The ultimate family photo hack for your "wild child"! Tips from a Kingsport TN lifestyle family photographer

The number one question I get from moms when it comes to family photos is more of a comment of desperation… ”I hope I can get my toddler to behave.”  The statement usually comes with a desire for beautiful photos and the heaviness that comes from trying to control a toddler. In all honesty, we often think about toddlers as the group that we have trouble with. But have you ever considered the shy 7-year-old boy? Or the teenagers? What about babies? Our children are people. They have feelings. They are experiencing life right now just like you are. So how are we going to hack your family photos for amazing images? We are going to meet them where they are. We are going to document those raw emotions.

So what does "meeting them where they are" look like?    

If your toddler is about to have a meltdown because he saw an awesome stick, let’s roll with it! Maybe he will get muddy. Maybe he will give it to you! Maybe it will turn into magic that we would have missed, otherwise.    

Now the baby is crying? Let’s pause. Perhaps an intimate moment with mom is the secret sauce here. Be with her. Hold her little hand. Look at her little face. Nurse if you’d like! These moments where we slow down and meet our children where they are create connection.

Connection is what you’ll long for 60 years from now when they are grown.    

Maybe your little 1st grader is shy. Let's meet him where he's at. Maybe we sit and play dinosaurs or trucks, or whatever his "thing" is for a time. We can throw out a blanket and slow down. I love to incorporate music into my sessions... what is his favorite song or show? Can we have a dance party? I'll even let him use my camera if it helps!    

And your teenagers. Oh, to be a teenager again. Emotions running high without any real understanding of why. First loves, friends, school, maybe even work… your teenager has a lot going on and being at a family session is probably pretty low on their priority list. If they are sullen and unwilling to cooperate, it’s okay! Take a walk with them. Talk to them about what’s going on in their life. Slow down. Connect. We will get beautiful photos that you’ll cherish forever, I promise. As a lifestyle family photographer here in Kingsport TN, my goal isn't perfection, it's connection. Families generally love the images where real connection happened over the ones that were posed (even when everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.) That's because we crave what is real!

To help capture what is real, here's what you can do in the car on the way to the session (aka the real "hack")

So, what can you practically do to set your session up for success? It all starts on the drive over. On the car ride to your session, keep your expectations for them low and allow them to get creative with you! Ask them what kind of photos they would love to have taken. Maybe they want to show off a cool karate move or a dance they learned recently; if we let them get excited, we will all have a good time! Of course, "bribery" is a common and wonderful option. Ice cream after the session can be something super fun to look forward to. But I do recommend avoiding "if you're good during the photos, then..." type statements. It creates a massive amount of pressure for them. Instead, try something like: “This is going to be so fun! We are going to have a good time being a family. We can play games, dance, read books, and be silly! Then afterwards, we can get ice cream to celebrate!”

Of course, I know you want beautiful photos. And I promise we will get those. But remember that your children will some day inherit these photos. I hope that they will flip through the album and remember your sweet smile. I hope they remember how much fun you all had as a family.

I don't want them looking back and seeing you stressed. I want them to look back and see how fiercely they were loved, exactly as they were. Whether we are chasing sunsets in Kingsport, exploring a trail in Johnson City, or documenting a cozy morning inside your home, let's let them be little, let them be wild, and let me worry about capturing the magic.

Your messy reality is beautiful and it deserves a permanent place in your family's history. Lifestyle family sessions for August and beyond are booking now.