You finally booked a professional family photo session (hooray!), but now you’re thinking… wait, what exactly do we need to do to prepare? If you’ve been googling family photoshoot tips with kids, you’re not alone. Will the kids behave? Do we need to scrub the bathroom tiles and Pinterest our wardrobe? You wanted a relaxed family photo session but you’re not quite sure you’re feeling relaxed about it.

Let me stop you right there.

A recent session comes to mind: a family I’ve photographed for years, where one child wanted to be on their bike, another showed me their pet lizard, and the youngest stripped naked – because why not? The parents? Laughing. Present. Not flustered. That was their real life – messy, joyful, beautiful – and we honoured that, mud stains included. They trust me because they’ve seen what I can do with chaos, and they know they want images that reflect life at this time and that I can do that in a way where they will still want to put them on their walls.

If you’re feeling a little unsure about how to prep for your first session, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through this together in a way that feels simple, calm, and most importantly – true to you.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect. It Just Has to Be You.

One of my top family photoshoot tips with kids? Let go of the idea that it needs to be perfect. I know it’s tempting to want everything just right – hair brushed, house spotless, everyone in outfits that actually match. But here’s the truth: the very best family photos don’t come from perfection. They come from presence.

You don’t need a magazine-worthy home or kids who listen on cue (mine don’t either). You just need to show up as yourselves. Truly.

When I arrive at your session, I’m not judging your house, your eyebrows, or how many crumbs are ground into your rug. What I’m looking for is connection – real moments between the people you love.

A Calm, Honest Guide to Preparing for Your Photo Session

1. Don’t Stress the House (I Promise)

Your home doesn’t need to look like it belongs in a design magazine. Honestly, my favourite family sessions happen in homes with fingerprints on the windows and toys underfoot. That’s where your life happens.

• I’ll guide us toward the best pockets of light in your space.
• We’ll chat as we go, and I’ll naturally observe what feels familiar and special to your family.
• If you’re at home, tidy one or two spaces if you feel the urge – but a lived-in home photographs just as beautifully.

2. Wear What Makes You Feel Like…You

There’s no client wardrobe here, and you absolutely don’t need to show up in coordinated pastels or white linen. I care more that you’re comfortable.

• Choose clothes you feel good in – soft textures, earthy tones, whatever matches how you actually live.
• Avoid big logos or overly bright patterns that might distract from the feeling of the photo.
• Let your kids help pick their outfits if they want to. That Pokémon hoodie might just become your favourite photo one day.

3. Let Your Kids Be Themselves (Truly)

If you take nothing else from this post, take this: the more relaxed your family is, the better your photos will feel.

• Meltdowns happen. Toddlers wobble off script. That’s all part of the story.
• I’ve been photographing families for over 15 years, and some of the most magical photos emerge from absolute chaos.
• I only need a millisecond. One little glance where your eyes meet or your child laughs into your shoulder is enough.

At one session, a teen had a bit of a cry because the dog jumped on them with muddy paws and all. The solution? New top, a few minutes to reset, and they were back – happier and more themselves. These things are normal.

4. Let Me Guide the Flow

You’re not in this alone. Photo sessions with me aren’t staged play-by-plays, but they also aren’t free-for-alls.

• I lightly direct and gently lead so we find natural moments while giving your family space to breathe.
• I’ll ask your kids about what they love – their favourite toys, whether they’ve named that pet lizard. That connection is where the good stuff happens.
• We’ll find a rhythm that suits your family’s energy, whether that’s calm cuddles on the couch or scooters in the lane out back.

Why This Matters

Photos are more than just pictures. They’re tiny time capsules – full to the brim with memory. You deserve to look back and see your family, not some curated version of it.

So let’s honour the chaos, the cheeky grins, the rogue toys and pups and chickens… These are the moments that make your story rich and real, and worthy of remembering.

Ready to Book Your Session?

If you’re a Melbourne family longing for photos that reflect the beautiful, honest mess of real life, I’d love to help. I specialise in relaxed family photo sessions at home or in your familiar spaces.

Whether you’re in the Yarra Valley, Warrandyte, Brunswick, or right here in the backyard with kids who’d rather wield a stick than pose, this is a space where you can be yourselves.

Want to chat more about what kind of session might suit your crew? You can get in touch right here. No pressure, no hours of planning what to wear or making your partner feel uncomfortable, no stress.

And if your toddler decides to do a bush wee mid-session? I’ve seen it all. You’re doing great.

Some extra photoshoot tips