As North Texas starts to flirt with warmer weather, I’m getting excited for the family photo sessions I have planned for this spring! There’s no better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than by meeting new clients, reconnecting with old clients, and capturing authentic memories they can cherish for years to come.

If you’re planning on a family photoshoot but are feeling a little anxious about how the session might go—especially with little kids—here are a few pieces of advice I’ve picked up over the years as a DFW family photographer that can help your session go more smoothly! 

Go with the Flow and Embrace the Messiness

There is definitely nothing wrong with planning ahead and prepping your little ones for a photo session. Making sure toddlers are well rested and have full tummies can help us get off to a good start! That said, you can rarely plan for how your kids are going to behave. Maybe they’ll be extra cuddly and shy, or maybe they’ll be full of energy and bouncing around the studio. But no matter what happens, you can trust that I will capture beautiful moments between you and your family members. In fact, it is in the ‘messiness’ that I often capture the most authentic and timeless photographs! The best thing you can do is embrace however your little chooses to act, whether that’s excitable and silly or serious and sedate or anything in between. 

Be Present

One of the best ways to embrace the chaos is simply to be present in the moment. Try not to think about how the photos are going to look, but rather enjoy the togetherness you’re having at the session itself. Treat your photoshoot as a fun family activity—it’s not often you get to dress up in cute, coordinating outfits and cuddle and laugh together! What’s more, when your kids sense you being calm and present, it will help them relax too!

Don’t be Afraid to be Silly 

Yes, your little one might be shy, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. Don’t be embarrassed about playing along with the games, laughing at my silly jokes, or trying a pose that maybe feels a little cheesy. I offer suggestions to get you laughing genuinely and to prompt those natural interactions that create photos that feel true to life. I promise I won’t ever let you look silly in a photo! 

As a mom of three and DFW family photographer of three years, I’ve learned from experience that you can’t force kids to act a certain way for photos. And that’s OKAY! The best way to ensure a beautiful session is to let your kids be kids. Better yet, let your kids be YOUR kids, whatever that means the day of the photoshoot. So long as you are present and relaxed, I promise your photos will be everything you dreamed of and more. 

Ana Dufreche is a luxury, lifestyle photographer servicing the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and its surrounding cities including Plano, Richardson, Frisco, McKinney, Grapevine, Allen and more. She specializes in motherhood, family, and newborn photography. Her sessions take place outdoors, in-home, and at her studio. The ADP studio is located in North Dallas!