There’s something about fall that makes us want to slow down and document our families.
Maybe it’s the cooler evenings. The changing leaves. The realization that another year is somehow already beginning to wind down.
Fall family photos have become a tradition for so many families—and I love that. But somewhere along the way, I think we started putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to make those photographs perfect.
The perfect outfits. The perfect location. The perfect smiles.
And, of course, perfectly cooperative children.
But as a family photographer – and a mom – I can tell you something:
Your children do not need to be perfectly behaved for you to have beautiful family photographs.
In fact, some of my favorite images happen when they aren’t.
Your Family Session Should Feel Like Time Together
When you arrive for your family session, I don’t want your children to feel like they’ve arrived somewhere they need to perform.
They don’t need to stand perfectly still, look at me, and smile on command for the next 30 minutes.
I want them to play.
I want them to snuggle into you. Hold your hand. Run through the grass. Tell me something silly. Give you the kind of hug that nearly knocks you over.
Of course, we’ll still work toward those beautiful photographs where everyone is together and looking at the camera. But those are only a small part of your family’s story.
The photographs that often mean the most are the ones that show what being together actually felt like.
What If My Kids Don’t Cooperate for Family Photos?
This is one of the most common concerns I hear from parents.
And usually, what we consider “not cooperating” is simply a child being exactly who they are.
Maybe your toddler wants to explore instead of sit.
Maybe your four-year-old thinks everything is hilarious.
Maybe your child is shy and needs a little extra time before they’re ready to engage with me.
Or maybe your siblings decide that tackling each other is significantly more entertaining than anything I had planned.
That’s okay.
Rather than spending your entire session trying to correct those things, we can use them.
If your little one wants to move, we move.
If they want to be held, hold them.
If they’re feeling playful, we play.
And if they need a minute with Mom, that might just become one of your favorite photographs.
Their Personality Is Part of What You’re Preserving
There’s a funny thing about photographing children.
The things that feel a little chaotic right now are often the things you miss later.
The way your toddler refuses to leave your arms.
The belly laugh your son makes when Dad throws him into the air.
The way your daughter scrunches her nose when she smiles.
The way siblings tease each other, cling to each other, or somehow manage to turn everything into a game.
Those things are their essence right now.
And that’s worth documenting, too.
You aren’t only creating a photograph of what your family looked like this year. You’re preserving little pieces of who they were.
Mom, You Get to Enjoy This Too
You don’t need to spend the entire session reminding your children to smile, look at the camera, or behave.
One of the best things you can do during your family session is give yourself permission to stop worrying about whether everyone is cooperating.
That’s my job to navigate.
Your job is much better.
Love on them.
Pick them up. Laugh with them. Chase them. Let them wrap their arms around your neck.
Be present with the people you came to photograph.
Because someday, when you look back at these images, you probably won’t remember whether your toddler listened perfectly that evening.
You’ll notice how small they looked in your arms.
Let Fall Family Photos Be Fun
Yes, I want to create beautiful photographs for you.
I want the gorgeous fall light, the beautiful wardrobe, the connection, and the photograph where everyone happens to be looking at me at the same time.
But I also want the movement.
The laughter.
The little personalities.
The unexpected moments you couldn’t have planned if you tried.
Because your family doesn’t need to look perfect to be worth remembering.
Come ready to spend a little time together, have fun with your children, and let me preserve your family exactly as they are right now.
Because next fall, they’ll already be a little different.