As a Peoria, IL newborn and family photographer, I know there’s a lot that goes into creating beautiful family photos and the families who end up with the kind of gallery they love most usually do a few simple things differently. They come ready to be together, trust the process, and let the session unfold instead of worrying about getting every photo “right”.

These photos were taken at Stone School Farms, surrounded by rows of beautiful flowers, and they’re the perfect example of what can happen when a family simply settles into the experience. So, if you have family photos coming up, here are five things I’ve noticed the families who have the most successful sessions tend to do.

1. They consider nap time when booking photos.

If your kids go to bed at 7 and a 5:30 p.m. session sounds like a meltdown waiting to happen, pick another time!

I offer morning sessions specifically for this reason. If your kids are cranky because they’re tired, or their last nap is hit or miss and you’re not sure how they’ll react, there’s no need to push yourself to have a session in the late afternoon. Curious about morning sessions? I talk about them here!

The best time for photos is the time when your kids are most likely to be happy, rested, and ready to have fun.

2. They hold off on the treats, bribes, and phone.

Ninety-five percent of the time, we don’t need them!

The minute you pull out a phone or treat is usually the minute we lose your child’s attention. And once they know there’s something better waiting in your pocket, it can be pretty hard to get them back into the moment.

If we really need some kind of motivation, don’t worry—I have a few tricks up my sleeve. We can bring out the big guns when I tell you it’s time!

3. They lay out their outfits—and try them on—ahead of time.

Don’t wait until the last minute to try everything on, only to realize you don’t have the right bra for your dress, your child’s pants are suddenly three inches too short, or your daughter hates the texture of her sweater.

Lay out everything you’ll need from head to toe the night before your photos: socks, underwear, hair bows, shoes, everything!

That way, you’re not running around the morning of your session looking for something you could have sworn you left “right next to everything else.”

Trust me. Future you will be grateful.

4. They think about the functionality of their outfits.

In addition to making sure your outfits are cohesive (clients, I help you with this!), make sure you and your kids can actually move and play comfortably in them.

Think bloomers or cartwheel shorts under dresses for little girls, shoes everyone can move in, and making sure you feel comfortable sitting down, kneeling, or moving around in your outfit.

Your family photos shouldn’t require you to stand still the entire time. In fact, quite the opposite!

You’ll be playing, walking, snuggling, chasing your kids, and sitting together. Your clothes should allow you to do all of that comfortably.

5. They release the expectation of perfection.

Stressing about whether or not your child is behaving, smiling, or looking at the camera is one of the fastest ways to create tension during your photos.

When you hire a professional photographer, you’re hiring someone who is skilled at working with children. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve!

Your only job is to delight in your children and be present with your family.

Leave the rest to me.

At the end of the day, successful family photos aren’t about having perfectly behaved kids, knowing exactly what to do, or making sure every person looks at the camera. As a mom of three and a Peoria, Il newborn and family photographer, I know they’re about enjoying your family—and trusting your photographer to take care of the rest!

The little moments in between the “perfect smiling at the camera” ones are often the photographs you end up loving most: the way your daughter reaches for your hand, your son’s laugh when Dad does something silly, or the way everyone naturally comes together when you stop worrying about the camera.

I don’t expect perfection when you show up for your photos, I just expect you to come as you are! If you’re ready to book your Peoria, IL family photos, I’d love to hear from you!