It’s rare that a toddler will want to stay still for long at a family photo session. Or maybe they fell asleep in the car on the way to the session and needs some time to warm up first.
So, I like to have a variety of games and prompts in my back pocket. This keeps things moving and the expressions natural.
Ten Games and Prompts to use at your Family Photo Session
1) Walk & Talk – Not so much a game, but a prompt. I consider this suggestion “easy mode” as a way to get family members interacting with each other and moving. You can also upgrade this to a “silly bump walk” where the family members have to bump hips (gently) as they walk towards you.
2) Run under a blanket – Not every kid will want to play this game. But, it’s another fun activity to get kids moving around. And you’ll get genuine smiles as they race towards you. Though maybe save this suggestion for the end of your session in case you want to keep the energy more chill.
3) Telephone game – This secret sharing game gets the family all snuggled close together and interacting with each other as they play.
4) Fart Machine – sometimes you just have to bring out the potty humor. I have a remote controlled fart machine that gets kids giggling. Just make sure each kid gets a turn holding the remote.
5) Run and Surprise – Kids love this game! Just warn them not to knock over their parents. You can have the kids run up to hug their parents from the front or the back. You can also mix it up and have the Parents run up from behind to surprise their kids. I love the interactions I get from this prompt.
6) Peek-a-boo – Have the kid hide in some greenery and pop up to surprise you for your camera.
7) Climb up – Again, more of a prompt than a game – kids like it when you have them higher up than their parents for photos.
8) “Everyone look at X…” game. Take turns with everyone looking at and loving on one person in the family at the time. Definitely include the dog.
9) Give Nose kisses and cheek kisses – This is another prompt to keep families close and connecting during their photo session.
10) Have a dance party – encourage the kids to jump and dance around while you take their photos. You can also have the kids twirl under their parents arms.
And if you want even more games to try, consider:
- Simon Says – make one of the kids Simon so they can tell their parents what to do. You can also rename Simon Says to one of the Kid’s Names Says.
- Tickle Time – pay attention to make sure the kids are having fun, not everyone wants to be tickled. You can also have the kids tickle the parents.
- “Superman” flight – have one parent lift a kid up in the air (or hang them upside down)
- Ring-around-the-rosie – have the kids spinning and circling around together
- Follow the Leader – have the youngest lead the family in a line
- Hot Potato – pick a topic and have the family take turns naming as many different types of that topic until they run out (easy ones to suggest are colors, fruit, sports). If you know what the kids are into – you can also do something more specific like “name Minecraft block types” or “name Pokemons”
- Piggy back or shoulder rides – get the youngest up in the air
Making a Family Photo Session feel more like a playdate in the park is one of my goals as an Austin Family Photographer.
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