“My kids will never sit still for photos.”
I hear this from about 80 percent of parents who contact me for a family session. And every single time, they are surprised by the results. Not because their kids magically became cooperative. But because great family photos do not require cooperative kids.
After hundreds of family sessions with children of every age in Chico and Northern California, here is everything I know about getting amazing photos with young kids.
The Secret: Stop Trying to Control Them
The number one mistake parents make during a photo session is trying to force their kids to perform. “Smile!” “Look at the camera!” “Stand still!” “Stop making that face!”
Every one of those commands creates tension. Tension creates forced expressions. Forced expressions create photos nobody loves.
Here is the truth: the best family photos happen when kids are being kids. Running, laughing, playing, exploring, being silly, being themselves. My job is to capture those real moments, not to make your toddler pose like a miniature adult.
Age by Age Guide
Babies (Under 12 Months)
Babies are actually the easiest age for family photos because they do not run away. The challenge is timing.
- Feed them right before the session. A full baby is a happy baby.
- Schedule around their best window. If they are happiest in the morning, we shoot in the morning. If they are a mess before 10 AM, we go for golden hour.
- Bring their comfort items. Pacifiers, favorite blankets, whatever keeps them calm. We can remove the pacifier for key shots.
- Expect some crying. It happens. We pause, comfort, and continue. A parent soothing a crying baby is actually a beautiful, genuine image.
Toddlers (1 to 3 Years)
The wildcard age. Toddlers are unpredictable, opinionated, and completely unable to follow directions on command. And that is exactly what makes their photos magical.
- Nap before the session. This is non negotiable. A rested toddler is a completely different child than a tired one.
- Bring snacks. Goldfish crackers have saved more photo sessions than I can count. Not just for bribery. Hangry toddlers are impossible.
- Let them explore. Instead of forcing them to sit and smile, we let them run through the grass, pick up sticks, chase bubbles. These candid moments produce the most genuine images.
- Do family group shots first. Energy and cooperation are highest at the start. Get the structured shots done while everyone is fresh, then transition to free play.
- Lower your expectations and raise your trust. Trust that I know how to work with this age. The photos will be amazing even if the session feels chaotic.
Young Kids (4 to 8 Years)
This is actually the sweet spot. Old enough to understand basic directions. Young enough to still be silly and uninhibited.
- Make it a game. “Run to daddy as fast as you can!” “Whisper a secret in mom’s ear!” “Who can jump the highest?” Games create real expressions that posing never will.
- Give them a job. Hold the flowers, carry the blanket, lead the way to the next spot. Kids with a purpose are engaged kids.
- Promise a reward. Ice cream after the session is the oldest photographer trick in the book. It works every single time.
- Talk to them like a person. Ask about their favorite show, their best friend, what they want for their birthday. Kids light up when adults are genuinely interested in them.
Tweens and Teens (9+)
The challenge here is not behavior. It is self consciousness.
- Involve them in planning. Let them help choose the location or have a say in outfits. Buy in creates cooperation.
- Acknowledge the awkwardness. “I know this isn’t your favorite thing” goes a lot further than “just smile and get through it.”
- Give them individual photos. A few solo shots make them feel seen, not just like a prop in the family photo.
- Use humor. Making a teenager genuinely laugh is the holy grail of family photography. I have a lot of practice at this.
The Pre Session Cheat Sheet for Parents
- Feed everyone before the session. Low blood sugar makes everyone cranky.
- Nap the little ones. Seriously.
- Dress them in comfortable clothes. Itchy, stiff, or restrictive outfits lead to meltdowns.
- Bring snacks, water, and a favorite toy as backup.
- Keep the entourage small. One support person is fine. A crowd of relatives makes kids perform instead of relax.
- Relax. Your kids pick up on your energy. If you are stressed, they will be stressed. If you are having fun, they will too.
What If Everything Falls Apart?
It won’t. But also, sometimes it feels like it is. And that is completely okay.
A kid meltdown during a session is not a failure. It is a moment. And some of the most tender, real, beautiful family photos I have ever taken happened during or right after a meltdown. A parent holding a crying child. A sibling trying to cheer up their brother. Dad making a silly face to break the tension.
These are real moments. This is your real family. And these photos will mean everything to you in 10 years.
Book Your Family Session
I have photographed every possible kid scenario. Runners, criers, hiders, screamers, and the ones who decide they are a dinosaur for the entire session (those are my favorite). I know how to work with all of them.
Family sessions start at $350. View all session options or contact Joel to start planning your Chico family session.
For the complete family session prep guide, grab the Family Photo Session Playbook.
Joel Jauregui is a portrait and wedding photographer based in Chico, California, specializing in family, senior, maternity, and wedding photography throughout Northern California.