Simple Tips to Help Everyone Enjoy the Experience




Let’s be honest. Getting everyone ready for family photos can feel like a production. Outfits, naps, snacks, shoes… and that’s before we even get to the location. But one of the biggest factors in how smoothly your session goes is preparing your family, emotionally and mentally, for what to expect.


Here are a few easy ways to help your kids and spouse feel ready and relaxed for your session:

A tender moment between two people sharing an embrace in an autumn forest with golden leaves in the background.

1. Let Them Know Why It Matters


Start by calmly telling your family that this session is important to you. These aren’t just pictures. You’re capturing memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. When they understand why it matters, they’re more likely to show up with a good attitude, even the littlest ones.

A series of candid family photos showing people walking together along a scenic rocky beach at sunset.

2. Reassure Them About What to Expect


Kids and adults both do better when they know what’s coming. Let them know I’ll be giving direction the entire time. I’ll tell them where to stand, where to look, and even what to do with their hands. There is no pressure to perform or memorize poses. I’ve got that part covered.

A mother and child share a warm embrace while sitting outdoors in a natural park setting with soft lighting.

3. Make Sure Their Clothes Feel Good


Stylish is great, but comfortable matters just as much. Choose outfits that your kids can move, sit, and play in. Avoid anything too tight, itchy, or stiff. If they’re uncomfortable, it often shows in their mood and in the photos. The same goes for adults. Pick something that feels like you, and that you can relax and move in.

A family wearing fall colors poses together in a golden grassy field during an autumn outdoor photoshoot.

4. Offer a Little Motivation (aka The Reward)


You might call it a bribe, but I like to think of it as a trade. Whether it’s an ice cream stop afterward, picking dinner, or a little extra screen time, having a reward gives everyone something to look forward to. It can be a great motivator and help keep the mood positive.

A portrait series showing cropped views focusing on shoes, legs and feet of two people standing on a dirt path in a forest.
A girl in a white lace dress poses in a sunlit outdoor setting with greenery in the background.

Most Important

The most important part about prepping your family for photos, is to prep yourself. Take a deep breath and remember the most important things is images to remember your family the way they are. I know we always want to look our best and I’m here to help you with that, but you also want images that show how you feel about your family, and for that you need to be relaxed-at least a little. Once you get to the session and every one is dressed and ready to go just take a moment and look at your beautiful family. Don't think about the chaos that is took to get there. Just think about how much you love them, how much you have loved them, and how much more you’ll continue to love them as they grow.