Family Photo Sessions With Toddlers
It’s not surprising that many parents of toddlers hesitate before booking a family photo session. You want the photos, the memories, the document of this season of life. But you also wonder if your toddler can actually handle a professional photo shoot. Will they cooperate? Will they melt down? Will the photographer know what to do when your child bolts in the opposite direction with one shoe on?
The truth is photographing toddlers isn’t about control. It’s about understanding toddler behavior and building a session around it. Here are a few honest truths about what family photo sessions with toddlers are really like.
Resourced Toddlers Are Happy Toddlers 🤗
One of the biggest factors in successful toddler photo sessions is preparation. The good news is that parents already have most of the answers.
Before photo day, I encourage families to think through questions like:
What time of day is my toddler usually at their best? (Spoiler: it’s usually early morning.)
Would an at-home photo shoot feel more enjoyable or maneageable than an outdoor one?
If outdoors is better, should we somewhere open (like the beach) or somewhere more contained (like the botanical gardens)?
What kinds of snacks or comfort items will help them reset during the shoot?
How should I structure the day before the session, so I make sure my toddler gets enough rest?
Whether we’re planning indoor toddler photos, an outdoor family session, or a newborn lifestyle session with a toddler sibling, resourcing your child ahead of time sets the tone for a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
Family Photo Sessions With Toddlers Are Unpredictable 🥴
If you’ve ever Googled “how to pose toddlers for photo shoots” or “toddler photo tips,” here’s the honest answer: toddlers don’t pose. Toddler family photos are inherently unpredictable. Rather than seeing this as an impediment, I see it as one of the best parts of photographing families with toddlers.
Toddlers bring movement, spontaneity, curiosity, and humor. They explore. They test boundaries. They change moods quickly. Snack breaks happen. Tears might happen. Someone may sit down on the ground and refuse to move.
All of this is normal and all of it belongs. My goal in these sessions, beyond documenting how adorbale your little dictator looks, is making images that feel real. Luckily, the unpredictability or toddlers gives us exactly that.
Everything That Happens Becomes Part of the Memory 🥰
Whether your toddler is gently holding your hand or yelling “NO” at full volume, the dynamic of your family right now is worth documenting. Family life with toddlers is layered. It’s joyful, exhausting, tender, and chaotic. A meaningful toddler photography session doesn’t erase those layers; it honors them.
If done well, the image of your toddler mid-meltdown can be just as meaningful as the one where they’re laughing or snuggling into you. The truth is there will likely be a mix of serene moments and more frustrating ones. The photographer’s role is to tell a meaningful and loving story of the time you spend together. If the photographer does their job well, those images of the meltdown are as cherished and frame-worthy as the one showing your toddler blowing on the dandelion flower.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Toddler Photo Sessions
Many parents wonder whether an indoor photo shoot with a toddler or an outdoor session will work better. There’s no universal answer, and it really just depends on your child.
Indoor sessions can feel grounding and familiar, especially for toddlers who are a little on the reserved side. Outdoor sessions offer freedom of movement and space to explore, which can be ideal for high-energy kids. Just know that safety, flexibility, and child-led pacing are always priorities of mine, regardless of location.
A Real Example: Family Photos With Three Toddlers 🤩
The family featured below has three toddlers.
Was this session calm and quiet? Absolutely not.
Was it fun, silly, and full of connection? Completely.
Is a Toddler Photo Session Right for Your Family?
If you’ve been on the fence about booking toddler family photos, this is your sign that you don’t need a “perfectly behaved” child to have beautiful and meaningful images.
You just need a photographer who:
Understands toddler development
Plans sessions around your child (not the other way around)
Knows how to photograph connection in all its forms
If you’ve been on the fence about having a family session with your toddler, take a look at my family session options to see if one might be right of your family.