WEDDINGS
TRAVEL
TIPS & TRICKS
PROPOSALS
PRINTS
PERSONAL
NEWBORNS
MATERNITY
HEADSHOTS
GRADUATION
FAMILIES
ENGAGEMENTS
COUPLES
BROWSE ALL CATEGORIES
read the post
how to include dogs at photo shoots
read the post
how to prepare for engagement photos
read the post
why hire a wedding coordinator
read the post
A+B's gibson island club wedding
read the post
V+A's tranquility farm wedding
TOP POSTS
SEARCH THE BLOG
MORE ABOUT ME
Proud pup mom, type A creative, lover of the outdoors, Top Chef fan girl, and wedding and portrait photographer. Welcome to the blog!
HI, I'M RACHEL!
welcome!
micro WEDDINGS
elopements
Here at REHP fall means it’s family mini session time! The time of year where I get to work with local families who are looking to create images they can add to their holiday cards and capture memories of their families just as they are at this very moment in time. With the fall mini sessions quickly approaching, today I’m excited to share my favorite family photography session tips & tricks!
After working with dozens of families (who I now love!) at hundreds of photo sessions, I’ve been able to narrow down exactly what works to keep the kids focused and happy. And what will get us the best family heirlooms and holiday card-worthy photos! And I’m excited to share those family photography session tips with you today.
1. Bring a family member or friend to your shoot so they can help with entertaining the kid(s) while having their pictures taken. I’ve noticed we get the best results (kids looking at the camera and smiling) for portraits when families bring a person to stand behind me and make funny faces, dance, sing, hold up a smart phone with a fun video playing. This tip works especially well for younger children and babies.
2. Talk to your kids about the upcoming shoot & even practice posing together. That way when it comes time to pose with you or their sibling(s) at our shoot, they’ll know exactly what to do!
3. Make sure the kids are fed and rested prior to the shoot (as much as possible). And bring along snacks in case anyone gets hungry. We won’t jump to giving the kids snacks as the first solution to crankiness (no one wants pics with chewed up food in their mouths! haha), but it will be good to have just in case.
4. Bring any favorite toys for me, your family/friend, or you to use during the shoot to draw the kids’ attention when needed.
5. Bribe the kids! I’ve witnessed first hand parents bribing their kids with favorite treats or activities they can have/do after the session if they cooperate, and it works like a charm almost every time! haha
If you want to bribe them with something during the shoot, Smartees are the best! They’re small, there are lots of them in one pack, and they disappear quickly (no one wants to see candy hanging out in a kid’s mouth in their photos!). For best results, hand them over to me to dole out.
6. Bring any props you want to include – balls, games, toys, a blanket, holiday memorabilia, etc. It makes your photos that much more special when your own sentimental belongings are included.
7. Use the resources at your disposal. Using the photo shoot style guide and associated Pinterest link with outfit visuals I have provided will make sure your photos turn out esthetically beautiful. Filling out the questionnaire I sent will make sure I’m prepared to work with your individual family and will help the shoot go smoothly. **Even if I’ve photographed your family multiple times, please still fill out the questionnaire so I don’t have to go digging through my archives to remind myself of your kids’ names.**
8. Let me be the boss (haha). You’re the boss with your kids the rest of the time, but it helps at photo sessions when you let me be in charge. I have poses I want to do and need to position you where the best light is, plus it helps if the kids listen to me and cooperate when they see their parents deferring to me. If you bring any bribes like candy, hand it to me so I can dole it out when the kids cooperate. They know how to work you to get their treats; but they don’t know how to work me! haha
9. Don’t yell at, criticize, or harshly threaten your children during the photo session. You obviously know your children better than I do, but what I do know is that I get the best photos when a person’s confidence and spirits are high. Yelling, criticism, harsh threats, and nit-picking very much diminish confidence during photo sessions and lead to loss of focus, confusion, pouting, sadness, crying, tantrums, etc. All of that shows up in the photos. I like to keep things positive! If a child really isn’t cooperating, I will switch gears to more candid photos so we can salvage the rest of the session.
Maintaining confidence to get beautiful photos is the main reason for this tip. The second reason is to maintain an enjoyable work environment for me. This is my job that I love and enjoy. It adds a lot of stress and discomfort for me when 1. my flow is interrupted by negativity and 2. when I witness children being yelled, belittled, criticized, and harshly threatened.
10. Get dad on board! I’m just gonna acknowledge the elephant in the room: in my experience, photo sessions are not typically a man’s favorite activity. Not in all cases, but in a lot of them, the dad is not super excited for a family photo session! haha And in rare cases, it really stresses them out to the point that it impacts the child(ren) and the session overall. When the parents show a united front, the children cooperate so much better.
At the end of the day these are 30 minutes out of your year and you walk away with beautiful family heirlooms. It’s worth having a chat with your husband pre-photo session to see how he feels, letting him know you understand his frustration (hey – family photo shoots are not always sunshine and rainbows! I get it!), and let him know why this is important you. And hey – maybe he could use a bribe or reward too! haha Something to let him know you appreciate and value his participation and support. I’m no marriage counselor but I’m guessing this tip will go a long way!
BONUS Tip: Have fun! That is perhaps the most important of all the family photography session tips! These are precious moments you get to spend with your family. No cell phones, no TV, no work, no distractions. Enjoy yourself! Laugh, play, run around with your kids. I’ll be capturing those moments too <3
Did this post get you excited to book your own maternity, anniversary, or family session?! If yes, send me a note and we can chat about what you have in mind: contact me
Hi – I’m Rachel! A wedding, engagements, and headshots photographer in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and northern Virginia. I love taking photos of elegant people who love to laugh, as well as of much in-love couples. If you’re a dog owner, that’s a plus! I’m currently booking 2022 portrait sessions, as well as 2022 and 2023 weddings.
HELLO@RACHELEHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Get updates, tips and tricks, and specials to your inbox!
Subscribe here
Back to Top
Rachel is a wedding and portrait photographer
Serving brilliant, elegant couples in Washington D.C. + Beyond
Copyright 2022 Rachel E.H. Photography | Website by Alex Collier Design
she / her