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.

6 Tips to help get your kids to participate in Family sessions 

Humboldt County Photography 

Humboldt County Photography

Before we begin, I have to address the most common question I often get which is, “when should I book my Humboldt County Photography family session?” and the answer is; as soon as possible! Time passes quicker than we can keep up with sometimes (especially with little ones) but typically I recommend to book your family session a minimum of 2-3 months in advance so that we can reserve your date(s), and create a beautiful custom experience specific for your family’s needs.
Fall and Spring are always favorites for most family sessions, and tend to book out the quickest so I encourage my clients not to delay and aim to book them a minimum of 3-4 months ahead of time.

 
CLICK HERE to get in touch to help you start planning for your little family! 

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

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

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

Humboldt County Photography

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 in your Humboldt County Photography Session

Humboldt County Photography

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 Humboldt County Photography Moments

Humboldt County Photographer

5) Capture Candid Moments:

Some of the most precious and authentic moments happen when children are simply being themselves. Here at RHP we embrace candid Humboldt County photography by capturing spontaneous interactions, laughter, and genuine expressions of affection between family members. These candid moments often result in the most memorable, cherished, and frame worthy family portraits.

 

6) Offer incentives

Humboldt County Photography

6) Offer Incentives:

Consider offering small incentives or rewards (aka bribes 😉) to motivate your children to participate and cooperate during the portrait session. Whether it’s a favorite treat, a special outing, or a promise of extra playtime, incentives can provide added encouragement and make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Bonus: This tip may also apply to a spouse you may know! 😉

 

Eureka Newborn Photographer

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Capturing beautiful and authentic Humboldt County Photography family portraits with young children may require a bit of patience, creativity, and flexibility, but the results are well worth the effort. By following these tips and our methods, we can encourage genuine smiles and joyful expressions from your little ones, creating cherished memories that you will treasure for years to come. Above all else; always remember to relax, have fun, and enjoy the precious moments shared with your family during  your RHP portrait session.

You can follow along to see a fun reel series on this topic: @rachelharmelingphotography on Facebook and Instagram!

  1. 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!

Are you expecting in 2024 and not sure what comes next? Checkout When to book your maternity session in Huston by my friend Karla for all the tips and inspo!