HOW TO PREPARE FOR FAMILY SUNSET PHOTOS: By NZ Lifestyle Photographer

Get the most from your outdoor photo session with busy toddlers - By Whakatane Family & Motherhood Photographer RM Photo.

For 90% of toddlers, standing still for a family photoshoot is not their idea of a good time.

And if you're expecting your little one to sit still and smile for the camera for an hour-long shoot, I'm telling you right now - you're very likely to walk away feeling defeated or frustrated! EXACTLY the reason WHY your sunset photos will be child-led - full of games and fun to keep the kiddies engaged. If they're not into it, we move on. Simple as that.

You're probably wondering what the heck a child-led session is.

Toddlers are busy, naturally curious, and often eager to explore; a child-led session means embracing your child's curiosity and energy by letting them do what they do best: exploring, playing with parents and having fun. This approach makes for the most natural family photos, capturing their personalities without forcing fake smiles.

If you want to capture those moments that are wall-worthy AND real, fun, and perfectly imperfect, then keep reading for my top tips to make any outdoor family session with toddlers stress-free and fun. (The BEST kind, in my opinion!!)

Tip 1: Lead with Playful Energy to Get the Best Personality-Soaked Photos.

Kids pick up on your energy, so if you approach your outdoor photoshoot with a playful, light-hearted attitude, your toddler is more likely to mirror that energy. This makes getting natural, joyful smiles in your family photos much easier.

Most toddlers naturally want to do their own thing during family sessions, which is normal..... I prefer to let them lead, keeping them engaged with playful interactions or turning everything into a game to hold their attention and regain their focus.

POV: Your toddler has decided they'd rather head off down the beach and explore than stick around and smile for the lady with a camera. They're most likely NOT going to come back if you just tell them to "come back," but we may just have a chance of getting them where we need them by playing chase or another game (leading them in the direction we want them).

Right here below, to get these shots (and to prevent the kids from running off too far), we turned it into a game—swinging like an aeroplane into Dad's arms, playing chase and scoop, etc., allowing us to get the shot without it feeling forced.

Tip 2: Embrace the Chaos – It’s All Part of the Process

Things don't always go perfectly during an outdoor photo session with toddlers, and A LOT goes on behind the scenes that doesn't make it to the internet. Toddler tantrums, photo refusal, and all the chaos toddlers bring—just know that it's all COMPLETELY NORMAL behaviour during a playful family shoot.

The best thing you can do as parents when things are unravelling is to STAY COMPOSED and let your toddler lead. The more we embrace the messiness of the moment and go with the flow, the easier it is to move past any hiccups while still creating beautiful images.

Fighting against your toddler's willpower makes things more stressful and more challenging for you to relax.

We want your family photoshoot experience to be as fun and easy-going as possible for everyone, toddlers included. When your whole family is having fun together, it shows! And that's what makes the best photos.

Tip 3 - It feels like ALOT of admin - but prepping for your shoot is TRULY worth it!

Toddlers rule the session, and a tired, hungry, or cold toddler is NOT the vibe you're after for relaxed family photos. You'll quickly realise that no amount of bargaining or games can win them over.

For outdoor sessions, regardless of season, it's SUPER important that toddlers are warm, rested and fed.

Prioritise an afternoon nap: Those afternoon naps were always the hardest for me with my boys, and it's easy to trick yourself into thinking they're not worth the hassle and 'She'll be right' until you arrive at your session. Your toddler quickly becomes tired of our playful attempts for a cute interactive family shot.

Save yourself the struggle and just chuck them in the car and drive them to sleep—your future sunset o'clock self will thank you for it.

-Dress kids warm & bring additional layers: Keeping kids warm is key to a smooth family session.

Always dress kids and toddlers in warm layers and bring extra layers along for backup (that you don't mind being worn in photos).

I always say, you can take layers off if kids get too hot, but if you don't have warm layers, you can't put them on!!

Keeping your toddler cozy and warm will make them comfortable, happier, and more likely to enjoy the session.

Ready to book your family photos?

At the end of the day, family photo sessions are about capturing your family as they are - chaos and all.

When you embrace toddlers' unpredictability and lead with a resonant energy, we can create images that reflect your family's goodness as it is now.

These are the memories you'll love to look back on with fondness, so don't get too caught up in wanting the 'picture-perfect shots'—your family is perfect just as you are! Leave the rest to me!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  

I'm Renee — a NZ lifestyle family photographer servicing the Whakatane & wider Bay Of Plenty, creating easy-going photo experiences and vibrant imagery for laid-back families, parents-to-be, and couples who can't stand cringy traditional photographs.

Are you wanting your wild toddler memories captured? Check out my work and reach out to learn more.