How My Family Photography Sessions Work: A Relaxed Approach for Families With Kids
When you have young kids, the last thing you probably need is another activity where everyone has to sit still, behave perfectly, and smile on command. So when you come to a family photoshoot with me, I don’t really want it to feel like a photoshoot. I want it to feel like a walk. You’ll walk, talk, play with your kids, cuddle them, laugh, explore, and maybe do a few things you normally do together. I’ll be there to guide you, notice the little moments, and turn them into photographs.
Choosing the Right Location for Family Photos
When young kids are involved, I always try to choose a location that is convenient for the family. You usually don’t need to drive an hour to find a beautiful place for family photos. I truly believe that almost anywhere you live, there is something beautiful within about 15–30 minutes of your home. Sometimes it’s a place you’ve driven past a hundred times. Maybe you’ve taken your kids there before, but you’ve never looked at it as a photography location.
That’s where my job as a photographer comes in. I don’t look at a location the same way you do. I’m looking at the light, the backgrounds, the time of day, and how many different looks we can create in one place. I’m also thinking about the session as a little walking route. Where should we start? Where will the light be best? Where can the kids move around? Where can we finish? So you don’t have to figure all of that out. I’ll take care of it.
I also don’t usually choose a location just because it has one pretty spot. I like variety. I want us to be able to walk from one area to another and create different photographs along the way. Maybe we start in the grass, then walk through the trees, stop for a few family photos, let the kids play for a little bit, and finish somewhere with beautiful evening light. That way, your gallery doesn’t feel like 30 versions of the same photograph with everyone standing in slightly different positions.
I want the photos to tell a little story. Maybe it’s just the story of one ordinary evening with your family — but years from now, you’ll be able to look at those photographs and remember what your children were like at that age.
Keeping Kids Comfortable During a Family Photoshoot
Sometimes I even recommend that parents don’t make a big announcement about the photoshoot. You don’t necessarily need to tell your child, “Tomorrow we’re going to take pictures and you need to smile!” Because the moment kids hear “photos,” they can start imagining that something is going to be expected from them. They may think they need to sit still, look at the camera, smile, and behave.
Instead, you can simply tell them we’re going for a walk. And that’s pretty much what we’re going to do.
Of course, I still guide the session. I pay attention to your children’s ages and personalities and adjust the activities and prompts accordingly. A two-year-old, a five-year-old, and a ten-year-old are not going to have the same kind of session — and they shouldn’t.
Sometimes we’ll play a little game. Sometimes we’ll walk. Sometimes I’ll ask you to do something with your child. And sometimes I’ll simply let something happen because I’m already seeing a beautiful moment.
Letting Natural Moments Happen
This is another reason I ask parents to relax and let me do the directing. You don’t need to spend the entire session saying, “Look at the camera!” or “Smile!” or “Say cheese!” I promise, I have plenty of experience with the “cheese smile.” 
And while I will absolutely get your children looking toward the camera when we need that, I don’t want every photograph to be like that. Sometimes your child looking at you with a completely natural smile is much more beautiful than looking directly at the camera with a smile they were told to make.
If I’m not trying to get your child’s attention, it usually means I actually like what is happening. Maybe your kids are talking to each other. Maybe your daughter is fixing her brother’s hair. Maybe your little one is laughing with Dad. Those are the moments I want to capture.
So if you see me letting your child look away from the camera, don’t worry. I probably have a reason.
Making Family Photos a Good Experience for Kids
I want your kids to have a good memory of the experience too. Let’s be honest — most kids didn’t ask for a family photoshoot. For them, it can feel a little bit like work. They are giving us their time, their attention, and sometimes a lot of patience.
That’s why children up to about 12 years old receive a small gift from me at the end of the session. It’s just a little something to say, “Thank you for being part of this.”
Because I want them to remember the photoshoot as a fun afternoon or evening with their family — not as the day they had to smile at a camera for an hour.
At the end of the day, beautiful family photos don’t require perfect children, perfect poses, or a perfect day. They require a little time together, a little patience, and space for your family to simply be yourselves.
I’ll take care of the rest.
