«And what if our kids just won’t cooperate?» I hear this question before almost every family session. The honest answer: it happens. And it’s not a problem at all. In 14 years, no grumpy child has ever ruined a session – quite the opposite. Here’s what that can look like, from a family session at the Botanical Garden in Zurich.
«I don’t want to!» – How Our Session Started
On a summer morning, I met a family with two children at the Botanical Garden in Zurich: a six-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy. And honestly? The two of them just weren’t in the mood. The big sister wanted to hide her face, and her little brother had other things on his mind. Having their picture taken? No, thank you.
How «Not in the Mood» Turned into a Morning Full of Fun
Instead of trying to persuade the kids, we let them take charge:
The kids got to decide where we went. Suddenly they weren’t the ones who had to join in – they were the leaders of our little adventure.
We took «silly face» photos. Pulling faces is so much more fun than smiling. Afterwards, the two of them got to look at their funny faces on my camera. Lots of giggles. Ice broken.
Then we played. The kids ran, jumped off chairs and were swung through the air by Mum and Dad.
Finally, we went looking for frogs in the pond. And at some point, the camera was simply forgotten. That’s exactly when the photos that last are made: the big sister jumping into Mum’s arms, laughing. Dad getting a kiss from both kids at the same time.
Tips: What to Do If Your Child Doesn’t Want to Join In
Before the photoshoot
- Pack small snacks. Hunger means bad moods – especially for kids. Crackers or rice cakes work best. Nothing that stains, like chocolate, or that light-coloured shirt turns brown very quickly. (Don’t ask me how I know.)
- Bring a favourite toy. A cuddly toy, a ball or a favourite car makes kids feel safe – and often ends up in the photos quite naturally.
- Call it an outing, not a photoshoot. «We’re going to the park with Nina to look for frogs» sounds much more exciting to kids than «Today we’re having photos taken, so you need to smile nicely.»
- Choose the right time. Kids who are well rested and fed are much more relaxed. So don’t plan the shoot right during nap time.
During the photoshoot
- No scolding, no commands. «Smile now!» or «Look at the camera!» usually achieves the opposite. Kids sense pressure immediately.
- Stay cheerful and suggest games. Play tag, tickle, swing them through the air: if you’re having fun, it’s contagious.
- Focus on your kids, not on me. You don’t need to pay attention to me. Just imagine a friend is there who happens to have a camera with her.
- Let your kids have a say. Where shall we go? What shall we play next? Kids who get to decide are much happier to join in.
«I Don’t Want To» Is a Memory Too
The face hidden behind her hair. The tongue sticking out. The jump off the chair. All of that belongs to it. In a few years, you’ll laugh about exactly these photos – and remember what it was really like back then.
Would you love relaxed family photos where nobody has to say «cheese»? Find out more about my family photoshoots in Zurich. For an overview of all my family sessions, visit my page as a family photographer in Zurich. And for ideas on beautiful places, read my article on the best locations for family photography in and around Zurich.
(Dieser Beitrag ist auch auf Deutsch verfügbar.)
