Collars on infant clothing usually pop up during the session and expressions are lost while trying to fix them. Too much bold color, or frills and fluff around the face, will detract from the beauty of the child. Solid white diapers are best or a white cover to place over them.

Make sure the bottom of the shoe is not decorated with brightly colored characters or decorations. Although sneakers are the most popular shoe of our time, they are very distracting in photographs. Try to find a shoe that coordinates with the clothing. Be careful that the shoes fit well so as not to be a source of ill temperament. Of course, bare feet make great timeless portraits!

Check for fit both sitting and standing and if the look is not pleasing you will still have time to change your selection. We can not make clothes look like they fit it they are not the correct size.

We can see how the child reacts when we start the session and perhaps we will be able to help. Remember, the expression is more important the the clothing the child is wearing.

If you don’t like it there is nothing we can do to make the hair more pleasing to you.

A pacifier can leave a red ring around the mouth, which can show up photographs. With older children, please do not give them candy or juice with coloring. The purple lips or green tongue will last for hours.

A child learns early that a bribe comes when you want them to do something they don’t want to do. They will automatically have a negative feeling about coming for the session. Do we think enticement is a bad thing? By no means.We use it during the session to get desired results but the reward will be more immediate. Such things would be a small snack after a few poses or a ride on the swing before we move to a different area. A reward must come fairly quickly after the offer is made. A two year old is not going to be patient and wait for two hours, he wants it NOW. Wrong mood for a portrait!

That may sound silly but an infant or toddler who is played with a lot prior to a session can tire of being happy. They need rest. Don’t worry about keeping your child happy prior to a session. They will be ready when you get to the location.

If there is any one thing that causes stress and anxiety in a child coming to have a portrait made, this is it. Please tell them them they are going to the park (backyard, beach, etc.) to play, but don’t build it out of proportion. You can tell them Ms. Honey will meet you there. Many times a child is finished with a session and is unaware they have been photographed. How many children have to be bribed into playing? Automatically, they are more receptive to the idea of going out to meet us. That will not only help us, it makes things easier on you.

The calmer you are in preparation for the session, the calmer your child will be. Your mood and temperament can be detected by your child. If they detect stress, anxiety or frustration in your tone, it will affect their mood as well.

Your job is to get to the session and the rest is up to us! Everything will go smoothly.*

*Editor's note: Even when you don't really believe it is going smoothly, it is! We were shocked, after an exhausting and at times frustrating photo session with a toddler, a preschooler, and two parents who were trying to cope with them, to find that there were so many good prints we didn't know which to choose from! That's what makes the difference between a professional family portrait and grandpa behind the shutter begging all of the children to say "Cheese" at the same time. Really, you CAN relax. -DR