![Family sit on the ground and all look to the camera for photos at Ya Ya Orchard](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0009-1024x687.jpg)
When it comes to kids, you never know what to expect. They almost demand that you expect the unexpected. As a photographer, you have to be creative, which often includes being quick on your feet and thinking outside of the box. I’ve learned a trick or two during my time as a family photographer, and I want to share with you how to bring out the best in children during a photoshoot. I hope these practical suggestions will help you as a photographer as you grow and expand your business.
Gaining Behavioral Momentum
Even if you don’t see yourself as a natural with kids, just think “playful.” That is the key to your success. You don’t want to push back on a child who is having a hard time during a session; you need to playfully engage them. No child can resist a playful challenge or interesting task. By gaining their cooperation little by little, you are gaining behavioral momentum. Behavioral momentum essentially means building up momentum to what you really want the child to do by giving them easy tasks that they are highly likely to do first before presenting them with more difficult tasks.
Practical Examples to Capture the Best in Children
Let me give you some real-life suggestions and ways I did this during these outdoor mini sessions. These were 10-minute minis, so I didn’t have time to waste. One child had just woken up from a nap and was not in the “mood” for any type of photos. They had brought two stuffed animals. We pretended she brought them to be with the bunny on my camera lens and she thought that was the best thing. They, the animals, would ask for different things, and I’d snap the picture afterward. With another child, we hunted for dandelions to blow since they were everywhere and she didn’t want to hold still for one second. I made dandelion hunting exciting and fun and won her confidence so that the last few minutes we were able to get genuine smiles and great photos in a short amount of time. Because of my posing workflow I don’t stress about how to get lots of variations in only a few minutes.
I hope these practical examples will benefit you and your business. Check back for more educational blogs on how to grow your photography business.
![Couple poses at Ya Ya Orchard in Longmont, CO](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0001-1024x767.jpg)
![Maternity photo of mom in orchard in Colorado](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0002-1024x767.jpg)
![Family of four pose for family session with Catherine Chamberlain Photography](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0003-1024x688.jpg)
![Mom squats next to daughter and is featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0004-1024x767.jpg)
![Family of four pose for light and airy outdoor photos](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0005-1024x767.jpg)
![Couple pose looking at the camera for Catherine Chamberlain](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0006-1024x688.jpg)
![Baby and dad look at the camera with a spring background](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0007-1024x767.jpg)
![Mom kissing her baby are featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0008-1024x766.jpg)
![Family sit on the ground and all look to the camera for photos at Ya Ya Orchard](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0009-1024x687.jpg)
![Kids are featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0010-1024x767.jpg)
![Close-up shot of little girl in a green dress featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0011-1024x687.jpg)
![Mom and child look at a blossom and are featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0012-1024x767.jpg)
![Dad's back is to the camera as his baby girl looks right at the camera and smiles during spring mini session](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0013-1024x767.jpg)
![Mother and daughter pose outdoors for light and airy photos](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0014-1024x767.jpg)
![Mother and daughter blow a dandelion and are featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0015-1024x767.jpg)
![Candid shot of a family laughing during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0016-1024x688.jpg)
![Mom and dad touch foreheads during light and airy spring minis outdoors in Colorado](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0017-1024x767.jpg)
![Dad holds kid above his head during shoot with Catherine Chamberlain Photography](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0018-1024x767.jpg)
![Family pose together while looking at the camera at Ya Ya Orchard in Longmont, CO](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0019-1024x688.jpg)
![Mother and daughter look closely at each other while featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0020-1024x767.jpg)
![Mom kisses baby's cheek during spring family photos in Northern Colorado](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0021-1024x766.jpg)
![Family of eight pose for spring photos in an orchard](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0022-1024x687.jpg)
![Mom poses with the kids and is featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0023-1024x767.jpg)
![Three children sit facing the camera during photos in Longmont, CO](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0024-1024x688.jpg)
![Little girl poses with a hand on her hip and is featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0025-1024x767.jpg)
![Family poses for outdoor photos in Longmont, CO during the spring](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0026-1024x767.jpg)
![Family of four all sit together smiling for Catherine Chamberlain Photography based in Longmont, CO](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0027-1024x688.jpg)
![Sister hugs and are featured in a blog about how to capture the best in Children during a photoshoot](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0028-1024x767.jpg)
![Dad hugs his two girls during light and airy outdoor photos with Catherine Chamberlain during spring minis at Ya Ya Orchard in Longmont, CO](https://catherinechamberlain.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7364/2024/05/2024-05-15_0029-1024x767.jpg)
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Click below to see more sessions and view other beautiful moments on the blog!
How to Coordinate Stylish Family Looks
Red Rocks Open Space Family Session | Colorado Springs
Lantzy Extended Family Session | Ya Ya Orchard in Longmont, CO
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