How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session
If you’ve been wondering how your kids will do, whether everyone will cooperate, or if family photos might feel a little awkward at first, you’re in good company. Most families feel that way before their session.
The good news? You don’t need to get everything “just right” to end up with photos you love.
As your Erie family photographer, my job is to guide the experience in a way that feels calm, flexible, and manageable—not stressful or overly posed.
This guide will help you feel more prepared for your outdoor family photo session by walking you through what to expect, what tends to help, and a few ways to make the experience feel easier for everyone involved.
Because when there’s less pressure to perform, families usually relax into what matters most: being together.
How to prep your family for photos
You know your family best, including how much information helps them feel comfortable. Some people like knowing exactly what’s coming. Others do better with a simple, low-key explanation.
Here are a few ideas to help everyone feel ready for your photo session.
Keep it simple for the kids
There’s no need to rehearse or make a big deal about how they’ll need to “behave.” You can simply let them know you’re meeting a new friend—that’s me—who will take photos of your family with her big camera at the park, or wherever your session takes place.
While it’s tempting to coach kids to smile or remind them to look at the camera, we’re not after stiff expressions. We’re looking for the real stuff: the laughter, the snuggles, and the moments that happen when they’re just being themselves.
Help the adults feel confident
Let’s be honest, sometimes the grown-ups are more nervous than the kids. If your partner or family members are feeling unsure, let them know there’s no pressure to pose or perform. I’ll guide everyone with simple, playful prompts so you can focus on being together.
It can also help to talk ahead of time about keeping things light if the kids get distracted. Kids are kids. They may wander, get silly, or have their own ideas for a minute. That’s okay. A little patience and playfulness usually go much farther than correction, and it helps everyone stay relaxed enough for genuine moments to unfold.
What to prep ahead of time
A little planning ahead of time can help you avoid the last-minute scramble and make photo day feel smoother and more enjoyable.
- Outfits ready to go — Make sure everyone is happy with what they’ll be wearing. Have items washed and pressed ahead of time, and set them aside until it’s time to get dressed.
- Hair and makeup time — Give yourself enough time to get ready without feeling rushed.
- Travel plan — Know where you’re going and how long it will take to get there.
- Bag of essentials — Pack anything you might need, like a favorite toy, blanket, wipes, diapers, or a secret stash of non-messy snacks for emergencies only.
- Adjusted routines — If needed, shift meal or nap times so no one arrives hungry or overtired.
- Something to look forward to — Sometimes it helps to give kids something easy to look forward to afterward, like ice cream or a quick stop at the park.
- Laughter cues — Think of a few things that always make your kids laugh. This works especially well for getting natural expressions during individual photos.
If you do bring snacks, think of them as a backup plan, not something we’ll pull out right away. They can be helpful in a true “we need a reset” moment, but once they come out, it can be hard to shift everyone’s attention back to the session.
Emergency snack ideas:
Grapes, cut in half
Apple slices
Cheerios
Snacks to avoid:
Chocolate, because it melts and stains
Berries, because they stain clothing and fingers
Crackers, because they stick to teeth
How to keep family photos feeling light
It’s completely normal for parents to worry that their kids won’t cooperate during family photos. Maybe they’ll refuse to smile, wander off, or have their own ideas about what we’re doing. And honestly, sometimes they will. That doesn’t mean the session is going badly.
If the expectation is that everyone has to behave perfectly, kids may start to feel like photos are something to get through—or something they can mess up. That pressure can lead to stiff smiles instead of relaxed, genuine expressions.
The best thing you can do is come in ready to stay flexible. I know that’s easier said than done, especially if anyone is feeling unsure. But as a mom of four, I can promise you I’ve pretty much seen it all.
This doesn’t mean anything goes. It just means we’ll keep things light and work with what’s happening. If your child makes a silly face, laugh with them. If they want to run, scoop them up, twirl them, or turn it into a game.
Make it feel like: You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and I’m the world’s coolest parent.
The goal is to keep the pressure low so no one shuts down or feels self-conscious about “not doing it right.” The most memorable photos are often the ones where things aren’t perfect: windblown hair, a little hand reaching for yours, or laughter that’s too big to be posed.
That’s the beauty we’re here to capture. And when everyone feels relaxed, the photos reflect it—full of joy, movement, and connection.
How your family session unfolds
Give yourselves time
Most of us feel a little nervous or uncomfortable in front of the camera at first. Give yourself and your family at least 20 minutes to settle in, especially if anyone needs a little time in unfamiliar situations. I’ll ease you into it, and before long, you’ll be enjoying this time together.
Show your love
Pick up your kids or wrap your arms around them. Give them kisses and cuddles. Embrace your partner, steal a smooch, laugh, and snuggle. Do the things that help me capture the joy, love, and connection of your family in a way that feels natural to you.
Make room for fun
I’ll guide you every step of the way with simple prompts. They’re not meant to be followed exactly. Think of them as starting points that naturally unfold and let personalities shine through. I want you to be yourselves, let go of perfection, and just enjoy the moment.
Keep things light
How your family session unfolds
This one is worth remembering: I don’t expect your kids to be perfectly behaved during our time together. Kids say silly things, get distracted, wander off, or suddenly have very strong opinions. Honestly, that’s all pretty normal.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping everyone stay relaxed enough for real connection to happen. A little playfulness, patience, and flexibility go a long way toward keeping the session enjoyable for everyone.
When the pressure comes down, genuine smiles and natural moments tend to follow.
Mix it up
Most family sessions last about an hour. I always make time for a few traditional photos of everyone smiling at the camera, but we’ll also capture different combinations: each parent with the kids, just the kids together, each child individually, and the parents alone.
This mix gives you a gallery that feels complete, tells your family’s story from different angles, and gives everyone a little break along the way. You may be surprised how quickly the time goes, and how much fun you have.
A little off-script is okay
Sessions, especially with big families or young kids, can feel a little hectic. One child wants to be held, the other doesn’t. You’re giving cuddles while your partner is helping someone reset. You might even wonder if we’re getting anything good.
Here’s the truth: those off-script moments are part of what makes your session unique. The giggles, the twirls, the unexpected interactions, and the little in-between moments often create the most heart-tugging photos. All you have to do is stay present, keep smiling, and let the moments unfold.
Let’s recap
Here’s what to remember when thinking about how to prepare for your outdoor family photo session:
- Keep it light — Share just enough with your kids to help them feel curious, not pressured.
- Plan ahead — Outfits, travel time, and a few essentials can make photo day feel smoother.
- Stay flexible — Kids may get distracted or have their own ideas, and that’s okay.
- Let the in-between happen — The little off-script moments often turn into the photos you treasure most.
Before you go…
One of the most common questions I get is, “What should we wear?” Your outfit choices can make a big difference in how your photos feel, and the good news is, you don’t need to overthink it.
If you haven’t chosen outfits yet, or don’t know where to start, I’ve put together a guide to help. It walks you through choosing outfits that feel good, photograph well, and still feel like your family. You can read it here: What to wear for your family photos.
