Bartlesville Family Photo Tips: How to Photograph High-Energy Kids for Family Photos

As a Bartlesville family photographer, I’ve worked with a variety of personalities and family dynamics over the last 13 years. Some families are snuggly and sentimental, some are goofy, curious, and love to play. Sometimes a toddler has a meltdown that seems impossible to recover from, and sometimes the older kids aren’t really into taking photos. And sometimes…there are sessions where ALL of these things are true! It’s my job to feel out each family and figure out what is needed.

Not only has my experience behind the camera trained me how to work with kids, but my husband and I have two toddlers (and we get pictures several times a year!) So it’s safe to say we have learned what to do and what not to do with high-energy kids during a photoshoot!

Tip #1: Let go of all expectations

The lower your expectations, the better! I understand wanting (and hoping!) to get a great smiling sibling picture, or a recreation of a photo from when your kids were babies. We will do our best to make that happen! However, I encourage you to focus on just having fun and let go of all expectations. Your children may be resistant or disobedient, they may be shy, you might feel like we’re not getting anything great, and it is all normal! The families who accept that there will likely be moments of struggle and don’t allow those moments to stress them out and steal their joy are the parents who normally end up with the best galleries! By avoiding putting pressure on yourself or your kids, you’ll avoid major disappointment!

Tip #2: Frame it as an adventure

If your kids are anything like mine, they may be resistant to taking photos. Unless it’s framed as an adventure or a surprise. Then, we’ve got a 50/50 chance they’ll be up for it! Hah! Especially with toddlers and younger children, it can help to frame the photo experience as just that – an experience! Give them a couple ideas of things they might see or do during our time together (like search for flowers, play tag, or dance with dad). The only thing they have to do is be kids!

Tip #3: Hire a photographer comfortable with toddlers and young children

I have loved working with other photographers who are moms! They just know! The more experience they have photographing wild or high-energy kids for family photos, the more confident you (and they) will feel if things start to get a little out of hand!

Tip #4: Let said photographer lead

If you follow tip #3, then trust them! Let them lead the shoot and give direction. If a little kid is getting two different directions or commands at the same time from two different people, it can be confusing! The photographer can see what is happening from the outside. They should also have experience sensing what a child might need – whether that’s more play, a break, a snack, or a snuggle. (Although feel free to kindly and gently recommend an idea to the photographer if it’s something they’re not picking up on! After all, you do know your child best!)

Tip #5: Lean in to the activity, chaos, and excitement of your children.

After all, this is the season of life you’re in! Your 12-18 month old is probably not going to sit perfectly still in your lap to get the classic smiling shot. So take what you can get! Lean in for a kiss on the cheek before they toddle off (and let them!) Allow them to run crazy while you share a moment with your spouse. Start the tickle fight! Throw them in the air or give two of them a piggy back ride. Do what you would naturally find yourself doing if it were just a beautiful fall Saturday in the backyard together as a family.

Tip #6: Focus on play, no matter their ages!

A few of my favorite ideas and prompts are mentioned in tip #5, but I love the moments of connection and play between family members. Sometimes that’s searching for rocks or flowers in a field together. Sometimes it’s sisters sitting on a rock picking on the youngest of them. (That’s me…I was the youngest!) We can also play puppeteer, ring-around-the-rosie, or airplane. Follow their lead and interests and lean in to something you think they might enjoy.

Tip #7: Speaking of interests, bring a neutral toy, book, stuffy they love.

Even if all else fails, you’ve got something that is familiar to them and something they love! This can also help kids ease into a new environment with a new person. I adore the photos we have of our girls with their jellycats, or sitting on a blanket reading with Papa!

(picture of our daughter above taken by Holly Felts!)

Tip #8: Praise!

For those babies and toddlers, lots of clapping and cheering never hurts! For the older kids, make it a family date night and celebrate with ice cream! Build those core memories!! (And you’ll have the photos to prove it!)