What to Expect During Your Family Session With Toddlers
Family photo sessions with me are fast paced and fun. My goal is to handle everything during your session so that you and your kiddos can have fun and relax. You can expect me to be hands on with posing so that you never question "what do I do with my hands?!" I have many prompted candid posing tricks under my sleeve ready to go!
My style of posing is "led candid shots." We will begin with look at me and smile and then we will play games and snuggle with our family to bring out the real joy and love in your photos.
First things first, throw your expectations out the window. Children are incredibly unpredictable... they could be shy with the camera, toddlers especially, may not want to be directed and "play." The sessions you see on Instagram that look so polished and calm…I guarantee you they weren’t. Know that we are on your kiddos' time and I'm very used to chasing toddlers down! The most incredible photos happen between all the movement, and chaos is where I truly thrive. Let your babies be themselves. They can wander, explore, and just exist. I never want a crying toddler during photos, so keeping them comfortable and happy is always the priority.
Once we get started, things will move quickly. We’ll flow from pose to pose so we don’t lose your kiddos' attention. I’ll take the lead interacting with them and guiding them, all I ask is that you keep smiling. Even when kids aren’t doing exactly what we planned, those moments often turn into the sweetest photos, so happy parents are key.
DO:
- Do your best to keep naps and meals on their usual schedule, but don’t panic if naps go sideways… picture day has a way of doing that.
- Get ready for lots of cuddles, kisses, playtime, and tickles! There will also be plenty of running around, so be sure that everyone wears comfortable shoes.
- Inform your partner on what to expect. It’s normal if they aren’t super into the session. They might not care as much as you do, and that’s okay, just let them know how much these pictures mean to you.
- Take a few minutes to stretch beforehand. I know it sounds a little odd, but there’s a lot of sitting, walking, and moving through poses, and the last thing you want is to feel stiff.
- Make sure you allow enough travel time so you're not stressed about making it on time.
- Expect that I will let your kids act a little silly - this helps me to keep them smiling, having fun, and increases their level of cooperation when I do ask them to pose.
- Keep in mind that things don’t have to be perfect... and that’s totally okay! You’ll still come away with beautiful photos!
DON'T:
- Don't expect your children to "listen" or "act perfectly". Kids will not stay still.
- Please avoid disciplining your kids during the session. My goal is to make it fun for them, and stopping to correct behavior like running or jumping can take away from their experience and future photo sessions too. Please, no spanking during your session, I will end the session abruptly.
Any form of spanking or physical discipline will result in the session being immediately stopped. No refunds will be given, and everyone will go home. This session is strictly for fun and we will not put our children through anything stressful or traumatic for the sake of photos.
- Snacks, phones, and toys can often do more harm than good during a session, since kids usually get upset when they’re taken away. Phones and YouTube, in particular, can overstimulate and should only be used as a last resort. Let me engage with your child, and I’ll let you know if I need backup. Keeping the momentum going is super important, so we don’t want to stop too often.
I’m so excited to have the chance to photograph your family and capture more special memories for you! Every session is a chance to celebrate your connections, have fun, and create photos you’ll treasure for years to come. I can’t wait to see you all and make this experience unforgettable!
Leanna Cox
Leanna Faye Photography LLC
www.leannafayephotography.com
