5 Ways to prep kids for stress-free outdoor family photos in Michigan 

To all of those wonderful families with little ones wondering how to prep kids for stress-free outdoor family photos in Michigan, this one is for you! As your Canton, Michigan family photographer, I’m here to help you prepare for your upcoming session. I’ve got you covered if you’re currently in your toddler-wrangling era. Let’s dive into some essential tips to make these photos as stress-free as possible with young kids. 

1. If you’re wondering how to prep kids for stress-free outdoor family photos in Michigan, don’t rehearse smiles before your session

If you have young children, you already know that they can be a little unpredictable. To try and prevent meltdowns and bad behavior, parents will sometimes have their kiddos rehearse how they plan to smile when they get to the session. This is my PSA to all parents to not even bother. 

Here’s how that normally goes – picture this: 

Photographer: “Everyone look at me!”  

Parent: “Big smiles!”  

Kid: *Gives a facial expression that is close to a smile, but also looks kind of confused, very forced, they start looking away from the camera, but they are not willing to change their facial expression because they think they are doing what they were told! 

To be honest, it is entertaining, but not the best for making print-worthy photos.  

By the way, I’m speaking from experience because I tried to force my kids to practice their smiles before photos and it was a big fail. (You live and you learn, right?)  

Instead, just let them know that they have some family photos coming up. Rather than practicing their smile, get them excited about the outfit they are going to be wearing. If possible, give them a small decision to make to help them feel in control of something. (Example: Do you want to wear a bow in your hair for photos, or do you want to wear this headband?) 

2. Prioritize food & sleep

Kids have a knack for eating at a snail’s pace, especially when you’re on a schedule. Plan for a longer mealtime and start feeding them earlier than you think is necessary. And don’t forget to pack some non-messy snacks for quick energy boosts during the photo session. Hunger-induced grumpiness never photographs well!  

If your child normally naps, this will likely be the day they fight that nap! Take it easy throughout the day if possible. Avoid having a big day full of activities before family photos or you might have some extra meltdowns that day.  

3. Bribes

We all know bribing is generally a no-no, but when it comes to wanting to prep kids for stress-free outdoor family photos in Michigan, sometimes we need to bend the rules a bit. Here’s the trick: save the big bribes for later in the session. As a parent, you may find yourself bribing your kids before you even leave the house by saying something like “If you behave great for the photoshoot, I’ll get your favorite treat on the way home!” My suggestion is to hold off on all bribes until after the session gets going. Give it a few prompts/poses to test the waters first. By bribing them right off the bat, it shows them that you’re already anticipating bad behavior. Instead, wait until the session starts. As soon as they listen to a direction or do anything that is helping the session go positively, that’s a great time to introduce a bribe almost as a reward. “Wow, you’re being such a good model! I always give my best models treats when we’re done with photos!” 

4. Embrace spontaneity

As parents, we often have a vision of the perfect family photo: everyone standing tall, looking directly at the camera, with impeccable smiles. But let’s be real – kids are unpredictable, and the unexpected can make for memorable photos. Embrace spontaneity and flexibility. If one child insists on running around, consider finding a location for a sitting photo instead or some fun piggyback rides. I’m here to adapt and capture whatever feels right for that session.  

5. Choose a convenient location

Listen, everyone wants dreamy photos in a magazine cover worthy location, but sometimes, that can be wildly inconvenient. You know your family better than anyone. If your kids love exploring and they are really comfortable on nature trails and running through meadows, those might be perfect locations for your photos. If you have toddlers that feel most comfortable at home and get uneasy when they go to public places, maybe your own home or backyard might be a better spot to capture their little personalities. Think about other convenience factors as well. If your child is potty training, for example, you may want to ensure the location you’re choosing has a restroom. If you have twin babies, for example, and you’ll be pushing a double stroller, you may want to avoid going through hiking trails. 

When it all comes down to it, there’s only so much you can do to prep kids for stress-free outdoor family photos in Michigan . When you show up to the session, just try your best to relax and enjoy the moment. You’ll be in great hands!  

 

If you’re looking for a convenient spot to get an outfit for your kiddo for upcoming family photos, check out: Blog post – Once Upon A Child Canton

Feel free to follow along on my photography journey if you’re a local parent! http://www.pickettperfectphotography.com