Oct 15, 2022
Bill Gardner
Your child’s session is right around the corner! Are you ready? We’ve prepared a checklist of things for you to remember to make sure your child is prepared for their big day!
1. Don’t forget to feed your child before the session. Also, pack snacks just in case hunger strikes while we’re shooting.
2. Bring more than one outfit. Make sure you always have backup clothes just in case. And we suggest that you don’t change your child into their session clothing until after you have fed them. Also, be very careful with drinks, as well – only clear liquids in a safe cup. Be aware that changing your child’s outfit may be difficult depending on where the session takes place.
3. Let your child help when picking out their clothes for the session (unless they have a hideous sense of fashion.) By letting your child wear their favorite shirt or shoes, etc. this will help them to feel more comfortable. If their choice of clothing is awful or doesn’t match, see if you can use that shirt as an undershirt or tell them they can put it on for a couple of shots at the end of the session.
4. If you have a young child, try to schedule the session around their naptime so they will be well rested and happy for photos.
5. Have a bribe in place. Bring fruit snacks, candy, a toy, etc. and let them know that if they cooperate, they will get said bribery. Some parents have bribed their children by telling them if they are good, they can watch Netflix on Mommy or Daddy’s phone. Use whatever you think will work for your child to motivate them to cooperate.
6. Bring along their favorite toy or blanket. This will help your child feel comfortable in new, unfamiliar surroundings. Just be aware that this will probably become a prop in some of the photos, so bring something that is pleasing to the eyes or has sentimental value and you’d be okay with it appearing in at least some of the photographs.
7. Talk to your child about the session and explain what’s going to happen. If your child is informed about the situation it will be less scary for them when they come to the session. Tell them that they are going to meet a new friend who is going to take some pictures of them. Let them know that you’ll be there with them and that we are going to have lots of fun. We might change their clothes once or twice (if that is even possible where we are taking the pictures) and ask them to sit a certain way. During the session, we can show them a couple of the photos so they can put two and two together.
8. Bring Grandma (or someone else your child loves). Bringing along reinforcements is always a good plan. If grandma lives close by, or if your child’s favorite uncle has the day off of work, bring him or her with you. You can use this family member to help get your child to relax and laugh.
9. Wear sturdy shoes. It is a good idea to wear good, sturdy shoes to a session like this, as it’s challenging to chase a little one around in flip-flops or heels. During the session, I may ask you to grab your child if they keep running out of the frame. Or I may have us walking around exploring, so we need to be prepared to keep our feet safe and comfortable.
These 9 comprehensive tips should be followed in preparation for a child’s portrait session. You might want to consider, for especially “active” children, a more candid approach to the portrait be taken. A parent can always ask that the photographer switch to a candid style of portraiture if the child is uncomfortable with trying to obey posing instructions. Often, a candid approach to children’s portraiture captures the true personality of the child. And capturing personality is a key ingredient in any professional portrait. As a matter of fact, many parents prefer candid child portraits and request that no posed photographs be taken. This is something that parents should seriously consider.
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