5 Mistakes Parents Make Before Family Photos And How to Avoid Them

If you've ever felt stressed leading up to family photos, you're not alone.

One of the first things parents say to me is, "I'm worried my kids won't cooperate." The second is usually, "I hope we don't mess this up."

Here's the good news: you don't have to.

The best family photos don't happen because everyone behaves perfectly. They happen because families show up ready to enjoy each other.

Here are five common mistakes I see—and how you can avoid them.

1. Telling Your Kids to Smile All Day

It's tempting to remind your children over and over again:

"Remember to smile!"

Unfortunately, by the time the session begins, they're often tired of hearing it.

Instead, tell them you're going on an adventure with a photographer who's going to play games and explore together. The less pressure they feel, the more genuine their expressions will be.

2. Waiting Until Everyone Is "Perfect"

I hear this all the time.

"I want to lose ten pounds first."

"Let's wait until the braces come off."

"Maybe after soccer season."

Life will always give you another reason to postpone.

Years from now, your children won't notice your hairstyle or whether you were at your goal weight. They'll see the way you looked at them, laughed with them, and wrapped your arms around them.

Those are the memories they'll treasure.

3. Overmatching Everyone's Outfits

Matching doesn't have to mean identical.

Instead of everyone wearing the same white shirt and jeans, choose a color palette with a few complementary tones and let each person's personality shine through.

Soft neutrals, earthy greens, blues, warm creams, and subtle textures photograph beautifully and create a timeless look.

4. Expecting Your Kids to Sit Still

Children are meant to move.

Some of my favorite photographs happen while kids are running, spinning, exploring, or being carried by Mom or Dad.

I don't expect children to perform for the camera. I simply create space for real moments to happen.

Those often become the images families love the most.

5. Stressing About the Session

Kids are incredibly perceptive.

If you're anxious, rushing, or worried about how everything is going, they'll feel it too.

Give yourselves extra time to get ready. Bring a favorite snack and water. Trust that your photographer has worked with children of every personality.

Your only job is to enjoy your family.

I'll take care of the rest.

A Final Thought

The families whose photos feel the most joyful aren't the ones with perfectly behaved children.

They're the ones who let go of perfection.

The hugs, the giggles, the silly faces, the windblown hair, and even the unexpected moments often become the photographs that mean the most years later.

If you're thinking about booking a family session in New York City, come exactly as you are.

Your family doesn't need to be perfect.

They just need to be together.

The Best Places for Family Photos on the Upper West Side

As a family photographer based on the Upper West Side, one of the questions I hear most often is:

"Where should we take our family photos?"

The good news is that you don't need to travel far to find beautiful locations.

Some of my favorite family sessions happen right here in the neighborhood.

The best location isn't necessarily the most famous. It's the place where your family feels comfortable being together.

Riverside Park

If I had to choose one favorite location on the Upper West Side, Riverside Park would be near the top of the list.

It offers:

• Open green spaces

• Beautiful tree-lined paths

• Views of the Hudson River

• Plenty of room for children to explore

• Dog-friendly areas for families bringing pets

Riverside Park works beautifully in every season and tends to feel less crowded than many areas of Central Park.

Central Park

For families visiting New York City or looking for classic New York scenery, Central Park is always a wonderful option.

Popular areas include:

• The Mall

• Bethesda Terrace

• Bow Bridge

• The Ramble

• Sheep Meadow

Central Park offers a mix of natural beauty and iconic New York City character.

Brownstone Streets

Some of my favorite photographs aren't taken in parks at all.

The tree-lined streets of the Upper West Side provide beautiful backdrops that feel uniquely New York.

Brownstones, stoops, historic architecture, and neighborhood charm create timeless images that tell the story of where your family lives right now.

Your Neighborhood

One of the most overlooked locations is your own neighborhood.

The coffee shop you visit every weekend.

The playground your children love.

The corner where your dog insists on stopping every day.

These places may not seem special today, but years from now they often become the photographs families treasure most.

What Makes a Great Family Photo Location?

The best location is one that allows your family to relax and connect.

Beautiful light matters.

Beautiful scenery matters.

But the real focus is always your family.

Children are happier when they can move.

Dogs are happier when they can explore.

Parents are happier when they don't feel rushed.

That's why I choose locations that create opportunities for genuine interaction rather than perfect posing.

Planning Family Photos on the Upper West Side?

Whether you love Riverside Park, Central Park, brownstone streets, or your own neighborhood, the best location is the one that feels like your family's story.

Because years from now, the most meaningful detail may not be the location itself.

It will be remembering what life looked like during this season of your family's life.

My Approach to Family Photography in New York City

If you're looking for a New York City family photographer who focuses on genuine connection rather than perfectly posed portraits, you're in the right place. My approach to family photography is simple: create space for real moments to unfold. Whether we're photographing your family in Central Park, Riverside Park, or your favorite neighborhood, my goal is to capture the relationships, personalities, and everyday moments that make your family unique.

Why I Photograph Families the Way I Do

Most families come to me worried about getting everyone to smile at the camera.

But that's not what I'm looking for.

As a New York City family photographer, I'm interested in the moments that happen in between. The way your child reaches for your hand. The way your dog follows your family through Central Park. The way everyone laughs when things don't go according to plan.

Natural and Candid Family Photography

My work is often described as candid, documentary, and natural.

Rather than placing families into stiff poses, I create space for connection and genuine interaction. This approach helps children relax and allows personalities to shine through.

Family Photography with Dogs

Many of my clients consider their dogs part of the family, and I encourage them to be included in sessions whenever possible.

Whether we're photographing in Riverside Park, Central Park, or your neighborhood, pets often create some of the most meaningful moments of the day.

New York City Family Photography Locations

I photograph families throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, including:

• Upper West Side

• Central Park

• Riverside Park

• Tribeca

• Brooklyn Heights

• Prospect Park

The Goal Isn't Perfect Photos

The goal is photographs that feel like your family.

Years from now, I want you to remember what life felt like during this season—not how perfectly everyone posed.

Susie Mann is a New York City family photographer specializing in candid family photography, pet photography, newborn photography, and documentary-style family portraits throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.