Here are some tips I have from experience that should help you out:

Photoshoots can be both fun and stressful so in order to make it a great experience for everyone we need to make sure that your children are prepared.

The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other. Understand that not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family members and your smile with be natural. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.

• I always plan photoshoots around children’s naps and feeding schedules as a full time and a well rested child makes for a happier and smoother session.
• Be on time or come early. I always like to get to know each family and the children before I start the photo shoot. I need to be able to connect with your children, know a little bit about what makes them tick and be able to make them smile naturally and comfortably.
• As a photographer I want to capture you child when they are smiling naturally, it may require me (or you!) to jump around, pull faces and be super silly. This works much better than over directing your child to sit still, look here, do this or that. If you stand directly behind the photographer and pull faces while jumping around you will be surprised at the results! Sometimes, the best photos are captured when mum and dad step away for a few minutes to let the photographer work their magic. Be prepared to be flexible and have fun to!
• My aim is to capture your child’s personality so we will need your help on the day to encourage your children to be themselves and to help make them laugh and giggle!
• Have a reward for after the photoshoot. This could be an ice-cream, chocolate or some other goody you brought with.
• Last, but not least, be prepared to have lots of fun! Every shoot is different, as a photographer I am flexible and I understand children need time patience and a little run around in order to capture the best moments.

It will result in a successful photo shoot and ultimately gorgeous, timeless family images that you will treasure for a lifetime…