How to make the most out of your family photoshoot

I’m worried about the shoot, what if my kids behave badly?

10 to 1 your child is no more naughty or highly strung than any other child…so let me start by saying relax…  Children always enjoy the shoot as I love playing with them and they can see that in me. They warm to the camera pretty quickly and I have loads of fun with them.  If however they are doing what you think is something naughty, here’s the key..

DON’T TELL THEM OFF

You need to let me deal with their behaviour during the shoot.  I am very experienced at distracting children and moving them on from their behavioural rut if need be, but if you step in and tell them off they will invariably become grumpy or even burst into tears… not a good look for a family portrait.

Of course if they look like they are about to hurt themselves or others (or me!) then do what you have to do, that’s fine.

The remarkable thing is that as they don’t know me, I am a relative newcomer to them, like a new teacher, you’ll find that they do what I tell them to do without too much fuss.  I have a small window of about an hour before they feel they  know me and can then start to push my boundaries..which is why I try and get the photos done within this time if possible.

What if my kids don’t smile for our photos

As I am sure you’ve learned as your children get older, distraction is the key to keeping children engaged in a photo shoot, but it has to be the right kind of distraction.  Sometimes I get parents who are so keen that their child smile that they get rather frantic off to the side, shouting at them “say cheese Johnny, Look at the lady, smile”…

Please DON’T..

Firstly, I don’t want them to be told to smile, I want them to smile because they are happy. Secondly, I want them to look at me because they are interested in what I am saying or doing not because they are told to look at me.  These 2 points actually make a big difference in the final image as we can get a much more natural expression.  They won’t look at me if parents are grabbing their attention.

I never ask a child to smile, as there are countless ways to make them smile without asking (entertaining them usually, or tickling!).  If the child/children is shy and prefers their parent to me, that’s fine, that’s when I get parents involved in the distracting….  I often ask a parent to stand behind me and play peekaboo or do a dance or make faces so don’t worry and let me co-ordinate things.

Bribing and Rewards

OK so I know that sometimes kids just don’t want to play ball and dig their heels in, and I have a few things I can bribe them with in this case.  Bribes and rewards are a great tool to nudge children if they can’t see past that moment.  Do please bring or prepare a bribe so you have something in case we need it!

I only mention them to the kids if I think they need persuading to sit in a certain place or look a certain way.  But just so you know, I can use raisins (these are great, tiny and quick to eat and yet kids will do almost anything for them! I will always ask if you’re ok with this first though) during the shoot and then have a couple of ‘prizes’ for the end of the shoot if things go well…which of course they always get!

Try and Look Relaxed

Second rule of family photo shoots, is if you can’t relax when little Johnny is pulling a face, then at least pretend that you’re relaxed!!  I can stop him making a face (trust me I’m a photographer), but invariably I have to concentrate on little’s Johnny’s face and will capture the 2 seconds when he does relaxes..but if his parents are looking really tense then the moment is wasted!! 

So don’t fret and trust me to deal with the kids, whilst keeping a wonderful serene smile on your face!.  If I need help in distracting them I will of course ask.

I can also do face swaps between images, but if you’re looking tense in all of the image to start with it gives me less to go on.

I have a child with ADHD / Autism, can I still do a family shoot?

If your child has a condition that needs a bit of gentle handling that’s fine.  Let me know ahead of time of how I can help to ajust my approach to them and we’ll be led by them.  

I would recommend doing an outdoor photoshoot for these kids, it’s more natural and less intimidating.  It’s obviously good to not overstimulate these kids so we can keep things a little calmer for them.  

How Parents Behave Matters

Above all, if you are relaxed and happy during your shoot without trying too hard (I’m very guilty of this) then your children will mirror your behaviour.  

And Lastly…Preparation matters

Please do make sure your kids are well fed (don’t do a shoot over their usual meal time) and well slept.  Nothing effects a shoot more than tiredness and hunger.