A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family during a family photo session in Copenhagen. I first met Daisy a few years ago when we attended Danish classes together. Back then, she had only one daughter named Elfie. When Daisy was pregnant with her second child, baby Basil, we did a lovely maternity shoot with her and Elfie. Last year, they welcomed little Luno into their lives, who is now six months old. It’s a wonderful time to capture this moment in their journey.

Photographing young children

Photographing families with young children can be quite challenging. There are multiple personalities to handle, and a range of emotions and feelings in play. As a family photographer, it’s my responsibility to organise e the chaos, capture their attention, and seize the perfect moments. Typically, I try to come up with games or activities that would suit a specific group of children based on their age, energy level, the location, and other factors. For Daisy’s family, the best way to photograph them all together was on their bed. Since the kids had a lot of energy, we started a game where everyone pretended to be asleep on their parents’ bed. From there, we managed to capture some nice shots that showcased their love and connections. If we were at a park, for example, I might say, “Now, run to mom and dad and give them a big hug.” It’s not about the running itself, but the hugs, kisses, and genuine laughter that come after. These are just a few examples of the things we can do during a family photo session to capture those candid and special moments. 

Embrace the Unpredictable: Relax and Let Me Handle Your Family Session

After receiving the gallery of edited photos, Daisy reached out saying: “You’re so talented! Thank you! You’d never guess the behind-the-scenes stress!” I always reassure parents not to stress about making everything perfect for a family photo session. Kids tend to act differently when they are faced with a stranger or someone they’re not very familiar with. It’s the same with my own kids when we meet new people or those they aren’t close to. They are uncomfortable, so they can get a bit silly, and parents often feel frustrated by their behaviour. That’s why my advice to parents planning a family photo shoot is simple: just relax, embrace their behaviour, and leave it to me to handle. 

As a family photographer, my main goal is to create a relaxed and enjoyable experience for each family. I want to capture the love they share in timeless photographs that they’ll treasure forever.