You know that feeling when your kids are genuinely laughing and touching noses and your partner is smiling (not fake-smiling) while tossing someone in the air and you’re sitting there thinking… ”This. This right here is the moment I want frozen forever.”

That’s what we’re after.

I’ve photographed so many incredible families over the years, but one session from last summer really stuck with me. This family wasn’t just photogenic, they had fun. The parents brought great energy, didn’t stress over the little stuff, and fully leaned into the chaos and joy of spending time with their kids. Even dad genuinely had fun (a unicorn, I know). The result? A gallery full of joy, love, and those in-between moments that felt like pure magic.

Here’s the good news: that kind of session isn’t just luck. With a little prep and the right mindset going in, you can absolutely capture authentic moments that feel as good as they look. Let’s walk through this together.

Why Real Moments Matter More (and How to Actually Get Them)

I get it. Life is full. Between work, dinner duty, soccer practice, and trying to finish your coffee while it’s still warm, booking a family photo session can feel like another task on the to-do list.

But here’s what I believe: your family deserves to press pause and just be together for a minute. Not to perform, not to “smile for the camera,” but to enjoy each other exactly as you are right now. Because trust me, you’ll never regret having those everyday expressions and connections preserved.

A big part of my process is keeping it simple. Before every session, I send a prep guide that helps you get in the right headspace, because photography isn’t just a set of poses. It’s about energy. Kiddos feel it, and so do cameras. The more relaxed you are, the more magic we capture.

Let’s get into the good stuff: the real-life tips I give my clients to get those dreamy-but-real candid shots.

Tip 1: Embrace the Chaos

You’ve heard me say it before – discipline kills the vibe. If there’s one thing I wish all clients knew before their session, it’s this:

Unless your child is about to hurt themselves or someone else, it’s best to meet them where they are at.

Children being wild and silly isn’t a problem for me – it’s literally the goal. We’re not after statues. We want smiles so big they scrunch the nose and movement that tells the story of their little personalities. Your kid laying in a field mid-tantrum while their sibling tells knock-knock jokes in the background? Honestly, that could be the album cover.

Tip 2: It Starts With You

Kids take emotional cues from their parents. If you show up anxious, rigid, or frustrated, they’ll mirror it. But if you come ready to enjoy your kids – to play, to laugh, to go with the flow – they’ll follow your lead (at least… 80% of the time).

I always tell parents that their headspace is the most important outfit of the day. The best sessions are the ones where parents don’t try to control the outcome, but just let themselves be present.

Tip 3: Gentle Direction, Then Let It Go

During sessions, I offer enough direction to help you feel confident (no one likes not knowing what to do with their hands), but then I encourage play. Think spinning, tossing, chasing, snuggling – anything that involves interaction.

Once you’re moving and connecting with each other, those totally unposed moments start bubbling up on their own.

You don’t have to perform. Just love on your family like you normally would – and I’ll take care of the rest.

Tip 4: Make It a Memory

I had a session once where the family treated it like an outing. They brought snacks, wore clothes they felt good in (not just coordinated), and even had a little post-session ice cream stop planned. The whole experience was relaxed, which came through in every shot.

When you treat a session as something fun to do together, rather than something to get through, it shifts everything. You remember it fondly, not as “photo day,” but as a great family night.

Tip 5: Wear Something You Can Move In

This isn’t the time for outfits that make you tug or adjust every 5 seconds. Choose clothes that feel like you and let you play (bonus points for snuggly textures, flowing skirts, or graphic tees that bring out your kids’ personalities). Comfort matters more than perfection – and it photographs better, too.

Want help with wardrobe ideas? I’ve got you covered in my session guide (and yes, I even drop links to real outfit inspo that doesn’t cost a fortune).

Tip 6: Trust the Process

Real candids take a mix of light guidance and surrender. This isn’t a studio setting – it’s a space for joy, for adventure, for cuddles, and for letting your kids pick flowers while you kiss their cheeks and make memories.

The best part? You don’t have to figure it out on your own. I’m there gently directing, fixing hair if needed, and noticing moments you don’t even realize are happening.

Just bring your real selves. I’ll take it from there.

These Moments Are Fleeting – But They Don’t Have to Be Forgotten

Listen, I know your camera roll is full of half-blurry, cut-off-kid photos (same). But the truth is, you’re in very few of them. That matters.

You, mama, are the love. The chaos manager. The memory maker. You belong in these moments too.

This season of your life is beautiful, even when it’s messy – maybe especially when it’s messy. And when we let go of the idea of “perfect” photos, we make space for ones that actually mean something.

Ready to Capture the Real Stuff?

If you’re ready for a family photo session that feels like your family – joyful, chaotic, heart-full, and real – I’d love to work with you. Whether you’re local to Chatham-Kent, Wallaceburg, or Sarnia, or just road tripping through southwestern Ontario, you deserve images that hold onto this season before it shifts again.

Reach out here to learn more about booking and we can chat about how to make the most of your next session!

Let’s make memories you feel. Chat soon,

B