If you’re thinking about booking a family photoshoot, there’s a good chance you’ve had this thought:
“But what if my child won’t sit still?”
Maybe they’re two and constantly on the move. Maybe they’re shy and clingy around new people. Perhaps they’re at that stage where they’d rather run, climb and explore than sit down for a photograph.
Please don’t worry.
Your child does not need to sit still, smile on command or “perform” for me.
In fact, I don't expect them to.
Children don’t need to perform for the camera
One of the things I hear most often from parents after their session is how surprised they are by how relaxed it all felt.
There’s no pressure for children to sit in a particular place, look at the camera and give me a big smile.
Instead, I let them be themselves.
After working with children for over 23 years, I’ve learnt that the more you try to make a child do something they don’t want to do, the harder it becomes. So rather than fighting against their personality, we work with it.
Some children happily walk into the studio and get involved straight away.
Others need a little more time.
And that’s completely fine.
We take things at their pace
Your child might arrive and immediately want to explore the studio. They might hide behind you. They might cling to your legs and refuse to come anywhere near me.
I’ve seen it all!
And I’ve also seen those same children completely transform as the session goes on.
I’ve had children who were clinging tightly to their parents at the beginning of a shoot who were high-fiving me by the end.
Sometimes all they need is a little time to realise that this is actually quite fun.
There’s no clock ticking in their head telling them they need to smile. There’s no expectation that they have to behave perfectly.
We simply let them settle in and get comfortable.
We find what works for them
Every child is different, so I don’t have one magic trick that works for everyone.
Sometimes it’s peekaboo.
Sometimes it’s a bit of tickling.
Sometimes we’ll play a familiar song they love.
Maybe we’ll twirl them around, have a little dance or even tip them upside down for a moment.
Sometimes the best photographs happen when we’re not really “taking photographs” at all.
A little game can turn into a beautiful moment between a parent and child. A cuddle can become the photograph you treasure most. A silly face or burst of laughter can capture their personality perfectly.
And sometimes, yes, we might ask them to sit still for a few seconds.
But if they don’t?
We move on.
There is always something else we can try.
Some of the best photographs aren't posed
I love beautiful photographs where the child is looking straight into the lens, but some of my favourite family photographs are the ones that happen naturally.
The little hand reaching for Mum.
A toddler cuddling into Dad.
Siblings laughing together.
A child running towards you.
A cheeky grin.
A big cuddle after a little game.
Those are the moments that tell the story of your family right now.
And because my studio is calm, neutral and relaxed, there’s plenty of space for those moments to happen naturally.
You don't need to have “well-behaved” children
I want you to know that you don't need to apologise for your child.
You don't need to spend the morning telling them to behave.
You don't need to promise them a treat if they'll just sit still for photographs.
And you certainly don't need to worry that your child is going to “ruin” your photoshoot.
They won't.
They are simply being a child.
My job is to work with that.
After 23 years of working with children, I’ve learnt to read the little cues. When to give them space, when to interact, when to change things up and when simply to let them be.
Sometimes it takes a little patience.
Sometimes it takes a little silliness.
And sometimes it takes a completely different approach to what we originally had in mind.
But we always get there in the end.
So if you've been putting off booking a family photoshoot because you're worried your little one won't sit still, please don't let that stop you.
You don't need a perfectly behaved child.
You just need to bring your child, exactly as they are.
I'll take care of the rest.
Real moments, simply told. Naturally you.
