10 things to know when planning a photoshoot with a toddler:
- Megan Liberatore
- Sep 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 11, 2023
Dress comfortably
Short Attention spans
Bring a helper
Bring snacks or treats
Be silly and have fun
Expect and enjoy the crazy
Bring props or toys
Plan for a long time but expect a short shoot
Let them lead
Include sibling interaction
1. Dress Comfortably
Dressing your toddler in comfortable outfits can make your photoshoot experience a whole lot smoother and enjoyable for your whole family.
During this session, the mom brought this toddler's Binkie in order to keep her comfortable during the photoshoot. She also made sure she wore a dress she wore often and knew she loved to wear any day.
If you want to have an outdoor toddler photography session, make sure to plan ahead with the weather in case it is hot or cold to dress accordingly.
2. Short attention spans
I'm sure if you have a toddler, I don't need to tell you that they have short attention spans. When planning a photoshoot with toddlers, it's essential to remember this.
To capture those precious family moments successfully, hire a professional family photographer experienced in working with toddler-friendly techniques.
Remember to be patient with the entire experience and to enjoy the silly candids that may come out of it like this one.
3. Bring a helper
When preparing for a family photoshoot with toddlers, it can be incredibly beneficial to consider bringing a helper along to the photoshoot.
Whether it be grandma or the family dog, bringing someone familiar and liked by your toddler can extremely help them throughout the entire photoshoot.
It never hurts to have an extra set of hands, especially when dealing with a difficult toddler or multiple children in your family.
4. Bring snacks or treats
Bringing snacks to a photoshoot with a toddler can be a lifesaver. As most parents know, snacks provide a quick and easy distraction to help prevent restlessness, even during a family photo session.
Treats are also great for rewards for saying "cheese" with their best smile or having the patience to keep going.
Make sure to use snacks or treats that your toddler already knows and loves. This can help make them feel more comfortable in this new setting and potentially a new photographer they are not familiar with.
5. Be silly and have fun
Let's face it, even adults don't like picture day. As dreadful as family photos can be, making the photoshoot silly can lead to magical moments.
Candid photos have always been my absolute favorite photos to take and having fun makes them better than ever. If you and your toddler are struggling to have guenuine smiles for your photos, make each other laugh.
This father got his daughter giggling by playing their favorite game and having her fly through the air before he catches her again. With both of you enjoying your time together, it allows me to capture it for you.
6. Expect and enjoy the crazy
Every parent wants to have the "picture perfect" family, yet we all know that doesn't exist. You will always have unpredictable moments with your toddlers, why not have them captured while we are at it?
I always give clients their "crazy" photos because it makes them cherish the memories made. It also helps make the photoshoot more authentic.
If you don't think your family photos will be crazy, especially with a toddler running around, you need a reality check. Expect the crazy. But it is just as important to enjoy it while it lasts.
7. Bring props or toys
It is a brilliant idea to bring props or toys to a photoshoot with your toddler. Not only do they help keep them engaged and happy, but it can add a touch of personality to the photos.
This photoshoot, we used a tin to help this toddler sit still for photos. She was more engaged and focused during poses. The tin also added a rustic feel to the photos like the mother wanted.
It never hurts to add a bit of personalitiy to help get candid photos, whether it be blanket, toy, or tin to sit in.
8. Plan for a long time but expect a short shoot
Toddlers are very unpredictable, so it's wise to expect the unexpected when planning the length of a family photoshoot. I would suggest planning a photoshoot with a longer length of time but be okay if it is shorter than your original plan.
Expecting a shorter timeframe can help reduce stress and allow the photographer to capture those precious moments efficiently, leaving room for unexpected bursts of toddler energy and ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
9. Let them lead
Though it sounds pretty backwards, it can really pay off to let your toddler lead your family photoshoot. During this family shoot, the toddler fought our poses the entire time. Giving up, we moved on to different photos with other members of the family. For some reason, that made our toddler ready to join the poses again and became very workable.
By taking photos when the toddler was ready to, it made it so much easier to get adorable, genuine photos full of personality and joy.
10. Include Sibling interaction
Though they might not always act like it, we all know deep down all siblings secretly love each other. By including more sibling interaction in photoshoots, toddlers can see the photos as a more exciting activity.
Any parent knows that toddlers want to do what their siblings are doing, so in a way, you can trick them into being in photos. In this photoshoot, this toddler wanted to be in almost every photo her brothers were in.
Siblings can be powerful to help catch toddler's attention and even enjoyment during a photoshoot.
Conclusion
By following these 10 tips for planning a photoshoot with a toddler, it can make it easier to capture the photos you are looking for.
A final tip for having a great photoshoot is by booking with a great photographer with experience with toddlers. Contact Megan Elizabeth Media today to book your family photoshoot in Southern Utah!
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