Ideas For Making Sure Your Family Photo's Aren't A Sh*t Show.

Family photos are one of the best investments you can make in my mind. One of the first things I’ve learned as a mom is just how true it is when people tell you that the time goes by fast. 

I remember the first time I had to put my son's tiny little newborn onesies in the storage box and just bawling because he grew right before my eyes. I still get a little teary eyed every time it’s time to rotate his closest to the next size again. 

Then I pull out our newborn photos and remind myself I have this beautiful keepsake to remember how small he was when I feel upset about him turning into a “big boy” all over again. 

We plan to do some holiday photos this year which got me thinking about how to nail them with an unpredictable little one. I like to dabble in photography as a hobby and anytime I’ve tried to wrangle our families' little ones together for pictures it has been a very hit or miss experience to say the least. 

Not to mention, while I advocate that family photography is a key investment; they are very much an investment. Which probably leaves most families wanting to nail their photos knowing that they can be costly. Aside from cost, these are the photos people will walk by in your home or flip through in an album and the photos the next generations of your family members will look back on down the road. 

So I thought I would reach out to a few pros and get their insight on how you can nail your family photos this year. If you want to rock your holiday cards, stay tuned! 

Of course, I reached out to our family's photographer first. We obviously love her work. She’s been watching us grow from engagement to wedding, to maternity to newborn and will capture our big future milestones as well. 

Emilie Gagne is the owner/ operator of her photography business Emilie Elizabeth Photography. 

The first topic area we explored is how to pick the right session style. I prefer Emilie’s style which is very organic and lifestyle. Her work really captures authentic moments. Her editing style is very natural and always looks timeless on our walls. Emilie is extremely easy going and doesn’t have a very rigid photo taking process. She’s very flexible and doesn’t make our shoots feel cookie cutter. 

In fact, when she came to our place to shoot our newborn session we did some fun on the fly improvising. Our session started out inside with our two week old. He was much more alert than we expected. Not sure what happened to the promised sleepy head baby everyone said we would get but our son had other intentions. He has been a very curious little bug since the day he was born and you won’t catch him not paying attention. He still has a serious fear of missing out to this day. 

Since he was so wide awake, we weren’t getting those precious sleepy smiles in the nursery. I was starting to panic because he was getting kind of fussy. Then Emilie looked outside and saw it was really nice out so she suggested we try a few shots out there. 

There’s nothing like the effects of fresh air on a baby. Little man calmed right down and we got lots of sleepy smiles and sweet moments. 

Emilie even whipped together a little outdoor set for us using our home decor and a piece from our outdoor wicker set on the fly. I love the photos so much more since they reflect our authentic style using items that have meaning to us. Emilie does suggest checking with your photographer first if this is something you want to try. She says some photographers love it and some don’t. 

I’m boasting about lifestyle sessions but they’re not for everyone. There are different styles and atmospheres to choose from. Emilie says a good tip for picking a session style is to “Consider what you are going to use the pictures for. Is it a holiday card, photo album, wall art or just for fun?” 

Farrah from Farrah Sanjari Photography is another photographer whose work I admire. She has provided some great insight as well. Farrah shared with me a really great breakdown of the different session styles families can choose from. You can check out her tips on how to pick your session style on the guide here.

Circling back on bringing in props for your shoot, Farrah added that “Bringing your own props or decor to a session can be one of the best ways to add personal touches that make your photos more meaningful and reflect your family’s unique story. Whether it’s a cozy blanket for a picnic, your kids’ favourite books, or something fun like a playful sign, small details can enhance the session. That said, it’s best to keep things simple—a few well-chosen items are often more effective than bringing a lot of stuff. The goal is to let the props complement the vibe without taking over, so the focus stays on your family.” 

If you are doing holiday or seasonal photos, Farrah suggests using props like pumpkins for fall or matching Santa hats for Christmas. She cautions that It’s helpful to consider whether the props fit the location, though—a blanket works perfectly in a park setting, for example, but might feel out of place in an urban backdrop.

After you’ve decided what session style that works for you, there’s a few more steps you can take to help you start to feel excited and ready for your session. 

For example, it might be helpful to start socializing the idea of your session with your younger children beforehand. Emilie suggests that “You can always practice at home! Show your kids what the photographer would typically ask or do. Get them familiarized with the photographer’s name. For example, <Here’s Emilie, the photographer we’ve been excited to see.>” 

Another thing Emilie mentions you can do to prepare in advance is engage them in taking photos at home. She says “You can take pictures to show them exactly what the photographer is going to be doing and then let them take pictures of you.” 

