"My Kids Won’t Last 20 Minutes, Let Alone an Hour!"


I hear this all the time from parents before a session — and honestly? You're not wrong.

As someone who spent 15 years in the classroom and nearly 6 years photographing families, let me just say: I get kids. Deeply. And I never expect them to sit still, smile on command, or behave like perfectly polished little statues. That’s not how they’re wired — and that’s actually a good thing.

Let’s get one thing straight:

Kids aren’t robots. And they’re definitely not trained monkeys.

They’re curious, playful, wild, imaginative little humans — and I welcome every bit of that energy into our session.

Two children interact playfully on brick sidewalk with purple wisteria flowers overhead.

 

Here’s what I know for sure:

🌀 Children need to be active participants.

If you walk into a session expecting your child to stay in one spot, hold a pose, and smile perfectly for an hour — you’ll be disappointed. That’s not their nature, and forcing it rarely works. Instead, I design my sessions to meet kids where they are — in motion, exploring, laughing, and being themselves.

🌱 It’s all in how you frame it.

When we leave the house to run errands for my son, I never say, “We have to go to the store.” We say, “Do you want to go on an adventure?” That one little shift changes everything. And guess what? The same works for photo sessions. Talk about it as a game, an adventure, or a chance to explore. You’ll see a difference.

📷 Your job isn’t to control the session — it’s to trust the process.

Let go of expectations for “perfect” behavior. Don’t stress if your kids are running wild or being silly. That’s where the magic lives — and it’s my job to capture it.

 

Family enjoying a spring day together under blooming cherry trees in an urban setting.

And guess what?

Yes — I’ll absolutely get the “Grandma Shot.”

You know the one: everyone looking at the camera, smiling sweetly, the one Grandma wants for the fridge.

But here’s the difference:

When I take it, the smiles are real.

No bribes, no threats, no awkward posing. Just genuine joy, because by the time we get to that moment, your kids are already comfortable, having fun, and being themselves.

We earn that photo — not with pressure, but with connection.

So yes, Grandma gets her shot.

But you? You get so much more. A gallery full of personality, laughter, movement, and love — exactly how your family truly is.


 

So what do I need from you?

  • Don’t prep your kids to be “on their best behavior.”
  • Don’t stress about making them smile.
  • Don’t threaten screen time loss if they don’t cooperate (seriously — it backfires).

Instead…

  • Tell them we’re going on an adventure.
  • Let go of perfection.
  • Show up, be present, and let me do what I do best.

Because I promise:

Your kids are exactly who they need to be — and I’ll meet them right there.