How to Get Kids to Smile Naturally in Family Photos
If you’ve ever tried to get kids to smile for photos, you probably already know…
The more you ask them to smile, the less natural it looks…and everyone, especially parents, can spot a fake smile from a mile away!
A lot of parents come into family sessions worried about this exact thing. They picture having to bribe their kids, constantly remind them to “say cheese,” or stress about whether their kids will cooperate. Many families think the only kind of photo sessions that will work for them are “mini” sessions.
But here’s the truth:
Kids don’t need to be forced to smile.
They just need the space to be themselves.
That’s one of the things I do best! Time and time again clients tell me the reason they booked with me is because of how natural everyone in my photos look and how every review they’ve read talks about how I put people at ease and have fun at our session.
Why Natural Smiles Matter More Than Perfect Ones
When you look back on your photos years from now, it’s not the perfectly posed, perfectly smiling images that mean the most.
It’s the ones that feel real.
The giggles.
The movement.
The way your child looks at you when they’re truly happy.
Those are the moments that tell your story.
And those are the moments I focus on capturing.
Here’s what one client had to say:
“Kelly took the first pictures of our family when we had our 4th baby. She did a fresh 48 shoot at the hospital. I am so happy we have these pictures! I always loved those days in the hospital with just the newest one...learning about them and studying every inch of them. Even now a year later, I get all the feels when I look back at those newborn pictures of our last baby. A year later we hired Kelly for an outdoor family shoot. We have 4 young children and Kelly nailed it with both the experience and the end product. She makes taking pictures fun and stress free, which is not an easy task! And in the end, I get pictures that show my kids’ true personalities and real smiles. She makes it hard to chose which pictures to hang on the wall because they are all that good! I highly recommend Kelly for any type of pictures you are looking for!” - Jackie M
Creating a Space Where Kids Can Just Be Kids
One of the biggest things that sets my sessions apart is that they’re intentionally laid back.
I don’t expect kids to stand still.
I don’t expect them to perform.
And I definitely don’t expect forced smiles.
Instead, I create an environment where they can relax and just be themselves.
Sometimes that looks like slow, snuggly moments with parents.
Sometimes it looks like running, playing, laughing, and a little bit of chaos.
Both are perfect.
Because when kids feel comfortable, their real personalities come out—and that’s where the magic happens.
Here’s what one client had to say:
“Kelly is incredible! We had so much fun doing family photos! It felt more than a family hang-out than a photo session. We laughed and joked, and Kelly joined right in! The awesome thing was: she captured all of that in the photos. I've never had pictures of our family that better show our love for each other, our goofiness, and our individual personalities! Kelly also made everything so easy! She communicated often, responded quickly, walking us through the steps, and even had guides and handouts to make decision-making and planning easy.” - Erin L
Getting to Know Your Kids Before the Session
Before your session even begins, I take time to get to know your family.
I’ll ask about your kids, their personalities, what they like, what makes them laugh, what they might be a little shy about.
This helps me walk into your session already having a feel for how to connect with them.
Some kids warm up quickly.
Some need a little more time.
Some are silly and outgoing.
Some are quieter and more observant.
There’s no “right” way for a child to be during a session.
And because I understand that going in, I can adjust the session in a way that works for them.
“She was FANTASTIC with my 3 yo, who was less than enthusiastic about having photos done. She was also super great with my 5 yo, who was overly enthusiastic about the sessions. Kelly is a master at utilizing natural light, had fantastic rapport with us as well as the kids, her photographs were stunning, she was VERY responsive to emails and text messages, and is overall a lovely human being.” - Andria S
Following Their Lead
During your session, I’m constantly reading the energy of your kids and adjusting as we go.
If they need a slower start, we ease into it.
If they’re full of energy, we lean into that and let them play.
I guide the session in a way that feels natural—not forced.
Because the goal isn’t to control the moment.
It’s to create space for real moments to happen.
“Kelly was AWESOME to work with! She really had a vision + executed that with great communication + professionalism. Our kiddos were a little wild + not in the mood for pics, yet our pictures turned out perfectly. Kelly knew exactly how to pose us, yet make it look + feel so natural. I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Kelly Jacobi Photography + will definitely recommend to our family + Friends!” - Katie N
“We Got Together Just to Play”
One of my favorite things parents tell me after a session is that their kids thought we were just there to play.
And honestly… that’s kind of the goal.
When kids are having fun, they forget about the camera.
They laugh more.
They move naturally.
They show you exactly who they are in this season of life.
And that’s what you’ll want to remember.
“Every session that we have had with Kelly has been memorable not only due to the photos that she brings to life but by the experience that we have with her. As a mom trying to hassle the husband and children together for family photos the scene is always chaos but Kelly truly brings a sense of calm and understanding. She cultivates the session to meet us where we are at and with young children, the emotions are ever changing. We will always recommend her, my favorite sessions and photos have been with her” - Wasana M
Yes, We Still Get the “Looking” Photos
I know those smiling-at-the-camera photos matter too.
And don’t worry, we get those.
But instead of forcing them, I build them in naturally throughout the session when kids are already relaxed and happy.
So you end up with a beautiful mix:
The classic, smiling portraits you can frame and share…
And the candid, in-between moments that feel like your real life.
“Kelly is amazing! She put our family at ease so we had very natural pictures that captured us perfectly! The photos are beautiful!!!” - Sue R
What Else Parents Are Saying
“I was so nervous going into our session because my kids never sit still, but it ended up being so easy and fun. She just let them be themselves and somehow captured the most beautiful moments.”
“It didn’t feel like a photoshoot at all. It felt like we were just spending time together, and the photos just feel like us.”
“My kids are already asking when we can do it again, and I think that says everything.”
Why This Approach Works
Kids don’t need to be fixed or managed to get beautiful photos.
They just need to feel safe, relaxed, and free to be themselves.
That’s when the real smiles happen.
That’s when the connection shows.
That’s when your photos become something more than just pictures.
They become memories you can actually feel.
Thinking About Booking Your Own Family Session?
If you’ve been putting off family photos because you’re worried about how your kids will do, you’re not alone.
But it doesn’t have to be stressful.
My sessions are designed to feel easy, relaxed, and even fun, for both you and your kids.
As a family photographer in the Wausau Wisconsin area, my goal is to create an experience where your kids can be themselves and you can simply be present with them.
No pressure.
No forced smiles.
Just real moments, beautifully captured.