Ready to hear my favorite tips for family portraits with toddlers? As a mom of three children myself, I know that worrying whether your kids will actually cooperate is one of the biggest concerns families have when planning a portrait session. As your Maryland family photographer, I understand that what you really want is for this season of life to be documented and preserved artistically, so that you can see the beauty in what’s around you even on hard days. I’m here to help you get exactly that.  I’ve photographed hundreds of toddlers over the years, and in that time, there’s a few things I’ve learned that help things go smoothly. So, read on for my best tips for family portraits with toddlers!

Manage expectations for family portraits with toddlers. 

Toddlers aren’t going to sit still and smile at a camera – they just aren’t, and demanding that they do so isn’t going to get you those genuine, authentic smiles you’re craving. Instead, ensure that you go into the experience with a positive mindset. Tell the family that you’re headed out for a fun day together on an adventure, and speak positively about the photo session in the days leading up to it. Read more tips about planning for your lifestyle session here!

Make a smart session plan. 

During your planning consultation, I’ll ask about your family and places/activities that are special to you, using that information to design the perfect session for you. We’ll design a session that feels natural and authentic for you. Also, for toddlers, it’s so important to plan your session around sleep times! This means we’re often shooting in the middle of the day, when the light is harshest. Trust me, it’s totally worth managing trickier lighting if it means my subjects are happy! I can make harsh light work, but it’s much harder to find joy with a cranky baby.

Incorporate movement & activity. 

Remember – toddlers don’t like sitting still for long, if at all! So instead of fighting it, we’re going to embrace the chaos. This may look like playing games, being silly, and interacting with the environment around us. I suggest choosing a session location that is familiar to your child, or that offers something for them to do, such as a farm or the beach. I want to capture genuine moments between you all, so allow yourself to be present in the moment. Move around, play together, and just enjoy this uninterrupted time!

Trust me (and my tips for family portraits with toddlers)! 

I’ve been photographing toddlers for years now, and there’s truly nothing I haven’t seen before. Your children are wonderful just the way they are, and it’s an honor to document this season in their lives. I always tell my clients that I won’t let them leave the session until I have what I need, and it’s true! My job is to capture your memories – and your job is to be present with your family. I will always make sure that we’ve done what I set out to do, and I want every family to go into their session knowing that. Without that pressure on their shoulders, we can just enjoy the afternoon together!

Photographing families is truly about being flexible and some good planning so we can try to prevent meltdowns or upset. Even if it happens, I’ve seen it before and we’ll work together to create a session that feels special (and as stress-free as possible) so you can capture this special time in your family’s life! I hope these tips for family portraits with toddlers make you more comfortable with the idea! I promise, your session will be beautiful: no matter what your kids do. We’ll capture something truly beautiful together.

Ready to book your Maryland family photographer? Let’s chat! I’d love to document your special moments! Click HERE to get in touch.