Life goes by way too fast, especially when you are raising a family. Photo sessions are a time when you can slow down, take an hour, reflect on your family and capture some genuine smiles.

Talk with your kids about the photo session in the days leading up to it. Get your toddler involved by letting them help pick out the clothes they will wear. If your session is at the studio, talk about walking on the 606 or picking up a sweet treat at Dayglow Coffee.

If the session is in your home, pick up a special treat that your kids can enjoy at the end of the session. Icecream and lollipops always make for some great candid photos!

When capturing portraits at a park or the beach, make sure to schedule some time to pop by the playground or get wet in the waves.

If the session is outdoor, dress your children for the temp. I can not stress this enough. I know it is hard to keep that summer dress in the closet because Chicago decides to dish us 50 degrees in September but kids are miserable when they are cold/hot. Outdoor sessions are always canceled if the weather is forecast to be below 40 degrees, above 95 degrees or 60% chance of rain 12 hours before the session.

For really little kiddos, do not put them in the picture clothes until you arrive at the studio or location. Arrive a few minutes early and swap the drool filled outfit for the picture outfit right before the session. Here is a link to more information for clothing suggestions.

Keep in mind that meeting a new person with a big camera can be a little scary for a toddler. On the days leading up to the session, talk about what a photographer does and what a camera is.

Sometimes adults don't want to do the photos either. You might be rushing to the location from work or Dad could think of a million other things to do on a Saturday. Try to keep in mind that your kids can definitely feel that stress and react to it during the session. If your session is on a work day, try to take a little more time off so that you can do something special after the session. While we are capturing those beautiful family moments, you might get a little sentimental - I mean, come on, you have a perfect family!

Chances are, there will be a bumps on the road to perfect family photos: Bruises, spills, tantrums, clothing malfunctions, I have seen it all! In the end, you receive some pretty amazing photos that lovingly capture your imperfect family…and photoshop can take care of all of that other stuff!