One of the number one hesitations for families with small children when it comes to family photos is what if my kid doesn’t cooperate?
It had been a few years since I had been up to Hurricane Ridge for family photos and it was SO GOOD to be back! This trip coincided with my family’s annual trip to the Olympic Peninsula which is perfect because itโs only an hour away. Our homestead has been in the family for over one hundred years and we have been spending a week there every summer for my whole life! This specific spot has been enjoyed by my dad and grandparents for years before I was in the picture.
One question I get a lot is “what if my kid doesn’t cooperate for our family photos?”
First of all, that’s totally normal. My own kids are never on their best behavior for our photos so I never expect it from others. The thing to keep in mind is that by picking a photographer that specializes in candid photography you are picking an experience that your kids might actually enjoy! While we will get some traditional photos where everyone is standing in one place, the main goal will be interaction and PLAY. If you’re a photographer and need help with this I have some classes you can take online.
How to set your family up for success:
The number one thing I recommend if you’re worried about your kids cooperating for family photos is not to start by telling your kids “just smile and it will all be over quicker”. This just tells them that what’s about to happen may not be very fun. Instead say “we are going to go somewhere fun and play while a nice lady takes some photos for our wall”.
You may notice blue Crocs on little miss below. There were more aesthetically pleasing shoes available but she was not interested and I love that mom and dad just rolled with it. Trust me, it’s better to have a happy kid then a kid in cute shoes ๐.
