Families with kids between the ages of 1 all the way up to the teen years worry about the risk of their children not participating happily in family photos. There are tons of blog posts out there about what you SHOULD do to prepare your family, but hardly any about what you shouldn’t. As a veteran family photographer in Boston, I have seen a lot of mistakes clients have made over the last 11 years in business. These mistakes are mistakes *anyone* could unintentionally make so I think it’s important to discuss them. Family photos are a big investment and there’s nothing I want more than to help you have a successful session. Without further ado, let’s talk about the top five reasons your family photos didn’t go well…

Five Reasons Your Family Photos Didn’t Go Well:

One: Overscheduling/Overstimulation

One of the top mistakes that families make, particularly with kids under the age of 10 is the dreaded over-scheduling. As a mom of three kids, I totally get it. It’s nearly impossible to clear an entire day and do nothing but prepare for your photo session. However, the closer you CAN get to a clear schedule, the better your kids will do. I can’t tell you how many times a kid melting down at my session has just come from a birthday party, a sports event, a family party, or sometimes more than one of those things. If you’re investing in family photos and you want your kid to be their well-rested, not over-stimulated, happy self, consider blocking the day or severely paring down normal activities. If you have a weeknight session, this might mean taking a half day off of work, picking up your kids early from school and having some downtime (and a hefty snack) before heading out for pictures.

Two: Hunger in The Mealtime Hours

A second common reason why your family photos didn’t go well is that your kid was hungry. This comes into play most commonly in the Fall, when golden hour timing overlaps with dinnertime. Families with 5:30pm sessions often think their children will have no problem eating after pictures because they don’t normally eat dinner until 6:30 anyways…right? Wrong! When kids get outside to your session without the distractions of after-school care, sports, tech, etc…they are suddenly SO HUNGRY. Early dinner, or an incredibly hefty protein-rich snack (the kind that will ruin their appetite for dinner) is a MUST before pictures.

Three: Not Dressing for the Temperature It Is

Dressing appropriately for the temperature outdoors is easier said than done, especially in the Fall. September can range from 85 to 55 and it’s very hard to know what your session evening will be like in advance. But it is imperative to plan for all scenarios. If your kids are too cold OR too hot, they will not be happy. This means planning layers that all tie into your family outfits. Cardigans, tights, boots, even hats, mittens, and jackets for later Fall. This also means not putting kids in wool sweaters in September when it’s 80! Kids struggle to overcome body temp regulations much more than adults and thinking they can “push through” will leave you disappointed.

Four: Not Dressing for Movement

This mistake can be related to both kids and parents. If you are hiring a lifestyle family photographer, you can expect that you won’t be standing still and smiling at the camera for the majority of your session. You’re going to be adventuring, walking, running, tossing kids, laughing, squatting and bending. Parents, if you can’t do any of these things because you are in high-heeled shoes, too short of a dress, too tight of pants, too low cut of a shirt, etc… it will make your session much more difficult. Happy kids are kids running around and being playful with their parents!

On the kid side of this, if their outfit needs constant adjustment, it’s not a good fit. There is nothing that ruins the flow and the moment more than someone having to constantly pull pants up or dress shirts down. The moment of your kid laughing with their sibling is lost when a parent has to step in to fix the headband that’s constantly falling down, or move their bangs out of their face. Don’t let wardrobe issues be the reason why your family photos didn’t go well!

Last but not least….

Reason Five Why Your Family Photos Didn’t Go Well: Expectations Are Off

This is a big one and it’s why I saved it for last. Expectations being misaligned between what a client hopes to see from a session and the end result is the biggest issue photographers work to overcome. How do we try to negate this? Being clear in our marketing and communication so that clients know the type of session they are booking and the style of the photographer. It’s a losing battle when a client books us and expects something that is not in our wheelhouse…whether that’s different editing, a different style of photography, didn’t understand the pricing, etc. Here’s how you can make sure that your expectations are in line:

• Make sure you research the photographer you’re hiring! Just because your college friend loved her photos doesn’t mean that the two of you want the same things. Your college friend may love candid moments but YOU want a smiling at the camera Christmas card. Make sure the photographer you are hiring specializes in what YOU want. You’d be surprised how many clients are shocked to know that lifestyle newborn photographers are not trained in posed newborn photography!
• Have expectations that are realistic for the age and temperament of your child. If you have a baby aged 6-12 months, they may not smile on command for a stranger. It’s totally normal! We will obviously try our very best to coerce some smiles out of kids who are shy, but we are not magicians (even if we get called one sometimes!).
• Be okay with meeting your kid where they are. This means that if your teenage son is stoic and not snuggly anymore, it’s okay. This is a season of life, embrace it! I look back at pictures of myself as a teenager with a sullen look on my face and they are hilarious treasures. I promise you will treasure these someday. On the flip side, if your 18 month old wants to do nothing but run the entire session…run with them! Fighting against it won’t help.

Photographers, can you think of any reasons I have missed as to why family photos didn’t go well? Share in the comments!

To see more family photos that absolutely DID go well, check out my instagram here.