First things first

Let's address the elephant in the room..taking family photos can be stressful..!!! From the outfits, to the screaming kids, to the unwilling husband (iykyk) and much more, it can be a lot! I hope for this blog is to give you a guide where I can, a sound voice when chaos setting in and be your grounded, realistic bestie when I say, "girl, it is not that serious...let go and let's have fun!"

A mother and toddler share a sweet kiss sitting in lush green grass, both wearing denim overalls outdoors.
A mother and young child playfully tumbling together in lush green grass beneath moss-covered oak trees.

But seriously, mama...

I have to be the bad guy and hold your hand when I say this...if you have high expectations, prepare to be let down. By that I mean, if you are expecting your 2-5 year old to sit still and smile during our session, you might be disappointed. Toddlers are notorious for doing the exact opposite of what we want them to do, amiright? Especially when we really want them too! The goal isn't perfect pictures, the goal is to have fun and capture the natural joy that arrives. Which in return, will turn into the most beautiful pictures.


Some ways I try to make that natural joy come to fruition;

  • dance parties
  • singing our favorite songs
  • playing games
  • showing them how my camera works (kids are naturally curious and I am naturally willing to show a 3 old my camera!)


My best piece of advice is to not be afraid of movement! Truthfully, the more movement the better! Yes, I am rapid firing my camera and yes I am capturing every detail in between and YES, there are a million "good ones"!

A mother with long blonde hair lifts her laughing toddler outdoors, both wearing denim overalls in a sunny green park.
A joyful mother lifts her laughing toddler in the air outdoors, both wearing denim outfits in a lush green setting.

Rapid Fire Tips:

 

  • Tell your kids about me and let them get mentally prepared also! Tell them I'm there to help them have fun and capture it all with my camera! Make it a thing and build it up to be a fun thing we are all doing together!


  • Let them run. Let them climb. Let them flip. It is not that serious friend! I will absolutely give us prompts for group shots and things to do together but if they get a wild hair, let them go! It is better than the alternative of a possible break down!


  • Be okay with candid photos. Posed photos CAN happen but candid photos with movement involved will be our best friend and will make for some of the sweetest moments!


  • Keep an open mind. Poses might sound silly or wild but they will make for some of the cutest giggles, warmest cuddles and sweetest kisses!


  • Don't over think the outfits. This season of life isn't polished so your outfits don't have to be. Don't let that be the reason you put off these photos! 
A mother lying on green grass lifts her laughing toddler in the air outdoors near tall trees.

Lastly...

 

I know these are words are easier said than done, but don't stress it. We've all been told that our children can feel our stress and then themselves get stressed. I fully believe that! When we start thinking about why we truly want these photos; to never forget those little smiles, to remember every tiny freckle on their nose, to revisit their little hands when they aren't so little anymore. The rest seems to not be so important anymore. Take the pictures and remember, it is not THAT serious...but it kind of is...

Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being; knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."