How to Help Your Kids Behave During Your Family Photo Session (Without Any Stress!)

Quick Tips

Oct 6

If you’ve ever worried about how your kids will behave during family photos — you’re not alone. As a family photographer I talk to so many parents who tell me they’re nervous their kids won’t sit still, listen, or smile on cue. I totally get it-I also hope and pray my kids will listen and not smile weird during my own family photos. But here’s the good news: your kids don’t have to be perfectly behaved to get beautiful photos. In fact, the best images often come from the unplanned moments — the giggles, the silly faces, the cuddles, and the chaos. My style of photography is very candid and play-based, which means your kids get to move, laugh, and have fun instead of posing stiffly for the camera.

That being said, there are definitely some things you can do to prep your kids for our time together so that things run as smoothly as possible. I’m going to address some common concerns parents have (and why they don’t have to be concerns), and some quick tips to make things as easy as possible. Let’s get into it!

mom in white dress kisses son on her lap while other kids surround her, text overlay that says "tips for getting kids to behave during your next family photo session"

1. Kids don’t have to “behave” — they just have to be themselves.

If you haven’t done a session with me before (or a photo session in while) you might be picturing everyone standing still and smiling at the camera. Trust me, we get a couple of those but beyond that we have way more fun than you would think. My approach is very candid and movement-based so I have a ton of games and little prompts that make everyone laugh, move, and connect naturally. So even if your toddler is bouncing around or your big kid can’t stop cracking jokes — that’s perfect. That’s exactly the energy that makes your photos full of life and personality and just you being YOU.

2. “What if my kids don’t listen?” (Spoiler: It’s ok if they don’t.)

I’ve worked with kids of all ages, temperaments, and attention spans, and I can promise — I’ve seen it all! (Don’t trust me? Just read this blog post.) I structure sessions around playful moments instead of stiff poses. We might do a tickle fight, a race, or a “who can make mom laugh the hardest” game. When kids are having fun, they naturally cooperate without even realizing it.
My goal isn’t perfect obedience — it’s genuine joy. And honestly? If a kid has another idea I’m all for it! Because that’s them being them and that is the most important thing for me to capture.

Mom catches one little boy as the other runs away

3. “What if my child is shy or takes a while to warm up?”

That’s completely okay. I never make a big deal out of it, and usually just the simple act of letting them be helps them to feel comfortable. I also take time to connect with them first — talk to them, show them my camera, try to show them that it’s ok to be them and they don’t need to change how they’re feeling for me. Add to that combo parents that are willing to be silly and have fun, and before you know it they’re participating and having fun.

Also? Sometimes those quiet, tender moments when they’re still warming up end up being the most beautiful ones.

4. Meltdowns happen — and it’s totally fine.

Having three rambunctious boys of my own (and now a teenager in that mix as well) I totally get how kids can be-it doesn’t bother me! If your child needs a snack break, time to regroup, or just a little space — we pause. No pressure, no stress.
Kids are unpredictable, and that’s okay! My whole goal in photography and life is to find the beauty in the chaos. Often, the photos right after a meltdown — when your child snuggles into you for comfort — are the most genuine and heartfelt.

mom and dad hug little boy with their hands on his back as he huddles into them

5. Here are some concrete tips to help

I know, I know. I’ve done a lot of addressing concerns and not a ton of tips up to this point, so here are my faves:

Make sure everyone’s fed and rested (snacks are magic!)
Tell your kids you’re going to go play some games and take pictures — not “you have to smile for the camera”
Bring water, comfort items, or anything that helps them feel happy. Just realize comfort items might end up in the photos so if you don’t want that, make sure to hide them and only bring them out if you need them.
If a kid resists direction-don’t energize it! We can try something else or completely change direction.
I’m not against bribing, but make it sound more like another fun event you get to do after photos are done. So instead of “You have to smile or you won’t get ice cream” try “After we’re done with photos and games we get to go get some ice cream too!” That’ll give them something to look forward to, make it so there still isn’t too much pressure on the session, and kids won’t spend the whole time saying, “Can we get ice cream yet?”
Keep things positive and relaxed — your energy sets the tone!
Most importantly, focus on connection! You don’t need to stress about whether your kids are looking at the camera or smiling “just right.” The best thing you can do is lean into the moment — laugh, snuggle, and enjoy your family.
When you’re relaxed and engaged, your kids will follow your lead — and that’s when the magic happens.

I hope that was helpful! The most important thing I want you to remember is that your photo session isn’t about getting your kids to behave perfectly — it’s about capturing your family as you are right now. The laughter, the chaos, the love — all of it.
So take a deep breath, trust the process, and let me worry about the rest. I promise, we’ll create something beautiful together.