This post is sponsored by Portrait Innovations. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Taking styled photos with toddlers is not always easy. You never know how the session will go. These are my tips to make a photo session easier with a toddler.

I am a huge fan of pictures. I love capturing my children in timeless photos that showcase every age and stage they are going through.

With a big family, it is not always easy to get every one of us in a picture . Usually I am behind the camera and missing from all the photos. 

We finally went to Portrait Innovations last Christmas and took family photos for the first time since the adoptions were officially finalized! They turned out so great!

I can hardly believe the girls are going to be turning THREE in a few weeks! I can’t get over how big they are getting. It makes me both excited and a little sad that they are getting so big. 

Last week we ventured out, just the three of us, to take pre-birthday pictures and do a mommy-daughters day. 

I have to admit, I was a little nervous taking them by myself to do the photo session. They are super busy and because there are two of them they sometimes can go in two different directions! 

Twins are cute, but they can be twice the trouble! HA!

I drank an extra cup of coffee and did a little planning to make sure that our time at Portrait Innovations went smoothly and was a great experience for the girls. 

These are the tried and true tips that make a photo session easier with toddlers. 

Choose a normally happy time.

In other words… DO NOT book your session for nap time!

Let’s just face reality, there is no reasoning with a tired toddler. We always try to get the first session of the morning, because that is when the girls are their happiest and well rested. 

Bring familiar objects or toys

A large room full of backdrops and lights and an unfamiliar person trying to get them to smile can be overwhelming to a child. Help the relax by bringing a special toy or stuffed animal from home. 

I feel that taking pictures with their favorite toy or stuffed animal captures a special time in their life and will tell even more of their childhood story in the future.

Snacks are a must

You may be at the portrait studio for a good amount of time. Keep the “Hangry” toddlers happy with snacks that are not too messy and easy to pass out. 

Our favorite go-to snacks are crackers, blueberries or grapes. Super easy and easy for little fingers to grab and pop in their mouth.

Be Flexible with Expectations

When I booked my appointment, I had expectations in my head of what I wanted in the photos, how the girls would pose, and the end result. Ideally, I wanted to have all of the pictures of my girls looking like perfect princesses! 

However, I also try to keep in the back of my mind several factors and realistic expectations. Because toddlers are… well, Toddlers! You never know when toddlers will have a meltdown or just plain refuse to cooperate. 

I have a friend who has a picture of her son crying with huge alligator tears hanging on her family gallery wall. It’s one of her favorite pictures of him now that he is a teenager. It’s a hilarious story she tells about it and a great memory for her and family. 

Just like my friend with her crying son, I try to roll with the day and the craziness of my kids! In the end, I always end up with great pictures too!

Reward & Encourage

All of my children do really great when I am praising them and encouraging them. If I am getting stressed, I try to take a deep breath and reset myself and stay positive with them (even when they are totally trying my patience!)

I usually keep stickers and small candies in my bag for rewards for doing good and trying their best. 

The girls were very excited about going to lunch with mommy after their photo session. At the end of the session while I was trying to choose pictures to order, I was able to encourage to stay with me because we were going to be going to lunch very soon!

Our Photo Session at Portrait Innovations went AMAZING!!!!

As you can see from the pictures in the post our session went so good. I was so proud of the girls. 

We only had one minor incident while I was reviewing the photos and choosing my favorites…. Fruit snack stuck in hair…. 

I love every picture! And I love that we were able to go to lunch next door and come right back and pick up our printed photos! 

How awesome is it that you can pick up your photos in 20-30 minutes as soon as you take them?!?! No more waiting weeks and weeks!

Portrait Innovations is offering their best spring special ever!!!!

The Spring 24 Portrait Package is only $19.99 PLUS a Free $100 16×20 Canvas with coupon found by clicking this link  

Included in the portrait package is 1-10×13 Wall Portrait, 2-8x10s, 4-5x7s, 4-3x5s, 8-2x3s, and 5-5×7 cards, plus a high resolution CD with your favorite pose. AND, you can save 20% on all additional purchases in studio. Portrait Innovations never charges sitting fees so bring the whole family. Appointments are limited so schedule your appointment today! 

I can’t wait to hang these beautiful photos on the wall!!!! 

Here’s to…Happy Toddlers, 
Keikilani

Ps. You can also ENTER TO WIN $1,000 from Portrait Innovations by submitting your spring portraits taken at Portrait Innovations! ENTER HERE and then share on your social media and get your friends to vote! 
The top 20 entries with the most votes will be in the final round and 5 winners will be chosen by Portrait Innovations and receive $1,000!!! Contest runs through April 30th.