5 Tips for Family Photography With Toddlers
One of my very first blog post was on 7 Tips for Successful Family Photos with A Baby which you go back and read here if you too, are doing family photos done with a baby. You’ll see that this year, our light & bright theme is a big contrast to the fall theme we choose two years ago. We love them both! However we went for a softer tone and brighter color pallet because we wanted the photos to presented a more non-seasonal feel.
And I personally believe one of the biggest secrets in getting amazing photos with little ones, is finding someone you feel comfortable to be around after you've falling in love with their style of photography. We found Marrisa over at Ciccarelli Photography who has both, so we’re hooked!
Still, family photos were a bit more challenging this year because Abby’s two years old instead of five months. Which meant we were in for a major challenge with Abby mastering the skills of skipping, jumping and running around all over the golden grassy fields.
So below are five tips on what I’ve learned about helping your little one(s) and photographer get those fun family shots all of us moms want.
// 1 //
Lower Expectations
Getting a photo of us all looking into the lens was quite a challenge this time around! We did get some great photos because our photographer is amazing. However, it was much harder with a toddler than it was with Abby as a 5-month-old.
Fifteen minutes in I honestly thought we wouldn’t get a single photo of us all smiling, let alone looking into the lens. You know... that one moment all of us moms want captured for our holiday cards? I just wanted one and (of course with Marisa), we got it!
However I quickly realized I needed to lower my expectation of getting multiple smiling and hugging posed photos like we did last time. Once I lowered my expectations in the session, I was then able to relax and have a good time and truthfully, that’s why we hired a photographer: to capture us as we truly are, which is what you see.
// 2 //
Find What Makes Them Smile & Laugh
This was a question my photographer asked ahead of time, however I pull out these tricks out all the time with Abby when taking photos of her! I think I emailed Marissa about fiftenn things that I knew would get Abby to smile.
Every child is different so my best advice on finding this one is to play with them. You’ll start to see where they are ticklish. Do they like to be held upside down? To be turned? Lifted? What funny noises make them laugh? Once you start playing with them, take a mental note of what makes them smile and laugh. Then feel free to use every single one during your photo session!
// 3 //
Homework
Giving basic directions such as, “wait for me,” or “time put the books back” let me practice at home with Abby on how to listen and follow directions. For example, when we were in swim lesson this past summer Abby learned to “sit, listen and wait” until I told her to move. I apply this expectation all the time at home even if we’re not in the water. She knows what it means and how to do it. Homework really does helps!
// 4 //
Extra Clothes
If you happened to see my Instagram stories during the weekend we had family photo's, I shared a funny clip about Abby suddenly needing a wardrobe change right before the photo shoot. I’m glad we packed extra clothes because the dress we changed her into was the same one she wore while being baptized, which actually gave our family photos that much more meaning. I'm so glad I brought a back-up!
// 5 //
Arrival Time
This is the one thing I would have changed if I could go back. Due to the location of our photography session we had a bit of a drive and by the time we arrived unfortunately, we were asking Abby’s attention from the moment we took her out of the car seat. So next time, we will plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before meeting our photographer so Abby has time to play and get familiar with the space.
I truly believe like all new parks or fun outdoor spaces (grassy fields are her favorite!) she would have followed directions a bit more had we given her more time to adjust and play after a long drive. It was really challenging for the three of us to compete with a beautiful grassy field!
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| All images by Ciccarelli Photography |
In all, I loved our time as a family out and about in the grassy field because when else would we be all dressed up with a sunset in the background on a warm 70-degree Autumn night? The entire experience felt just a bit magical.
I hope these ideas help you and your family plan, relax and enjoy your time together while getting your own family photos done because well, even with a wardrobe change at the last minute, toddlers and babies don’t keep. : )
Until next week!
Steve's Button Up Shirt // Pants // Boots
Abby's White Dress (sold out) similar one here // Gold Ballet Flats // Pink Hair bows
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