Mentally Preparing for a Photoshoot with Kids (Because it's Chaos!)

I am absolutely aware that photoshoots with kids are incredibly stress-inducing, but they are also TOTALLY worth it. You know how fast your children change, which is why having photos of them at different stages in life is so important. That being said, I one hundred percent understand how stressful the whole process can be.

Here are some tips to reduce, or dare I say, eliminate stress before and during a photoshoot with your kiddos.

1. Choose your outfits one week prior - yes, one week prior! Hit up consignment stores for accent pieces like vests or fun jackets. H&M and Zara are good places to get the basics. Solid colours are best, and usually, these bigger stores’ seasonal colours are on-trend and in complementary palettes that will work with your whole group.

2. Pick comfortable pieces your kids will actually wear - eliminate the frustration of fighting your toddler to wear something they don’t want to wear, for example, scratchy jeans or structured shirts. Opt for something they will put on their bodies and not flip out in the process of doing so.

3. Bring snacks and treats. Ah yes, snacks and treats, also known as bribes. Very little will get a toddler more motivated than a smarty or lollipop. This may not be for everyone, but, in these special circumstances, it can be very motivating to get your little one to cooperate.

4. Mentally prepare yourself for chaos, lower your expectations, and try not to strive for ‘perfect’. It’s often us, the parents, who put these crazy expectations on ourselves to create something that is perfect. When things don’t go in this direction (honestly, do they ever?), it can cause stress. Kids pick up on this stress and in turn, makes the whole situation tenser than it needs to be.

5. Work with a photographer who knows kids - a photographer who has experience with kids is likely going to be calmer around children. And honestly, we know that kids are always way better for people who aren’t their parents, right?

6. Bring help - it’s always a good idea to have help, whether it’s your spouse or a grandparent. Sometimes it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation where I’m holding the camera making farting jokes, dad is positioning the baby, and mom is trying everything in her power to get the baby to smile. It really is a workout so be prepared to get sweaty.

This isn’t meant to scare you, it’s meant to help prepare you for the wonderful chaos of a family photoshoot with little kids. Lower your expectations for your kids and yourself and we will do just great together!

Children’s Portrait Series - How to Get the Most out of a Shoot Like This

Just before summer began, I did a Children’s Portrait Series and it was a big hit with my clients. These portrait sessions are perfect for adorning your home with high-resolution, striking prints of your little loved ones. Portraits are also ideal to use as headshots if your kids are involved in acting.

So you’ve got the portraits done, How are you using them?

I learned via my Instagram polls, that many of you are interested in big prints like the ones featured in this now iconic blog post by Chris Loves Julia. There are tons of tutorials on Pinterest and the web, so I’ll highlight the basics like where to get prints done in the Vancouver area and what kind of frames I like to use.

Image Credit: Apartment Therapy

Image Credit: Home Sweet Ruby

Most of the tutorials online require you to do some photo editing to achieve the right look - I’ve eliminated this step by giving you colour and black and white edits to choose from. You also won’t need to fuss around with the resolution since these are professional portraits you can send right to print.

Where to Print and What to Frame With

I highly recommend Kerrisdale Cameras for printing! They have an amazing online service that’s easy to use, great quality, and the turnaround is so quick. They also have locations all over the Lower Mainland and in Victoria.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money on framing every image in your home. IKEA has tons of styles of frames to choose from, they’re inexpensive, and they come with mattes. Matting can make a huge impact on a framed print, it keeps things cohesive and tidy, and can really make an image pop in your space. For big pieces like this you can’t go wrong with large RIBBA frames (which are now less than $20!), they’re light, easy to hang, and have a timeless modern look.

I hope this helps you make the most of the portraits you’ve had done with me, another photographer, or some killer photos you have on your phone. Also, if you’d like to have portraits like these done, stay tuned, I may do another shoot this fall!

Surrey newborn session

The difference between a newborn mini session and a full session is that you get more time to get multiple set ups and poses. We can do some sibling photos, mom and babe, dad and babe, family and posed ones of just baby posed on the bean bag and in a prop.

If you don’t need all of that, a mini session is perfect to still capture that sweet newborn of yours with a couple poses and a family shot.

The option is there to give everyone choices. Both sessions can be done in home or at the studio.

Theo's Newborn Session

Theo’s newborn session was amazing, he came super sleepy and slept the entire time!

I couldn’t wait to photograph his cute little features. Mom & Dad were super smitten with their new babe so it made the family photos super easy.

Here are a few of my favourites from his session.