Another great way to increase your chances of success is to strategically pick your session time around your child’s schedule. Emilie talks about knowing your child’s tolerance level and trying to stick to 15-20 min mini sessions if you know they aren’t going to last much longer than that. You can also consider whether your child is usually cranky before or after school for example and avoid booking your session during those times. 

If you think you’d benefit from a more in depth breakdown, you can check out Farrah’s tips for preparing your little one for your photoshoot using the guide.

Other preparation for your photos you are probably thinking about is what to wear. Emilie reassures that most photographers have style guides you can review if you ask them for a copy. Emilie’s general style tips are “Not too many patterns, solid colours, no neons or big logos.” 

Farrah had some great styling tips to share as well. She adds “When it comes to picking outfits for a family shoot, the goal is to feel good and look like yourselves. Photos capture memories that last a lifetime, so it’s worth a little planning to help everyone look and feel their best.” 

Her top tips? Farrah says “First off, coordinate, don’t match. The days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and jeans are behind us. Instead, aim for a color palette that compliments each other—think soft neutrals, warm earth tones, or cool blues. Subtle patterns like florals or plaids can add variety, but it’s best to avoid anything too bold or busy. Textures such as knits, denim, or linen also photograph beautifully and add dimension.” 

When selecting your attire, Farrah warns that “Uncomfortable clothing can also affect the vibe of the session. If kids (or adults) feel restricted or irritated by what they’re wearing, it tends to show. Choosing outfits that are both comfortable and season-appropriate helps keep everyone at ease. Overcomplicating things with too many props or ideas can sometimes overwhelm the session, making it harder to focus on capturing natural moments.” 

Don’t forget about your shoes! Farrah mentions that for shoes, “Practicality is important. If the session is outdoors, heels might not be ideal, and little ones will likely feel happier in shoes they can run around in comfortably.” 

When it comes to accessories, Farrah thinks they can add a nice finishing touch. She just recommends that simple is often better. Farrah says to think “A cozy scarf, a cute hat, or a subtle necklace” These accessories can complement your look, style and session vibe without drawing too much attention to the accessory over your family. 

If you choose to wear makeup or style your hair for your session, Farrah says natural always works well. She adds “Light makeup that enhances but doesn’t overwhelm keeps the focus on connection and authenticity. If a fresh haircut or blowout helps boost confidence, it can be a nice touch—just no need to aim for perfection. The goal is to capture the essence of the family, not a polished, idealized version.” 

After you’ve decided what you’re going to wear, planning ahead can make the day much less stressful. Farrah recommends laying out the outfits the night before, including shoes and accessories. Doing so helps avoid scrambling at the last minute. For kids,don’t let yourself get stuck by not trying on their outfits in advance to ensure everything fits comfortably and prevent any unexpected meltdowns. We have all been there where you try a new brand and the size doesn’t fit your kiddo quite like all the other brands you have in that size does. 

When it comes to keeping little ones onboard during your session Farrah put together some really great pointers you can check out on the guide. 

What about some factors that could put a damper on the overall success of your photoshoot? Emilie says a key thing in the success of your photoshoot is picking a photographer that you mesh well with. She says “Know your photographer. If your personalities don’t match, that can hinder the mood of the shoot. Find a photographer that speaks to you personality wise.” 

I couldn’t agree more. I know this post is tailored to preparing your kids for a photoshoot but Emilie’s point about meshing well with your photographer makes me think of my husband. Although, it would likely be an entirely separate post to prep most husbands for a photoshoot; one secret weapon we have is a personable photographer. My husband is generally a pretty good sport for photos. So I am lucky that way but he definitely comes out of his shell more for our photos since we get along really well with Emilie. I feel like if we had a photographer that wasn’t as similar to our vibe he would be less of a good sport, more shy and probably more impatient with the process for sure. 

Another thing that may reduce your session’s success is overall attitude. Not to worry, Emilie says it’s okay to “let kids be kids and have the photographer capture kids being kids. Trust your photographer and their work.” 

When it comes to weather, trust your photographer to make the call. If it really isn’t going to work out they will let you know and set up a reschedule. 

From Farrah’s perspective, she adds that she’s seen a few things that can impact how smoothly a family photo session goes. 

Farrah says “Stress and high expectations are often at the top of the list—when everyone is focused on getting everything just right, it can add pressure and make it harder to relax and enjoy the moment. Embracing spontaneity and going with the flow usually leads to the best results.”

Farrah agrees with Emilie that another chance your session might not go well is due to tired or hungry kids. She echoes Emilie in suggesting that parents should schedule the session around their happiest times of day. In her experience, the best times have been after naps or meals. 

So there you have it! If you want your family photo session to be as seamless as possible, give these tips & tricks a go! Can’t wait to see some beautiful family photos in my feed this holiday season.