How to Prepare Your Young Children for an Evening Photo Session
I frequently hear from my clients with young kiddos that they are concerned about doing a late evening session because of how it interferes with sleep schedules, and they worry about how their kids may behave during the session as a result.
This is certainly a valid concern, but consider for a moment whether or not you have ever seen toddlers and babies at summer night events like the 4th of July, movies at the park, or trips to Disneyland.
Are those little ones usually unhappy, and do their sleep schedules prevent their families from enjoying these special occasions? Of course not! The same is true for summer night photo sessions!
REASONS FOR DOING SUMMER PHOTOS IN THE EVENING
Chances are, the photos you’ve seen that made you choose your photographer are ones that were taken during the glow of golden hour.
Golden hour happens during sunrise and sunset, but who wants to get up and ready for a photo session before sunrise? Understandably, most people do not (myself included).
The best choice then is to wait for sunset, but as you likely know, summer sunsets in the Pacific Northwest happen quite late in the evening.
This can often concern parents with young children with early bed times, but rest assured that when you choose an experienced family photographer, they know how to get the best results for you!
Here are some tips to help you have an amazing golden hour photo session with your little one, even when it affects their sleep schedule.
Adjust Nap Times
If your little one takes naps each day, try shifting their schedule back a bit so they will be well rested in preparation for the photo session.
Let Them Be Themselves
As with all of my sessions, regardless of what time of day, photo sessions turn out best when you let kids be themselves. Whether that leads to a playful moment or a snuggly one, photos with your children will be most meaningful when you follow their lead and search for moments of connection.
Bring Snacks
I am not the type of photographer to recommend bribery, but just like us, kiddos can get hangry after a long day and may benefit from a snack to lift their spirits. Just be sure to choose something like cheese sticks or fruit gummies that won’t potentially create a mess!
Make Time to Relax
If possible, I also suggest that you plan in advance to not have any big activities scheduled for your family the day of session, such as birthday parties or family reunions. Try your best to spent most of your time leading up to the session at home, just snuggling or playing outside together.