1. Wet Wipes
Even if your kids are out of diapers and you think you won’t need wipes, I always find it helpful to have a few wet wipes handy for messy faces, dirty hands, and anything else unexpected.
2. A Backup Outfit for Young Kids
Every parent of babies knows that you never leave home without having a back-up outfit for a baby. But not every parent considers bringing a change of clothing for school-age kids. They can get messy, too! Having an extra clean outfit in the car will save you a headache in case of an unexpected spill or mud puddle 🙂
3. Snacks and Water
Hangry kids (and adults) are not good photo subjects, so it’s best if everyone has eaten before a session. Even then, having snacks and water on hand can be helpful in case you need a mid-session snack or drink. Additionally, small treats or candy can come in handy as a reward to encourage kids to cooperate.
4. A Blanket
We will likely do a few photos where everyone is sitting on the ground, so please bring a blanket to sit on. Just be sure it’s a blanket or quilt that will look good in the photos and won’t distract from the overall scene. Light, neutral colors with little to no patterns are best.
5. A Favorite Toy
Bringing along a favorite toy can be especially helpful for babies and toddlers. We can use it as a distraction or to engage the child during the session. Or, in the case of toys like soap bubbles and chalk, they could be part of the photos! Having a little one sit in your lap to read a book also lends itself to a lovely photograph of a real life activity in a beautiful setting. Feel free to bring activities and toys that the kids enjoy. The more play, the better!
For more tips, visit my FAQ page to have even more of your questions answered.