How to Prepare Kids for a Stress-Free Family Photo Session

1 day ago
2 min read

candid family photo in Sandbridge Beach during Sunset Virginia Beach

Here’s the truth: kids don’t really need to “prepare” for family photos at all. This isn’t about getting them to perform or behave a certain way — it’s more like spending an hour together outside while I document what unfolds. When sessions feel relaxed and unstructured, kids usually settle into things much faster. Family photography works best when everyone treats it less like an obligation and more like a fun time set aside to spend together.

Timing Is Everything (and We’ll Plan It Together)

We’ll choose a time that works for both good light and your family’s rhythm. A session scheduled when kids are usually tired or hungry can feel harder than it needs to, so we avoid that when possible. Planning around naps, meals, and bedtime routines helps everyone show up in a better mood. The goal is to work with your day, not rearrange your life for photos. A little thoughtful timing goes a long way.

Bring Whatever Makes Life Easier

If a small snack, water bottle, or comfort item helps your child feel settled, bring it along. We can pause when needed, and those little breaks often help reset everyone’s energy. There’s no expectation that kids power through the entire session without a moment to regroup. Having familiar things nearby can make the experience feel more like an outing and less like an event. A relaxed kid almost always means a relaxed parent, too.

Let Them Explore a Little

Kids naturally want to move, look around, and interact with their surroundings — and that’s completely fine. Some of the sweetest moments happen when they’re holding your hand, pointing something out, or wandering just a step ahead. We build that movement into the session instead of trying to stop it. Those small, unscripted interactions often become the images families connect with most. It feels much more like a memory than a posed photograph.

Don’t Worry About Coaching Them

You don’t have to remind them to smile or explain how photos are supposed to work. Most kids respond better when nothing feels forced or overly explained in advance. I’ll guide things gently during the session so there’s no pressure on you to manage it. Letting them arrive as themselves — curious, chatty, quiet, energetic, whatever that looks like —

is exactly what we want. That authenticity is what makes images feel real later on.

candid family photo with children at Virginia Beach Park

Hopefully, these tips have eased your mind and made the whole experience of booking a family photo session seem less daunting. If you’re still deciding on a setting, check out my favorite outdoor photo locations in Virginia Beach.

Already have a location in mind and ready to book? Explore pricing and package options, and book instantly.