Your ‘wild child’ is no reason to avoid a family photoshoot

I hear it all the time - “I really want to book a family photoshoot, but my little one is a little wild at the moment, so I will wait until they’re older”.

As a mum of a 3.5 year old with endless energy and loads of sass, I can assure you, I get it. It is a tricky age, one where you can’t go shopping without entering into full blown negotiations over LOL Dolls or Squishmallows, the words “no, stop that and be careful” don’t quite register and don’t even get me started on the risk of full blown tantrum over, well anything.

Yes, there are challenges. Yes, sometimes it is easier to avoid the things that might be hard.

I am here to tell you that you don’t have to avoid your Family Photoshoot, because.. wait for it - it doesn’t have to be hard.

Here’s how:

Reframe Your Expectations

You have invested in a family photoshoot and you want the perfectly posed smiling photo to frame and use for your new Facebook profile photo. Let’s not focus on getting that magic shot for the duration of the session. Instead, do your best to immerse yourself in the experience. It is a beautiful afternoon, you’re out in nature watching the sunset with your favourite people in the world.

Get caught up in the magic. Have fun with it, play and laugh with your children. Then, when the time for a quick ‘everyone look at me for a quick smile’ photo opportunity comes along, everyone is genuinely happy and enjoying themselves.

Let Kids, Be Kids

Do you know what’s better than a perfectly posed photo? An image of your kids mid-laugh, genuinely having the best time. When they’re bigger, these are the photos you’ll look back on with the most enthusiasm. They will take you back to how their little smiles looked with baby teeth, the spark in their eyes as they laugh with you, to the sound of the giggle, and them saying ‘more!’ as you tickle them.

During my outdoor sessions, we will incorporate a lot of play and music. In fact, we’re playing, dancing and exploring for most of the session. Mums can expect to twirl and dip, while Dads can gear up for piggy back rides and throwing kids up in the air. If your children want to run around, make funny faces, tell poop jokes - let them, and join in!

The one thing I ask you not to do, is ask your children to ‘behave’. I want them to be comfortable to be themselves, to be free and to be happy and not feel like the session is a chore.

Practical Choices with Styling & Location

Choosing a location that suits your family, particularly your children is imperative to the success of your session. You may have your heart set on a particular landscape, but please consider if this is the best fit for your family.

For example, if your children don’t like getting sand on them, avoid having your session at the beach. If you think they will be bothered by long grass, then it would be best to avoid sessions in the field.

Making practical choices with your family styling is also crucial. During the winter months, dress your children warmly to keep them comfortable and cozy. Incorporating chunky knits and cozy fabrics adds a beautiful element to styling your winter session. It is also important to consider if your child is sensitive to any fabrics and avoiding anything that may irritate them.

Take the time to prepare

The day of the photoshoot can feel like a mad rush, between getting yourself and the kids ready (and potentially dragging your partner away from weekend sport on TV). Do your best to take the time to prepare what you can ahead of the shoot to limit your stress on the day - have your outfits organised, ironed and ready to go the night before. Pack some healthy, mess free snacks for the car ride to the location - feel free to also pack some bribery if you think that is required.

I also recommend you to talk to your children about the session. Talk about how fun it will be, how we are going to a special spot to spend the afternoon together, playing and laughing and how I will be there to take photos. Tell them that you’ve told me your favourite songs and that we’re going to dance and play games. Focus on the fun aspects, not the expectation for them to ‘behave’ or smile for the camera - this approach really sets the tone for a fun, stress free session.

I hope this blog helps you realise that having a wonderfully wild little one is no reason not to capture this stage of your motherhood and family journey.

There is fun and magic to be captured at every age and every stage and we might as well have some fun in the process, right?

Woustina x