One of the questions I get asked most often before a family session is, “What if my child doesn’t cooperate?” My answer is almost always the same: I don’t expect them to. Children weren’t meant to stand perfectly still, smile on command, and look at the camera for an hour. They’re curious, adventurous, and full of personality, and that’s exactly why I photograph families the way I do.
I truly believe the key to an amazing family session isn’t getting every child to smile perfectly at the camera. The real success is when the kids leave saying, “That was fun!” If they’re having fun, the smiles become genuine, the laughter is real, and the memories are authentic. I’ll choose that over stiff poses every single time.
More Smiles Than Meltdowns
Do meltdowns happen? Absolutely. Toddlers have big feelings, and sometimes they’re tired, hungry, overwhelmed, or simply done being photographed. The funny thing is, I probably see far more toddler meltdowns than you would ever know from looking through my galleries. 😉
When that happens, we simply adjust. We might move to a new location, take a short break, play a game, or let your little one explore for a few minutes. I don’t force smiles because they rarely look genuine anyway. Instead, I let kids be kids, and more often than not, that’s when the magic happens.
This Sweet Session at the White Barn Inn
Before this session, Mom messaged me to let me know her son was in the “stranger danger” phase. If you’ve ever had an 18-month-old to 2½-year-old, you probably know exactly what she’s talking about. It’s incredibly common, and I see it much more often than you would ever guess from my photos.
When I arrived at the beautiful White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, he was exactly as Mom described. He wanted to stay close to her and wasn’t too sure about the stranger with the camera. Instead of asking him to smile or trying to win him over immediately, I simply gave him space. I stood back, let him observe me, and allowed their family to play together naturally.
As he became more comfortable, we followed his lead. We walked where he wanted to walk, tossed him in the air, laughed, and let him explore. Before long, he wasn’t thinking about me anymore. He was simply having fun with his parents, and that’s exactly when the biggest smiles started to appear.
Ending at the Beach
After spending time around the White Barn Inn, we headed to the beach, where everyone could relax even more. Mom and Dad did such a wonderful job simply enjoying the moment instead of worrying about perfect poses. They let him splash, run, laugh, and play, and those moments became some of my favorite images from the entire session.
There’s something so beautiful about parents trusting the process and allowing their children to simply be themselves. Those genuine interactions create photographs that feel alive because they’re real.
The Memories That Matter Most
When I drove home that evening, I couldn’t stop smiling. This session reminded me why I love photographing families the way I do. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about connection, laughter, and documenting a family exactly as they are during this season of life.
If your toddler is shy, going through a stranger danger phase, or just isn’t interested in smiling on command, please don’t let that stop you from scheduling family photos. Some of my favorite galleries have started with hesitation or even a few tears. By slowing down, following your child’s lead, and focusing on having fun, we create images that are beautiful, authentic, and filled with the memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
Are you coming to Maine and want to celebrate with fun family photos? Contact me and lets plan the perfect session.
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