How to get your kids to not hate having their picture taken
Let’s Help Kids Learn To Love Family Photos
When children come into the family photo session relaxed and ready to have fun, the session itself is more enjoyable for all involved, and you will love the photos you receive.
Here are some ways that you can help your kids to love family picture day:
Let Them Be Themselves
When our children/teens can be themselves, they will feel more comfortable in their own skin, and have more fun during the photo session. I would recommend working with them together to select their outfits and shoes. Make it a fun event, ensure that they are comfortable in and like what they are wearing. When they feel true to themselves, they’ll have more confidence, and in turn more fun.
Consider A Fun Activity To Mix With The Portrait Session
Having fun like getting ice cream, playing at the park, visiting a farmers market are all fun activities that can be combined with your family photo session. By combining a fun activity the session will feel more like a joyful outing than a chore to get through.
Don’t Aim For Perfection
When we feel the need to aim for perfection within our photo session, honestly it can lead to kids (and adults too) feeling frustrated. Let everyone smile naturally. Let everyone relax. A more relaxed feeling photo session will come across with natural photos where everyone looks happy and relaxed. When your kids get to run around and be free, you will get the best photos!
Commit To No Nagging
Trust me, nothing will de-rail someone more during a photo session than when they are nagged about their hair, told to listen to the photographer, encouraged to smile in a certain way etc. So…I encourage all parents to commit to being relaxed, not nagging their kids, and to having fun. When you do this, kids will learn that family photo day is fun and relaxed, and they’ll look forward to the next session.
Encourage Them To Help With The Planning
When your kids are part of the process of planning the session, they feel valued and more invested in the outcome. This can include helping with wardrobe selection (within reason of course), discussing location options as a family, and even brainstorming unique photo ideas.
Make A Tradition Of Planning A Fun Activity After Photos
If you start a tradition of always having a special family treat after your session, kids will start to look forward to the annual family photos and fun treat tradition. They will be excited for picture day, and you will have fun and receive relaxed, connected, and beautiful family photos, with the bonus of a traditional fun family activity when you are done!
I hope that these ideas will help you to set up fun photo days for your kids, that you can all look forward to. Do you need to plan your next family photo session?
