Let’s talk about getting young kids to not just smile but smile genuinely with the big happy giggles and smiles you see at home.

Here’s the deal, telling them to “Say Cheese!” or bribing them to behave usually leads to forced, awkward smiles. The truth is kids are little emotion detectives and can sense when you are stressed or upset with them. They can sense the pressure which makes them shut down or go into total goofball mode. It’s easy to get caught up in worry mode. You paid for a shoot, had your hair and makeup done and now it feels like there is a lot riding on this photo session working well. You just need your kids to keep it together 😅. Our wise minds know that our desperation and anxiety does very little to set our kids up for success. But it’s hard when you just want everything to be perfect.

The best sessions aren’t created with the promise it will all be over soon, it’s with your full presence and tangible love you share with your kids. Let me lead you in a fun bonding time of running, playing and tickle sessions. Let them see you embrace the silliness and love so that they know it’s safe for them to just be in this moment too. We can make the choice to behave in a way that draws them into the experience instead of away from it. When you arrive to your session the absolute best thing you can do for the success of the session is take a deep breath and let the magic happen. Don’t feel like you need to control any of it, even your kids.

You aren’t alone in this whatsoever. I will guide you, give you direction with games and fun, so you never have to think on your feet. We’ll be a bit silly and take breaks if needed.

My background in elementary education allows me to expertly use child led techniques to create beautiful genuine moments between your family and bring out the best in your kids.

So just show up, love on your kids, let me handle all the details and watch the magic unfold. I promise you’ll get those real, joy-filled moments without the stress.

Contact me to book your session where the smiles are real, the laughter is loud, and the moments are genuinely you.

Enjoy this One Year Milestone Session from last summer in my Greenhouse Studio. Learn more about my One Year Birthday Sessions HERE.

⭐️ Mom’s dress and boy’s romper is available in my client closet