3 Easy Ways to Get Your Little Kids Excited for Your Family Photoshoot

Planning a family photoshoot can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about how your little ones will react to the camera. As a parent, you want beautiful, natural family portraits—without the stress of meltdowns or forced smiles.

Good news: With a little prep, you can set your kids up for a fun and relaxed experience! Here are three easy tips to get your children excited about your upcoming session with me, Olive & Eve Photography.

1. Make It an Adventure!

Instead of telling your kids they have to “pose for pictures,” frame the session as an exciting family outing. This helps shift the focus from the camera to having fun together.

✨ Going to the beach? We’ll search for seashells, jump over waves, and build sandcastles.

🌿 Exploring a park? We’ll find the tallest trees, listen for birds, and play a game of “who can spot the first yellow flower?”

🏡 At-home session? Let’s bake cookies, build a pillow fort, or have a cozy story time.

When kids feel like they’re part of a fun experience, they’ll be way more excited—and that joy will shine through in your photos.

2. Introduce Me Before the Session

Kids (and even some adults!) can be shy around new people, so take a moment to introduce me before we meet.

📸 Show them a picture of me (@oliveevephoto) and tell them I’m a friend who’s excited to capture their best smiles.

🚗 On the drive to the session, mention how much I’d love to hear about their favorite toy, movie, or latest adventure.

🎉 Let them know that I’m their biggest fan for the next 45 minutes—this time is all about them!

When children feel comfortable and know what to expect, they’re more likely to be their happy, natural selves in front of the camera.

3. A Small Reward Can Work Wonders

Let’s be real—a little incentive never hurts! Whether it’s a promise of post-session ice cream, a trip to the playground, or a fun movie night, having something to look forward to can keep kids engaged and cooperative.

Bonus Tip: Make sure everyone (including partners!) is well-fed before the shoot. No one—big or small—wants to smile when they’re hangry.

Let’s Capture Beautiful, Stress-Free Memories

At Olive & Eve Photography, my goal is to create natural, joyful family portraits without forced smiles or awkward poses. I’ll guide you through a relaxed, fun experience so you can simply enjoy the moment with your family.

Looking for family photography near Toronto and Southern Ontario? Let’s chat and plan your perfect session!

📩 Contact me today to book your family photoshoot!

📷 @oliveevephoto | #torontofamilyphotographer #lifestylephotography #familyphotoshoot