Humboldt County Photography | 6 Tips to get your kids to smile for Family Pictures

Humboldt County Photography Family portraits are treasured keepsakes that capture the love, laughter, and unique dynamics of your family. However, getting little ones to participate and smile for these portraits can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Don’t worry; with a few tried-and-true strategies, you can encourage genuine smiles and joyful expressions from your children, resulting in beautiful and memorable family portraits.

Chic & Practical: Top 5 Baby Registry Must-Haves

for the Modern Mom from a Eureka Newborn Photographer

1) Choose the best time for your littles|Humboldt County Photography

1) Choose the Right Time:

Timing is everything when it comes to photographing young children. Schedule your Humboldt County Photography portrait session during a time when your children are typically well-rested and in good spirits, such as after a nap or mealtime. Avoid scheduling sessions during their usual nap times or when they may be feeling tired or cranky.

2) Keep it Fun and Playful – Humboldt County Photography

2) Keep It Fun and Playful:

During your Humboldt County Photography session I like to make the portrait session a fun and enjoyable experience for your kiddos by incorporating playful activities and games. I always encourage parents to bring along their littles favorite toys, books, or snacks to help keep them engaged and entertained during the session. Here at RHP we love to encourage laughter and silliness to capture genuine expressions of joy and happiness of your little ones; those precious moments us mama’s treasure.

3) Be Patient and Flexible

3) Be Patient and Flexible:

Children can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to approach your Humboldt County Photography portrait session with patience and flexibility. During your RHP session we allow plenty of time for breaks and spontaneous moments, and are prepared to go with the flow if your child needs a moment to warm up to the camera. We always avoid putting pressure on little ones to perform and instead focus on creating a relaxed, playful, and comfortable environment for your kiddos to be able to enjoy the experience together as a family.

4) Get them Involved 

4) Get Them Involved:

Your littles will love being involved in the portrait session planning process. Let them choose their outfits (from 2-3 pre-approved options 😉) or accessories for the session, or ask for their input on location options or poses. When children feel a sense of ownership and control, they are more likely to cooperate and engage enthusiastically during the session. Plus it makes the Humboldt County Photography session so much more personal and memorable for your family! 

5) We Capture Candid Moments

5) Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about creating memories that last a lifetime. A keepsake heirloom album is like a time capsule for your baby’s journey. Choose one with a timeless design, providing a beautiful space to store those adorable first smiles, tiny toes, and every precious milestone in between. Trust me, flipping through this album years from now will be a tear-inducing, heartwarming experience.

So there you have it, my top 5 baby registry picks for the modern mom. Chic, practical, and designed to make this journey into motherhood a little more fabulous. Happy registering, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! 💖👶✨

Ready to dive into the world of chic and practical baby gear? Download my FREE Baby Registry Guide to make sure you’re checking all the right boxes!

Are you a second, or third + time seasoned Mama? I’d love hear what your favorite baby registry items are? Did I miss any good ones? You can follow along to see a fun reel series on this topic: @rachelharmelingphotography on Facebook and Instagram!

And for those magical newborn moments waiting just around the corner, let’s start planning a session that captures the essence of your growing family. Reach out to me, and let’s create memories together! 💖👶✨

Looking for more tips and tricks on how to prepare for your baby’s Newborn session? Checkout my blog post on how to prepare your family and little ones HERE!

If you are anything like me and enjoy a beautuful, clean white studio session; you’ll have to go checkout my friend Karla’s One Year Session in Houston for all the inspo!