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.

Why Fall Isn't the Only Time to Take Family Photos in NYC

When most people think about scheduling family photos, they think about fall.

The leaves turn golden. Holiday cards are around the corner. Social media fills up with families posing in matching sweaters under colorful trees.

And while fall is beautiful in New York City, it's not the only time—or even necessarily the best time—to photograph your family.

Some of my favorite sessions happen during the seasons that people often overlook.

Spring: Everything Feels New Again

There is something magical about New York City in the spring.

The trees begin to bloom, parks come back to life, and families are eager to spend time outdoors after a long winter.

Children seem to have extra energy. Dogs are thrilled to be outside. Parents feel lighter.

Spring sessions often have a sense of renewal that comes through in the photographs.

Whether we're walking through Central Park, Riverside Park, or simply exploring your neighborhood, spring offers beautiful light, fresh colors, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Summer: Longer Days, More Freedom

Many families assume summer is too hot for photos.

But summer evenings in New York City can be absolutely beautiful.

The light lasts longer, schedules are often more flexible, and children tend to be more relaxed when school is out.

Some of my favorite summer sessions feel less like photo shoots and more like family adventures.

A walk through the park. Ice cream afterward. A dog tagging along. Kids running ahead while parents laugh and try to keep up.

Those moments often become the photographs families love most.

Winter: Cozy, Quiet, and Unexpectedly Beautiful

Winter may not be the obvious choice, but it has a charm all its own.

Coats, scarves, city lights, and quieter streets create a completely different feeling than other times of year.

The parks are less crowded. The city feels calmer.

Winter sessions often feel intimate and cozy in a way that no other season can replicate.

The Best Season Is the One You're Living In

One of the biggest reasons families postpone photos is because they're waiting.

Waiting to lose weight.

Waiting for braces to come off.

Waiting for a toddler to grow out of a difficult phase.

Waiting for life to calm down.

Waiting for the perfect season.

But families are always changing.

Children grow quickly.

Dogs get older.

The routines that feel ordinary today eventually become memories.

The truth is that there is no perfect season.

There is only the season you're living through right now.

Family Photos Are About More Than Pretty Leaves

Beautiful locations matter.

Beautiful light matters.

But neither matters as much as the people in the photographs.

Years from now, you won't be looking at the color of the leaves.

You'll be looking at your child's smile.

The way your daughter held your hand.

The way your son wrapped his arms around your neck.

The way your dog followed your family everywhere.

Those are the details that tell the story of your life.

And those stories are worth documenting in every season.

Thinking About Family Photos in NYC?

If you've been waiting for the "perfect" time, consider this your reminder that every season has something worth remembering.

The best time for family photos isn't necessarily fall.

It's now.

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.

What If My Kids Won't Cooperate for Family Photos?

As a New York City family photographer, this is the number one concern I hear from parents before a session.

"My child won't cooperate."

"My toddler never sits still."

"My kids are going to ruin the photos."

The truth is that children are not supposed to cooperate the way adults imagine.

Children are curious. They run. They explore. They make silly faces. They get distracted by sticks, dogs, squirrels, and puddles. That's not a problem—it's childhood.

Some of my favorite family photographs happen when children are simply being themselves.

The goal of a family photo session isn't to create perfect children. The goal is to preserve your family exactly as it is right now.

Years from now, you probably won't remember whether your child smiled on command.

You'll remember the way they reached for your hand.

You'll remember the gap-toothed grin.

You'll remember the way they buried their face in your shoulder when they were tired.

Those are the moments that matter.

As a family photographer in New York City, I approach sessions differently. Rather than expecting children to sit still and perform for the camera, I build sessions around movement, connection, and play.

We walk.

We explore.

We laugh.

We let kids be kids.

The result is a gallery filled with genuine moments instead of forced smiles.

If you've been putting off family photos because you're worried your children won't cooperate, take a deep breath.

You're exactly the kind of family I love to photograph.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child has a short attention span?

That's completely normal. Family sessions are designed to keep children engaged and moving.

What if my child refuses to smile?

Some of the most meaningful photographs don't involve smiling at all. Natural expressions often create the most authentic images.

What should my kids wear for family photos?

Comfortable clothing that allows them to move, play, and be themselves.

Where do family photo sessions take place in New York City?

Popular locations include Central Park, Riverside Park, the Upper West Side, Brooklyn, and your own home.

Looking for a Family Photographer in New York City?

I specialize in natural family photography for families who want real moments instead of perfect poses.

Because the best family photographs aren't about cooperation.

They're about connection.