What If My Child Won’t Sit Still for Photos?
If the thought of booking family photos immediately brings up visions of your child running in the opposite direction, refusing to smile or suddenly deciding that today is the day they absolutely cannot stand next to their sibling, you’re definitely not alone.
It’s something parents say to me all the time:
“My toddler never sits still.”
“They never smile when I ask them to.”
“I’d love family photos, but I just know they won’t cooperate.”
The good news? Your child doesn’t need to sit perfectly, smile on command or behave like a tiny adult for us to create beautiful family photographs.
In fact, I’d much rather they didn’t.
I don’t expect children to sit perfectly
A family photoshoot isn’t an hour of asking your children to sit in one spot and smile at the camera. That would feel like hard work for everyone, especially a three-year-old who has far more interesting things to do.
Instead, I work with their attention span rather than against it.
We might start with a simple family photograph while they’re still curious about what’s happening. I’ll guide you into positions that look natural and photograph beautifully, then use little prompts, questions and games to keep your child engaged.
Rather than repeatedly asking them to “smile”, I’m looking for ways to get a genuine reaction.
That might mean asking them something silly, getting them to whisper something into Mum’s ear, giving them a little job to do or challenging them to make Dad laugh.
Sometimes we’ll count, play peekaboo, look for something hidden near the camera or see who can make the funniest expression.
And the trick that works for one child might not work for another. Every child is different, so I simply go with what works for them on the day.
A little movement can actually help
If your child has reached their sitting-still limit, we change things.
They can cuddle you, stand between you, sit on Dad’s shoulders, hold hands, have a little wriggle, tickle their sibling or run back in for a hug.
Those moments often create some of my favourite photographs because everyone stops concentrating on the camera and starts interacting with each other.
It’s also a lovely way to capture the natural connection between you, alongside those more classic family portraits where everyone is together and looking towards the camera. Both have their place, and together they tell a much fuller story of your family.
I’ll still capture those lovely photographs where everyone is together and looking towards the camera, but I’ll also be watching for the in-between moments.
Your toddler’s enormous laugh when Dad makes them giggle.
The way your little one leans into you for reassurance.
Siblings being silly together.
That expression that is so completely them at this age.
Those photographs matter too.
What if they really aren’t interested?
Then we don’t turn it into a battle.
Children pick up very quickly when everyone desperately wants them to perform. The more pressure they feel to smile, sit still or “be good”, the harder it can be to capture the child you recognise at home.
Sometimes, a few minutes doing something different is all they need.
I might photograph another combination of the family, give them a moment to explore, chat to them about something they love or simply change the pace.
There’s no prize for completing every photograph in a particular order.
My job is to read what’s happening and adapt.
You don’t need to practise beforehand
You also don’t need to spend the journey to your session reminding everyone to behave.
Come as you are.
Tell your children that you’re going to have some family photographs taken and keep it light. You can bring a favourite small toy or comfort item if you think it might help, but there’s no need to rehearse smiles or practise poses at home.
And if things feel a little chaotic during your session, that doesn’t mean your photographs will look chaotic.
There can be a lot happening just outside the final frame!
My job is to keep things moving, make your children feel comfortable and work with whatever they give us on the day.
Your child doesn’t have to sit still
So, if “my child won’t sit still” has been the reason you’ve put off updating your family photographs, please don’t let it be.
They don’t need to sit perfectly.
They don’t need to smile on command.
They don’t need to stand still for an hour.
And they definitely don’t need to be anything other than the funny, energetic, cuddly, curious little person they are right now.
Because one day, you’ll look back at these photographs and realise that all those little things you thought might make the session difficult are actually the things that made the photographs them.
If you have any questions about family sessions, feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to help.
