How many times have you thought about having professional family photos taken, but have been dreading the entire process of  getting your children ready and in the right mood for a photoshoot, and summoning all the powers in the Universe for them to be sitting still, looking at the camera,  smiling, and overall being the best little cherubs the entire time? The reality is that little kids will be little kids, and there is no real need to try to tame their energy in order to get some adorable family photos that you'll truly cherish for life. Below are 5 tips that would help tremendously to get the most out of your photo session with your active children:


  1. Make sure your kid has had some quiet time before the photo session so they are not overtired or stimulated. That could also be a quick nap in the car while driving to the photoshoot location. However, they should be awake and moving for at least 15-20 minutes minutes before the photoshoot begins, so that they are not moody and groggy, so plan accordingly;
  2. Feed them a light snack, so they are not famished and cranky upon arriving at the photoshoot;
  3. Adjust your expectations - they will probably not sit, pose, and smile for longer than 30 seconds to a minute at a time! Honestly, this is plenty of time to get some cute posed frame-worthy family photos for the grandparents; Get these out of the way at the very beginning of the session;
  4. Keep it light and fun! Play with them, cuddle, tickle them, spin them around. Discuss with photographer possible toys/props that would look good in the photos but also be interesting and entertaining. Get a picnic blanket and books and read to them. Follow their lead! The best photos come out of movement and genuine connection that you can only achieve if you engage fully with your children during the session;
  5. Let the photographer take the lead with directing you and your children during the photoshoot and you focus on just having fun with them. They are much more likely to take direction from the photographer when it counts, and you are sure set to have a stress-free, fun photoshoot!