Washington DC Family Session
tips for preparing for Your toddler for family photos
Family portraits on the Kennedy Center Terrace are always a favorite of mine, and I think these are especially lovely. They are also a great representation of the beautiful portraits we can make together even if your little one is feeling a little shy (like this sweet girl was) or simply out of sorts (it happens to the best of us!) on picture day.
Timing is Everything I cannot stress this one enough, choose a time of day that works best for them! Well-rested, recently fed toddlers tend to be the happiest version of themselves (I can relate!). I shoot outdoor sessions in the morning within an hour or two of sunrise, or the late afternoon/evening, two hours before sunset. If you are scheduling photos in the summer or early fall, those times can be VERY early or way past dinner and bedtime, so think about when your child is happiest and we can make a plan from there to maximize our chances!
Hold the cheese Let them be themselves and PLEASE refrain from asking them to say cheese. Rather, we can tell jokes, do silly dances, tickle them, ask about their favorite things, and just play with them to get genuine smiles. Sometimes toddlers even fall for a little reverse psychology (don’t you dare smile, don’t giggle) and those can be the BEST smiles ever.
Bring their Lovey or favorite toy - sure, they might insist on it being in the photos, but that will just be a sweet reminder of this phase of life (and a well-loved lovey or even a bright yellow truck will look better than a grumpy or crying toddler)
Have Snacks and Water Normally I say not to introduce food, especially candy if you are rewarding them with it, until the end of the session, but a hangry kid is a hangry kid and sometimes only a snack or sip of water will do. Having small, non-finger-staining, snacks that can be hidden in your palms (bunny grahams, plain goldfish, puffs, cherrios etc) can really save the day!
Relax and have fun I know having your picture taken as an adult can be stressful enough on its own, without trying to factor in cooperative (or not) toddlers. But, kids can pick up on tension and stress, so try to stay upbeat and relaxed no matter what happens. I promise you, after nearly a decade photographing families in DC, there’s nothing your kid can say or do that will phase me, or that I probably haven’t seen - truly.
Don’t over-schedule I know this is easier said than done, but try to keep the day before and day of your session as easy and normal as possible. The day after a birthday party or a big visit from out of town family is not always the best time for photos as your toddler can be overstimulated and overwhelmed. Sticking to their routine - or adjusting it slightly to accommodate for your session time - is the best advice!
Call Me Please do not hesitate to schedule a call with me before your session if you think there is any information you want to share that might make your child more comfortable and even excited to do photos with Miss Amanda. If they are feeling particularly shy, arrive to the session early to let them get used to the location and gently introduce me to the outing.
Amanda Reynolds is the Washington DC-based photographer at PLUME Photography. She specializes in newborn, maternity, baby, family & Heirloom Portrait photography in the DC area, including Alexandria, VA, McLean, VA, Chevy Chase, MD & beyond.
If you are interested in working with PLUME to capture your growing family, please inquire below.