There are some families who feel less like clients and more like old friends.
I have been photographing this family since nearly the beginning of my photography career, which makes sessions like this one especially meaningful. I’ve had the privilege of watching their family grow, documenting different seasons of their lives, and seeing their children grow up in front of my camera.
So when we met up for their fall family photography session at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, it felt like so much more than another family photo session. It was another little chapter in a story I’ve been lucky enough to document for years.
And with three kids under 10? We kept things moving, relaxed, and fun — exactly how I think family photography should feel.
Fall Family Photography at the NC Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of my favorite locations for family photography in Raleigh. There are so many different backdrops and opportunities to create variety within one session, from the beautiful architecture and open spaces around the museum to the trees, walking paths, and natural scenery.
It also gives families room to move.
And when you’re photographing three young kids, having room to move is important!
Rather than expecting everyone to stand perfectly still and smile for an hour, I love allowing children to explore, walk, play, snuggle, and interact with their parents and siblings. Some of my favorite images are often the ones that happen in between the “everyone look at me” photos. I always say it, but this is my sweet spot for families.
How to Prepare for a Family Photography Session with Three Young Kids
If the thought of getting three (or more) young children ready for family photos makes you want to cancel the entire thing, I promise you’re not alone.
Getting everyone dressed, fed, out the door, and to your Raleigh family photography session on time can feel like an Olympic event.
But there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make the experience much easier.
1. Don’t wait until the last minute to choose outfits
One of my biggest recommendations for families is to plan your outfits early. This is one of my favorite things to help with… all of my sessions come with personalized styling and access to Style and Select, my online styling tool that helps with pulling the perfect outfits together.
You don’t need everyone to match. In fact, I generally prefer when families coordinate rather than wear identical outfits.
Think about a color palette and choose pieces that work together without looking too “matchy-matchy.”
For fall family photos, I love warm neutrals, earthy tones, denim, subtle patterns, textured sweaters, dresses, boots, and layers.
And remember: mom’s outfit is a great place to start.
Choose something you feel beautiful and comfortable in, and build the rest of the family’s outfits around it.
2. Give yourself more time than you think you need
If your session starts at 5:00, don’t plan to start getting everyone dressed at 4:30.
Give yourself a buffer.
Someone will spill something.
Someone won’t be able to find their shoes.
Someone will suddenly decide they absolutely cannot wear the shirt they picked out three weeks ago.
And someone will inevitably need a snack five minutes before you walk out the door.
Give yourself enough time that these little emergencies don’t immediately put everyone into panic mode.
Your photographer would much rather have you arrive five minutes early and relaxed than arrive exactly on time after a stressful car ride.
3. Feed the kids beforehand
Hungry children are rarely interested in family photos.
I recommend giving younger kids a meal or substantial snack before your session. Just be mindful of anything especially messy or staining right before you leave.
And bring a few emergency snacks with you if needed.
Sometimes a quick snack break during a session is exactly what everyone needs.
4. Don’t threaten your kids with the photo session
This one is important.
Try not to spend the entire day saying:
“You better behave for pictures tonight.”
“If you don’t smile, you’re going to be in trouble.”
“You better listen to the photographer.”
By the time they arrive, they’ve already been told that family photos are a high-pressure event.
Instead, keep it light.
Tell them you’re going somewhere fun and that you’ll be playing, walking, and taking a few pictures together.
And then let your photographer (hopefully that’s ME!) take care of the rest.
Your Kids Don’t Have to Behave Perfectly for Family Photos
This might be my most important family photography tip.
Your children do not have to behave perfectly. In fact, I prefer if they aren’t thinking about their behavior at all!
They don’t have to smile the entire time.
They don’t have to sit still.
They don’t even have to cooperate with every photo.
That’s okay.
Especially with three children under 10, there will probably be a few moments of chaos.
Those moments can make some of the best photographs.
A little sibling silliness. A child hiding behind Dad. A big belly laugh. Kids running toward their parents. A toddler who suddenly needs to be held.
Those are real pieces of your family.
My job isn’t to make your children perform perfectly for the camera. My job is to create space for your family to interact naturally and document the personalities and relationships that make your family yours.
Let Your Family Move
One of the reasons I love photographing families at locations like the NC Museum of Art is that we’re not confined to one small spot.
We can walk.
We can explore.
We can stop for a traditional family portrait.
We can let the kids run.
We can photograph the little moments between poses.
And we can move on when everyone’s attention span is starting to disappear.
For families with young children, movement can make a huge difference.
Instead of constantly asking children to “stand still,” I may have everyone walk together, hold hands, play a quick game, cuddle, or interact with one another.
The result is a gallery that feels much more like your family and much less like a collection of forced poses.
Choose a Location That Feels Like Your Family
Your family photos don’t have to happen in a traditional photography studio.
Some families love beautiful gardens. Others prefer a beach, a favorite park, their own backyard, or a meaningful location that tells part of their story.
The NC Museum of Art in Raleigh is a wonderful option because it offers such a variety of scenery in one location.
And if you have older children, choosing a location where they can explore and be themselves can make the session feel much more natural.
Your family photography session should feel personal to you.
A Family I’ve Had the Privilege of Photographing for Years
One of my favorite parts of being a family photographer is getting to watch families grow.
I’ve photographed this family from nearly the beginning of my career, and that history makes these images even more special to me.
The children I once photographed when they were little are suddenly getting bigger. Their personalities are changing. Their relationships with one another are evolving.
And every few years, we get to stop for a little while and document where they are right now.
That’s one of the reasons I love family photography so much.
It’s not really about getting the perfect picture.
It’s about remembering this version of your family.
The three kids who are currently this age.
The way they fit into Mom and Dad’s arms.
The way siblings interact.
The little personalities that will inevitably change as they grow.
These photographs become part of your family’s history.
Planning Your Raleigh Family Photography Session
If you’re looking for a Raleigh family photographer, I would love to help you plan a session that feels relaxed, natural, and personal to your family.
Whether you’re looking for fall family photos at the NC Museum of Art, an outdoor family session in Raleigh or Wake Forest, or another location that has special meaning to your family, we’ll work together to create images that feel like you.
And if you have young children, don’t worry about whether they’ll cooperate perfectly.
Bring the kids.
Bring the snacks.
Bring the chaos.
I’ll bring the camera.
And we’ll document this season of your family exactly as it is right now.
Looking for a Raleigh Family Photographer?
I photograph families throughout Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, and the surrounding Triangle area, creating warm, natural family photographs that preserve the connection, personalities, and little moments that make your family unique.
