Whoop! Whoop! It's family photo day! You've picked the outfits, coordinated everyone's schedules, packed the snacks, and somehow managed to get the entire family out the door looking presentable. Honestly, that alone deserves a round of applause!
Now comes the fun part! Let's be real for a second. Photographing kids can be a wild ride. There will be giggles, silly faces, wiggles, and probably at least one child who suddenly decides they don't want their picture taken. And guess what? THAT'S OKAY! As a Metrowest Massachusetts family photographer, I've worked with plenty of little personalities over the years, and I've learned that the best family photos don't always come from everyone standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera. They come from having fun, connecting, and letting your family be themselves.
So, before you start stressing about whether your kids will cooperate, here are my top 5 tips for making your family photo session easy, relaxed, and FUN!
1. Stay Flexible — Kids Will Be Kids!
Here's the thing about kids: They have minds of their own! Some kids arrive ready to smile for the camera. Others need a few minutes to warm up. Some want to run, jump, and explore, while others would rather be held by Mom or Dad the entire time. And honestly? I love all of it! I try to read each child's personality and energy throughout the session. If they need a minute to run around, we'll give them a minute. If they want to snuggle with Mom instead of standing on their own, we can work with that too! Sometimes we'll change the order of our photos, move to a different spot, or switch from posed pictures to something more playful.
My Tip: Don't worry if your child isn't doing exactly what we planned. The more flexible we are, the more relaxed everyone will feel. And sometimes those unexpected moments turn into the BEST photos!
2. Make It FUN — Not a Chore!
One of the biggest things I tell parents is this: Please don't spend the entire session telling your kids to smile!
I know it's tempting. "Look at the camera!" "Smile!" "Stop making that face!" "JUST ONE NICE PICTURE!" Sound familiar?
But here's the secret: The more pressure kids feel to perform, the less interested they sometimes become. Instead, I like to make our session feel like playtime! We might play red light, green light, have a tickle fight, tell silly jokes, whisper secrets, or play a quick game of ring around the rosy. I might make ridiculous noises, ask silly questions, or have the kids run toward me. Whatever gets those genuine smiles and natural expressions! And parents, you can help too! Sometimes having Mom or Dad make a funny face behind me is all it takes.
My Tip: Let me be the one giving directions. Your job is to interact with your kids, laugh with them, and enjoy the moment. I'll handle the posing and getting everyone's attention!
3. Bring the Snacks (And Yes, I'm All for Bribes!)
I'm not above a little bribery when it comes to family photos! Sometimes the promise of ice cream after the session is all the motivation we need. Other times, a quick snack break can turn things around. If you're bringing younger kids, I recommend packing a few small, mess-free favorites. Think crackers, puffs, or another familiar snack that won't leave sticky fingers or colorful stains on those carefully coordinated outfits.
A few things to keep in mind:
Bring water for everyone.
Avoid chocolate or anything that melts easily.
Keep wipes handy for quick cleanups.
Bring snacks your child already enjoys.
Plan a fun activity or treat for after the session.
And remember, snacks don't need to be a reward for smiling. Sometimes kids are simply hungry or need a break!
My Tip: Keep the snacks tucked away until we need them. If your child knows their favorite treat is sitting in the bag, we might have a hard time convincing them to do anything else!
4. Parents, Relax! Your Energy Sets the Tone.
Okay, parents. This one's for YOU! I know how much effort goes into planning family photos. You've spent time choosing outfits, coordinating schedules, and getting everyone ready. You want beautiful photos, and you want everyone to cooperate. I get it! But if you're stressed, frustrated, or constantly correcting the kids, they can pick up on that energy. And suddenly, what was supposed to be a fun family experience feels like another chore.
So here's my biggest request:
Let go of the pressure to make everything perfect.
If your toddler is being silly, let them be silly.
If your child needs a hug, hug them.
If someone needs a little break, we'll take one.
And please, don't worry about whether everyone is looking at the camera every second. I'll work on getting those classic family portraits, but I'll also capture the natural moments in between.
My Tip: Focus on connecting with your family instead of watching the camera. Hug your kids, hold hands, laugh together, and enjoy being in the moment. You don't need to manage the entire session. That's what I'm here for!
5. Trust the Process — A Little Chaos Makes Great Memories!
Here's something I wish every parent knew before their family photo session: Your kids do NOT have to behave perfectly for us to get beautiful photos! Seriously! Some of my favorite family photos happen when the kids are running around, laughing at something ridiculous, or cuddling up with their parents. Of course, we'll aim for those classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos too. I know how important those are! I usually like to get those early while everyone is fresh and then mix in more playful, relaxed moments.
Depending on your family and the time we have, we might capture:
The classic family portrait
Siblings together
Individual photos of the kids
Mom and Dad with the kids
A few photos of just the parents
Candid moments, hugs, laughter, and games
And if we need to switch things up halfway through? No problem! I've learned that sometimes the best thing we can do is stop trying to force a particular pose and move on to something else.
My Tip: Trust me to read the room and adjust as needed. You might feel like your kids were all over the place, but you'd be surprised how many beautiful moments we can capture in between the chaos!
One Last Thing: Don't Forget to Enjoy It!
I know family photos can feel like a lot of work, especially when you have little ones. But here's what I want you to remember: You don't need perfectly behaved kids, perfectly coordinated outfits, or perfectly posed smiles to have beautiful family photos. You just need to show up and be yourselves. The silly giggles, the unexpected hugs, the goofy expressions, and even those moments when someone decides they need to be carried — that's your family right now. And those are the memories worth capturing.
So take the pressure off, let the kids be kids, and enjoy spending a little time together. I'll take care of the photos!
Ready for Some Fun Family Photos?
At Allison Manzella Photography, my goal is to create a relaxed, fun photography experience where your family feels comfortable being themselves. I specialize in light and airy, natural family photography throughout Metrowest Massachusetts, including Natick, Framingham, Sudbury, Wellesley, Ashland, Holliston, and surrounding communities.
Whether you're booking a quick seasonal mini session or a full family photo session, we'll work together to capture the personalities, connections, and moments that make your family unique.
Photos that feel like you, for every chapter.
Ready to book? Check out my Investment Guide and let's plan something fun!