How to Get Through a Family Photoshoot Without Losing Your Sanity

I know the thought of a family photoshoot can feel a bit like herding cats. As a mum of three, I get it. You want beautiful photos but you are also secretly wondering if anyone will co-operate, if the toddler will wipe yoghurt on their shirt five minutes before we start, and if your partner will survive without rolling their eyes. The good news is, it does not have to be stressful. A little bit of prep goes a long way, and the rest is about embracing the chaos.

1. What to wear (and what not to)

Think co-ordinated, not cloned. This is not the Von Trapp family, so matching white T-shirts are not required. Soft colours, layers, and clothes you can actually move in always work best. Leave the giant cartoon characters and neon green at home. Comfort is key. If your kids feel like they are wearing scratchy Sunday best, they will show it in every photo.

2. Timing is everything

There is nothing photogenic about a hangry child. If your little one naps, we work around that. If they eat lunch at noon, maybe don’t book your shoot for 11:45. Outdoors, London looks gorgeous at golden hour, when the light is soft and dreamy. Indoors, mornings can be magic with natural light streaming in.

3. Prepping the kids (and yes, the grown-ups too)

Give them a little heads up about what is happening. Tell them it will be fun, not a school photo where they have to sit still and grin awkwardly. Pack snacks, water, and maybe a small bribe for afterwards. Honestly, partners sometimes need the same pep talk, so feel free to remind them this is about fun too.

4. Lower the bar on “perfect”

Here is the truth: perfect family photos don’t exist. Someone will blink, someone will wiggle, someone will make a weird face. And those are often the best shots. Real moments beat stiff poses every time. When you book family photography in London, you are not signing up for a glossy magazine cover. You are capturing the real, messy, brilliant life you live together.

5. The small stuff that helps

Spare clothes for little ones? Yes please. A quick hairbrush and checking that phones and keys are not bulging in pockets? Also helpful. Dogs? Bring treats and a lead that looks half decent. These small things can save you a lot of stress on the day.

I will guide you the whole way, so you can stop worrying about what to do with your hands or whether the kids are “behaving.” The best family photography in London is about capturing connection, silliness, and love, not a fake idea of perfection. So take a breath, let go of the pressure, and trust me when I say the magic is in the mess.

So take a breath, let go of the pressure, and trust me when I say the magic is in the mess.

If this sounds like your kind of chaos, book your London family photoshoot with me. I promise snacks are welcome, wriggly kids are normal, and you will walk away with photos that feel like your family.