5 Reasons Your Family Photo Experience Wasn’t Great (and How to Make It Better Next Time)

As a Portland family photographer (and mom myself), I’ve been on both sides of the camera — the one clicking the shutter and the one wrangling sandy, snack-covered kids who just want to go home.

Here’s the truth most families don’t realize:
It’s usually not that your photos weren’t great. It’s that the experience leading up to them felt stressful, rushed, or disconnected — and that feeling sticks with you when you see the photos later.

Let’s talk about why that happens and how to make your next session feel calm, connected, and joy-filled from start to finish.

Why You Felt Like Your Family Photos Weren’t Great (and How to Make It Better Next Time)

1. You Didn’t Read (or Revisit) the Welcome Guide

I get it — life is busy. Between school drop-offs, sports, and the million tiny things on your to-do list, sitting down to read your welcome guide might feel optional.

But that little guide is full of gold. It’s how I help families plan outfits, understand the flow of the session, prepare kids in a gentle way, choose the best location, and know exactly what to expect.

The families who take a few extra minutes to read it (and ask questions if they need clarification) always show up more relaxed and confident, because they already know what’s coming.

Tip: Read it early, bookmark it, and revisit it the week of your session. It’s your roadmap for an easy, fun experience. And if you want a head start, grab my free Wardrobe Guide — it’s one of the most helpful pieces for planning your next family session.

2. You Didn’t Share the Info With Everyone (Especially Your Spouse)

Usually, mom is the planner, she’s the one coordinating outfits, packing snacks, and making sure everyone’s ready.

But if your spouse walks into the session not knowing what to expect, that stress often shows up in subtle ways. Comments like “How much longer?” or “Just smile so we can be done” start to surface.

That energy shifts the tone, not because anyone means to, but because nobody likes being unsure of what’s happening.

Tip: Share the guide with every adult coming to your session. Let them know what the session will feel like (more play than posing) and that I’ll take care of directing everyone. The more everyone’s on the same page, the smoother it goes.

3. You Over-Prepared the Kids

Parents want their kids to behave and that is totally understandable. But sometimes, the extra prep creates pressure instead of peace.

I’ve seen it (and lived it) myself:
Reminding them over and over to smile, offering bribes too soon, or saying things like “If you do this, we can hurry up and get it over with.”

That language tells kids that this is something to end, not something to enjoy.

Kids don’t need to perform, they need space to just be kids. When we let them run, explore, giggle, and snuggle, that’s when the real magic happens.

4. You Didn’t Fully Trust Your Photographer

When parents step behind me to direct — waving, snapping, calling out “Look here!” — it often breaks the connection in the photo.

I know it comes from a good place. You want everyone looking happy and cooperative. But if you let me lead, I promise I’ll get those natural smiles and authentic moments without the pressure.

Trust that I see what you can’t in the moment…the tiny hand holds, the quiet glances, the laughter you didn’t even realize was happening.

My goal isn’t perfect poses. It’s capturing your family being your family.

5. You Stressed About the Weather (When You Didn’t Need To)

This one’s big — especially in the Pacific Northwest.

If you’ve ever looked at the forecast and immediately worried about clouds, drizzle, or cooler temps, take a deep breath. You’re in good hands.

After years of photographing families in every kind of weather — from overcast fall days to soft spring drizzle — I can promise you this:
Clouds are your friend.

Cloud cover actually creates soft, dreamy light that flatters every skin tone and eliminates harsh shadows. It makes colors pop and gives that cozy, natural feel Portland is known for.

You don’t need a clear blue sky to have incredible photos. In fact, some of my favorite sessions have happened on gray days when families cuddled closer, and embraced the season just as it was.

And before every session, I double-check the weather and make sure conditions are safe, comfortable, and beautiful. You can relax knowing that if I think we need to reschedule, I’ll let you know, otherwise, we’re going to make magic, a cloudy day or full sunshine.

A Personal Confession: I’ve Been There

A few years ago, I had our own family photos taken on the river. The light was perfect, the outfits were coordinated, and I had this vision of calm, connected images.

But within minutes, my son was digging his hands deep into the sand — and I was hollering at him to stop.
In my head, the session was falling apart.

And yet… when I got the photos back, they were beautiful.
He was laughing. I was laughing. We were messy, imperfect, and real.

That moment reminded me: it’s okay if your kids don’t listen perfectly. What matters is that you let go enough to enjoy being together.

Still, I don’t want you to walk away feeling stressed like I did that day — I want you to actually enjoy the experience, not just the end result.

How to Make It Better Next Time

Here’s how to set yourself (and your family) up for a session that feels calm, connected, and meaningful:

• Read your welcome guide early — and ask questions if anything’s unclear.

• Share it with your spouse and family so everyone knows what to expect.

• Plan wardrobe ahead using my Wardrobe Guide to take the guesswork out of what photographs best in soft, natural light.

• Don’t stress the weather. Cloudy skies are beautiful, and I’ll always make sure conditions are right before we shoot.

• Trust your photographer to guide, prompt, and capture. You don’t need to manage anyone, just show up and love your people.

• Focus on connection, not perfection. The giggles, cuddles, and chaos will be your favorite memories later.

The Truth: Your Photos Are More Beautiful Than You Realize

Almost every parent says the same thing before seeing their gallery:
“I hope you got a few good ones.”

And then… they have trouble choosing favorites.

So if you walked away from your session feeling frazzled, know this: that doesn’t mean your photos aren’t beautiful. It just means you were in the thick of parenthood — and that’s exactly what I’m capturing. Which is a beautiful season.

I am here for all the laughter, running, adventuring families. Reach out here if you need help planning your next relaxed family photoshoot.