As a family photographer and a mom of three, I totally understand the stress you might feel before and during your family photo session — especially when you have a toddler! You’re probably hoping everything will go as planned. Between being in a new environment and meeting someone they don’t know (or don’t remember) who will be pointing a camera at them, it can feel overwhelming for them. I’m here to help you and give you tips on how to prepare your toddler for your family photo session.

I created this blog to share a few of my tips and tricks to help prepare your toddler or young children for your family photo session and keep them happy during our time together. My goal is to make it a success and create a great family memory!

Days leading up to your photo session

#1 – Stick to your routine as much as possible

Try to avoid any changes to your daily routine in the days leading up to your session. For instance, changing bedtime routines can disrupt your little one’s sense of normalcy, making it more difficult for them to adjust and stay regulated on the day of our session.

#2 – Talk About the Photo Session and Share Your Excitement

Help your child feel prepared by talking about the upcoming session! Answer their questions, and explain what will happen (repeating this several times if needed). This can go a long way in helping them feel comfortable.

Let them know how excited I am to meet them and how much fun we’re going to have together! You can even practice by having them say fun words like “cheese,” “happy,” or “puppy” to get them used to smiling. Consider planning a special treat or activity for after the session and let them know about it as an extra incentive.

#3 – Take Time for Yourself

Make sure you carve out time to feel your best. Whether it’s getting your hair or nails done, these small self-care steps can boost your confidence and energy for the session. Your positive energy can have a huge impact on your children’s mood, so don’t forget to take care of yourself!

Just Before Your Family Photo Session

#1 – Stick to Their Normal Schedule

If your children are still napping, try to ensure they stick with as normal of a schedule as possible.

We also want to ensure they are well fed before arriving to the session.

#2 – Plan for Buffer Time

Give yourself extra time to account for any last-minute delays, interruptions, or unexpected hiccups. Planning to arrive early ensures you’re not stressed or rushed, which helps everyone stay calm and happy.

During Your Family Photo Session

#1 – Stay Relaxed and Keep Smiling

Little ones have short attention spans, so I work quickly to capture as many moments as possible right from the start.

The best way to help is to stay happy and relaxed (I know—it’s easier said than done). Even if your child is screaming, making silly faces, or jumping around, keep smiling! I take tons of photos to capture those quick, in-between moments, so when the perfect one happens, you’ll be ready.

Kids are incredibly sensitive to our energy and emotions, so they’ll pick up on any stress. Things might not go exactly as planned during the session, and that’s perfectly okay—just roll with it!

#2 – Foster Connection and Show Affection

The environment (new location, outfits, me, etc.) may feel disorienting to your little ones, so focusing on connection is key. Be affectionate: hold hands, hug, kiss, snuggle, and smile. These loving gestures will help them feel safe and lead to genuine smiles and beautiful images.

Remember, things might not go perfectly—and that’s totally normal! Try to implement these tips as best as you can to prepare your toddler for your family photo session, and I’ll take care of the rest!

To learn more about my family photo sessions, click here or contact me. You can also visit my Instagram and blog posts for more examples of my work.

Laure is an Atlanta based Family and Senior photographer. She also specializes in Brands and Headshots.