Family Photos With Little Kids: 5 Prep Tips That Actually Work

If you’re stressed about how your kids will act during your session, you’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. Truly. If you’ve ever pictured your sweet child transforming into a greased piglet the moment a camera appears… welcome. You’re in very good company.

I’m Michele, and I’ve been photographing families for 15 years around the Twin Cities. I’ve seen every possible kid mood: curious, shy, wild, clingy, hilarious, suspicious, and “I will only communicate through whale noises.” It’s all normal. And it’s all workable.

Here’s the good news. You don’t need to “get your kids to cooperate.” You just need a few simple prep moves that set them up to show up as themselves. That’s where the magic lives anyway.

If you want a quick, reputable read on what’s typical for preschoolers (and why big feelings are normal), the CDC has a great guide for ages 3–5.

Family Photo Information

Tip 1: Keep the Day Low-Key Before Your Session

The biggest favor you can do for kids under 5? Don’t stack the day.

And quick PSA from someone who’s watched this play out a lot: trying to “tire them out” almost never works. I’ve had families do a full day of swimming, cousin chaos, and nonstop play because they thought it would lead to a calm, sleepy child at photos. It doesn’t. It usually creates an overtired kid with a short fuse and zero interest in being touched by anyone, including their own parents. (Relatable.)

Overtired toddlers don’t get sleepy… they get feral.

If your session is at 5:30, and your day includes Target, a birthday party, a meltdown in the car, and then a “quick” dinner… you’re asking a tiny human to perform after running a marathon.

Instead, aim for a calm-ish lead-up. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just lighter.

Try this:

Keep errands minimal.
Avoid new places that hype them up or drain them out.
Build in extra time for transitions.

Real-life examples:

Outdoor session: Skip the playground right before. Save it as an “after photos” reward if you want.
Studio session: Arrive a few minutes early so kids can look around and settle.
In-home session: Keep the house vibe mellow and predictable. Familiar routines help.

Tip 2: Everyone Eats Beforehand (Yes, Parents Too)

Kids + hunger = chaos math. Add in hungry adults and it gets… spicy.

Feed everyone before the session, even if it’s just something simple. A full belly makes kids more patient, and it makes you more patient too. And I promise: you want “patient parent energy” in your photos.

What works well:

Protein + something easy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, nut butter, chicken nuggets—no judgment)
Water (dehydration makes everything dramatic)

Real-life examples:

Outdoor session: Have a snack in the car before you get out. It helps with the “new environment wiggles.”
Studio session: Eat before you arrive so we don’t start with a snack negotiation.
In-home session: Do a quick meal right before I show up, then we jump in.

The mQn Experience

Tip 3: Talk About the Session Casually and Positively

Kids under 5 can smell pressure. If you say, “You HAVE to be good for photos,” they hear, “A BIG THING IS HAPPENING and I must have a BIG RESPONSE.”

Keep it light. Keep it normal. Keep it upbeat.

Try phrases like:

“We’re going to hang out and take some pictures together.”
“Michele is going to play a few games with us.”
“You get to run and snuggle and be with us.”

Also, avoid bribing with a mountain of promises. That can backfire fast. You don’t want a kid doing math mid-session: “If I smile for 2 minutes, do I get 4 treats or 6?”

Real-life examples:

Outdoor session: “We’re going to walk around and explore. We're going to have so much fun”
Studio session: “We’re going to play inside and take photos. How fun is that?”
In-home session: “Michele’s coming over to photograph us doing our normal stuff. It's going to be so fun!”

Tell them they will have fun and they will. Bribing them only tells them it isn't fun because why else would you bribe them?

Tip 4: Let Kids Be Themselves (Movement Is the Point)

I’m going to say this clearly: I don’t expect little kids to stand still. I also don’t want them to.

Kids under 5 communicate with their whole bodies. Movement is how they feel safe. Movement is also how we get real expressions.

So if your child wants to twirl, hop, run, climb into your lap, hide behind your leg, or loudly declare they are a “baby dinosaur”… that’s not failure. That’s content.

This mindset shift helps:

We’re not aiming for perfect poses.
We’re aiming for connection.
We’re letting kids show up as they are.

Real-life examples:

Outdoor session: Running games, swinging hands, little races, “find a cool rock.”
Studio session: Movement prompts, silly challenges, quick breaks.
In-home session: Cuddling on the couch, reading a book, snack at the counter, being in their space.

