The most common thing I hear from parents about NOT wanting to book a photo session is that their kids won’t sit still, or they will have a meltdown, or they are only interested in a mini session because their kids won’t last more than 30 minutes. Yes, sometimes this is true. But the trick is, with kids, you just have to roll with it.
Being a mom of a 3 and 5-year-old, who are COMPLETELY opposite in EVVVVEEERRRYYYthing, I totally get what you might be feeling. I understand, that it might take kids a little while to warm up to me. Let’s be honest, being in front of the camera is WEIRD! That’s where the power of play is so important during my sessions. That’s how we get the REAL expressions. I also know that kids don’t want to sit still. And that’s ok! My favorite pictures of MY kids, are the ones where they are completely being themselves.
My son just started Kindergarten this year, so my daughter has been learning to spread her wings on her own. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t say how much she misses her brother. It’s so sweet! Most days she’ll get up telling me which dress she needs to wear (which is all new in its own. Last month you would not catch her in ANYTHING close to a dress.) She’ll let me brush her hair, but it’s a struggle to get a ponytail or even a braid in without her fighting me on it. She goes into her jewelry box puts on her finest hello kitty necklace, continues on with her blue hello kitty lip gloss, and ends with a kiss at herself in the mirror. When it’s time to leave she’ll put on the first pair of shoes she sees, which most of the time doesn’t even come close to going with her outfit choice, but hey, I pick my battles because I know what happens next. We get into the car and the shoes and socks come off, and good luck getting them back on, haha
My point to all of this, is that THESE are the moments I want to remember. This is HER. She’s independent, she’s strong-willed, she’s goofy, she’s sweet, she always want’s to make people laugh, and she get upset when your sad. I hope these traits never change. Having said that, if you have a photo session this fall, whether its with me or not, have fun with it! Laugh with your kids, hug them, play during your session. Things might not go as planned but I promise you’ll smile at the end result.
