Photographing Young Kids (and Why Meltdowns Are Fine)
Your two-year-old will not sit still for a photo. That is actually the point.
Let's Get Honest About Photographing Toddlers
I have two kids of my own. I know exactly what it is like to try to get a small human to look at a camera and smile at the same time. It almost never happens. And when it does, it is usually a weird grimace that makes everyone laugh, which, honestly, makes a better photo anyway.
Here is what I tell every parent before a session with young kids: lower your expectations for perfection and raise them for real moments. The photo of your toddler running away from the camera at Chautauqua, curls flying, tiny legs going as fast as they can? That is the photo you will cry over in ten years. Not the forced smile.
How I Work with Little Ones
I do not try to control young kids. I follow them. My job is to be fast enough with my camera to catch what they are already doing. Running, climbing, picking up rocks, splashing in puddles, hiding behind a parent's leg. These are the moments that tell the truth about your family right now.
I get down on their level. Literally, I spend a lot of sessions on my knees or lying on the ground. When you photograph a kid from above, they look small and you look like you are looming over them. When you get down to their eye line, you see the world the way they see it. Everything is bigger, more interesting, more full of wonder.
I also keep my distance when I need to. Young kids sometimes need space to warm up. I will start by shooting the parents and siblings and let the little one come to me when they are ready. Chasing a shy toddler with a camera never works. Patience always does.
The Meltdown Photos Are the Good Ones
I know that sounds wrong, but hear me out. When your three-year-old melts down during a session, something beautiful happens. A parent scoops them up. A sibling tries to make them laugh. Dad makes a silly face. Mom whispers something in their ear. Those moments of comfort and connection are exactly what family photography should capture.
I am not going to photograph your kid screaming and hand you a gallery full of tears. But I am going to photograph the recovery: the moment the crying stops, the snuggle that follows, the wobbly smile that comes back. That cycle of frustration and comfort is what being a family with small children actually looks like.
One of my favorite photos from last year is a dad at Boulder Creek holding his two-year-old who is mid-tantrum because she dropped her rock in the water. His face is pure exhaustion and pure love at the same time. The mom framed it and hung it in their hallway. Real life.
Snacks Are Not Optional
Bring snacks. I cannot stress this enough. The right snack at the right moment has saved more photo sessions than any fancy camera technique. Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, apple slices, whatever your kid loves. When energy drops or emotions spike, a two-minute snack break resets everything.
And snack time makes great photos too. A toddler concentrating on eating a strawberry, juice running down their chin, sitting in the grass with the Flatirons behind them? That is a photo.
Timing: Work with Their Schedule, Not Against It
The single most important thing you can do for a session with young kids is schedule it when they are at their best. For most toddlers and preschoolers, that means right after a nap and after a meal. A hungry, tired kid is going to have a hard time no matter how fun the location is.
I am flexible with timing. If your kid naps at 1 PM and wakes up at 2:30, we can start at 3. If mornings are better, we do mornings. Golden hour light is beautiful, but a happy kid in decent light beats a miserable kid in perfect light every single time.
Locations That Work for Young Kids
I pick locations based on what will keep your kid engaged, not just what looks prettiest. For toddlers, that means places with things to do: rocks to climb, water to touch, trails to toddle along. Chautauqua works because there are rocks and grass and gentle slopes. Boulder Creek works because water is endlessly entertaining. Wonderland Lake works because the path is flat and there are ducks.
I avoid locations that require long walks to reach. If we have to hike 20 minutes to get to the "good spot," the session is half over before we start shooting. With young kids, we start shooting the moment we leave the car.
What Parents Can Do
The best thing you can do during a session is be present with your kid and forget about me. Play with them. Pick them up. Tickle them. Have a conversation. When you are relaxed and engaged, they are relaxed and engaged.
Do not worry about directing them to look at the camera. Do not apologize when they run the wrong way. Do not feel bad when they cry. All of that is normal and all of it is photographable. Your job is to be their parent. My job is to capture it.
The families who get the best photos are the ones who let go of the idea that a photo session has to look a certain way. Kids are wild and unpredictable and funny and emotional. That is what makes them incredible subjects. Let them be that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age to photograph young kids?
There is no bad age. I have photographed three-month-olds and five-year-olds in the same session. Every age has its own magic. Babies are sweet and sleepy. Toddlers are chaotic and hilarious. Preschoolers are curious and bold. The best age is whatever age your kid is right now, because they will not be that age for long.
What if my child will not cooperate or has a meltdown?
I expect that to happen and I plan for it. Meltdowns are part of photographing young kids. I keep shooting through them because some of the most honest family moments come from a parent comforting a crying toddler or a sibling trying to make the baby laugh. We can also take a break, have a snack, and come back to it. I am never in a rush.
Should we schedule around nap time?
Yes, if possible. A well-rested kid is an easier kid to photograph. I recommend scheduling sessions right after a nap, not right before one. For babies and toddlers, that usually means late morning (around 10 AM) or late afternoon (around 4 to 5 PM) depending on their schedule. Tell me your kid's routine and I will work around it.
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