7 Easy Tips to Make Family Photos Less Stressful

Posted in Portfolio by Charis Elisabeth

September 4, 2025

Yay! it’s time for your family photo session…or maybe you’re just beginning to think about getting your photos scheduled. But it stresses you out. So you put it off…and keep putting off and suddenly a whole year goes by, then another. Quit letting the stress prevent you from getting your beautiful family and current season of life photographed.

Guess what? I’m an OKC family photographer and I still know how you feel. You’d think as a photographer I’d never stress with my own family photos but…I do! It’s in all of us!

Saying, “oh just relax” or “don’t stress about it” does nothing to help actually make you stress less about your family photo session.

So I’m going to give you 7 easy ways to make family photos less stressful. Okay maybe they’re not exactly all easy but they are ways to make your family photo session be full of a lot more JOY and a whole lot LESS stress. If you have the tools to address your stress it will make the whole photo session feel a lot more doable making you know it’s always worth it to take those family photos!

7 Easy Tips for Less Stressful Family Photos

1 – Plan Ahead. 

This one incorporates several different aspects and planning ahead is probably the number one key in helping you eliminate stress our of your family photo session!

plan ahead the session time/date

choose a date well in advance so you have time to prep and plan other things. I’ll address more of this one below. 

Plan the Clothing.

Mama – prep your clothes first and then get all the rest of the family in line. Prepping clothes at least a week in advance helps you to see if a Target run is needed since your kid already outgrew those shoes you bought last month. (take a peek over at this post on tips on what to wear...)

haircuts – getting fresh haircuts the day before a session is not a wise choice! Hair always looks it’s best about a week out from the hair cut plus if there’s any big mistake it gives you time to address it as needed. 🙂 (but then again life happens…like the one year my Mom planned family photos that we had not taken in years and the day before one of my siblings chopped off a good chunk of their hair. Yep it happens! and pssttt…we are so grateful for those photos!)

if you want nails done or hair and make-up, planning ahead insures you can get those done with your favorite provider!

2 – Your Session is the Main Event

Family photos are an investment you are making and if you want every one to be at their best then trying to fit your photo session in just as an extra in a day means you’ll likely have grumpy family members both at the session and when you get the photos. Keep the day or at least a few hours before the session as free as possible from other commitments (this often means a week day evening might be a better fit for you). Don’t go running from soccer tournament to Grandma’s birthday party to your photo session unless you want to ensure you are quite stressed and your family will not corporate. 

If it’s a week day session pull your kids out from school a little early. If it’s a weekend plan a few good hours of downtime before the session. And always a good solid protein rich snack.

3 – Let Go Of Expectations.

• If there’s anything I want most for families is that at their session they let go of expectations. Don’t hold tight to getting a certain photo or your child acting a certain way. Instead lean in to loving your family and having fun! Soak in the moments and let go of controlling it. This truly does bring out the best in your family and you will cherish the photos that happen because of this!
• a 6-12 month old baby might not smile at mean because I’m a stranger they’ve never met before. I do my best but be okay and lean into a quiet snuggly session if this happens. And often we’ll get a few smiles if you just rest and relax and love on your kiddo.
• Meet your kiddos where there are in the current season of life and be okay with it. Fighting with your kiddos or forcing them into things they don’t want to do doesn’t make it

4 – Be a kid again.

A sure way to make your kids not groan about photos is to make it fun! Have a traditional treat you always do after photos. Choose a location you know they love! And most of all please don’t be telling them a thousand times to smile or say “cheese”. Tickle them, chase them, snuggle them.

5 – find the photographer that is the right fit for you

Finding a photographer that fits your family is another key to making your photos go more smoothly. Does their style match with what you are wanting? If they are lifestyle and relaxed but what you want is portrait, in studio it will not be a good match. Check out their work, ask friends and do a quick chat with your prospective photographer. 

6 – trust your photographer

Your photographer does this as their job. They’ve seen it all – cranky kids, grumpy dads, spills, goofy faces, etc. Mama, you lean in, love on your kids and your husband. Shower them with hugs, kisses and joy. Your photographer knows the photos they need to take and how to get them.

7 – Don’t Run Late.

Finally as you head to your session – give yourself plenty of time. Actually do it before hand in giving yourself plenty of time to get ready, to leave for your session (if it’s not in your home) and to arrive. Arriving at your session a little earlier can give your kids time to get used to the setting and meet the photographer.

Bonus Tip – Do Not Bring Hungry Children

If you session is 6 but you normal eat at 6:30 do not think oh my kids will be fine. Kids need a solid protein filled snack or meal before any session – even if it means it might “ruin” their supper. A child that feels even slightly hungry during a session can quickly turn into a hangry child.

Whew…take a deep breath now. Remember you will be so glad for these photos one day so go ahead contact your photographer and get that session scheduled today!

Like what you read here? And ready to get that family session on the books? Then yay! Let’s get in touch and plan your session! I serve the metro OKC area included Oklahoma City, Mustang, Yukon, Guthrie, Edmond and more. I was grateful to be named the 2025 Favorite Family Photographer by Metro Family Favorites and running up for Oklahoma City Moms. Take a look around my website (check out my Family page or my About page) to make sure I fit what you are looking for and then reach out!

If you enjoyed 7 ways to make your family photos less stressful then you might always appreciate these other posts:

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