Tip 5: Consider a Comfort Item (Thoughtful, Not a Crutch)

Some kids do great with a familiar item. Some don’t need it. And some will suddenly decide their beloved stuffed animal is the enemy. Kids are unpredictable like that.

If your child has a comfort item that genuinely helps them regulate, bring it. Not as a bargaining tool. Just as a safety net.

A few smart options:

A small lovey that can tuck away easily
A neutral stuffed animal (if you want it in a few frames)
A familiar little blanket for quick resets

BUT if you don't want it in photos don't bring it! This is important because if it's there it will be photographed.

Real-life examples:

Outdoor session: Comfort item stays in the bag until needed.
Studio session: We keep it nearby, then pop it away for a few shots.
In-home session: Their space already feels safe, but it can still help during transitions.

Pricing Information

How I Photograph Families (Especially Kids Under 5)

Here’s what I want you to know: I expect movement, questions, big feelings, and yes—even a meltdown. That doesn’t scare me. It doesn’t “ruin” anything. It’s just part of photographing real life with tiny humans.

I take a child-led approach. I use games. I use prompts. I use movement breaks. I watch for when kids need a reset. And I give you direction that doesn’t feel like a performance.

Also, I’ll never ask your kid to say cheese. Ever. I’d rather get the real grin that shows up when they’re mid-giggle, mid-snuggle, or mid “I can’t believe Dad just did that.”

A quick word about screens (with love)

I get it. Phones are powerful. They are tiny glowing miracles. They can also turn a lively kid into a blank stare with the personality of a loading screen.

Once the phone comes out, kids usually lock in. Then it’s hard to bring them back to real connection. And in photos, that looks like… eyes down, face frozen, and no spark.

If you need your phone for a true emergency moment, of course. But if it’s a “just in case” tool, I’d rather try a movement break, a snack, or a quick cuddle first. We keep the personality. We keep the magic. Phones should only be used at the end of the session when nothing has worked and you're throwing in the towel for something is better than nothing.

Snacks: helpful sometimes, but let’s be strategic

Snacks can save a session. They can also hijack it. Because suddenly we’ve got a gallery where your kid is passionately eating crackers like it’s their full-time job.

I’m not anti-snack. I’m pro-snack-with-a-plan.

What works best:

Small bites that don’t stain (and don’t require a full cleanup crew)
Quick rewards between sets, not during the entire session
Water breaks

Just know that once your child knows you have snacks that's all they will want for the rest of the session and unless you want photos of your child eating with their mouth full save the snacks for last minute offers. This is why I suggest eating something ahead of the session. Your child should last 15 - 30 minutes without having a snack.

The Truth About “Good” Family Photos

The best photos don’t happen when kids act like tiny adults. They happen when families lean into who they are right now.

Some sessions are calm and cuddly. Some are energetic and silly. Most are a mix. And that’s the point.

Your job isn’t to control the outcome. Your job is to show up, love your people, and let me handle the rest. As a Minneapolis family photographer, I’ll guide you through the session in a way that feels doable, human, and honestly… kind of fun.

About mQn Photography

Ready When You Are

If you’ve been waiting until the kids are older, easier, or more predictable… I get it. But real life doesn’t pause. And your family, exactly as it is, is worth documenting.

If you’re ready for photos that reflect the real love in your family—chaos and all—I’d love to work with you.

Get in touch to book your family session here.

Michele Quattrin is the photographer behind mQn Photography, serving families across the Twin Cities with a studio in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. With more than 15 years of experience, Michele photographs motherhood, babies, and families in a way that feels natural and honest—while still looking polished on the wall.

Her style is calm, guided, and kid-friendly by design. Sessions are structured enough that parents don’t feel lost, but relaxed enough that kids can move, warm up, and show their real personalities. Michele doesn’t chase perfect behavior or forced smiles. She focuses on connection, energy, and the little in-between moments that feel like real life.

Michele offers outdoor sessions from spring through fall, studio sessions, and in-home sessions all year. Clients also have access to a curated studio wardrobe, designed to simplify planning and help families feel pulled-together without overthinking it.

With a background in photojournalism, Michele brings a storyteller’s eye to every session—watching for the real stuff while making sure it photographs beautifully.

For families who want images that feel like them (and still look elevated), Michele is the kind of Minneapolis & St. Paul family photographer who will guide the process, keep things moving, and make the whole experience feel genuinely doable.

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