Relieving the Pressure of Perfect Family Photos

With all the holidays coming up and Christmas card season right around the corner, family photo time is upon us. If you have young kids taking family photos can be a very stressful time. And rightfully so. I mean who doesn’t want to capture that perfect, all happy and smiling photo of everyone in one shot?

Whether it is realistic or not this was always my goal whenever getting professional photos done. Now with two kids ages 2 and under, I’ve learned you have to roll with the punches and not expect perfection. Going into family photos with lower expectations can help you be happier with the results. Here are some ways to help you relieve the pressure of capturing the perfect photo so that you can just enjoy your time together as a family while you take photos instead.

Don’t take it to seriously

This is the biggest adjustment I have made to how I approach photos. I used to take them so seriously, determined to get the perfect shot. Being too serious can ruin it for everyone. You want the environment to be fun and for your kids to enjoy it. So lighten up, joke around, make things more fun and everyone’s moods will follow suit.

You can’t afford to be picky

This is all too true with young kids! The attention of kids can only be held for so long. You need to make sure all adults and older children are on their A-game so that you can try to capture that great photo of everyone happy at once. However, you also need to be prepared that that may not happen. Kids’ attention can only be held for so long. They get bored and over it easily. You can’t afford to be picky with family photos or you will always be disappointed.

Candids can be some of the best photos

I’ve always been a fan of candids when it comes to others but it took me some time to appreciate them of myself. Keep things normal for your kids as best as you can. Talk to them, play with them, make them laugh, run around, you catch my drift. Just interacting with your kids creates that more natural look and feel. Candids really are some of the cutest photos and you will be creating real memories of those moments to last forever.

Make it fun for the kids

Keeping your kids happy and entertained will help to keep them engaged. Just as I mentioned keeping things real for them will help make it fun for them. Play a game, race with them, dance with them, etc. Do what they love and make it fun for them. When the kids are happy, the parents are happy, and thus the photographer is happy and you can get some great shots.

Take what you can get

Not being picky will help a lot with this one. Sometimes your kids just aren’t having it. Try to remember that you don’t always have a great, happy day and neither do your kids. Even if you don’t get exactly what you want with photos you ultimately have to take what you can get. Embrace all the candids and serious photos. Even the grumpy or crying ones. Make the most of what photos you get.

Instead of stressing and being disappointed with the not-as-perfect-as-you-imagined photos, try being present and enjoying your photos for a change. They won’t be as bad as you think. And even if they are, you’ll have a great story to go along with them. Make some new family memories while you take your photos and have fun!