Preparing for a studio photoshoot with little ones can feel like a bit of a mission. Between choosing outfits, working around naps and wondering whether your child will cooperate on the day, it’s easy to put a little pressure on yourself before you’ve even walked through the door.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need perfectly behaved children, elaborate plans or a toddler who follows every instruction. You just need a little preparation, a relaxed mindset and a willingness to let your children be themselves.
Whether you’re bringing your one-year-old in for their first birthday portraits, capturing your preschooler’s cheeky personality or updating family photos with your older children, here are my favourite tips for preparing for your studio session.
1. Choose Their Outfits Ahead of Time
One of the easiest ways to make your session feel less stressful is to have everyone's outfits sorted a few days beforehand.
For studio portraits, I generally recommend keeping clothing simple, timeless and comfortable. Neutral tones, soft textures and classic pieces tend to photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your child's face and personality.
A few things to keep in mind:
Avoid large logos, busy graphics and distracting patterns.
Choose colours that complement one another if siblings are being photographed together.
Make sure clothing fits comfortably and allows your child to move freely.
Bring a spare outfit for younger children, just in case!
Most importantly, choose something your child feels comfortable in. An outfit that looks beautiful but constantly needs adjusting can quickly become a distraction during your session.
2. Work Around Naps and Meals Where Possible
If there's one thing parents of little ones know, it's that a tired or hungry child can have very strong opinions about absolutely everything!
Where possible, try to schedule your session around your child's usual routine. A well-rested child who has had something to eat beforehand will generally have an easier time settling into the experience.
For younger children, this might mean avoiding their usual nap window. For older children, a snack and a little downtime before leaving home can make a difference, too.
Of course, we can't always predict how a child will feel on any given day. If naps don't go to plan or someone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, please don't panic. We can work with where they're at.
3. Don't Overprepare Your Child
It's completely understandable to want your child to know exactly what to expect, particularly if they're shy or have never had professional photos taken before.
A little explanation is great! Let them know you're visiting a photography studio and that we'll be taking some lovely photos together.
What I would avoid is putting too much emphasis on being good, smiling properly or doing exactly what the photographer says.
Children can feel pressure even when we don't intend them to, and the last thing we want is for them to arrive feeling as though they have a big performance ahead of them.
Instead, keep things light and positive. We're going to have some fun, and there's no need for them to get everything right.
4. Bribery, Rewards and Treats
Let's be honest: sometimes a little motivation goes a long way!
For some children, knowing there's a favourite activity or small treat waiting after their session can be helpful. For others, the promise of a reward can become the only thing they want to talk about.
If you do decide to offer a reward, I'd recommend keeping it simple and saving the conversation for when you arrive or after the session, rather than making it the main focus beforehand.
Try to avoid promising a reward for smiling or behaving perfectly. We want your child to feel comfortable, not as though they have to earn a good experience.
And please don't feel that you need to bring a whole bag of tricks to keep your child happy. We'll take things one step at a time.
5. Let Them Be Children
This one is important!
Toddlers move. Preschoolers get distracted. Older children can be shy, silly, serious or completely uninterested in having their photo taken that day.
All of that is normal.
Some children will happily jump straight in front of the camera, while others need a little time to warm up. Some of the sweetest expressions happen between the big smiles, when your child is simply being themselves.
My job is to work with your child's personality, not force them into someone else's idea of a perfect portrait.
You don't need to apologise if your little one is being energetic, needs a moment or takes a little while to feel comfortable. That's part of working with children, and we can take things at their pace.
6. Keep Your Morning as Relaxed as Possible
If you can, give yourself plenty of time to get ready and arrive at the studio without rushing.
Lay out clothing the night before, pack any essentials and allow extra time for those inevitable last-minute toilet stops, outfit changes or toddler detours.
Arriving flustered can make the experience feel more stressful for everyone, so a little breathing room can go a long way.
And if something doesn't go to plan? Take a breath. A slightly chaotic morning doesn't mean your photoshoot is going to be a disaster.
7. Bring the Essentials
You don't need to pack your entire house, but a few handy items can make your session easier.
Depending on your child's age, consider bringing:
A water bottle.
A small snack for before or after the session.
Wipes and a spare outfit.
Nappies and any changing essentials for younger children.
A hairbrush or comb for a quick tidy-up.
Any comfort item your child might need to settle in.
If your child has a favourite comfort toy, that's absolutely fine to bring along. We can keep it nearby if they need a little reassurance.
8. What If My Child Doesn't Cooperate?
This is probably one of the biggest worries parents have before a photoshoot, and I want you to know that you're not alone in wondering about it.
You might be picturing your child refusing to sit still, not smiling, hiding behind you or deciding that the studio is the last place they want to be.
The reality is that children don't always do what we expect, and that's okay.
A successful session isn't about having a child who follows every direction. It's about creating an environment where they can feel comfortable enough for us to capture genuine expressions and little glimpses of their personality.
Sometimes we need to take a break, change our approach, have a little chat or give them time to warm up. That's all part of the process.
Please don't feel embarrassed, and don't feel that you need to spend the entire session trying to convince your child to smile. You can leave that part to me!
9. Trust the Process
You've chosen a professional photographer because you want beautiful images of your children, and part of that experience is allowing someone else to take the lead.
You know your child better than anyone, and your insight is always welcome. At the same time, try to give me the opportunity to interact with them, find out what makes them tick and discover the approach that works best.
Sometimes the best thing a parent can do is take a little step back, relax and let the session unfold naturally.
You don't need to coach every smile, fix every expression or worry about what your child is doing in every moment.
Just enjoy being there with them.
10. Remember Why You're Here
It's easy to get caught up in the details of a photoshoot, especially when you're hoping for those beautiful portraits you'll treasure for years to come.
But these photographs aren't just about perfect smiles or everyone looking directly at the camera.
They're about remembering your child's little personality at this age. The cheeky grin, the serious expression, the way they tilt their head when they're curious or the little features that seem to change overnight.
Your children won't stay this little forever, and one day you'll look back at these images and be grateful you captured this stage of their lives.
So come as you are, bring your little people just as they are, and let's create something beautiful together.
A Little Reminder Before Your Session
You don't need perfect children to have beautiful photographs.
You don't need to rehearse smiles, spend weeks preparing or worry if your child takes a little while to settle in.
All you need to do is show up, take a breath and trust that we'll work together to create images you'll love.
I can't wait to welcome you into the studio!