11 Kid-friendly Ideas for Natural Family Photos
I’d love to do a family photoshoot, but my kids won’t sit still…
I get it – my kids are wild and crazy most of the time and most likely yours are too. You may be worried you won’t be able to get your kids to sit still or behave for a photo session. Well, the good news is, you don’t have to!
It’s all about connection
As a documentary family photographer, I’m not here to capture awkward poses and fake smiles – I’m here to preserve moments of genuine emotion and connection. I approach every session with patience and curiosity – I take the time to introduce myself to your children and let them take the lead. I follow the natural rhythm of your family life and allow space for those beautiful in-between moments to happen spontaneously. There’s no need for your kids to perform for the camera or follow directions. It doesn’t matter if your kids muck around, tell fart jokes or have a meltdown. You could plan a couple of playful activities or just go with the flow. The best photographs happen when kids are able to be kids and parents are ready to be playful too. So, hide the iPad, put away the phone and get silly together. Give them your full attention, and they will love every minute.
Here are some everyday activities you could do together to engage your kids and connect as a family during your photo session.
Jump on the trampoline
What better way to use up some of your kids’ endless energy than by jumping your jiggles out on the trampoline. Then when you’re all tired out, lie down and look up at the clouds together with some tickles and snuggles thrown in for good measure. Or stay cozy inside and jump on the bed instead!
Water the garden
Get out the hose or sprinkler and go wild, or practise some calm and mindful plant care with the watering can. Make mud pies or plant some flowers and watch them grow. In no time at all your own little seedlings will be all grown up – now is the time to make some memories!
Snack-time
Watermelon! Watermelon! I love, you love watermelon! And pineapple, pears, peaches, mangoes, apples, apricots, strawberries etc etc. You get the idea. Make a fruit salad to share on a picnic rug in the backyard or the loungeroom after all the jumping and water play is done.
Turn up the music and have a boogie
OK I know we all have those earworms rolling around inside our heads, never to be forgotten. You already know Justine Clarke singing “Watermelon” is deeply embedded in my brain. Oh Elsa, I really wish I could let it go. And please, don’t anyone mention Bruno! Those tracks aside, put on your favourite playlist and bust out your best moves on the kitchen dancefloor. Taylor Swift, EDM, metal, folk – whatever gets your little ones moving to the beat, I’m down with it!
Mix it up
The whole point of baking anything is that you get to lick the icing bowl and/or wooden spoon at the end, right? The anticipation of tasting that delicious, chocolatey goodness is worth all the measuring and mixing. Cheeky grins and chocolate-covered faces make for great photos. Add in some strawberries and sprinkles for decoration and you have the recipe for a sweet family photo session.
Go for a walk in the park
Visit your local playground for some monkeybar hangs and airtime on the swings. Make a stick shelter in the park. There are trees to climb, rocks to collect, puddles to splash in – there’s always something new to explore. Why not bring the fur-baby too!
Blow bubbles
There is something magical about bubbles. Whenever the bubble mix comes out, all the kids come running. The whimsical way they float away with the breeze and into the sky, the satisfying pop – bubbles are undeniably fascinating. They also look great in photos!
Crafternoon
Paint each other’s portraits, get out the coloured pencils, draw on the pavement with chalk, learn to make origami – the possibilities for creative play are endless.
Host a teddy bear tea-party
Dust off the tea set, make some cupcakes and cucumber sandwiches out of playdough, invite all the toys and get ready for an epic pretend-play extravaganza.
Get to work
I don’t know about your family, but we always have a long list of everyday tasks that need doing from hanging out the laundry, sweeping up leaves, washing the car, cleaning windows – I could go on and on. Why not put the small ones to work? Kids love to feel independent and help out with age-appropriate tasks, especially when a photographer is documenting their efforts and providing proof when it’s pocket money time. When many hands are working, the load gets a little lighter and there is satisfaction in finally getting something done. Who knew chores could be so fun?
If all else fails, act like a monkey
Everyone has an inner monkey just waiting to be set free. This tried and true method is your opportunity to go wild for your kids’ ultimate entertainment – howl and chase them around the loungeroom, tickle them, throw them into the air, hoist them onto your shoulders, and flip them upside down. Anything for a giggle!
It’s all about connection
Use the ideas above and the following questions to help you imagine a fun photo session for your family.
- What do you like to do together as a family?
- What would you like to remember from this time in your life?
- What do you think your children would like to remember from their childhood?
Whether you choose to capture your everyday life or a special activity – time spent together is precious and well worth documenting. Get in touch to book in a family photoshoot and make some memories.
