As a photographer I’m never too bothered by kid’s behaviour, whether they are supercharged and run wild with energy, or they’re little timid beings that are extremely camera shy. Kids have a vast spectrum of personalities and quirks, and it’s a SO FUN and one of the best parts of my job. (whoever said don’t with Kids or animals is just a sad sack)

However, I know that as a Mum of my own 3 nut bags…. during a photo shoot, things can become STRESSFUL!

I get it. You’ve done all the leg work; you booked the photographer, picked everyone’s outfits, even dragged your husband here (which is sometimes most impressive of all). You want the experience to be enjoyable and for the pictures to turn out amazingly. This is not an unachievable dream, I promise! Here are a couple of quick tips I’ve learned over the years to make shoots go smoothly:

Snacks & Bribes - Always snacks and brides. These are a brilliant way to keep kids motivated and on track during a photoshoot. Small sweets, ice cream, even a little toy or an outing. Whatever your poison.… anything that your child loves and can be rewarded with after the photoshoot is a bribe and therefore a great way to get them to at least loosely comply with all of the things they’re asked to do during the shoot.

Of course, it’s best not to tell kids about these treats before the session, wait until the kids start getting fatigued before you pull the bribe card!

Important tip: make sure the snacks and treats won’t stain lips, fingers, or most importantly, their clothes! Photoshop is a powerful tool, but a chocolate mustache is even more powerful.

Outfits - If your child hates what they are wearing, it’s going to be evident in the photos. I know, I know, the thought of scrapping that adorable hair band or the little hat might make you sad, but trust me, a photo of a happy kid in simple clothing is better than a photo of a screaming kid in fancy clothes. It may be disappointing, but the talent has got to like what they’re wearing, too. Also, dress with the weather in mind. You want to make sure your child isn’t sweating or shivering with blue lips, it will definitely effect their mood and in turn your photos.. Check the weather forecast the day before the shoot and have all of the outfits picked out that night so you are not adding any more stress to the actual day! Layers are always helpful.

Walkable shoes - It’s likely you’ll be walking for a while on uneven paths, maybe even on some hills depending on your location. Therefore, walkable and comfy shoes are a must! Even if your kids are barefoot during the shoot itself, a good pair of shoes to get from A to B is essential, or even a pair of backup shoes if there is muddy or wet ground on the way to your location. If little feet are wet or cold, you’ll know all about it.

A Change of Clothes - Following on from the last point, packing another set of clothes for the kids if they happen to get dirty or muddy is strongly advised. As a photographer, I love when kids interact fully with their surroundings, and I’m thrilled to get a great photograph of them splashing about in water or climbing up trees. As a parent however, you may not be too keen (understandably) to have dirt smears all over their sweet white summer dress, or to let them back into your recently cleaned car when they look like a piece of crumbed chicken. This is why bringing a change of clothes and even a towel is wise.

Prepare your Pitch! - It’s a good idea to prepare your kids (and husband) with little references to let them know what’s happening. I’d advise my clients to tell their kids something like “we’ll be hanging out with our friend Kendell on Saturday!” or “we’re going to the park for a fun day out!” The main thing is it’s all kept casual and light hearted. Families have told me that this tip is particularly helpful if there’s a shy or anxious child. A photo shoot is sort of just a big play date. There’s no need for it to be rigid and formal - embrace the running around, and carefree nature of my sessions. Of course, if your child is old enough, you could just tell them how you would like them to behave during the shoot. The less demanding you are about it, the more likely you are to be met with cooperation. Remember, this is photography, not video- they dont have to be perfect the whole time, just moments of it!

Think about specific props - Some families have special toys or items they want captured in these shoots as little mementos that give more meaning to the photos. This might be a special stuffed animal, a keepsake or family heirloom, or even just your child’s favourite toy or skateboard. If you think there may be any in particular you’d like to use, have a good brainstorm about it the night before (and let me know about it, too!)

Let the smile come naturally! Listen parents, this is the big one! Fight your natural instincts and resist the temptation to say things like “cheese” or “Big smiles!” to your kids. The best way to get a ‘real smile’ is to actually make your child laugh or smile (as a former child, I can attest to this). So instead of telling them how they should look, be a bit silly and make things more fun or just leave it to me- I speak fluent kid. If you know what sets your child off or if there’s anything they laugh at when watching TV, a favorite song, joke, or noise try and channel that. A real laugh or smile makes for a beautiful photo. Just enjoy the experience, play with your kidlets and the smiles will come. Forcing will just be unpleasant for everyone.

Stay Positive and have fun! A thing about kids that people forget; they pick up on their parent’s mood. So with that in mind, just relax! At the end of the day, there is nothing to stress about. I’m capturing your family just as you are at that moment in time, so rather then concentrating on taking nice photos- focus on creating beautiful memories.

(Bonus Tip: Make sure everyone gets a good sleep the night before and eats a good meal beforehand. There’s nothing on this Earth more unwilling to cooperate than a tired child - except perhaps a hangry husband.) Be sure not to load the kids with sugar before the session, be it hyper or a super crash, we dont want to be contending with either.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR SESSION CHECK LIST

An extra set of clothes for each child
Snacks, water bottles, and whatever bribe/motivator you have decided on for your shoot
Towels (alot of my sessions end up in the water!)
A blanket to sit on if you child is sensitive to grass/sand etc. (this will be seen in the pictures so don’t bring the bright blue picnic rug…)
Comfort toys, or anything special item that you would like you child to be photographed with.
Shoes to get from A to B, or shoes that go with their outfit if they are not going to be barefoot.
Wipes for the grubs
Layers if the weather is a bit chilly, it never hurts to throw in a cardi, cold kids/babies are never happy.
A relaxed go with the flow attitude :)