Don’t worry about your kids’ behavior during your family photo session

One of my main goals as a family photographer is to keep your photo session as simple, fun, and stress-free as possible!

As parents, we have so many other things to stress out about. The last thing I want you to worry about is how your kids will behave during your photo session!

Listen, I know you’re thinking:

“…but my baby is teething and protesting naps!”

“… but my three-year-old has hit a very difficult stage and says “NO” to everything!”

“…but my five-year-old NEVER stays still for more than two seconds!”

“…but my eight-year-old is SUPER shy!”

“…but my tween/teen is super moody and thinks family photos are lame!”

As a Mom to three boys, let me start by saying that I 100% completely understand why you ARE worried about your kid’s behavior during your family photo session!

And second, as a woman that deals with anxiety and excessive worry, I also know that having someone tell you, “Don’t worry!”, is not very helpful. So hear me out as I explain why you don’t have to worry about your kids’ behavior during your family photo session with me.

Experience Matters

I’m proud to say that I’m an expert in my field of photography. I’ve photographed hundreds of families in the last 12 years so I have plenty of experience with working with children of all ages and personalities!

And did I mention that I have three boys? Two of them are teenagers so I’ve been through all of the phases of childhood! I also have 15 nieces and nephews, was a nanny/child caregiver, studied elementary education/early childhood development in college, and used to work with children on the spectrum.

I have a special knack for making cranky babies smile, getting shy and anxious children to feel relaxed and comfortable, helping three-year-olds to chill out when they are on the edge of a tantrum, and getting an angsty tween or teen to crack some real smiles.

I’m a bit of a baby/child whisperer with more than a few tricks up my sleeve and I’ve yet to photograph a kid who doesn’t like me!

Location, Location, Location

If you were planning a session with a photographer in a studio where everyone had to pose, behave perfectly, and all smile at the same time, then yes, I’d be worried too. This would’ve totally stressed me out when I had three small boys! And honestly, that is why I do not pose and photograph families in a studio.

Your family session can take place at your home so it’s more than ok to allow your kids to act like kids! I encourage jumping on beds and running around the house (if this is the normal chaotic and fun behavior that takes place in your home). And of course, if the parents allow it ;) If you follow my work then you know I love to photograph REAL LIFE!

When I photograph kids at home they are more comfortable and able to relax! They are in a familiar place with their favorite things so this always makes the session go smoothly.

And if the session is not at your home, it’ll take place outside in a park setting so it is still ok to let them loose and burn off their energy. I welcome chaotic fun and I love to get pictures of kids in action or roughhousing with dad or each other!

Let’s plan your session in the comfort of your own home, backyard, park, or fun location where your kids can just be kids!

Just Be Yourselves

Seriously. Just relax and be your quirky-silly-fun-chaotic-selves. I want to capture your children’s personalities and real smiles and even their goofy and grumpy faces!

However, I promise you that I will still get a few of those photos that you will want to hang on the wall, use as a Facebook profile, or a print you would want to give to Grandma. You know the kind of photo I am talking about, the one where all your kids are actually looking at the camera and smiling. Amidst all the chaos and fun, I will still capture these kinds of photos for you.

No Need to Rush

When you book a photo session with me, there are no strict time constraints. I set aside at least two hours for our session. Of course, I do not always need all of that time, but I never rush through a session. This leaves time to play and explore instead of rushing everyone through poses and yelling at you to smile. (P.S, I will never do that!)

This gives me plenty of time to hang out a bit and get everyone to feel comfortable with me. Sometimes I do not even take a picture in the first 10-15 minutes. With years of experience under my belt, I know when a child is relaxed and ready for the camera.

This also leaves us with extra time for a snack or juice break. Listen, I am guilty of getting hangry and I can tell when your 6-month-old needs nursed/a bottle and your three-year-old needs his sippy or a snack. So although I encourage you to feed everyone before the sessions it’s more than ok to stop for a few minutes to do this!

So, are you ready for a different kind of family photo session? A session that is fun and relaxing and will feel like hanging out with an old friend for an hour or two? A photo session that you, your kids, and even your partner will actually enjoy?

Then I might be the perfect photographer for your family. Shoot me a message and let’s plan a unique session for your one-of-a-kind family. I promise that you will not regret it.

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Head over here to read more about my child and family photos sessions, and go have a look at my family galleries! 

~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~

Mary Beth Miller Photography has over twelve years of experience and specializes in lifestyle family and child photography in Pittsburgh PA and many of the surrounding areas.