‍

Do you have an upcoming photo session with your child that you’re nervous about? Perhaps you’re worried about how to make it pleasant and stress-free. Or perhaps you’re concerned that your child won’t cooperate. Yes, photo sessions with children can be nerve-racking for parents, but they don’t need to be stressful. With the right preparation and planning, you can make the photoshoot a fun experience for both you and your child. Read on to learn how to prepare your child for a photo session.

Know the Plan Ahead of Time

The first step in making a photo session less stressful for both you and your child is to know what to expect. If you’ve hired a professional photographer, ask her what she plans to do during the session. The more information you have, the less likely you are to feel anxious. If you’re going to be taking the pictures yourself, make sure to do your homework. Research child photography methods poses, and props that are likely to work with children. You may want to do a few test shoots with your child before the big day to see what works and what doesn’t.

Build Confidence

Children can be incredibly nervous when they’re put in front of a camera. Even if you have experience with them, you’re bound to find that they have quite a bit of apprehension. How can you help your child feel more confident? Offer words of encouragement. Tell your child that he’s great and that you’re excited to take his picture. You can also try a few helpful exercises. Help your child get comfortable with the camera by letting him play with it. Take a few shots of him or let him pose with it. You can also have your child look into the lens and say something that he’s proud of. Let him know that what he’s saying is just for him and that he doesn’t have to worry about it being perfect.

Provide Rewards

Rewards are often used to motivate a child to behave better or complete a task. However, many parents don’t use rewards when photographing their kids. The truth is that they are incredibly effective at helping your child relax and feel more comfortable during the shoot. Let your child know that after the photoshoot is over he can play with his favorite toy or eat his favorite snack. This will help ease your child’s anxiety and make him more relaxed so that he can enjoy the experience more. Make sure to follow through with your promise once the shoot is over. If you promise that your child can play with his favorite toy after the shoot, don’t change your mind if he doesn’t behave during the shoot. This will only confuse your child and make him feel anxious the next time you try to take his picture.

Create a Comfort Zone

Humans are creatures of habit. We feel more comfortable when we know what to expect. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy, bring it with you to the shoot. Having his favorite toy with him may help him feel more comfortable and relaxed during the shoot. You can also create a comfortable, soothing atmosphere for your child during the shoot by dimming the lights, playing gentle music, and bringing along a few scented candles. You can also make the shoot more relaxing by limiting the number of people in the room. The fewer people involved, the more comfortable your child will be.

Let Children Decide What They Want to Wear

Younger children often don’t care what they wear as long as they’re comfortable. However, many parents feel the need to dress their children up in fancy, cute clothes. This can add to the stress of the shoot and make your child feel uncomfortable. Let your child decide what she wants to wear. This will make them feel more relaxed and help them be more comfortable during the photo shoot. Keep in mind that you may need to make a few alterations if your child wants to wear something impractical like a tutu or a full-on dinosaur costume.

Don’t Rush the Shoot

The less time your child has to get ready, the more they will get nervous. Make sure to give your child plenty of time to get ready for the shoot. You may even want to allow them to get ready one or two days ahead of time. If your child is at a certain age where he can understand time, don’t rush him through the shoot. 

Conclusion

Do you remember the first time you got your picture taken? You may have been about the same age as your child is now! Hopefully, you didn’t have the same worries as many parents do today. That’s why it’s important to prepare your child ahead of time. By knowing what to expect, building confidence, and creating a comfortable atmosphere, you can make your child’s photoshoot more fun and less stressful.