Getting ready for family photos doesn’t have to mean packing half your house.
In fact, the goal is quite the opposite.
You want to bring the few things that will help your family feel comfortable, happy, and prepared—without creating a giant bag of distractions.
Here are a few things I recommend bringing to your family photography session, along with a few things you probably don’t need.
Bring Water
This one seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on getting everyone dressed and out the door.
Especially if we’re walking, exploring, or it’s a warm day, having water nearby can make a big difference.
A thirsty child is rarely interested in cooperating with anything—including family photos. 😉
Bring a Few Simple Snacks
Snacks can be incredibly helpful, especially for younger children.
Think small, non-messy snacks like:
- Apple slices
- Cheerios
- Crackers
I’d avoid anything especially sticky, chocolatey, or likely to end up all over their clothes.
And here’s my biggest snack tip:
Keep the snacks hidden.
If your child sees the snack bag sitting next to you for the entire session, there’s a good chance they’ll suddenly be much more interested in snacks than photographs.
Instead, tuck them away and bring them out when you actually need them.
Sometimes a tiny snack break is exactly what everyone needs to reset.
Bring Layers
Even if the weather looks beautiful when you leave the house, temperatures can change quickly.
Bring a sweater, jacket, or another layer that works with your family’s outfits.
And remember: cold kids aren’t generally happy kids.
I’d much rather you bring a layer and not need it than spend half your session wishing you had one.
Bring a Comfort Item—If You Want It in the Photos
If your child has a favorite lovey, blanket, or stuffed animal, you can absolutely bring it along if you’re okay with it making an appearance in the photographs.
Sometimes having a familiar comfort item nearby can help a child feel safe and comfortable.
But I’ve also found that sometimes it backfires. 😂
If your child sees their favorite stuffed animal, suddenly every single photo needs to include it.
So think about your particular child.
If having their lovey nearby will help them feel secure without becoming the main character of the session, bring it!
If you know they’re going to want to carry it through every single photo, you may want to leave it at home.
You know your child best. Do what will help them feel comfortable while still giving you the kind of photographs you’re hoping for.
What About Toys?
You don’t need to bring a whole bag of toys to entertain your kids.
Part of my job is to give your family things to do and create opportunities for your children to interact naturally.
If there’s a small item your child absolutely loves, feel free to bring it IF you’re okay with it being in the photos. But you don’t need to pack everything they might possibly want.
Less is usually more.
And Don’t Forget…Your Sense of Humor
Something will probably not go exactly according to plan.
Someone might lose a shoe.
Someone might need a snack.
Someone might suddenly decide they are DONE.
And that’s okay.
You don’t need to arrive with a perfectly behaved family. You just need to arrive as yourselves.
We’ll work with whatever your family brings that day.
Think About the End of the Session, Too
Here’s something parents don’t always think about when preparing for photos:
What happens after?
I shoot at golden hour (for lighting purposes) and that is usually close to bedtime, the goal isn’t just to survive the photos. It’s to make the transition home as easy as possible.
So think about your normal bedtime routine and ask yourself:
What can I do ahead of time to make tonight easier?
Maybe that means bringing pajamas for the kids to change into before you get in the car.
Maybe you brush their teeth before you leave the house.
Maybe you pack their favorite bedtime lovey.
Maybe dinner is already prepared at home, you eat before you come or bring it with you for after.
Maybe you don’t plan anything else for the evening.
There is no right answer.
You know your family best.
But if you already know your little one is going to be exhausted by the time you leave, set yourself up for an easier evening before you even arrive.
I want your family to leave your session feeling like they had a fun experience—not like they have to immediately launch into another hour of getting everyone ready for bed.
