Summer is here and it is time for family portraits! Here are some tips for you to help make a family photography session with kids both fun and relaxing!

My Family Welcome Guide will be sent to you when you book. It is a wonderful resource filled with tips for everything from Stying your entire family to helpful ways to prepare your little ones for session day! Here are some highlights:

How to Prepare Your Kids for a Golden Hour Photo Shoot

I know that sunset may fall around bed time in the summer, but it is definitely worth it! Here are some tips that help: push that nap later in the day, have a good supper plenty of time before your session, give them a little bath to relax them, bring special toys and lovies along, and come prepared with snacks and bottles for cuddle time.

PREPARE AT HOME: As you prepare, describe your family photo session day as a fun and special occasion to go out on an adventure, watch the sunset, look for animals, and play, not as a time to "sit still and say cheese at the camera."

KEEP SESSION DAY LOW KEY AND KEEP TUMMIES FULL: Family photos are often in a new environment, little ones are meeting someone new (new), and it is often during a time close to bedtime. All that being said, keep your time before your session calm, low-key, and relaxing. Have a good supper and little snacks throughout the day, too. Full tummies help!

HAVE A PLAN IN MIND: Take a mental note of things to play together, sing together, bring a special book to read, or a favorite toy. And, let's be real, sometimes a little bribery candy in your pocket is always a good thing!

SNACKS AND TREATS!: Bring along snacks that can be easily eaten and that are not messy! Cheerios and puffs are perfect. For older kids, fruit snacks and cheerios are good too! Please avoid goldfish and granola bars because they can be gummy and messy. Avoid chocolate altogether! Tic Tacs and Smarties are good bribery treats for kiddos 4 and up!

PARTNER WITH ME FOR SUCCESS: Work together with me to create moments that allow for both joy and quiet moments. I will give you a prompt and then you create the magic. Dance, cuddle and swing with joy, but think about slowly run your fingers through your toddler's curls, rubbing your kiddos back, holding them close, and loving on them,

FOR BABIES: You can stand behind me and get baby to look up into the lens, but most importantly, relax. Most babies do not want to look into a camera lens, but looking into your face brings them the greatest joy! That is the genuine emotion we will preserve. If baby needs to nurse or have a bottle, by all means do so. These are wonderful intimate moments to capture as well.

A "MAJOR AWARD": (If you can name that movie, you will get a special treat, too!) As part of your photo session time, let kids know that they will receive a special treat or activity afterward as as a reward!