How to Get Natural Family Photos When Your Kids Hate Having Their Picture Taken.
If you've ever told me before a family session, "My kids hate having their picture taken," I promise you're not the first person to say it.
And you probably won't be the last.
The good news?
Your kids don't have to love having their picture taken for us to create beautiful photographs.
In fact, some of the most memorable family photographs happen with kids who were initially convinced they wanted absolutely nothing to do with the camera.
Here's how I approach it.
First: don't pressure them
This is probably the most important thing.
Try not to spend the days before your session telling your children:
"You have to behave."
"You better smile."
"Please don't ruin the pictures."
I know you're just trying to help.
But kids pick up on that pressure.
Instead, keep the session casual.
Tell them we're going somewhere fun and that we'll be taking some pictures along the way.
That's it.
I don't expect kids to stand still
Especially little kids.
Standing still and smiling at a stranger with a camera isn't particularly interesting.
So I give them something else to do.
Let's walk.
Let's run.
Let's play.
Let's chase dad.
Let's see who can jump the farthest.
Let's explore.
The camera becomes secondary.
And that's exactly what I want.
Give them time to warm up
Some children walk into a session ready to go.
Others need time.
That's completely normal.
I don't necessarily expect to get the best photograph in the first five minutes.
Sometimes we start by walking.
Sometimes I talk to the kids.
Sometimes I let them hang out with Mom and Dad while I photograph from a distance.
And eventually, they start to forget about me.
That's when things get good.
Don't apologize for your kids
This one is for the parents.
Please don't spend your entire session saying:
"I'm so sorry."
"She's always like this."
"He never listens."
"She's usually much happier."
Your child isn't doing anything wrong.
They're being a kid.
And I've photographed enough children to know that the child who starts the session refusing to participate can sometimes end up being the one who gives me my favorite photograph.
Sometimes I use prompts instead of poses
Instead of saying:
"Okay, everyone smile!"
I might say:
"Mom, give your daughter a big hug."
"Everybody walk toward me."
"Dad, pick him up."
"Kids, race your parents."
"Tell your brother something funny."
The goal is to create a real interaction.
Then I photograph the reaction.
Let your child be themselves
If your son is silly, let him be silly.
If your daughter is shy, let her be shy.
If your toddler wants to be held, hold them.
If your child wants to run, run with them.
You don't need to turn your child into a perfectly behaved little model for the camera.
I want to see who they actually are.
That's much more valuable.
And sometimes the "bad" photos are actually the good ones
Maybe everyone isn't looking at the camera.
Maybe someone's laughing with their eyes closed.
Maybe your toddler is making a ridiculous face.
Maybe one child is halfway out of the frame.
Keep them.
Not every photograph needs to be a traditional portrait.
Sometimes those are the photographs that bring back the strongest memories later.
What if my child refuses completely?
We take a breath.
We move on.
We photograph the rest of the family.
We try again later.
There is almost always a moment when children become curious enough to participate.
And if they don't?
We'll still create something beautiful.
Because family photography isn't about getting everyone to behave perfectly.
It's about documenting your family.
Exactly as it is.
Natural doesn't mean unplanned
This is something people sometimes misunderstand about candid family photography.
Natural-looking photographs don't mean I simply stand across the field and hope something happens.
I'm watching everything.
I'm watching the light.
I'm watching your children.
I'm watching how everyone is interacting.
I'm anticipating movement.
I'm looking for expressions.
I'm choosing where to put you.
And I'm deciding when to step in and when to step back.
There's a lot happening behind the camera.
You just don't have to think about it.
So if your kids hate pictures?
Don't worry.
Bring them anyway.
I'll take it from there.