I’ll go ahead and admit it, I’m terrible at updating pictures in my home. I have five kids, but according to our picture frames, I only have three. To add to the confusion, I’m not in hardly any of the pictures either. Like most moms, I’m really good at capturing cute pictures of my kids. But fail to get pictures of me with my kids unless it is a cheesy selfie. So I try to update our family pictures at least every other year.
Family pictures can feel a little overwhelming, especially with a big group of kids. Coordinating outfits, keeping those outfits and the kids wearing them clean, trying to get everyone to look and smile at the same time takes a lot of work! After all of the planning and preparation, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s ok!
We have had quite a few family photo sessions with kids being between two months old and eight years old. Mostly, good experiences, but also a couple of bad experiences. So, I wanted to put together a guide for you to use to help make this the best family photo session yet!
1. Hire a Kid Friendly Photographer
This is the most important piece of getting great family pictures! Find someone that the kids like, trust, and have fun with. It makes a huge difference in capturing genuine smiles.
Our current family photographer used to work in a pediatrician’s office so she won the kids over from the very first time we met. We found her on a Facebook after asking our community for recommendations. So don’t be afraid to do the same!
2. Coordinate Your Outfits
My first suggestion is to take into consideration the season and weather you will be taking pictures in. You want everyone to be comfortable.
For outfits try to avoid having everyone match. Instead, try coordinating three or four different colors. With our most recent family pictures, I chose denim, acorn brown, and blush pink. Don’t be afraid to use Pinterest for inspiration!
I think it is easier to start with infant and toddler outfits first. That size of clothing is a little more limited in finding the right color scheme without having conflicting patterns .
I actually hate clothes shopping so I do it all online. It is easier and quicker for me to filter results based on color preference to find what items can be picked up and what needs to to be shipped. So, I highly recommend getting your outfits figured out at least three weeks in advance. My favorite places to find the best family picture outfits that won’t break the bank are Target, Kohl’s, and Old Navy.
3. Bring Fed and Well Rested Kids
The perfect time for family photos for us has been around 4pm. This always ensures enough time for kids to finish naps and have a quick snack. Because our photographer never expects long attention spans, we are usually done in about an hour. Which is just in time for dinner to save us from the hangry meltdowns!
4. Use Mess Free Snacks as Bribery
I am not above bribery to get my kids to cooperate! Fruit snacks are my go to when I need a little extra convincing. You could also pack cheese cubes, nuts, apple slices, grapes, granola bars, or goldfish to snack on in between pictures.
When all else fails, bribe them with ice cream afterwards. It works every time!
5. Have Fun
Seriously, don’t forget to have fun! You get the best pictures when the kids are free and comfortable to be who they are. We love picking new family picture locations so the kids feel like we are out on a new adventure.
My rule is that if my kids can stay clean for about an hour and half, they can do whatever they want after that (within reason.)
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I love that our photographer is not only able to capture each kids’ personality and smile, but capture our family’s love for one another as a whole. These moments in your motherhood journey is something you will cherish and remember forever. So don’t forget, as you put in all of the effort to create the most perfect family photo, your hard work will be worth it in the end!
What helps get your kids to cooperate in family pictures? Let me know in the comments!
