A few months ago, I had a mini session with my own kids with another photographer, and it got me thinking about something important: how I prepared my kids for the session made a huge difference in how they responded to being photographed and how easy the whole experience felt.
And I thought, I really should pass this along. Because often those last few days, or even hours before a session, can feel the most stressful. Maybe you're scrambling to put together the final pieces of everyone's outfits or just trying to get everyone loaded into the car without a meltdown.
The truth is, a little preparation goes a long way toward creating a fun, relaxed experience for everyone. Below are my best tips for preparing for family photos in those final days and hours before your session. And at the bottom, you can download a handy family photo checklist to make sure you're all set!
Preparing Your Family Mentally for Photos
Talk About the Session as an Adventure
The first tip for stress free family photos is to frame your photo session as fun family time you get to spend together. For younger kids, you don't even need to mention that it's specifically a "photo session"—just let them know you're going to do something fun and there will be someone there to take photos while you play.
The key is building excitement rather than pressure. Think of it as a special outing where you all get to be together, not a formal event where everyone needs to be perfect.
Make Sure Your Partner Is Prepared
Here's something crucial: all adults need to have a good attitude about this to make it a joyful experience, especially for the kids. Let your partner know that if they can help make it fun and positive, the time will go by faster than they expect.
Talk to them about why this matters to you and your family—capturing your kids exactly as they are right now. These moments are fleeting, and having beautiful photos to remember them is so worth it.
And if your partner isn't on board? Do the session with just you and your kids anyway. You'll never regret having photos with your children, and they'll be so grateful to have them as they get older too.
Check Your Own Attitude
Preparing yourself mentally is just as important as preparing your outfit for stress free family photos. We all know kids pick up on our energy, so if we can go into the session knowing it's going to be fun, they'll be more likely to feel that way too.
That includes being on board with not disciplining or getting frustrated with kids during the session (unless they're doing something unsafe). This is their time to be themselves, and that authentic energy is exactly what makes photos magical.
The Day-Of Details That Make Everything Easier
Food Strategy
I generally don't recommend bringing snacks or treats during the session because kids tend to focus more on the food than anything else. Instead, here's what works:
Make sure everyone is well-fed before you leave for the session. To your family photo prep checklist add feeding everyone something yummy and filling, but not too sugary. Because a satisfied belly makes for happier kids.
If it's a longer drive, pack a non-messy car snack they can eat on the way. Then when you arrive, you might give them a small treat—a few M&Ms or gummies—just to boost their energy a little. But you know your kids best; if they'll just fixate on the fact that treats are in the car, skip this step entirely.
Clothing Game Plan
Change into any wrinkle-prone clothing once you arrive at the session location. This doesn't always work perfectly for everyone (especially if there's no good place to change), but it can be a game-changing tip.
If you spent time ironing your partner's shirt, hang it up for the ride over. And I highly recommend this approach for kids in car seats—it keeps their clothes clean from any car snacks and gives you one less thing to worry about.
Timing and Arrival
Plan to arrive about 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time to:
- Not feel rushed
- Change the kids if needed
- Take away any lingering car snacks
- Check your makeup and apply that final coat of lipstick
- Find the meeting spot if it's not right at the parking lot
What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)
Keep it simple with a small bag containing:
- A bottle of water everyone can share
- Any necessary touch-up items (lipstick, etc.)
What to leave at home or in the car:
- Wallets, keys, or phones in your pockets (empty those pockets!)
- Large bags or purses
- Favorite toys or comfort items (if possible—though I totally understand if certain kids need their special stuffie, just know it might appear in photos)
Should You Bribe Kids for Family Photos?
Whether or not to include bribes in preparation for family photos depends on your child, and I don't generally recommend it. However, sometimes a small post-session treat like ice cream or a special meal can help certain kids cooperate better.
This tends to work best for older kids who understand time and can be reasoned with: "After our one-hour photo session, we'll go get that special treat."
If you do decide to bring something for during the session, make sure it's not messy, won't get stuck in teeth, and plan to give it out one or two pieces at a time. Don't hand over the whole bag, or it'll become the star of your photos!
Remember: Connection Over Perfection
The most important thing to remember as you prepare for your family photos? Your session is about capturing your family's love and connection exactly as it is right now. Not a Pinterest-perfect version, not a staged performance—just you, being yourselves together.
When you approach it with that mindset, everything else falls into place. The wrinkled shirt, the kid who won't sit still, the baby who needs an extra snack—all of that becomes part of your story, and that's what makes your photos authentically beautiful.
Ready to Get Organized?
Want all these tips in an easy-to-follow format? Download my free family photo preparation checklist below. It's everything you need to feel confident and prepared for your family photos, without any of the stress.
Remember: a little preparation goes a long way, but the most important thing you can bring to your session is your genuine selves. That's where the real magic happens.
Ready to book your stress-free family session? I'd love to help you capture your family's story exactly as it is—beautiful, real, and completely yours.
Planning your photos in Scottsdale? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your local session: Your Ultimate Guide for Preparing for your Family Photos in Scottsdale
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