Does the thought of having a photoshoot with your kids stress you out a bit? We know it can be a tough process to keep all your children smiling when you’ve got a family photoshoot coming up. With Mother’s Day around the corner, we know snapping a few photos with the kids is so important to every mom, whether it be in a professional photoshoot or at home.

We have seen so many beautiful families come into our photo studio for their family photos, and nothing makes us happier than hearing children laughing within our walls. But when that laughter turns to tears, we can’t help but feel bad for the family who just wants to get their child’s smiling face captured on camera. That’s why we’re pulling together the best tips we’ve learned to help keep your children calm and happy for a photoshoot, so you can walk into your Mother’s Day photoshoot confident that your children will smile!

Have an idea of what photos you would like, and communicate them with your photographer

If you have a specific photo you would like to create, having your photographer know about it in advance can help you achieve that look so much quicker than if you were to explain it to your children. Tag-teaming the directing and posing of your children with your photographer helps the process go a little smoother and quicker!

Go with the flow - the best photos are candid

If your children get a bit fussy and want to start moving around, let them! Try swinging them, asking them to run towards you, or just play with them on the ground. Those types of photos will let your child release some energy, and will likely turn out to be your favourite photos, trust us!

Hype your kids up in the right way

You know your kids best, so you know what’s the best way to get them excited for their photoshoot. We find that complimenting your kids in a way you know resonates with them before a photoshoot helps them feel confident, like telling them how sharp they look! Another great way to get them ready is to ask them to practice their smiles or poses for the camera.

Bring a stuffy or a toy they love to hand to the photographer to wave at the camera

This especially works for younger children. Giving your photographer something to grab your children’s attention will keep them looking at the camera for longer! Their favourite toys always work better than the photographer simply saying “Look here” from behind the camera.

Bring small (mess-free) treats if the studio allows it

Bringing a quick little snack or treat to keep your children going if they start to feel tired of the photoshoot is a great way to peak your child’s interest a little longer until the photoshoot finishes. Keeping them full and happy will help make the experience more enjoyable.

At the end of the day, kids will be kids. We can’t control if they want to smile for the camera or not. But in all honesty, you will still look back at the photos fondly if you come into your photoshoot with the mindset of wanting to capture your family authentically.

If there’s one thing we’d like you to promise us this Mother’s Day, it’s that you’ll get in those photos with your kids! Too often, mothers are the ones behind the camera. Let this Mother’s Day be the start of a promise to yourself to get in those photos with your children!

How to have a successful Mother’s Day Photoshoot with the kids

Happy Mother’s Day

Celebrating 1 Year of The Ruby Manor