Family photos are a beautiful way to capture the love and connection between your family. But if you’re a parent, you know that getting kids to cooperate for pictures can sometimes feel like an impossible task.

The good news? With a little planning, your session can be a fun and relaxed experience. Here are my top tips to help make the process smooth and enjoyable.

1. Dress Comfortably & Plan Outfits in Advance

While coordinated outfits look great in photos, comfort is key—especially for little ones. Choose clothing that isn’t itchy or restrictive so your kids feel comfortable moving around.

To make outfit planning stress-free, I offer all my clients access to my personal styling service, a tool that helps you easily coordinate outfits for your entire family. Simply fill out a quick questionnaire about your session’s color scheme, vibe, and participants, and you’ll receive outfit recommendations from a variety of retailers, including budget-friendly and boutique options. You can mix and match pieces, add items from your own closet, and ensure a cohesive look for your family.

Once you’ve booked, you’ll also receive my detailed session prep guide with additional tips on what photographs best, outfit dos and don’ts, and inspiration to help you feel confident on session day!

2. Bring Snacks & Comfort Items

Make sure your kids aren't hungry when they arrive for the session. A full belly makes for a much happier, more cooperative kid.

Still, it’s always a good idea to pack a few non-messy snacks like crackers, fruit snacks, or granola bars and bring a water bottle to keep them happy.

If your child has a favorite comfort item, such as a small stuffed animal or blanket, bring it along! Sometimes, a familiar item can help ease any nerves.

3. Keep Expectations Realistic

Kids are kids—they may not sit perfectly still and smile on command, and that’s okay! The best photos come from natural, candid moments that truly reflect your family’s connection.

Let them be themselves, and trust that I will capture their personalities beautifully—the giggles, the shy smiles, the spontaneous hugs. Those are the moments that make your photos special!

4. Make It a Game

Kids respond best when they’re having fun, so instead of stiff poses, we’ll turn the session into a playful adventure.We’ll run, twirl, jump, and play lots of silly games designed to bring out natural smiles and genuine joy.

Whether it’s racing to see who can run the fastest to Mom & Dad, having a tickle fight, or playing a round of “Hug Tag?”, the goal is to create an environment where your little ones feel comfortable being themselves.

By keeping the energy light and fun, their unique personalities will shine through—resulting in photos that truly capture who they are at this moment in time.

5. Let the Photographer Take the Lead

I have a knack for getting kids to warm up to me—whether it's by being silly, making funny faces, or cracking a well-timed joke.

In my 9+ years photographing families, I can count on one hand the number of kids who weren’t into my antics. Keeping things light and fun helps kids relax and enjoy the session.

Sometimes, kids are more cooperative when they’re following directions from someone other than their parents. If needed, I’ll guide you in helping your child feel at ease, but feel free to step back and let me work my magic!

6. Reward Them After

Plan something fun for after the session—maybe a stop for ice cream, a trip to their favorite pizza place, or a movie night at home. When kids know there’s a fun treat waiting, they’re more likely to cooperate.

And if they need a little extra motivation during the session, don’t worry—I always bring candy to my shoots, and if you’re okay with it, I’ll happily hand out treats at the end of the session to keep the energy high and the smiles coming. A little reward can make all the difference!

7. Attitude is Everything

Your attitude toward the session completely sets the tone for your kids. They can sense your energy.

If you treat the session like a fun experience instead of a chore, your kids will be more excited and engaged. I almost guarantee that when you leave your session, you’ll be saying how much fun you had.

And let’s talk about dads—so many show up a little grumpy, clearly not thrilled to be there. But by the end of the session, they’re the ones asking for more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had dads tell me they were dreading it, only to leave saying they had the most fun.

If you show up with a good attitude, your kids will pick up on that. Make it something exciting for the whole family.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, family photos aren’t about perfection—they’re about capturing love, connection, and personality. The giggles, the spontaneous hugs, the silly faces—those are the moments that make your photos special.

If you're looking for a fun and relaxed family session in the greater Houston area, I’d love to help capture these moments for you. Whether we’re exploring a beautiful park, strolling through the city, or running around in an open field, let’s create something magical together.