9 tips for preparing your child for their session

So you've booked a session. You are ready, but have you thought about your kids?

I’ve prepared a checklist of things for you to  remember in order to help make sure your child is prepared for their big day!

1. Don’t forget to feed your child before the session. Also, pack snacks just in case hunger strikes again while we’re shooting.
2. Bring more than one outfit. Make sure you always have backup clothes just in case. And we suggest that you don’t change your child(ren) into their session clothing until after they have been fed. Also, be  be very careful drinks – only clear liquids in a safe cup.
3. Let your child help when picking out their clothes for the session (unless they have a hideous sense of fashion.) By letting your child wear their favorite shirt or shoes, etc. this will help them feel more comfortable. If their choice of clothing is awful or doesn’t match, see if you can use that shirt as an undershirt or tell them that they can put it on for a couple of shots at the end of the session.
   
4. If you have a young child, try to schedule the session around their naptime so they will be well -rested and happy for photos. Scheduling in the morning or after afternoon nap is the best time for kiddos.
5. Have a bribery in place. Bring fruit snacks, candy, a toy, etc. and let them him know that if they cooperate that they will get said bribery. Some parents have bribed their children by telling them if they are good, they can watch Netflix on Mommy or  Daddy’s phone. Use whatever you think will work for your child to motivate them to cooperate.
   
6. Bring along their favorite toy or blanket. This will help your child be comfortable in a new, unfamiliar surrounding. Just be prepared aware that this will probably become a prop in some of the photos, so bring something that is pleasing to the eyes or has sentimental value and you’d be okay with photos of it.
7. Talk to your child about the session and explain what’s going to happen. If your child is informed about the situation, it will be less scary for them when they come to the session. Tell them that they are going to meet a new friend who is going to take some pictures of them. Let them know that you’ll be there and that we are going to have lots of fun. We might change their clothes once or twice and ask them to sit a certain way. During the session, we can show them a couple of the photos so they can put two and two together.
   
8. Bring Grandma (or someone else your child loves). Bringing along reinforcements is always a good plan. If grandma lives close by, or if your child’s favorite uncle has the day off of work, bring them with you. You can use this family member to help get your child to relax and laugh.
   
9. Wear sturdy shoes. It is a good idea to wear good, sturdy shoes to a session like this, as it's hard chase a little ones around in flip- flops or heels. During the session, I may ask you to grab your child if they keep running out of the frame. I may have us walking around exploring, so we need to be prepared to keep our feet safe and comfortable.

 
These are just guidelines and we need to make sure that we are following your childrens cues. Some kiddos take longer to warm up than others and that's okay. Some kiddos will take a few photos really well and then just be D.O.N.E- and that's okay too. They all have their own personalities. I will do my best to try and engage kiddos with games, songs dancing, We need to be patient with them and enjoy our time with them.