Make Photo Sessions Fun with Little Ones | NJ Family Photographer

Planning a photo session with little ones can feel quite overwhelming, but I'm here to tell you they can be some of the best memories. Toddlers are naturally squirmy and wiggly so expecting them to smile and sit still for a photo session isn't realistic. Instead, get down low with them, be silly, snuggle, play, and enjoy these moments that are flying by! I've put together some of my favorite ways to make a photo session fun with little ones and walk away with photos that document the fun, loving, and magically family that you are!

The first and MOST important is to look & smile at your kids!

If you read nothing else from this post, read this! When you are laughing with your children, smiling at them, or just embracing their existence it shows connection and love in your photos. Your photos become real and you see true emotions. It also makes your children feel special to have all of your attention in that moment. They will have more fun knowing you are with them and interacting with them, then if they are asked to stare at a stranger with a camera. Every time you look at your photos, I want you to hear your little ones' giggles and to feel that special moment in time!

Tip:

When you browse through my work you will see true emotions between families; these are genuine smiles and laughs. Notice how mom and dad are looking at the children. During your session I want you to focus on your children, play with them, laugh with them, forget I'm even there! I will tell you when it's time to pause and to smile at the camera.

Hold Them Close and Leave No Gaps

Pull your kids in close and leave no gaps! When you and your family are close together you look connected. Wrap your arms around one another, kiss, snuggle, rest your head on someone's shoulder, squeeze your face cheeks together, laugh, and have fun!

Tip: Everyone should be close enough so you are touching - anyone that's on an end can put their outside hand in a pocket or ladies if you are wearing a dress you can hold your dress and wave it back and forth. Remember your photos are going to show connection, so not everyone needs to be facing the camera - turn your bodies toward one another. I will move around to capture different angles.

Let the Kids Explore & Play Games

This is where you want to embrace a little chaos and let them get into some fun (safe) trouble. Let them run around, hold their hands, pick them up and throw them in the air or on your shoulders. If they don't want to look at the camera, don't force them let me run after them and use some tricks to get their attention.

Relax & Have Fun

Finally, relax and enjoy this time together. I always start with a traditional posed everyone looking at the camera kinda shot then we break up into some natural less posed shots of just mom with the kids, just dad with the kids, etc. After that your session will be unique to your family. We will move around, jump, spin, dance, throw the little ones in the air, piggy back rides, splash around in the water, whatever it is your family is up for! If your family likes music, feel free to put some tunes on your phone and dance away.