Set Expectations Beforehand

Setting clear expectations helps get kids excited about and prepared for a photo session. Explain to children ahead of time what the photo shoot will be like so they know what to expect. Give details about how long the session will take, what types of poses and activities will be involved, and that there will be breaks. Emphasize to kids that the shoot is supposed to be fun - you'll be playing together and making silly faces. Let them know that it's okay if they get a little silly or have trouble sitting still sometimes, but there will also be times when they'll need to focus. Giving kids a heads up about what a photo shoot entails gets them ready to participate.

Schedule the Shoot Carefully

When scheduling a photo session with kids, carefully consider the timing to avoid cranky meltdowns. The best times are often in the morning after a good night's sleep or right after naptime when kids are refreshed. Avoid scheduling sessions close to normal mealtimes, as hunger can make kids fussy and uncooperative. Late afternoons can be challenging as kids tend to get tired and cranky. If possible, ask the parents ahead of time when their child tends to be at their best and aim to schedule within that window. Mornings on weekends after a leisurely breakfast are often ideal. Scheduling the session too close to bedtime is also not recommended, as tired kids usually don't make great models. With a bit of planning, you can choose a time of day when the child is likely to be happy, cooperative and full of energy. This will make for a much smoother and more successful photo shoot.

Keep Sessions Short

When photographing young children, it's important to keep photo sessions brief to maintain engagement and prevent restlessness. Make sure the photographer aims for a session around 30-45 minutes for children ages 2-5. Any longer and they'll get antsy or bored.

Take frequent short breaks during the session every 10-15 minutes. This gives kids a chance to relax, have a snack or drink, or play for a few minutes before resuming photos. Breaks will re-energize them and result in better behaved, more patient children for the rest of the shoot.

Keeping a close eye on kids' energy levels and taking breaks before they lose interest is key. This will allow you to get great shots with happy, engaged kids instead of grumpy, squirmy ones. Brief, well-timed sessions make for a smoother and more successful photoshoot.

Bring Snacks and Drinks

Hungry kids are fussy and distracted. Offering small healthy snacks and sips of water between shots can help keep kids happy and focused during the session. Keep snacks simple like apple slices, carrots, crackers or dry cereal. Include a few of the child's favorites too. Stay away from sticky or messy snacks that could make a mess of their outfits and faces right before photos.

Have water bottles on hand for quick sips to stay hydrated. For older kids, you might pack some juice boxes or pouches too. Avoid lots of sugar that can cause energy crashes.

With regular nibbles and hydration, you'll capture more smiles than frowns. Kids will have the fuel they need to keep their energy up and cooperate better too. Keep a range of options on hand so you can tailor snacks to the unique needs and preferences of each child. Food can make all the difference in getting great shots versus meltdowns.

Have Fun Props and Activities

Keeping kids engaged during a photo shoot can be challenging, but having fun props and activities on hand can make all the difference. Bubbles, toys, books, and other items that grab their interest are great for keeping them entertained during breaks and warding off restlessness.

Bubbles are an easy and inexpensive prop that most kids love. Bring a bubble wand and solution, then let them go to town making bubbles during natural pauses in the shoot. Just beware of getting bubbles on their clothes or in their hair! You can also bring their favorite books and read together between shots. Reading gives them a chance to reset their attention and energy.

Their favorite toys from home, like dolls or action figures, can be a source of comfort and familiarity during the shoot. Let them show you how the toys work or how they like to play with them. This engages the children and brings out their personalities. You may get some great natural shots of them lost in play.

Playing children's songs they love not only lifts their spirits, but provides a fun backing track for the shoot. See which tunes make them dance and sing along. Upbeat music energizes them and puts smiles on their faces. Take advantage of musical interludes to capture candid joyful moments.

Keeping a stash of fun props, toys, books, and activities will bring out kids' playful energy and personalities for great photos. Get creative and let them take the lead in deciding how to use the items. The more engaged they are, the more relaxed and cooperative they'll be during the actual photos.

Let Them Warm Up

When working with kids, it's important to let them warm up and get comfortable before diving into more structured posing. Allow some time at the beginning of the session for them to explore the environment and take it all in. Start with simple, relaxed poses like sitting or standing together before moving on to specific prompted poses.

Getting the kids used to being in front of the camera first will make a big difference in their comfort level once you start directing. Let them run around, make silly faces, jump and play during this warmup period. Capture some natural moments of them giggling and interacting. This will allow you to get authentic expressions and help the kids open up. They may be initially shy or unsure but giving them room to move freely helps them relax and build confidence.

Gradually work up to posing once the kids seem more at ease. Still keep it laidback, giving them input but letting them move and express themselves. With a solid warm up period at the start, kids will enjoy the experience more and you’ll end up with better photos all around.

Stay Flexible

When photographing kids, it's important to be adaptable and go with the flow. Kids can be unpredictable and their moods or behaviors can change at a moment's notice. Don't go into a photo session with kids having just one plan or pose in mind. Be prepared to adapt poses and locations as needed based on how the kids are feeling.

The key is not to force any poses or locations that aren't working in the moment. Follow the kids' lead and work with their changing moods and energy levels. If they are having fun jumping on the beds, capture that! If they get distracted by a basket of toys, incorporate the toys into the photoshoot. Staying flexible and open to changing direction will result in photos that feel more natural, authentic and fun.

Give Them Control

Kids love having options and making choices for themselves. Give them some control during the photo shoot by allowing them to pick some of the poses or props used in pictures. Offer them simple choices between two options like "Do you want to hold the stuffed animal or the ball?" or "Do you want to sit on the bench or stand next to it?" Letting them make decisions will help them feel more engaged and cooperative. Kids may come up with creative ideas you wouldn't have thought of!

as a Parent stay Involved

It's important to keep parents involved in a kids photo shoot, as having their support can really help the kids feel more comfortable and relaxed. Have parents cheerlead, make silly noises, and assist in positioning to keep the kids engaged.

Kids will feel more at ease with mom or dad nearby. But don't let parents nitpick or direct too much. This can fluster kids and make it seem like they are doing something wrong. Gently guide the parents on how they can best assist you, while maintaining control of the overall shoot. For example, encourage your child with a particular poses or expressions, but don't let them criticize your kids' performance.

The goal as parents is to stay involved just enough to relax the kids. Find the right balance and everyone will have a much more productive and fun session!