?

I’m a family photographer based in the Lofoten Islands and here to photograph your family. The goal is to document and tell your family story through photographs. It’s about the real and the raw moments.

Offering family and adventure portrait sessions in Lofoten, Norway. Click here to learn more about these sessions and begin planning your fun session!