Young Children and Photography: Does it Have to Be Stressful?

Let's face it: many parents may shy away from the thought of getting the family dressed up during a time that may throw off their routine, just to have the kids run around or have big feelings as you try your best to smile as the photographer snaps around you.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be. As a preschool teacher with a background in psychology, I have learned a ton about the young brain, emotions, and ways to accept and validate the big feelings that children may have when they are confronted with a scary or nerve-wracking experience like a photo session.

Even with big feelings, our sessions turn out gorgeous because we put the children first. In the photo with the three cuties on the blanket, the boys had lots of fun energy during the session, and we were a bit limited indoors. To create a session that didn't limit the boys or make them do anything they didn't want to, we got a comfy blanket and took it outside for a few minutes of running around, then took snuggle breaks! We repeated this as needed until I was able to get all the images I needed.

Here are some practical tips you as a parent can use during your next photo session with the little ones:

Breathe, and encourage your young ones to breathe with you

Taking a few deep breaths may feel silly when you're not used to doing it, but it truly helps to reset the brain and put you in an executive functioning state of mind (where you are calm, cool, and in control). When we start to feel stressed or chaotic, our brain shifts down into an emotional or survival state, making it harder to make rational decisions (or look happy on camera!).

Accept that children are children & validate their feelings

Some children love being in front of the camera and bask in the time they have in front of it. For most other children, however, a photo session can spark anxiety, silliness, shyness, sadness, or refusal. Identifying that all emotions are valid and good is the first step to accepting that your child is having a big feeling. You can tell your child something like "this is really scary, but we can do hard things and I'm here with you!" Most family photographers have experience with children and will be patient through this process. The more we can connect with children and show that we respect their feelings when they have them, the easier it will be for us to help them.

Don't forget to smile!

Many times, parents are so worried about their child smiling or looking happy, that they forget to smile themselves! Pretend you are an Oscar-winning actor and set the tone for the session. If you seem happy and having fun, your children will want to join in!

Everyone wants their photography session to be fun, carefree, and have amazing results. By connecting with your child if they have big feelings during your session, you will make it much easier on yourself and your child as you work through it.