Candid moment of family laughing together on sandy beach with ocean waves in background.

What photographer WANTS kids to misbehave?


You think I’m crazy, right?


But hear me out... I want your children to misbehave during their photo session with me! I want them to feel comfortable enough to show their individual personalities and to have fun... Comfortable enough to show genuine smiles and true emotion. If your children were searching for family photographers in Santa Barbara, California, they would probably choose me because I allow them to BE THEMSELVES! This post is all about letting your kids be kids.

Young child in navy shirt holds hands up playfully at the beach.
Little girl in white dress smiles while standing on sandy beach.
Two children holding hands while running joyfully on the beach.
Small child in white dress stands at edge of ocean wave on beach.
Family playing and splashing together on a sunny beach with palm trees and coastal buildings in the background.

Freedom helps personalities shine!


As a parent, it can be nerve-wracking to worry about how your young children will behave during your family photo session, but children shouldn’t be expected to act like adults. Manage your expectations and have fun with it! And the good news is that I am a lifestyle photographer, so my style allows for play, movement, and less of everyone looking at the camera.

Person sitting on large boulder in golden afternoon sunlight with dry hills behind.
Person in yellow dress balancing on rocky outcrop in mountain landscape.
Two children playing under tree branches in sunlit natural setting.
Child in yellow dress walking barefoot on dirt path with mountains in background.
Family and dog sharing a peaceful moment on blanket during golden hour.

Speaking of movement... Let your children do what they want and move around!


Children need to move their bodies to stay engaged and happy. They can get a bit rowdy, if that is how they are, and I will capture their wild spirit. I am going to give you and your children plenty of direction. Your children don’t need you AND me telling them what to do, so let me run the show, just for an hour or so.

Two children lie on a white lace blanket sharing a joyful moment together.
Two children run together on a dirt path through a golden autumn field.
Two children sitting on a lace blanket in a golden field during sunset.
Two children share a tender moment while sitting together on a white blanket outdoors.
A child leaps joyfully in the air against a backdrop of autumn grass and trees.
A family group shares laughter and hugs while standing together outdoors.

Embrace the chaos (and the farting jokes...)


It’s totally fine with me if your children want to talk about gross things or be a little naughty during their session because that’s what children think is funny. I want to see their genuine smiles and laughter. I’m not going to get a real laugh out of them by saying “show me your pretty smile!” BUT what if I say “who in your family snores?” Most likely everyone will look at one family member and laugh.

Three people stand atop rocky cliff formation against bright blue sky.
Three people standing together on rocky mountain hiking trail with scenic vista.
Three people raise their arms in victory while standing on a mountain overlook.
Group lying on edge of dramatic rocky cliff overlook.
A child crouches on a large boulder against a bright blue sky background.
Silhouetted figures perform acrobatic lift pose against dramatic mountain sunset.
Family group poses for photo on mountain overlook during sunny day.

Children are cute no matter what face they make, parents not so much.


Children’s faces look cute when they’re energetic, being tickled, and even cute when they’re running away from you. But parents looking annoyed, frustrated, or angry can ruin an otherwise great photograph.

Family enjoying a sunset moment together on rocky coastal cliffs at the beach.
Two children lying on a patterned blanket wearing floral and coral dresses.
Tender family moment on the sandy beach with cliffs in the background.
Child in bright coral dress twirling on empty beach at sunset.
Child in coral dress smiling brightly against coastal cliffs.

The takeaway is this-


I don’t necessarily want your children to be hyped up on candy and totally out of control. But I want to give them space to be themselves. So that means that when they do get a bit hyper, say something disrespectful or gross, or have ideas other than what we are trying to get them to do, you just let it go for this one hour. And let me be the parent to guide and direct your children.

A family stands together on a coastal cliff overlooking the ocean during golden hour.
A touching embrace shared between two people at a scenic coastal overlook.