Seattle Family Photographer gives toddler tips!

Having a toddler myself, I know planning a beautiful photo session can be overwhelming. Toddlers can be unpredictable. One thing is for certain though, your toddler loves YOU! They most definitely will want to play with and hug on their parent. Which is perfect for capturing sweet moments together. Hopefully these tips help you feel more confident going into your family session with your toddler.

These first two seem obvious but I am going to share them anyways.

1.) Plan your session to take place an hour after a nap!

This gives your little one time to wake up from their nap and they won’t be tired getting close to another one yet.    

2.) Make sure they have had something to eat right before and bring snacks with you!

Sometimes a small snack is all they need to feel energized and lighten the mood. I recommend snacks that are small and easy to pop in the mouth so we can capture moments without it being obvious they are eating.

3.) Come prepared to PLAY!

The best photos are the ones where you and your toddler are laughing and smiling. That happens when you’re having fun together. Singing their favorite songs, dancing, tickling etc. Bringing a toy they love, playing music or blowing bubbles usually does the trick! 

4.) Don’t start to stress.

You may arrive and feel as though your toddler is having a difficult time. That can be stressful and put pressure on both you and your toddler which makes things harder. I PROMISE, even if it doesn’t feel like it’s going well, I will capture beautiful images and you won’t even be able to tell when looking at them that your toddler was having a hard time. 

5.) Consider booking a full session!

This one is challenging because many parents think their child won’t last a full hour. Trust me, you will want the time. For example, let’s say you show up and your toddler is shy, nervous or scared. It may take five to ten minutes for them to warm up and get comfortable. If you booked a mini session, that’s now half of your time. It’s really great to take the time to explore around our location, play and warm up for both you and your toddler. They will most definitely want to play and interact with you for as long as you can and I am there to capture those moments. 

I hope this was helpful! If you are wanting family photos, no matter what age your children are, I am the photographer for you!