One of the biggest concerns we hear from parents is that their kids will be too shy or won’t behave! But with a little planning and preparation, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Here are some tips to help you prepare your children for a portrait session:
- Talk to your kids about the photo shoot. Explain to them what will happen and why it is important. Show them examples of other family portraits to get them excited about the idea. You can also use our colouring-in sheet to help discuss the shoot.
- Be sure to have family photographs, not just photographs of the children. Having a few photographs on mum or dads knee can really help them settle in.
- Choose a time that works well for your kids. Avoid scheduling the photo shoot during nap time or when they are likely to be tired or hungry. 5pm can be twi-light hour for young kids!
4. Let your kids help choose their outfits. This will give them a sense of ownership and make them more likely to co-operate.
5. Bring along some of your kids’ favourite toys or books. This will help them feel comfortable and relaxed during the session. It also makes the photographs more personal.
6. Be patient and positive during the photo shoot. Your kids will pick up on your energy, so it is important to stay calm and encouraging.
7. Offer your kids a reward for good behaviour. Many of our shoots end up in McDonalds afterwards!
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the experience! This is a special time to capture memories of your family that you will cherish for a lifetime.
If you have any special request let the studio know before hand. We can help accommodate any accessibility requests (we have a lift), and for autistic kids we are happy to adjust our environment to help.
We look forward to creating beautiful photographs for you!
Find out more about our family photoshoots here.
