Surviving a Sunset Shoot With an Overheated, Crankypants Toddler

rojixo

Hi everyone,

we have our annual family pictures scheduled for tomorrow evening out in the desert, and I am in a state of absolute, pure panic. My two-year-old son has suddenly entered a phase where he completely melts down if he has to wear anything other than his favorite dinosaur pajamas.

Combine that with the late afternoon heat, and I am envisioning an epic disaster filled with tears, dirt-eating, and zero smiling photos. How do you parents keep your toddlers cooperative during professional outdoor sessions? I want to capture nice memories, not a historical record of a public tantrum.

Thanks in advance.

sanoma

Take a deep breath because every single parent has been exactly where you are standing right now! The secret to a successful outdoor session with a toddler is to bring an absolute arsenal of non-messy bribes like fruit snacks or tiny marshmallows, along with a favorite noisy toy to wave behind the camera.

It also helps immensely if you choose an experienced professional who knows how to capture candid, playful moments rather than forcing stiff poses. When we did our desert session with Carrie Evans Photography, she was an absolute magician at turning the entire shoot into a fun game that kept our kids laughing!