.

.

When Your Kids Don’t Listen During Family Photos

Worrying about whether their kids will listen to direction during their family photoshoot is one of the biggest stressors my clients share with me. As a San Diego family photographer, I hear this all the time—especially from parents of toddlers and preschoolers.

.

The Most Chaotic Session I’ve Ever Loved

A few weeks ago, I met a family at La Jolla’s iconic Windansea Beach for their session. They had three small children, ages two, three, and five. And those kids didn’t listen ONE bit.

As soon as those little feet hit the sand, they were off, running and playing and exploring. And they ignored directions entirely.

At first, it was complete chaos. Mom and dad were shouting out instructions; the kids were running in all directions and skillfully ignoring them.

I saw mom and dad were beginning to feel the strain, to say the least. Meaningful family photos are incredibly important to them, and it had taken a lot of work to get everyone dressed and out the door on time.

So I said to them, “don’t worry about it, just let them run and play. I’ll capture them just as they are, because this is who your family and your life is anyway – fun, lively, active, and a bit chaotic. So let’s just lean into it.”

And that’s what we did. Mom and dad joined their kids in the fun and play, and I ran after everyone with my camera.

.

The Results: Beautiful Images Bursting with Life and Authenticity

As soon as I got those images onto my computer and started editing, I felt a little burst of joy. I knew mom and dad were going to love them – and they did!

Why? Because they were an authentic and joyful snapshot of this little slice of time in the life of their family, bursting with movement and life and play.

Mom and dad come to me for real, and they got it.

.

Here’s the Secret: I Don’t Actually Want Your Kids to Cooperate

I say this all the time – I don’t want your kids to be good during family photos.

Because as a San Diego family photographer, my goal is to give you warm, connected, meaningful photographs that bring you joy for decades to come. In ten years, I want you to look back on your images and smile, fondly remembering those wild little souls because that’s exactly what I captured at your session.

So if quiet, still, and cooperative doesn’t describe your children, I don’t want it to describe your family photos either. Because real is what I capture, and what you’ll value the most.

.

Let Me Worry about Your Kids. You Just Show Up and Have Fun

So that’s the take home message here: let me take over the parenting duties for the hour, and you join in the fun. And yes, let them fun off and explore & play. I’ll follow them and capture that, too.

.

Want More Reasons to Relax and Get Family Photos You’ll Love?

I’ve got a free guide giving my very best tips for images you’ll treasure, and you can get it right here.

.

.

.

.