Let's get one thing out of the way...

We don't expect them to.

As moms ourselves, we know how it goes. One minute they're excited, and the next they're refusing to wear shoes, asking for snacks, or suddenly deciding they never want their picture taken again.

Take a deep breath.

We promise you're not the first family to show up with a toddler who wants absolutely nothing to do with photos, and you definitely won't be the last.

Here's our secret...

We don't expect perfect behavior. We expect kids to be kids. That means we play games, tell silly jokes, make ridiculous noises, race around, look for bugs, have dance parties, and yes... sometimes a little bribery goes a long way. (No judgment here.)

If a snack break is needed, we'll take one. If someone needs a cuddle with Mom, we'll wait. If your little one would rather explore than smile, we'll probably follow them because those candid moments are usually the ones you end up loving most.

The only thing we ask?

Don't stress. Kids are incredibly good at picking up on our energy. If you're worried about getting the "perfect" picture, they'll feel it too. Instead, laugh with them, hug them, chase them, and let them be themselves.

Some of our favorite photos have come from the moments parents thought were a disaster.

The messy hair. The goofy grin. The snack breaks. The belly laughs. The giant bear hugs. Those are the moments you'll actually want to remember.

So before your session, throw a few favorite snacks in your bag, maybe pack a surprise treat for afterward, and leave the pressure at home. We'll take care of the rest.

(And if all else fails... we've got plenty of tricks up our sleeves. 😉)