Great Bribe ideas to keep your kids motivated during the family photo session

Let’s be real- most kids don’t exactly leap with joy when they find out it's photo day. Whether it's their parents behind the camera or a friendly stranger (hi, that’s me!) with a big ol' lens, photo sessions aren’t always their idea of fun. And that’s okay!

As someone who genuinely loves working with kids- seriously, some of my favorite, most joy-filled sessions come from their unpredictability and spirit- I also know that a little incentive can go a long way. So, let’s talk about bribes (the good kind)!

One of my all-time favorite tricks? Bring the family dog. Kids light up when their furry best friend is involved, and those natural smiles come pouring out. Bonus: While the kids are loving their pup, it’s a great chance for parents to sneak in a few sweet photos together too. If you’re wondering whether bringing both your kiddo and the family dog might be too much; check out this blog post to see just how fun (and magical!) the results can be when everyone’s included.

I had a session not too long ago and the mom used jelly beans, which I thought was genius. She just kept jelly beans in her pocket so they didn't melt. They weren't gonna get squished and, they tasted fine warm or cold. Jelly beans worked really well. I don't know if it's easy to find jelly beans year round, but that was,  such a treat. 

Click here to book your own bribe ready session

Recently I did a photo session where the little girls were so excited the minute I walked in the door to tell me about how they had inherited their mother's Furby collection. They talked about these Furbies the whole time I was there. It was the cutest thing, and so I said to them, at one point I could tell we were so close to being done, I need their attention just a little bit longer, and I said, "Hey, if we can finish getting these photos done on the couch with Mom and Dad right now, then you guys wanna do a photo shoot with your Furbies?" And they were so excited to bring me the not stuffed animals, these toys, line them up.

They organized them for the photos. I clicked some photos. I brought in and I let them hold the camera and let them push the button to take some photos, and it was, the sweetest moment of them feeling so excited to be a part of taking the photos and photographing something they love so much, which in this case was their toys.

Here are some other go-to bribe ideas that work like a charm:

• A brand-new toy waiting in the car for after the session

• Promises of an ice cream stop (always a classic!). Some of my favorites are The Pineapple Hut in Folly Beach or Shaka Shack in Isle of Palms!

• A visit to their favorite store to pick something special

• A trip to the park- or a splash in the ocean if we’re shooting at the beach! Check out this blog to see how to make your family beach session at Folly a fun-filled day!

At the end of the day, the goal is to keep the session light, fun, and relaxed. The more we can make the experience feel like play, the more those genuine moments come through in the photos.

Kayla Rochelle photographs primarily in Charleston, SC soaking up the beach at sunset and daytime in the parks as much as possible.

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