I absolutely love photographing children of all ages! Each stage of a child’s development deserves to be documented and cherished, despite the unique mix of joys and challenges it brings. This rings true not just for parents, but also for photographers. Recognizing both the highs and lows can help you pinpoint the perfect time for your child’s photo session.
Infant (6 - 12 months)
After the newborn stage, which I typically consider to last up to about six weeks after birth (14 days being the ideal time) waiting until around 6 months old is best for family photos. If you want to capture moments between 2 to 6 months, go for a relaxed, documentary style at-home session. It’s tough to get good shots during this time since babies can’t do much on their own and getting their attention is hard. The baby will most likely need to be held for the whole session so solo and sibling photos might not work well outdoors, especially if there’s a toddler involved. It’s better to be at home, surrounded by all their things and some comfortable furniture.
Past 6 months, the sweet spot is around 8 to 12 months. Personally, I love when they’re about 10 months old. They can sit up but on their own but they can’t run away from me yet! making those solo shots so much fun but also more relaxed. Their personalities are starting to emerge so they’re much more expressive and can focus longer, which leads to better smiles. It’s easier for them to bounce back after fussy moments. Plus, witnessing their first attempts at standing and seeing their proud smiles when they manage it is just priceless!
We’ll plunk them down in a safe spot and let them explore freely. They’ll most likely be curious about the grass and rocks, and they may even crawl away, all totally normal for this age! It’s all part of their natural exploration and growth. All great moments worth capturing!
For this stage, one-piece outfits are the way to go. A cute jumper in the warmer months is adorable. Dresses are great, just remember to add something to cover the diaper underneath if you can. Sweaters or a shirt with little pants or shorts also work nicely, just make sure they fit fairly well so they’re not overwhelmed in clothing. I would avoid a shirt or coat with a large collar as it tends to ride up and cover their cute little face, epically when they’re being held.
Toddler (1 -2 years old)
Now we’re diving into the fun and unpredictable world of toddlerhood! Around 12 to 14 months, they’re starting to take those wobbly first steps—an epic moment to document! I love letting them stand and take a few steps, maybe moving from one parent to the next. Eventually, they might plop down and happily sit, exploring the ground for a while.
Once they’ve nailed walking, it’s not long before they’re zooming around. By about 16 months, photo sessions get more active. They don’t take kindly to being forced into poses so we’ll let them lead the way, exploring their surroundings freely. They can hold onto whatever treasures they find, stick close to their favorite parent, or go off on their own adventure while you tag along, whatever makes them happy in the moment. A laid-back, documentary-style approach works best here. Expect lots of movement during the shoot, so get ready for a bit of a workout and maybe a few mood swings. They’re probably not going to sit nicely and smile at the camera, in fact they may not smile at all! but there is always plenty of other precious moments happening in between all the craziness. If you value real moments and remembering all their expressions over perfectly posed smiles then this is a great age!
Pre-School Age (3-5 years old)
This is when the real adventure kicks off! Their personalities are in full swing, so I start letting them have a hand in deciding what we’ll do for the photos. They get to pick an activity with each parent and decide if they want to sit, stand, or climb on something. They can be silly or serious—it’s up to them! I love this stage because I can chat with them and get to know them better. While they might be a tad easier to keep in one spot it still won’t last for long, they’ll still want to move around a lot, and that’s all part of the fun!
They might stick their tongue out in half the photos, sit in silly poses, or even start rebelling against having their photo taken. That’s why we focus on playing lots of games and don’t stress if they get dirty, wander off, or aren’t keen to join in. Patience is key! It’s all part of the process of capturing their true selves!
Picking outfits for toddler and pre-school age kids is similar. Think movement! They probably won’t stay put in one spot, patiently waiting for us to arrange their skirts and shirts perfectly, and even if they do, it won’t last long. They’ll be tugging at something or moving again in no time! Once more, tights or shorts under a skirt are a must, and opt for pants and shirts that fit well to avoid them riding up or sagging down. Clothes you won’t have to stop and fuss with too much. Also, choose outfits that you won’t worry about getting dirty. Constantly stopping them to avoid every speck of dust on their clothes or shoes can really dampen the fun.
Elementary Age (6 -12 years)
At this stage, kids are catching on to get what the goal of a photo shoot is. Some eat up all the attention, while others might feel a bit shy about it. That’s why it’s super important to show them that photos are all about fun as they grow up! Luckily, they’re usually pretty easy to convince as they get older. Some might put up a bit of a fight at first, but if we don’t pile on too much pressure on and look for things they actually find funny or have an interest in, we can usually nab a genuine smile in between all the silly faces—it might just take a bit of effort. Then there are those kids who absolutely love posing and hamming it up for the camera at this age. It’s so much fun when they start coming up with their own ideas!
This might be the last time they’ll willingly snuggle with you or let you hold them in your arms. It’s worth cherishing these moments, especially as they approach their teenage years and start looking for more and more independence.
Teens (13 - 18 Years)
Many families haven’t had photos taken since the kids were little. Life gets busy with school and activities, but getting photos done when the kids are in their teen years is definitely worth it! Photo shoots at this age are usually the calmest and quickest! Teens don’t need any tricks or games—they seem to have posing down these days. But sometimes they’re a bit self-conscious, and their smiles might feel a bit forced. I don’t like to push for smiles too hard; instead, I keep things relaxed, give gentle direction when needed, and let them be themselves. It’s all about embracing their uniqueness, letting them wear what feels good, and allowing their hair to be how they like it. I would encourage them to not wear something with big logos that may date the photos in the future, remind them that these photos will probably be on the wall of the family home for years to come! but if you push them too far out of their comfort zone, they won’t be in the best mood by the time we start shooting, and capturing those natural smiles will be nearly impossible.
I hope this gave you insight into the ups and downs of doing family photos at different ages! Regardless of their age, it’s always valuable to capture these moments. Time flies by so quickly, and you’ll never regret having these memories to look back on.