How To Get Your Kids Ready | Rochester Hills Family Photographer

So you’ve booked a session with your family photographer, but you’re wondering how to get your kids ready? Well, we’ve got some fun and fool-proof ways to get your children amped up. (Or maybe at least cooperative!) Here’s our top tips.

1. Let’s start with what they’re going to wear. Let them have a say in choosing their outfits. If they’re little, give them a couple pre-selected options to pick from – i.e., do you want to wear this sweater or that sweater? This creates some anticipation and gets them involved from the outset. Watch how proud they are of their choices come session day!

2. It might go without saying, but sometimes the little things get overlooked. Make sure they’re well-fed, well-hydrated, well-rested, and visit the bathroom right before they get in the car. Content kids equal a fun session and awesome images!

3. Set an award following your session. Let them know that afterward you’ll grab your favorite pizza, ice cream, or some other treat they love and will look forward to.

4. Show them other family sessions. This could be famous people they see in their favorite shows or movies, their favorite musicians, aunts/uncles/cousins, even their friends’ families. They might realize this is something a lot of people do, and might warm up to the idea a little easier.

5. If your kids are a little older and into social media, let them know we’ll take some images of them on their own. They can update their profile pic. Win-win!

6. Simply talk about it. Try to make it a privilege, not a hassle. If you amp them up by letting them know how COOL and FUN these photo sessions are, how much YOU personally are looking forward to it, how you CAN’T WAIT to have new photographs to display in your home and on your holiday cards, etc., they might show up more open and ready to create some memories!

7. If you have teens and they’re not buying any of this, just remind them that they’re part of a family. Sometimes you do things to help out your family – even if you’re not entirely thrilled about it. Ultimately, this will only take an hour of their day and they then can get back to doing whatever else it is that they’d rather be doing!

8. Finally, the most important thing to remember when thinking about how to get your kids ready is your attitude & demeanor. These things will carry over to your kids. You set the tone. If you’re stressed and irritated, your kids will be as well. Know that you’ve hired a professional and you’re in great hands. We’ll guide you through the whole session and make it as painless as possible. Come to your session smiling, happy, RELAXED and ready to love on your family. Your kids will follow suit!

Have some more questions? You can find the answers to our most frequently asked session questions here.

And you can read our Top 5 tips on What to Wear for your session here.