Preparing Your Kids for Your Family Photography Session
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION
APRIL NISSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Chu-51
Hello! Having had my own family photos done, I understand the anxiety that can come with worrying about how your kids will act during the session. Mine are totally unpredictable. They might refuse to participate or act totally silly and make the weirdest, most unnatural faces because they are so uncomfortable around a stranger. So let's talk about how we can help prepare your kiddos for a successful time together!
Involve your kids in what to wear and plan ahead.
Check out my What to Wear Guide for some ideas about this. Most importantly, involve them in making the plan and keep authenticity in mind. Getting dressed before we walk out the door seems to always be a challenge for church, for school, for photos, it doesn't seem to matter! Those last minute decisions and searches for lost shoes get everyone stressed and frustrated. Lay out clothes, accessories and shoes the night before so you don't even have to worry about the day of the session.
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Plan the day as a special family outing.
Our kids certainly feed on our energy. If they sense we see family photos as a chore, they will see it as a "have to" rather than a "get to." Share with your kids that you are going to visit a fun new place to hang out together and a friend is going to take some photos while you're there. You might even consider planning a special family treat like ice cream after the photos, not as a bribe but as part of the evening. If a "new location" causes anxiety for a child, you might consider visiting the location ahead of time.
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Make sure their physical needs are met.
Summer sessions are late in the evening, usually past dinner time and fall sessions tend to land around dinner time. Make sure your kids have full full tummies, regardless of when the session is. They might need dinner or a good snack before the session. The sessions that happen around 7pm can be late for young kiddos so consider a later nap or afternoon rest time prior to the session if possible.
Roselli
Roselli-19
Let your kids know what will happen.
My oldest child feels a lot of anxiety when she doesn't know what to expect so when I hire a photographer, I show her their photographs and talk about what their sessions are like so she knows what to expect. Tell them that you'll be sitting and standing together, hugging and you might even play some games together. Tell them they will be in the photos and it will only take about an hour. You can even tell your kids that I have my own kids AND I was a preschool teacher and elementary educator so I have lots of experience hanging out with super cool kids. In fact, you can even show them a picture of my girls below if it helps them feel like I'm just a mom!
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Lastly, trust me to guide and direct your kids to help them relax and be themselves.
Remember, we are trying to help your family connect with each other and be themselves. I won't be trying to force your kids to smile. I will talk to them and try to connect with them and help them smile naturally because they're enjoying our time together.
Tran-3
Okay, I look forward to connecting with you and your kids and creating beautiful photographs together!