Worried your kids won’t behave at your family photoshoot?
Can I let you in on a little secret? The kids with big personalities are actually some of my favourites!
After photographing hundreds of families across Sydney, Penrith and the Blue Mountains, I’ve experienced pretty much every kind of child in front of my camera. The shy ones who hide behind Mum, the quiet ones who need time to warm up, and the ones who are jumping all over me five minutes into the session.
Every child is different, and I genuinely love that. I’ll meet your little one on their level, match their energy and work with their personality rather than trying to change it.
Your kids don't need to perform
Your kids don't need to sit still, smile on command or behave perfectly for your photos. My sessions are about letting them be themselves, not getting them to perform for the camera.
If your little one is full of energy, I'll match it. We can run, play, climb, explore and have fun. If they're shy, I'll slow things down and give them space to get comfortable. I meet kids at their level and follow their lead, while gently guiding the session along.
I've worked with enough little ones to know when to encourage them, when to change things up and when to simply give them a minute.
Honestly, those energetic, cheeky personalities often make the most fun sessions! They bring so much movement and joy, and those little quirks are exactly what you'll want to remember.
What if they're shy?
Not every child is going to meet me and immediately want to be my best friend, and that's completely okay.
One of the lovely things about an in-home newborn or family photography session is that your kids are already somewhere familiar and comfortable. We can take our time, let them watch what I'm doing and allow them to warm up naturally.
For outdoor family photography, we'll do the same thing. There is no rushing a shy child into a smile. Once they realise I'm not going to force them to do anything, they usually start to relax.
So, how can I prepare my kids?
You really don't need to do much. Have a little chat with them beforehand and keep it simple. There’s no need to tell them they need to be good or smile for the camera.
For an in-home session, you could say, “We’re going to have Elle come and visit us at home today, and you can show her all your toys!” For an outdoor session, you might say, “We’re going on a little adventure today and Elle is going to come along and take some photos of us having fun!”
The idea is to make it feel like something fun you're doing together, rather than something they need to get right. And if they have a meltdown or aren't feeling it when I arrive, that's okay too. We can slow things down, have a cuddle and give them some time.
You don't need perfectly behaved children to have beautiful family photos.
Your kids don't need to be perfectly behaved for your photos. They can be shy, energetic, cheeky, curious or a little bit of everything, and that's all completely okay.
I'll get to know them, meet them on their level and work with whatever personality they bring along on the day. Some kids take a little while to warm up, while others are running around within five minutes. Both are completely normal.
And those little personalities are what make your family yours. The funny faces, the cuddles, the chaos and all those little moments in between are the things you'll want to remember.
So come as you are, and let me take care of the rest.
If you've been thinking of updating your family photos I'd love to hear from you! I photograph families at home and outdoors in Penrith, the Blue Mountains and all across the Sydney Region.
