Good question! I'm all about bribes for kids, so make sure they know that you have a special reward planned for their good behavior and good smiles. An ice cream date afterward is a popular incentive.

If your child is a napper, we'll try to schedule around that. It's best if they're recently rested for photos. If they usually go to bed early, and you have a summer shoot that's a little later (to get the best light), give them a good late nap. I promise it will be worth keeping them up a little later!

Always make sure your kiddos are well-fed before a shoot. Even as adults, we get cranky when we're hungry. I recommend feeding them before they get dressed in their clean photo outfits, and packing a somewhat clean snack (and some wet wipes) for a mid-session snack break.

For some kids, it's helpful to practice smiling and making different faces in the mirror beforehand. It lets them see when they look silly and when they make the faces Mom and Dad like best. Have them practice saying different silly words and watching how their face moves. (You might even want to practice this yourself!) Preparing in this way can help them see that this photo shoot is important to you, and they'll know what to do when it's camera time.

Kids are my favorite. I love making friends with them and finding out what makes them laugh. Please don't worry about their behavior during the shoot -- that's my job! I want you all to be relaxed, and when they're getting direction from multiple adults at once, that can cause anxiety for everyone. I reserve plenty of time for your session so we can have the flexibility to follow their lead. Everything will be great!