"my child is a handfull"

This phrase gets thrown around quite often in my scope of work. Especially during the planning portion of a clients session! As a parents this is a warning that we often feel obligated to share when it comes to others working with our little ones. The stress of whether or not they will stay put for a pose. Or whether you will be able to get ONE decent photo with cooperation. Or maybe your concern is whether or not your little one will even make it through the session without at least one meltdown.


Trust me, these are all valid concerns! That's why we are going to go over some helpful tips to keep your little one excited and photo ready for your session. Our goal is that we can ensure a stress free, happy environment throughout our time together.


I want to add that while these may work for some tots, they might not work for all. So feel free to adjust as you deem fit for your toddler.


1: Inform and prepare!

Depending on your child's age they might not understand how special and fun a photoshoot can be. Try to explains in simple terms why they are going, making sure to mention how fun it will be and that it involves taking photos!


2: Choose Comfortable Clothing

select outfits that you think your child will be most comfortable in. Avoid clothes that might me irritating or restrictive. If your little one is feeling frustrated with their clothing, it will show in photos BONUS: bring a backup outfit in case of an emergency!


3: Positive reinforcement / Rewards

Little ones pick up on their parents emotions, praise your little one when they do something fun or they are listening well, this helps them to be excited as well as break out of their shell. Also feel free to bring a little reward such as a piece of their favorite candy, or a lollipop that can easily be edited out of photos! BONUS TIP: avoid snacks that can melt, or stain hands/face.


4: Play "photoshoot"

Depending on their age, you can help your child further understand what a photo session involves by allowing them to partake in a little session of their own. The fun part here, make them the photographer and you become the client! Ask them how you should pose and allow them to take photos on your phone, this is sure to become such a fun memory for them!


5: allow breaks

If your child starts to feel a little overwhelmed or tired, allow for short breaks to regroup or recharge. This makes for a great chance for me to grab some snapshots of just mom and dad. More often than not your little one will see you both getting portraits taken and will want to hop right back in, rather than miss out on all the fun


6: Celebrate afterwards

After the photoshoot, be sure to celebrate how well your little one did and make it a positive experience regardless of the outcome. There is bound to be more photoshoots in the future and by positively reinforcing and celebrating your Childs participation its sure to get them excited for the next one


7: Share the results with your toddler

when you receive your photos back, be sure to share them with your little one and go over how well they did and what they did well to make their portraits look great!


Remember, the key to a successful photoshoot with your child is preparation, positivity, and patience. By setting the stage with comfortable clothing, explaining what to expect, and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, you'll help create lasting memories and beautiful photos to cherish. Enjoy the experience together and celebrate your child's unique personality shining through!


I look forward to working with your little one and my hope is that these little tips can help you to enjoy the experience as well. As a photographer my job is to make any photo look good, no matter the circumstance. Therefore it is important to note that all toddlers react to new experiences differently, so it is important that we react positively no matter the outcome!

Your photographer

~Ally