I believe everyone should have an amazing experience taking their Peoria, Illinois family photos and I’ve refined my client experience over the years to make sure I take care of you! But what about before you arrive at the photos?! Wondering how you can best prepare for your family photos? Here are my tried and true tricks to ensure you have stress-free photoshoot experience (yes-even with toddlers!).

Preparing for your Peoria, Illinois family photoshoot

1. Lay your outfits out the night before. Shoes, socks, bows, headbands, outfits. All of it. Somehow, it’s always the small details that you can’t find before you need to go! Reduce any last minute searching by preparing everything the night before in a room the kids can’t touch.
2. Have a slow day and be flexible with nap times. With the summer months comes longer evenings. This can interfere with some nap schedules and can cause kids to be cranky by the time your family photoshoot starts. Consider moving the naps to a later time, or letting them sleep longer so they’re well-rested. Don’t plan too many activities for earlier in the day so kids aren’t overstimulated and tired.
3. Let go of expectations. I do not expect your child to smile and stare at me the whole time and I hope you don’t either! Some children are shy and take time to warm up and that is okay. It’s important to honor your child, which is why my Peoria, Illinois family photoshoots are always child-led. Your child doesn’t want to be held? That’s okay, we’ll play a game that involves them running around. Your child doesn’t want to stand by themselves? That’s okay, we’ll make sure they get lots of snuggles instead. Children mirror our energy and if we are relaxed and go with the flow, they are more likely to do that as well.
4. Make it a family date and pick your favorite restaurant to go eat at after. This is my favorite thing to do and it allows you to create more memories as a family of a very special evening!

Interested in booking your Peoria, Illinois family photoshoot? There’s no need to wait until fall! Whether you want photos in your home or during the most lush time of year, I’d love to hear from you. Please inquire on my contact page.