Holiday Photos With Toddlers: How to Prepare Without Tears or Forced Smiles

You spent weeks picking the perfect holiday outfits. Everyone looks adorable. The Christmas backdrop is beautiful.

And your toddler has decided that today, of all days, smiling is absolutely not happening.

Sound familiar?

After more than 12 years of photographing children and families, I can tell you that little ones don't always follow our perfectly organized photography plans.

And that's okay!

Whether you're preparing for your first Christmas mini session or your family's annual holiday portraits, a little preparation can make the experience easier for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite tips.

1. Work Around Your Child's Nap Schedule

This might be the single most useful piece of advice for parents of toddlers.

If your child typically naps at noon, scheduling photographs right when they're getting tired may make the session much harder than necessary.

Choose a time when your child is usually alert, comfortable, and happy.

And if the day doesn't go exactly as planned? Please don't spend the entire drive worrying. Little ones can surprise us!

2. Choose Outfits That Look Beautiful AND Feel Comfortable

I love beautifully coordinated holiday outfits, but there's one thing I wish every parent would remember.

If your child hates wearing their outfit at home, they probably won't suddenly love it in front of the camera.

Scratchy sweaters, tight collars, uncomfortable shoes, and oversized bows that constantly fall into their eyes can become big distractions.

Before your session:

• Try everything on a few days beforehand.

• Remove scratchy tags.

• Make sure your child can sit and move comfortably.

• Choose colors that coordinate with the holiday background.

• Bring a backup outfit if your child is prone to spills.

For family portraits, try combining two or three complementary colors rather than putting everyone in exactly the same shade.

Cream, deep green, burgundy, navy, and warm neutrals can all look beautiful, depending on the Christmas setting.

3. Bring a Small, Clean Snack

Toddlers and hunger are not a particularly magical combination.

A small snack before your session can help, especially if you're traveling to our Mundelein studio from another part of Lake County or Chicago.

Try something that won't leave sticky fingers, colorful crumbs, or chocolate around their mouth.

And don't forget the water!

4. Don't Practice Saying “CHEESE!” Fifty Times

This one might surprise you.

Parents sometimes spend days preparing their children by asking them to smile for the camera.

But when a child feels pressured to perform, we can end up with the same stiff smile in every picture—or no smile at all.

Instead, keep the excitement simple.

Tell your child they're going to see a beautiful Christmas scene, explore something fun, and take a few pictures.

You don't have to explain every pose or turn it into a big production.

5. Let Your Photographer Do the Entertaining

I promise, I don't expect your two-year-old to walk into my studio and behave like a professional model.

Sometimes the best expressions happen between poses.

A curious look, a little giggle, or that completely serious expression when they're studying something new can make a wonderful photograph.

Parents can help most by staying relaxed, keeping instructions simple, and letting me guide the session.

When three adults are all shouting “LOOK HERE!” at the same time, it usually doesn't make things easier.

6. Keep Your Expectations Realistic

A holiday mini session is shorter than a full portrait session.

That means choosing the right collection for your family's needs matters.

If you want several different holiday backgrounds, sibling combinations, individual portraits, and the entire family photographed together, make sure your selected session provides enough time and includes those options.

For some families, one beautiful setup is all they need.

For others, a longer session offers more flexibility.

And remember: a photograph doesn't have to include the world's biggest smile to be worth keeping.

Sometimes your child's personality is the best part.

7. Plan Ahead If You're Using Photos for Christmas Cards

Here's one detail that's easy to forget during the holiday rush.

Taking your photographs is only the first step. You'll also need time to view your gallery, select your favorite portraits, receive your finished images, and order cards or gifts.

If you're planning to mail Christmas cards, schedule your session with enough time for the entire process.

Those printing and shipping deadlines sneak up quickly!

Holiday Mini Sessions in Mundelein, Illinois

At Milamemories Photography, our holiday sessions feature thoughtfully styled, whimsical Christmas backgrounds designed for children, siblings, and families.

Our studio is located in Mundelein, Illinois, and we welcome families from Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Lake Zurich, the North Shore, Chicago, and surrounding areas.

You can view our Holiday Photography Collections and session options to see the different experiences available.

And one final reminder before your session:

Your child doesn't need to behave perfectly to make beautiful holiday memories.

Sometimes the unexpected moments become the photographs you love most.

What's your toddler's signature camera move: the dramatic serious face, the sudden escape attempt, or the smile that appears the second the camera goes away?