As a Port Angeles family adventure photographer (and mom of a couple of chaos-loving grade schoolers and teens), I know that prepping for a family photo session can feel a little… daunting. What do we wear? Will the kids behave? Will I have to bribe someone with fruit snacks and/or my eternal soul?
But here’s the truth: your photo session shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like what it is—a beautiful, joy-filled experience with the people you love most. The best photos come when your family is relaxed, playful, and connected. These tips will help you show up feeling good and ready to make magic.
1. Let Go of Perfection—It’s Not the Goal
This is not a school picture day. This is not a Sears portrait studio in 1998. This is a documentary-style adventure photo session, which means I’m not looking for everyone to sit still and smile on command.
Your kids are going to be themselves. This might include grass stains, lizard sightings, or announcing they have to pee the second we hike to the most scenic overlook. That’s okay! In fact, that’s the good stuff. Embrace it, and your photos will reflect the love and connection that brought you here in the first place. But let’s try to take care of peeing before the scenic outlook if possible.
2. Let the Kids Be Kids (Seriously, Let Them)
Storytime. Two moms who shall both remain nameless in two different families, and two different shoots both dealt with the dreaded phase where kids literally forget how to use their faces to smile. Instead they did the scary tooth grimace. You know the one. Where it looks like they’re either trying to hold in a sneeze or act in a toothpaste commercial.
The first mom got flustered and said, “That’s not a real smile! Stop doing that with your face! Don’t smile like that” Which only made the kid more nervous, and things quickly spiraled. She had a hard time letting go of trying to control her child’s face. Luckily I helped the mom have a perspective shift and refocus, so the crisis was averted. (Notice that I said I helped the mom refocus…let that sink in for a minute.)
The second mom? The grimace kicked in and she tickled him. She teased him. She trusted me and stayed playful. Grimace score: 0, mom: 1.
Lesson learned: joy is contagious. If you’re having fun, your kids will too. And I’ll be there capturing the real magic—no forced smiles required.
See the difference a moment of patience and playfulness makes? Both photos are beautiful because mom is regulated and happy. But that smile is priceless.
3. Prioritize Playfulness Over Perfection
Your job is to love on your people. That’s it. I’ll take care of the rest.
Don’t worry about the “right” way to pose or whether someone’s collar is crooked (I’ll see it if it matters). Don’t get stiff if your toddler throws sand in the air or your five-year-old turns into a dragon mid-hug. That’s the heart of documentary-style photography—real moments that show who your family is right now.
So how do you prep for this kind of connection at your photoshoot? Don’t over schedule your photo day. Make all reasonable attempts to save discipline or lectures for another day. Make sure that the actual day of your photoshoot is loving and connected. Listen to a calming or fun playlist on your way to the shoot. Do whatever you have to do to simplify. Whether that is eating breakfast or lunch out, or canceling any routines or commitments that will overburden the day. Create a vibe that will carry through your shoot!
4. Prep Early—Then Let It Go
Outfits? I’ve got you. Locations? Covered. I’ll help you find just the right setting and suggest wardrobe pieces (including items from my curated client closet) that feel natural, beautiful, and comfortable.
But none of that prep will matter if you show up stressed and trying to control every little thing.
Get the prep done early. Give yourself a buffer that morning by having everything set out for each person the day before to avoid last minute stress. Resist the urge to overpack—your peace of mind is more important than an extra granola bar. Show up ready to explore, laugh, and snuggle. The rest will unfold beautifully, promise.
5. Trust the Process (and Me)
This isn’t my first photo rodeo. I’ve shot in wind, rain, wild toddler moods, and full-on hangry meltdowns. (Always try to plan ahead to avoid hangry meltdowns though. Just because I can deal with them doesn’t mean we want to when a little planning could prevent it). I know how to read the room and guide things gently without interrupting the connection between you and your people. Prep for your shoot by coming into it knowing I’ve got this, and so do you.
This sweet family had their photo session on a gorgeous sunny but VERY windy and cold day. We took breaks to warm up, snuggled in close, chose poses that kept their babies blocked out of the wind as much as possible, and mom and dad stayed playful and happy!
Once you’re booked, I’ll send over a gorgeous printed 24-page guide that walks you through exactly what to expect—including more tips for prep, the session itself, and choosing your printed heirloom products afterward. I’m with you every step of the way.
Ready for a Family Session That Actually Feels Good?
If you’re dreaming of meaningful, connected images and a photo session that feels more like a memory than a checklist, let’s talk. Spring is the perfect time to book—with the golden days of summer and fall just around the corner. 👉 Use my contact form to get in touch and start planning your stress-free family adventure photo session today!
