Let’s be real about baby and toddler photos: they’re unpredictable. Your little angel might be all smiles, or they might decide that today is the day they hate everything.

The good news? Some of the best children’s photos happen when kids are just being themselves – even if “themselves” includes a bit of attitude.

Here’s how to get gorgeous photos without requiring perfect behavior from tiny humans.

Our Baby & Toddler Packages (Reality Check Included)

Little Moments Mini-Session (£59/15mins)

Perfect for short attention spans and busy schedules.

What to bring:

  • One comfortable outfit that allows free movement and shows personality
  • Favorite comfort items (special blanket, beloved stuffed animal, pacifier)
  • Variety of healthy snacks and drinks they actually enjoy
  • Any milestone props (first birthday crown, favorite books, small toys)
  • Wet wipes and tissues for quick clean-ups
  • Hair brush or clips if needed
  • Backup diaper and change of clothes for babies
  • Small first aid supplies (plasters for active toddlers)
  • Their favorite music playlist to play softly
  • Any special items that make them smile (car keys, phone, sunglasses)

What you get: 20+ natural photos in 15 minutes. Quick enough that even fussy babies usually cooperate.

Childhood Memories Package (£99/30mins) – Most Popular

The best balance for capturing personality without exhausting anyone.

What to bring:

  • 1-2 comfortable outfits that represent different sides of their personality
  • Variety of favorite toys that genuinely excite them (not just photogenic ones)
  • Books they love to “read” or have read to them
  • Art supplies if they enjoy drawing or crafts (washable markers, crayons)
  • Sports equipment or musical instruments they’re learning
  • Snacks for energy boosts and cooperation bribes
  • Drinks in sippy cups or bottles they’re familiar with
  • Extra diapers, wipes, and change of clothes
  • Any comfort items for security in new environment
  • Bubbles, balls, or interactive toys for engagement
  • Family members for natural sibling or parent-child interactions
  • Small bag of backup entertainment for mood changes

What you get: 40+ photos mixing posed shots with natural play moments. Time for them to warm up and show their real personality.

Complete Childhood Story (£169/60mins)

For when you want comprehensive coverage of this stage.

What to bring:

  • Multiple outfit changes representing different aspects of their personality
  • Extensive variety of toys, books, and activities for sustained engagement
  • Family members for sibling combinations and parent-child bonding shots
  • Props representing major developmental milestones or recent achievements
  • Seasonal or themed items if relevant (Halloween costumes, Christmas outfits)
  • Craft supplies, building blocks, or learning toys they’re currently obsessed with
  • Musical instruments or sports equipment showing their interests
  • Favorite stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures for storytelling
  • Snacks, drinks, and meal items if session spans meal time
  • Comfortable blankets or cushions for floor activities
  • Any pets that are gentle and part of their daily routine
  • Height measurement tools or growth charts for milestone documentation
  • Emergency comfort kit (pacifier, special toy, favorite snack)

What you get: 80+ photos documenting every aspect of their current personality and development.

Age-Specific Reality

Babies (6-12 months): Work around naps and feeds. Bring backup everything. Expect shorter bursts of cooperation.

Toddlers (1-3 years): High energy, short attention spans. Props that move or make noise work best. Snacks are essential.

Preschoolers (3-5 years): Can follow simple directions but still need to move around. Let them help choose props they’re excited about.

What Actually Works

Time it right. Mid-morning is usually golden hour for little ones – fed, rested, but not yet cranky.

Bring the good stuff. Their actual favorite toy, not the one you think looks better in photos. Genuine excitement creates better expressions.

Pack snacks. Lots of them. Different types. Trust us on this.

Comfortable clothes. If they can’t move freely, they’ll be grumpy. Grumpy doesn’t photograph well.

Lower your expectations. We’re going for “authentic” not “perfect.” The slightly messy shot where they’re genuinely laughing? That’s the keeper.

During Your Session

First few minutes: Let them explore and get comfortable. Don’t jump straight into posing.

When they’re warmed up: This is when magic happens. Natural expressions, genuine smiles, real personality.

If they have a moment: Totally normal. We’ll take a break, try something different, or work with their mood.

Don’t force it. If they’re not feeling a particular pose or prop, we’ll move on. Fighting creates stress, and stress shows in photos.

The Parent Bit

Stay relaxed. Kids feed off your energy. If you’re stressed about getting perfect photos, they’ll pick up on it.

Bring help if you need it. Extra hands for wrangling, entertaining siblings, or holding snacks.

Don’t apologize for normal behavior. Toddlers toddle. Babies cry. Kids have opinions. We’ve seen it all and know how to work with it.

What We’ve Learned from Thousands of Sessions

The photos parents treasure most aren’t the perfectly posed ones. They’re the ones that capture their child’s personality at this exact age – the gap-toothed grin, the way they scrunch their nose when they laugh, their concentration face when playing.

Your child won’t be this age forever. These photos aren’t just documenting how they look – they’re capturing who they are right now.

And honestly? That’s much more precious than perfect behavior.