Tips for sunset family photos with young Kids | Spokane Lifestyle Family Photographer
Tips for sunset family photos with young Kids | Spokane Lifestyle Family Photographer
We all want those perfect golden hour family photos, but for those of us with young kids it can feel like a daunting task to get everyone to the pictures in a happy cheerful mood. With all of my years of experience photographing children and families, below are my best tips and suggestions for any mom wanting family photos at sunset with her young kiddos.
Book in Spring or Fall
Booking family photos in the early spring or late fall, when the sun sets earlier can be a really great option for families with young kids and babies. This allows you to get those perfect golden hour rays without having to be out until 9PM to get them. Don’t worry about the landscape, a great photographer will know where to go to get photos that look great no matter the time of year.
Bump nap time a little later.
While this isn’t an option for all kids, for those who can, bumping nap time just a little bit later can help a lot with keeping your kiddos feeling rested for family photos. Bumping nap time shifts the wake window to keep those sleepy eyes away just a little longer in the evening.
Feed your family dinner before you arrive.
Feeding your family before your photos is always a great idea so long as no one has gotten dressed for photos yet. A fed family is a happy family. I love slowcooker or instantpot meals on photoshoot days. They’re convenient and hearty to keep your family feeling energized and satisfied through the photos. I also recommend suggesting getting ice cream on the way home to keep kiddos excited for the family outing. (this will also fill their tummies before bed so they sleep well for you afterwards too.)
Bring small clean snacks for during the session.
Any parent knows that snacks are survival. Bringing small, clean snacks to use during your session can be really helpful in keeping kiddos happy and engaged. Goldfish crackers or fruitsnacks are some of my favorites. Don’t forget baby wipes to clean faces and a spare shirt for your kiddos just in case. Always expect spills on picture day, but don’t fret too much, editing software can deal with a lot these days.
Expect your kids to be a little grumpy.
Expect your kids to be a little fussy, it’s OKAY! As a photographer who works with hundreds of families each year, I am so used to fussy kids during photos. A little bit of grumps never hurt anyones family photos. Expect them to have a hard time and trust that I have ways to get even the grumpiest kids to participate.
Book a sunrise session instead.
If you’re really concerned about keeping your kids up late, you can always consider a sunrise session instead. Some kids are morning people and the sun looks just as pretty in the morning as it does in the evening. You can also talk to your photographer about mid day location options, there’s always a way to get those family photos done.
Choose a unique and new location.
Selecting a unique and new location for your photos that your kids haven’t been to will immediately pique their curiosity. Kids love experiencing and exploring new places. It’s the perfect distraction from the fact that it’s bedtime and the photos are being taken. I definitely recommend avoiding any parks with visible playgrounds during family photos to keep your kids interested in our action and not the action of the kids playing on toys.