As a family photographer in Edmonton who focuses on capturing emotional connections and natural moments, I often hear from parents who are worried that their kids won’t cooperate during a session. When you look at my family photo portfolio, you might think these photos look good because the kids were willing to cooperate. But let me tell you a fact: 90% of my clients have wild kids! That’s just the nature of kids.
“Will my wild kids look good in family photos?” I always ask my clients to tell me more about their kids so we can build a strategy together to make the session less stressful. If your kids love running around and won’t stand there smiling at the camera, that’s completely normal! I don’t even consider it as them not cooperating — they’re just cooperating in their own way.
I’ve found that two-year-olds can be especially tricky when it comes to posed family photos. That’s why I often recommend a more storytelling-style family session that allows for freedom, play, and genuine emotion — something that’s much easier for this age group to enjoy.
If your family includes a toddler, this post is for you. Here’s how to prepare your kids so you can have a relaxed, enjoyable, and memorable Edmonton family photography experience.
1. Keep the Family Session Casual and Unscripted
If your child is in the “I want to do the opposite of what I’m told” phase, telling them they’re going to a “photoshoot” where they “need to behave” might backfire.
Instead of saying something like, “You need to listen to the photographer,” try reframing the experience:
- “We’re going to the park!” or “We’re visiting a flower garden!” This helps them have the right expectations about where they’re going.
- Describe the fun things they might see or do there — like spotting ducks, throwing leaves, or jumping in puddles — so they know there will be exciting things to do.
- For older kids, let them know it’s more like a fun family hangout where they get to play, be silly, and spend time together.
This mindset shift makes a huge difference, especially for younger kids. Instead of focusing on what not to do, they focus on the interesting things happening around them. I’ve found this mindset is extremely helpful, especially during outdoor family photo sessions where there’s space to run and explore.
2. Stay Relaxed — Your Kids Will Feel It
Kids are incredibly intuitive. They pick up on your emotions, so if you’re stressed or anxious, they’ll likely mirror that energy.
Take a deep breath and treat the photoshoot like a chance to pause from your busy life. Forget the housework, work stress, or rigid expectations. Just enjoy the moment outdoors with your family.
I found these mind prepareation really help my client enjoy their family sessions:
- If your kids aren’t cooperating, stay calm, as a family photographer I should handle them or tell you what to do to help. Don’t yell. It’s ok!
- Avoid offering bribes like iPads or candy — this tells them the session is something unpleasant that they need to be “rewarded” for. Think of it this way: you don’t need to offer screen time to convince them to go to the playground, right? The family photo session should feel just as fun and natural.
- Don’t expect your gallery to look exactly like someone else’s. You might see your friend’s family photos where their kids are sitting and smiling at the camera. But your kids might not like looking at the camera that way, and that’s okay. Let them be themselves.
As your Edmonton family photographer, I’m here to guide the flow — no pressure, no rigid posing, just fun, dynamic family time. If I ever need help with your kids, I’ll let you know what to do. Don’t panic — even if they’re wild, we will still create beautiful photos.
3. Keep Things Fun and Engaging
If your child spends a lot of time on screens, they may be quick to say they’re bored — especially in slow or unfamiliar outside environments.
To keep their attention, we need to make the session dynamic and playful. That’s one reason I love offering natural family photography in Edmonton durinmg the summer — we can use the outdoor space for movement, games, and laughter.
Here are a few fun ways to keep your child engaged:
- Play chasing games
- Tickle each other
- Make funny faces
- Jump and dance
- Go on a “leaf treasure hunt”
- Make animal sounds together
- Telling a secret
Before you leave for your family photoshoot, build excitement by saying things like:
“We might see birds fighting in the sky!”
“Maybe we’ll find ducks (or other animals).”
“Let’s tickle daddy all at once!”
“Let’s race and see who’s the fastest!”
You know your kids best — use what gets them giggling and curious.
4. Eat Well and Sleep Well
This is especially important for little ones. Babies and toddlers under three are quick to get cranky if they’re hungry or tired.
Try to schedule your family photography session at a time that fits their natural routine. in Edmonton, we will have late sunset time around 10pm. If you ever need a golden hour session, book into the fall where we can do it around 7-8pm. Bring water, small mess-free snacks, and any comfort items they love. A well-fed, well-rested child is much more likely to enjoy the experience.
5. Dress for Comfort, Not Formality
For outdoor family photos in Edmonton, you don’t need to dress ultra-formally. I have a complete outfit guide for you to look at — if you follow it, your outfits shouldn’t be the reason your kids don’t enjoy the photo session.
Not only do we want you to blend beautifully with the natural surroundings in Edmonton, but I also want to capture genuine, relaxed moments. Stiff clothes can get in the way of that.
If you can’t run or sit comfortably in your outfit, don’t expect your kids to either. Dress them in soft, breathable clothes that they can move in. Let them be themselves — that’s when the magic happens.
6. Cut Their Screen Time
This last tip is for families who don’t currently limit screen time. If your kids usually spend a lot of time on the iPad, phone, or TV, they might not be as interested in the outside world. Screens provide so much stimulation at once that no matter how much we play with them during the photo session, they’re likely to say they’re bored when things slow down. Becasue we meant to make the session slow so you as a tired adult can enjoy and relax.
If you find this is an issue for your kids, start cutting their screen time slowly or set clear rules about how long they can use screens each day. For younger kids, you should notice a big difference within a week, as they begin to find more interest in the real world around them. This is the tip that I found super helpful but very hard to do. But you kids should not only benefit from this single family photoshoot, but other long term aspec as well.
Final Thoughts
Your Edmonton family photography session doesn’t have to be stressful or stiff. With a little preparation, a relaxed mindset, and a playful attitude, your kids can have a great time — and so can you.
At the end of the day, the most meaningful photos come from genuine connection and real moments — not perfect poses.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Samantha, the visionary behind Little One Photo, is a passionate photographer with a special gift for capturing the essence of newborns and families. With over a decade of experience, she has honed her craft to create timeless, emotive portraits that families cherish for generations. Samantha’s warm personality and patient approach put even the tiniest clients at ease, allowing her to capture genuine moments of connection and love.
