“I’m so worried about my four-year-old being a big stinker during this!”
This was the message I got from this sweet family’s mom before their family photography session. And honestly, I completely understood her concern!
I reassured her that I could almost guarantee he wouldn’t give me anything I hadn’t seen before. And I think it’s safe to say he was far from a stinker!
In fact, the pure JOY radiating from this family throughout their session was palpable.
There was movement. There was laughter. There was personality. There were the little in-between moments that made them them. And that is exactly what I want when I photograph your family.
Your kids don’t have to “behave” for family photos.
I think one of the biggest worries parents have before a family photography session is whether or not their children will cooperate.
Will they smile?
Will they sit still?
Will they look at the camera?
Will they have a meltdown?
Will they completely refuse to participate?
And I get it. Most of us have experienced the traditional version of having our photo taken where we’re expected to stand still, look at the camera, smile, and hold a pose. But asking a four-year-old to stand perfectly still and smile on command isn’t exactly setting them up for success.
And I don’t want that anyway! When you book a family photography session with me, I don’t need your children to behave perfectly.
I want them to be exactly who they are. If your toddler wants to run, we’ll run. If your preschooler wants to be silly, we’ll be silly. If your kids want to chase each other, I’ll find a way to photograph it.
If they need a minute to warm up, we’ll slow down. And if we get some tears or pushback along the way? That’s okay, too.
What a relaxed family photography session actually looks like
When I photograph families in Wilmington, NC and around Wrightsville Beach, my goal isn’t to create a gallery full of perfectly posed photographs where everyone looks like they’re performing for the camera.
Of course, we’ll create those beautiful family portraits you’ll want to frame and hang on your walls. ‘ll give you direction. I’ll help you know where to stand, where to look, how to interact, and what to do with your hands. I’ll move you around and thoughtfully build variety into your gallery.
But I’ll also watch your family.
I’ll pay attention to the way your children interact with you. I’ll notice the way your daughter reaches for your hand. The way your son laughs when his dad chases him. The way your kids naturally lean into one another. The way you look at your children when you think nobody is watching.
Those are the things I want to photograph.
Because those little pieces of your family are what make your photographs meaningful years from now.
My job is to channel the chaos—not eliminate it.
Sometimes a family session can feel a little chaotic. Actually, I’d say that’s pretty normal. Especially when you’re photographing babies, toddlers, and young children.
There may be running. There may be silly faces. There may be a child who suddenly decides they absolutely cannot live without a particular stick they found on the ground. There may be a moment when everyone is talking at once and you’re wondering if we’re actually getting anything useful.
I promise you, we are!
My job as your family photographer is to take all of that energy, personality, movement, and connection and use the skills I’ve spent years sharpening to turn it into beautiful imagery. You don’t have to manage your child for me or apologize for their behavior.
And you definitely don’t have to spend your entire session saying, “Smile!” or “Look at the camera!” Instead, I want you to focus on your family. Play with your kids. Hold them. Laugh with them. Let them be silly. Enjoy being together.
I’ll take care of the rest.
And sometimes, kids really do have a hard time.
I also want to be honest about this part.
Sometimes children don’t immediately warm up. Sometimes they cry or straight up refuse to participate. Maybe they are tired, overwhelmed, shy, or simply having a day. And that’s okay.
There is no expectation that your child needs to put on a perfect show for me.
I’ll give them space. I’ll give you grace.
We’ll slow down when we need to. We’ll follow their lead when it makes sense.
And we’ll keep moving forward without making your child feel like they’re doing something wrong. Because the goal isn’t to make your child behave long enough to get a good picture. The goal is to create photographs that feel like your family.
Family portraits that actually feel like you
This is what I love most about family photography in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, NC.
Whether we’re photographing your family at the beach, somewhere around Wilmington, or in another location that feels meaningful to you, I want the experience to feel less like a photoshoot and more like another fun afternoon together.
You might leave thinking, “That was kind of crazy.” And then your gallery arrives. And suddenly you see the laughter.
The connection. The way your children looked at you. The little moments you didn’t even realize were happening. And you realize that maybe the chaos was exactly what made the photographs so good.
Because your family isn’t perfectly posed and perfectly behaved every day. You’re real!
Looking for a Wilmington, NC family photographer?
If you’re looking for a Wilmington, NC family photographer or Wrightsville Beach family photographer who will give your children room to be themselves while still creating beautiful, intentional family portraits, I’d love to work with you!
My family sessions are designed to be relaxed, playful, and connection-driven, with plenty of gentle direction along the way.
You don’t need perfectly behaved children. You just need to show up as yourselves and ‘ll take it from there.
Serving Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and surrounding coastal North Carolina families.
