Children Sessions // Tips & What To Expect

You've booked the session and you're super excited, but what now? What needs to be done to prepare? I'm going to help you with my top tips and what you can expect from a session with me.

Tip #1 is relax. Don't stress about this at all. Your kids may be goofy and that's okay! Or maybe they're a little grumpy. My job is to capture the portraits you are looking for, so don't worry. In fact, some of the best photos can be from those goofy times where they are smiling their most natural smiles. So please, Mom, relax. Everyone will do great.

Tip #2 is clothes. There are a couple things to keep in mind when picking out what you want your kiddos to wear. First and foremost is comfort. Your kids will relax and have a better experience if they are in clothes that are comfortable for them. It also helps if they like the outfit :) Think about what's classic and will stand the test of time. Keep things simple and not too bright. We don't want to overwhelm or take away from their faces! My go-to outfits are:

• a nice, solid colored or neutral shirt for boys with slacks or nice jeans and nice shoes or bare feet. Keep accessories to a minimum but a hat or vest or bow-tie are definitely cute.
• For the girls, let them dress up a little. A cute dress or a skirt and shirt. No crazy patterns (again, we don't want to distract from the focus which is their face) but small floral prints would be fine. As with the boys, keep accessories to a minimum.
  
• If you have more than one child, don't worry about matching. I have a full post on that, but to summarize, you want to have their outfits coordinating and not clashing, but they don't have to all be wearing the same exact color.
  

Tip #3 - feed them! I like to do my sessions in the evening whenever possible, which will mean it should be after dinner. However, if it's been a little while, it may be a good idea to give the kids a small snack, especially if they are little. Full bellies make for happy kids!

Tip #4 - bribery. I am not above bribery. My aunt used to coax smiles out of my cousins by offering chicken nuggets from McDonald's. (So healthy, I know, but it worked nine times out of ten). Think of something they like and offer it as a reward for giving nice smiles. This is a last resort though. Don't promise things before the session. Only if they are not cooperating and all else has failed.

Tip #5 - come a bit early. This will give the kids a chance to run around and explore a little bit. I usually start out with candid shots anyway, to let them get comfortable, but it never hurts to arrive a few minutes prior to the session. It lets everyone relax and get comfortable.

Those are my tips to make your session the best it can be! A typical session, I get candids of the kids interacting with one another before getting the more "traditional" portraits. Of course, if they are ready to go and want to pose for me, great! I will work with the comfort level of your kids.

Please feel free to bring some props or something. If your child has a stuffed animal they take absolutely EVERYWHERE, let them bring it! Maybe they love kicking a soccer ball together. These pictures represent YOUR kids and YOUR family, so make them personal to you.

I absolutely love working with and photographing kids. They are so much fun!! If only we still had that much energy, am I right? I look forward to working with you and serving your family!

Blessings,
Sarah