How to Handle a Late Family Photoshoot with Little Kids
If you have little kids, you might see your summer photoshoot time and think:
“But that’s bedtime!” 😳
I get it. Summer Photoshoot times can start as late as 7:30pm (as we schedule these sessions around 1 hour before sunset) When you’ve finally got a bedtime routine that works, the thought of deliberately keeping everyone up late for family photos can feel slightly terrifying.
But here’s the thing:
One late night isn’t going to ruin your child’s sleep routine.
And summer evening light is absolutely worth it.
That gorgeous, soft light we all love doesn’t happen at 4pm in January. Sometimes we need to wait until later in the evening to get that beautiful golden light — and I promise, your kids can handle it.
Here are my favourite ways to make a late family photoshoot easier.
Feed them before you come
This is probably my biggest tip!
A hungry toddler is not going to suddenly become delighted about family photos.
Give them dinner before you leave, or make the evening an adventure and have a little picnic before your session.
Just don’t put their nice clothes on until after the food is finished!
And bring snacks and water with you. There is absolutely no shame in bribery with snacks. 😉
Don’t try to exhaust them
If your little one still naps, let them have their nap.
If they’re past naps, a nice, normal day is perfect.
You don’t need to spend the whole day desperately trying to keep them awake until the photoshoot. We want them to have enough energy to actually enjoy themselves.
Make it an adventure
Rather than telling your kids they’re going to a “photoshoot”, make it sound like what it actually is:
We’re going to the beach after dinner!
There will be running, exploring, playing, cuddling and generally having fun.
The photos are just a bonus.
And the less pressure everyone feels to “behave for the camera”, the better your photographs will be.
Bring the PJs!
If you know your kids are going to be absolutely done by the end, put them straight into their pyjamas before you leave the session.
Have their milk or a favourite snack ready for the drive home, keep the car ride calm, and head straight to bed when you get home.
Skip whatever you can.
This is one night. The routine can survive it.
Let them be tired
This one is important.
Your child does not need to be perfectly behaved for beautiful photographs to happen.
If they’re tired and want cuddles, we’ll photograph cuddles.
If they want to run, we’ll run.
If they need a little break, we’ll take one.
Some of my favourite family photographs happen when children stop performing for the camera and simply melt into their parents.
That’s real life — and that’s what I want to capture.
Still worried about a late start?
There are options!
Choose your location carefully. Some locations allow us to start earlier while still giving us beautiful light.
Consider autumn or winter. Once daylight saving ends, sunset is much earlier, which can make things considerably easier with little ones.
Consider an in-home session. If bedtime is non-negotiable, an in-home documentary-style session can be a beautiful alternative.
But if you’ve been dreaming about those gorgeous summer sunset photographs?
I’d embrace the late night.
Your kids will be tired.
You might be tired.
But you’ll also have photographs of this exact little stage of your family — and that’s something you’ll never regret.
Bring the snacks. Bring the PJs. Let them stay up late.
Let’s make an adventure of it. ❤️
I’d love to help you create beautiful, natural photographs that you’ll treasure for generations. Whether you’re looking for a full family photography session, celebrating a new arrival with newborn photography or documenting your pregnancy with a maternity session, or simply wanting to learn more about what to expect, you’ll find everything you need on my website.
