When I first picked up a camera and stepped into the world of family photography, I thought I just needed a few go-to poses, a decent lens, and maybe some Pinterest inspiration to keep in my back pocket.
Spoiler alert: I was very wrong.
It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
I learned the hard way that what worked beautifully for one family completely fell flat with another. I’d try to plug everyone into the same routine poses, expecting magic. But kids have big feelings, parents show up with different energy, and no two family dynamics are ever the same.
Every session is different. And if you want to create real, natural images that feel joyful and connected—not stiff or forced—you have to learn to read people. To watch, listen, adjust, and meet each family where they are.
Candid Moments Don’t Just Happen
Another thing I wish I understood sooner? That it’s not the family’s job to “give” me those dreamy, connected, authentic moments. It’s mine.
I used to wait and hope for magic to happen. Now I know—I create the environment that makes those moments possible.
That means pulling out prompts, games, tricks, and guiding the energy so everyone feels relaxed, connected, and free to just be themselves. Once I made that shift, everything changed—my galleries, my client experience, even how much I enjoyed the job.
It’s Your Job to Control the Chaos
There will be toddlers refusing to stand still, parents worrying about their outfits, and babies deciding now is the perfect time for a meltdown. That’s normal. But here’s the truth: you’re the calm in the storm.
Your job isn’t just to press the shutter—your job is to lead. To make everyone feel like everything is going according to plan, even when it’s not. Once you realize that you’re in control of the session’s energy, it becomes so much easier to pivot, adapt, and still walk away with a gallery full of gold.
A Flow Beats a Checklist—Every Time
In the beginning, I thought I needed a perfect Pinterest board or a long list of poses to copy. But what I really needed was a session flow—a loose, strategic progression that guides families from one setup to the next in a natural, connected way.
A flow keeps things moving. It prevents awkward pauses. It lets you shift easily when something isn’t working. And most importantly? It creates space for the real moments to unfold—those unexpected laughs, sweet glances, and unposed magic.
Let Go of the “Perfect” Shot List
Here’s the mindset shift that freed me up big time: You don’t need to hit every pose on your mental checklist to call a session “successful.”
If something isn’t working—move on. If a moment is happening organically, lean into it. Some of my favorite images came from abandoning the plan and trusting the flow.
Want a Shortcut to Joyful, Natural Family Sessions?
I created The Ultimate Posing Guide to give you everything I wish I had when I was learning. Inside, you’ll get my full session flow, the “golden rules” for guiding families naturally, and over 100+ tested prompts that work in real life—not just on paper.
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If you’re ready to stop guessing and start capturing connected, real moments—this is for you.
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