Fun Photoshoot Ideas For Kids

Themed Photoshoot Inspiration

Photoshoots involving kids have a reputation. We all have those notorious family photos where someone's face very clearly says "I didn't want to do this." And that's just life and it's okay! There will be other photoshoots and we all laugh at those photos eventually.

But still it's generally not our goal to capture anyone feeling grumpy--and photos aside we want everyone to actually have fun!

As I've gained experience not just with client kids but my own, I've come to the realization that the more fun the actual memory and experience, the happier the photos. This is obvious when you think about it but sometimes we lose sight of creating a fun memory in our quest for the "perfect" family photos. The irony is painful because we end up shooting ourselves in the foot as parents.

I recently had a mama find me on Google and reach out because she wanted photos of her kids not just looking pretty, but having fun. Genuinely laughing and playfully interacting. I was flattered that she chose me from a sea of photographers and having seen my work and website determined I was the one for the job. We talked for some time strategizing how to facilitate a fun experience for their family, and I came away with an even clearer perspective as a family photographer.

I've really thought a lot about it lately. Maybe the secret to photographing the curiosity of a child, the uninhibited laughter, or little hands at work is simply to enter their world and see life through their eyes? To really figure out what makes them laugh, what piques their interest, what looks like fun for them. It continually informs how I photograph my own kids. Sometimes it translates to planning a fun activity and then stepping back and simply photographing them doing it. For more posed portraits, it informs how I interact behind the camera. It really is an art form that I continue to improve on with intentionality not just because of photography but because I love my kids and want to connect with them in a meaningful way to them.

If you're looking for fun photoshoot ideas for kids, ask questions like the following and you may find answers better tailored to your own littles:

What activities do or would they absolutely enjoy?

What are their favorite toys?

How can I capture their interests in an artistic way?

In what environment are they most themselves?

See examples of these questions answered in regards to my own kids below. Sometimes I aim for posed portraits, and sometimes I just want to capture the simple curiosity of a child in their natural environment doing what they love. Often I incorporate seasonal activities that are new and exciting to them. I have a million examples of this but chose some favorites to share here. I hope this post and the photos below inspire you to aim not only for beautiful childhood photos, but for fun childhood memories, too!