As a mom and lifestyle family photographer, I get this question A LOT.

And the truth is? I just… don’t.

Sorry to immediately pull the rug out and have zero easy fixes for you, but I really do mean it!

Over the years I’ve learned that when we lean into their joy, let go of what we think we need to look like or be, and just experience a full hour or two of play; the photos take themselves. There’s not a child on this planet that loves to be told what to do (me included!)

You see, a lot of us lose our whimsy as we age. We forget that we have free will, that we can be silly, that we can just exist and slow down. Even I get caught up sometimes in the prep and busyness that I forget what the whole purpose of taking the picture is about: documenting their childhood, what it looks like, right now.

So what’s the solution?

Presence over perfection. At least, that’s what I believe. Some of my most favorite experiences, sessions, and pictures of my own kids were all either unplanned, or went severely off script of what we had planned. And you know what? I let the kids just be kids, and then suddenly we were best friends, and then suddenly they were… listening.

You heard that right, listening to my guidance. “Posing” in ways their parents didn’t think possible. And by the end, even mom and dad forgot they were doing photos too.

Because as much as I want to get beautiful photos for you, I want you to have the space to just spend some quality time with the ones you love most too.

Oh, and a good bribe works too. My experience? Cookies are a crowd favorite.

Until next time!

Kailah