What to expect during a photoshoot with kids

When it comes to family photoshoots with kids, it can seem a bit stressful. Find out what to expect during a photoshoot with kids. The experience is different for every age group and we try to make it fun for all ages!

Family Photoshoots with a Newborn

I do want to point out that lifestyle newborn sessions are very different than studio newborn. If you are looking for studio style newborn pictures, you should check out For The Love Of Photography. Amanda is amazing and captures stunning studio styled photos. Both lifestyle and studio newborn sessions are beautiful and you can’t go wrong either way.

Lifestyle photoshoots are designed to be very relaxed and authentic. The first 2 weeks of your babies life are best for pictures since that is when they sleep the most. The photoshoot can be at your house in the nursery or in a studio/airbnb. The studio would be set up to look like a bedroom. The type of pictures taken are sweet moments of your family and capturing how your baby looks in that exact moment. Capturing the dry skin on the back of your baby’s hand and really zooming in on each perfect detail. Attire is very casual, wanting to capture this moment in true form. The focus of this photoshoot is you and your baby, not your clothes.

Studio newborn photography is more of a luxurious experience, especially the way Amanda runs things! You get to pick from beautiful maternity gowns, to adorable staged settings for your baby. You are receiving heirloom artwork of your baby. Also these sessions last longer than lifestyle sessions due to the additional work required by the photographer.

Family Photoshoots with an Infant- Crawling

Lifestyle photoshoots for babies who are not mobile yet are typically only 30 minute photoshoots. If you know your baby will be able to stay happy for longer, we can book longer. When your baby is just starting to crawl or roll around, these are typically a few traditional poses but mostly on the ground.

Family Photoshoots: Crawling- Toddler

Once your baby is on the move, photoshoots with them become more about the experience than posing. These are great moments captured at a park on a blanket having a picnic. Playing on the beach or in your backyard. I will typically provide direction to make sure that we still get great pictures while they play and have fun.

Family Photoshoots: Toddler – 10ish years old

Photoshoot locations near a play structure are a must! Kids attention spans for pictures are very slim. In the past we have taken pictures in an open field right next to a play structure. We could tell their son was getting bored of the prompts and wanted to play elsewhere. We moved closer to the play structure, let him play while I took more pictures of the parents. Once he got some energy out, it became a game of coming to do a few prompts and then go do a task on the play structure. But you could see a complete change in him through the pictures once we did this.

I also will ask them to be my assistant for the photoshoot, giving them a fun job to make them feel more included. Giving the kids either a fun job for the photoshoot or the ability to take a break and play but to still be involved, is my favorite way to have photoshoots with kids.

Family Photoshoots with kids ages 11 – 16

I’m still trying to figure out how to be cool to this age group, so please leave a comment below if you have any pointers!