Getting Your Littles to Behave for Photos | South Jersey Family Photographer

You don't. 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒂.

Family portrait season is upon us and trust me, I KNOW how stressful preparing can be. Sometimes kids don’t listen.. for any number of reasons. Expecting them to have fun and smile for a total stranger will surely cause some tension, so here are my tips for getting kiddos on board for sessions!

If you’re preparing for a photo session with your children, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming photo session.

HYPE THEM UP

Tell them you’re going to visit a crazy, fun lady named Sarah who is going to play games and take their picture! Get them comfortable with my face so I don't seem so scary when they meet me! During the session try and focus less on the “perfect smiles” and “poses”. Let’s focus on candids and letting your kids be them. Tell them a joke, let them run, and have fun!!

DONT MAKE A BIG DEAL

If you're stressed out and cranky, your kids will usually pick up on it and act accordingly. Their behavior will usually be better if you are relaxed and having fun. You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace such as letting your energetic daughter's hair stay straight instead of curling it into because she won't sit still. Focus on the big picture and don't sweat the small stuff.

MAKE IT FUN

the kids have a couple “fun pictures” where they get to pick their own pose or props. You get to keep the more serious photos while they get to keep their silly photos. This way everyone wins.  If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm.

BE PREPARED

If you're going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea. If you are having your own photos taken too then you might want to bring a babysitter or family member along to watch the kids. If you happen to be shooting in a remote location, you never know when you might need something like bug spray, tissues or a first aid kit so bring that along too.

BE PATIENT

Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing. Work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic

I expect all children to be wild and emotional. Photo day can be intense.. Kids are put on a stage and expected to perform for a total stranger, they are bound to be a little extreme and that’s okay! So show up to your session mentally prepared to let your littles be a little extra... and maybe have a little wine ready for when you get home for yourself

7 Things Your Newborn Photographer Wants You to Know

Congrats!! You’ve chosen a newborn photographer and can’t wait to get photos of the precious new addition to your family! But if you’ve never had a newborn session before, you may not be sure what to expect from the experience. That’s why I want to let you know a few things that newborn photographers wish all their clients knew.

Every newborn is unique.

Just as every family is different, no two babies are exactly alike. One newborn might be perfectly comfortable posed laying on her belly, while another might absolutely hate it. Your photographer will work with you and your newborn to find the positions they’re most comfortable in and will definitely not force your baby into any poses they aren’t willing to do.

We’ve seen it all. TRUST ME.

If your baby pees on the photographer’s set, throws a fit, or just wants to nurse the whole session, don’t be embarrassed. Chances are your photographer has experienced everything from poop all over their props to being peed on. As a newborn photographer, this is their everyday life, and they’re totally understanding. After all, your baby’s needs come before your photos. So, don’t feel like you have to apologize for every little thing that goes wrong. Your photographer is there to support you and work with you.

We have a lot of tricks up our sleeves.

It can be tempting to swoop in and pick up your newborn as soon as they start crying, but most photographers know a variety of ways to sooth little ones. It’s important for parents to use their newborn session as a time to relax and to trust the photographer. If your baby is truly upset and can’t be calmed down, we’ll be sure to pass them on to you for feeding, diapering, or comfort.

You should feel free to take a break.

As the parent of a newborn, you probably haven’t had a moment to yourself in a while. Well, your photo session is the perfect chance to just sit back and relax. Most of the images will be of your baby, so you get to sit on the sidelines, have a cup of coffee, and maybe finally check your email or return some phone calls. And no judgment if you doze off during the session! I’ll wake you when I need you.

 We want you to share our photos.

Photographers take images for you to cherish and enjoy, and we want you to share them! Post those photos of your newborn all over social media and send to family and friends. We want our images to be seen! Just be sure to credit your photographer when you share their images on Facebook or Instagram and feel free to recommend them to other expecting parents!

Our work doesn’t end with your session.

Since everyone has a camera on their phone these days, photographers hear a lot about how anyone can take a photo. But a professional does so much more than simply click a button. We set up backdrops and lighting, and we know all the tricks of the trade to make your photos turn out amazing. And once the session is over, we spend hours editing your photos to make them the absolute best they can be, providing you with images you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Simple Studio Newborn Session | South Jersey Photographer

Ohhhh look at this sweet face! Mr. Landon slept amazing and made my job easy! Mama picked neutrals for her photo session and wanted everything pretty simple, so we came out with such a beautiful, cohesive gallery! Take a look at some of my favorites from his session

Simple In Studio Maternity Session | South Jersey Photographer

Ahhh Look at this stunning mama!

Aside from newborn photography, I think studio maternity may be my favorite type of session to photograph. I love being able to capture the beauty and strength of the woman’s body during pregnancy! I know you may not feel it right now mama- but you’re GLOWING and your body is a warrior.

This session was so much fun because we got to incorporate the whole family! Bailee chose a few different dresses from our client closet and even got to take some photos with her husband and toddler. I love how versatile each session can be.

Take a look at some more of my favorite images from this session and reach out if you’re ready to schedule your own maternity session!