As a mother of 3 myself and photographing families for years. I have gleaned some wisdom on how to help you have a smooth family session.

FORGET about PINTEREST. Please! Your family is unique and one of a kind. Do not compare your family to someone else’s. Or of that one photo you saw on Instagram and want to replicate it. I am all for inspiration but let the session flow naturally, and allow me to capture your personal family story.

EXPECTATIONS. Do not project your expectations on your two year old to perform in front of the camera and get frustrated they are not acting the way you want. Let him or her be themselves. I usually get individual photos of the kids in the “in-between” moments of them running around, or picking flowers. This is how you want to remember them, not with a forced smile that you yelled at them to do.

LOVE ON EACH OTHER. Without fail, my very most favourite images from family sessions are not the ones that everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. But ones of everyone embracing and looking at each other. I always ask for you all to move in, leave no spaces between, and always be touching.

JUDGEMENT FREE. Did I mention I have 3 young kids? I know exactly how it feels that the day you want everyone to smile & cooperate is the day your child is having a fit, meltdown or just does not want to be there? Do not apologize for how your child is acting. I get you. I do not judge you. Do not yell at your child. Show them love and empathy. I allow for breaks for a snack, to run around, or just a little have fun in between. Don’t be embarrassed that things aren’t going how you planned.

MINDSET. Have a mindset of: I want 1 photo of all of us looking. And all the others celebrating the season of life we are in. It does not matter what we are doing. What matters is that we are together here, in this moment, right now.

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