As a Minneapolis family photographer, last fall I had the joy of photographing a family of four at French Park in Plymouth. This was not their first session with me, as I had previously photographed their newborn and maternity sessions. It was great to see them again—the parents, a big sister, and a younger brother. Their favorite activity as a family is going to the park and reading books! Unfortunately, this particular session was not without its challenges; the youngest child was mad and crying for most of it. However, I tried to remind mom that we got some great photos in spite of it all. The next day I texted her a beautiful photo family photo with him smiling to reassure her that all was well! If your family is preparing for a photo session soon, here are some words of wisdom from our experience that you should keep in mind.

Keep Going & Stay Positive

My biggest piece of advice would be to stay positive during the session no matter what happens. Kids can be unpredictable when it comes to taking photos and you never know what might happen! In this case, there were tears throughout the session but by staying positive, taking breaks when necessary, and encouraging smiles we were able to get through it and even capture some amazing shots despite the challenge. A little bit of patience goes a long way when it comes to photography sessions with young children so try your best to remain calm and understanding if things don’t go according to plan!

I always tell parents to just keep smiling!

Be Prepared

It’s also important to come prepared for your photo session with snacks or toys in hand just in case your little one starts getting antsy or cranky during the shoot. Having something on hand they can snack on or play with can help keep them distracted while you take photos so they don’t get too frustrated or overwhelmed.

You do have to be careful when bringing snacks though because once you pull those out there is no going back. You might end up with lots of mouth full of food images, which isn't always pretty. And if you decide to bring a toy, bring something you are ok with being in photos.

Choose Your Photographer Carefully

Finally, be sure to do your research before choosing a photographer for your family portraits so that you feel comfortable trusting them with capturing such special memories for you and your family. Look at their portfolio carefully, read reviews from other clients who have worked with them before, ask lots of questions about what kind of equipment they use and what type of editing style they specialize in. All these things will help ensure that you find someone who is experienced enough to handle any situation that may come up during your shoot!

I have been photographing families for over 12 years so I am well versed in dealing with all kinds of situations.

Taking pictures can often be stressful but it doesn't have to be! With some patience and preparation (and trust in your photographer) you can create lasting memories even if things don't go exactly according to plan like they did in our example above! So take heart--the perfect photo op awaits! If you need help finding an experienced luxury photographer who specializes in family portrait sessions then reach out today--I'd love to work with you!

I want to leave you with a quote from the mom of this session. I asked her for some words of wisdom for other families preparing for a family session and she said:

"Even if you have a grumpy kid, just keep going and stay positive! Michele is magical!!"

Family Photo Session With Young Kids

More Information on Family Sessions

More reads:

Games to play at your photo session

What to Expect at your Outdoor Photo Session

Spring Generations Magazine

Fall Family at Tamarack Nature Center

As a family portrait photographer with over 12 years of experience, Michele at mQn Photography provides a luxurious family photo session experience in and around the Twin Cities. No matter if it is on location or the family comes to her studio space in Minneapolis for their family portrait with little ones, she captures those special moments that soon to become cherished memories. Providing a range of family services such as maternity, newborn, baby and motherhood photographs, Michele is devoted to creating an enjoyable family photography session with an end result of beautiful lifelike family portraits that both parents and children can look back on and smile. To schedule your next session with Michele please visit mQn Photography | Minneapolis Photographer or e-mail michele@mqnphotography.com

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