How Do I Get My Kids to Look Calm for Photos?

I've had many moms tell me, with a bit of exasperation in their voice, that the kids on my website look so calm... The moms are a bit worried, I think, that her kids are of the wild-child persuasion, and therefore the photos with me are going to look crazed, not as loving and peaceful as the others they've seen.

But I'm here to tell you to not worry about that one bit.  When I'm photographing toddlers and energetic kids, it's the energy those children bring everywhere with them that brings so much joy and life to the photographs.  Sometimes it seems impossible that we could capture anything at all during the high-impact, high-energy play, but in fact, these photographs are often my favorites.

My goal isn't to get your kids to calm down, but rather it's to capture a bit of that beautiful energy.  It's to show you, even through this high-energy play, that there are undeniably beautiful moments of connection and love through it all.  My job isn't to slow your kids down -- it's to meet them, and you, where you all are, and try to give you an accurate reflection of your experience.

I'm actually really big on getting kids to tap into their energy for a session.  Play games, dance, spin, run around if they need to.  This isn't about sitting still, it isn't about looking a certain way.  It's just about you and your little ones being together heartfully.  Whatever that looks like for you.

There's nothing like having an energetic kid.  You are really experiencing life at full volume.  So let me help you see how beautiful that looks to me.  Let me reflect back to you that you are, in fact, keeping up with your amazing kids.  You're the person they most want to share their energy with, and play with.  What a joy that is.  And how fantastic for me that I get to try to capture it.