What If My Toddler Has a Meltdown During Family Photos?

Let's just get this out of the way right now:

Your toddler is allowed to have a meltdown during your family photos.

Yep. I said it.

If your immediate thought was, “Well, that's definitely going to happen,” then congratulations—you have a toddler. 😂

Maybe they're tired.

Maybe they're hungry.

Maybe their sock feels weird.

Maybe you looked at them wrong.

Maybe you dared to suggest that they put on the adorable outfit you spent $47 finding.

Or maybe they're simply three years old and have decided that today is the day they will begin negotiating every single aspect of their existence.

Whatever the reason, don't panic.

A toddler meltdown does not mean your family photography session is ruined.

First: Don't Panic

If your toddler starts crying, refusing to participate, hiding behind you, or dramatically dropping to the ground like their entire world has ended, please don't immediately assume:

“We're not going to get any good pictures.”

We probably will.

And if we don't get the smiling-at-the-camera picture immediately?

That's okay too.

We're not on a stopwatch trying to manufacture the perfect child.

We're photographing your actual family.

And toddlers are part of that family.

I Don't Expect Your Toddler to Sit Still

Family photography isn't a school picture.

Your toddler doesn't need to sit perfectly, smile on command, and stare at my camera for an hour.

Honestly, I'd rather they didn't.

I want them to move.

I want them to explore.

I want them to laugh.

I want them to run toward you.

I want them to play with their siblings.

I want them to crawl into your lap.

I want to capture the little personality that makes them them.

And sometimes that personality comes with a little…volume. 😂

Sometimes We Just Stop

If your toddler is overwhelmed, we can take a break.

There's no reason to keep pushing when a child needs a minute.

Maybe they need a snack.

Maybe they need Mom.

Maybe they need Dad.

Maybe they need to be held.

Maybe they just need to stand there and figure out who this crazy photographer is.

We can wait.

Sometimes giving a toddler a few minutes to reset is all it takes.

Sometimes Mom Is the Solution

And that's completely okay.

If your toddler needs to be held, hold them.

If they need a cuddle, cuddle them.

If they want to sit on your lap, let them.

Those moments are actually some of my favorite things to photograph.

Because someday, that toddler who insists on being carried everywhere won't be so little anymore.

That little hand wrapped around your finger?

The head resting against your shoulder?

The way they cling to you when they're overwhelmed?

Those are moments worth remembering too.

Don't Force the Smile

This is one of the biggest things I ask parents to avoid.

If your toddler isn't happy, please don't spend the entire session saying:

“Smile!”

“Say cheese!”

“Look at the camera!”

“Come on, honey. Just smile!”

I know you're trying to help.

But the more pressure a child feels, the less likely they are to relax.

Instead, I'll use games, movement, prompts, silly noises, and whatever ridiculousness I can come up with to get your toddler engaged.

And sometimes I'll completely ignore them.

Yep.

Sometimes the best way to get a toddler to look at me is to stop asking them to look at me.

What If They Refuse to Leave Mom?

Then Mom becomes part of the action.

And honestly?

Perfect.

We can photograph your toddler snuggled into you.

You can hold them.

You can kiss their forehead.

You can rock them.

You can whisper something in their ear.

You can play together.

Those photographs aren't a consolation prize because your toddler wouldn't cooperate.

They're family photographs.

What If They Won't Smile?

Then we don't need a smile.

Seriously.

Your toddler doesn't have to grin in every photograph.

A curious expression.

A serious little face.

A goofy face.

A shy smile.

A laugh.

A pout.

All of those expressions tell us something about who they were at that age.

And someday, you'll probably look back and laugh at the exact face they made when they were three.

What If the Meltdown Is REALLY Bad?

Like…

REALLY. BAD.

We're talking full-body, tears, screaming, throwing themselves onto the ground kind of meltdown?

First:

Breathe.

We're not doomed. 😂

We'll stop.

We'll give your toddler space.

We'll figure out what they need.

Maybe we take a break.

Maybe we change locations.

Maybe we switch activities.

Maybe we let them play for a while.

Maybe we photograph Mom and Dad while your toddler resets.

There are lots of ways to work around a difficult moment.

And if we need to adjust the plan?

We adjust the plan.

Your toddler is not a failed photography session.

They're a tiny human having a very big feeling.

And Please Don't Apologize to Me

This deserves its own section.

You do not need to apologize for your toddler.

I promise.

I've seen toddlers cry.

I've seen toddlers refuse to cooperate.

I've seen toddlers run away.

I've seen toddlers decide they would rather do literally anything else than take pictures.

It happens.

You're not the first parent to show up with a toddler who has strong opinions.

And you definitely won't be the last. 😂

Sometimes the Chaos Creates the Best Photograph

This is one of the reasons I love photographing families the way I do.

Some of the photographs you end up loving most may not be the ones where everyone is smiling at my camera.

It might be the picture of Dad trying to make your toddler laugh.

Mom holding your crying baby while everyone else cuddles around her.

Siblings cracking each other up.

Your toddler running toward you with their arms wide open.

A tiny hand gripping yours.

A little face buried into Mom's shoulder.

Those moments aren't perfect.

They're real.

And real is what we're after.

Your Toddler Doesn't Have to Behave for Me

This is the biggest thing I want you to take away from this entire article:

Your toddler does not have to perform for me.

They don't have to sit still.

They don't have to smile on command.

They don't have to be happy every second.

They don't have to cooperate perfectly.

They just have to show up and be themselves.

I'll work with them.

I'll give them time.

I'll change things up.

I'll let them move.

I'll let them play.

I'll let them be little.

Because your family isn't going to remember whether your toddler smiled perfectly in every photograph.

You're going to remember how little they were.

You're going to remember those tiny hands.

Those chubby cheeks.

That crazy hair.

That laugh.

That little personality that could turn from giggles to a full-blown meltdown in approximately 4.5 seconds.

And one day?

You're going to miss it.

So Bring Me Your Toddler. Meltdown and All.

If you're looking for a family photographer in Buckeye, Arizona, and you're worried your toddler is going to make your session impossible, I want you to know:

You don't have to wait until they're older.

Don't wait until they're "easier."

Don't wait until they'll sit still.

Don't wait until they can follow directions.

They're only this little right now.

Bring the toddler.

Bring the chaos.

Bring the snacks.

Bring the emergency outfit.

And if there's a meltdown?

We'll handle it. 😂

You bring your family.

I'll bring the camera.

And together, we'll capture the real, ridiculous, beautiful little season of life you're in right now.

Ready to make some memories?

Let's plan your family session with TAQ Photography. 📸