What to Do After a Difficult Family Photo Session
You booked the session. You showed up. You tried your best.
But somewhere between getting everyone dressed and wrangling toddlers who really didn’t want to cooperate… you started to feel it.
That creeping thought: This isn’t going well. Maybe we shouldn’t have even done this.
And now that it’s over, all you can think about is the chaos, the meltdowns, and the tightness in your chest.
If this sounds familiar, let me say this clearly:
You did nothing wrong.
And your session wasn’t a failure.
Here’s what to do after a difficult family photo session, and why it might not be as bad as it feels.
1. Trust your photographer
You were in the moment. We were watching for the moment.
It’s easy to assume that if the session felt stressful, the photos will reflect that but that’s rarely the case. As a photographer, I’m not just documenting your family; I’m also holding space for it. I’m watching for the pauses, the in-betweens, the breath you didn’t even know you took while holding your child close.
The smile your toddler gave you after the tears.
The way your partner looked at you when you weren’t watching.
The softness that bloomed despite the wild.
I promise, we got something beautiful.
2. Remember: Nothing is a failure it’s information
If the session didn’t feel right, it doesn’t mean you’re “bad at photos” or your kids “can’t behave.” It just means that the setting, timing, or season of life may not have been the right fit this time.
Maybe your studio session felt too contained for your active kids. That’s not a failure, it’s a sign that next time, an outdoor session with room to roam might be better.
Maybe your outdoor session felt overstimulating. That might mean your next session should be at home slower, quieter, more familiar.
Every experience offers clues about what your family needs. You get to adjust. You get to try again. And I’ll be here when you do.
3. Reflect on your expectations with kindness
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t what happened—but what we hoped would happen.
Maybe you imagined soft cuddles and laughter, and instead it was a lot of chasing, shushing, and snack bribery. That disconnect can feel like grief. Be gentle with yourself.
Wanting beauty is not the problem.
But your family is still beautiful, even when the vision doesn’t match the reality.
This is what emotional family photography is about: holding space for what actually is messy, loud, alive and finding love in the middle of it.
4. Talk about it with your kids
If your children struggled during the session, don’t sweep it under the rug. Make space for it. Invite them into the process.
Say something like:
“That felt hard today, huh? What do you think would help next time we take photos together?”
This not only validates their experience it empowers them. It makes photos feel like something we create together, not something we endure.
A Final Thought:
You’re not alone in this.
I’ve had families cry after sessions. I’ve had moms text me, convinced they “ruined it.” And I’ve delivered galleries that made those same families cry for a completely different reason because they finally saw how much beauty was there, even when they couldn’t feel it at the time.
So if your family photo session didn’t go as planned, know this: you showed up. You loved your kids. You tried. And that’s enough.
Let’s keep telling your story honestly, imperfectly, beautifully.