Wilmington NC Family Photographer | Corbin Davis Family Session

But What If My Child Gets Shy or Throws a Tantrum?”: A Note From Your Wilmington, NC Family Photographer

I hear this a lot from moms before their family session, and trust me, I get it. You’ve spent weeks (maybe months!) planning outfits, picking the perfect location, and getting everyone ready for this special moment. And in the back of your mind, there’s that little worry: What if my child gets shy, or worse, throws a tantrum?

First off, let me say—you’re not alone. This is a totally normal concern, and it’s one of the reasons I approach family sessions the way I do. As a Wilmington, NC family photographer, my goal is to capture genuine, beautiful moments of your family, just as you are. And that means understanding that kids have their own little personalities and needs, and sometimes that shows up as shyness or a sudden case of the grumps.

The Corbin family was a perfect example of this. Their daughter, Vivian stayed pretty close to mom and dad at first. She was feeling a little shy (which is totally normal, especially for this age.)

Patience Is Key

The number one thing I bring to every family session is patience. It is one of the top compliments I get and that’s not a brag. Kids need time to warm up, especially when they’re in an unfamiliar situation or meeting someone new, like me! I never rush the process. If your little one wants to stick close to you at the start of the session, that’s totally okay. Vivian did exactly that! She snuggled and loved on her mom and dad. Corbin and Ryan returned the snuggles. It made my job so incredibly easy.  They just enjoyed being together, in the moment, which is what family sessions should be. All I had to do was click the shutter to capture those sweet moments.

A Soft-Spoken Approach

My voice is gentle and soft-spoken for a reason. Kids (and adults, honestly!) tend to relax when they don’t feel overwhelmed. I’ll guide your child with a calm, reassuring tone, gently encouraging them to explore, play, and be themselves. And if they need to take a break? That’s fine, too!

We can pause, have a little snack, or just let them run around and get their wiggles out.

Letting Kids Be Kids

One of the best things you can do for your family session is to let your kids open up in their own time. Whether they’re shy and need a little extra time to warm up or they’re full of energy and can’t stop moving, it’s all good.

My job is to create a space where they feel comfortable being themselves. Sometimes that means sticking close to mom or dad, and sometimes it means running around, jumping, and playing. Either way, those are the moments I’m here to capture.

Creating Memorable, Sweet Portraits

The beauty of a family session isn’t in getting everyone to sit still and smile perfectly at the camera (although we’ll get some of those, too!).

It’s in those in-between moments—when your shy little one peeks out from behind your leg with a tiny smile, or when they reach up to hold your hand because it makes them feel safe. It’s in the burst of giggles when dad pretends to be a monster, or the quiet, tender moments when your child rests their head on your shoulder.

So, if you’re worried about how your child will behave during your family session, take a deep breath and know that we’ve got this. I’m here to capture the real, beautiful, messy, and sweet moments of your family, exactly as you are. Your child doesn’t need to be perfect—they just need to be themselves.

As your Wilmington, NC family photographer, my goal is to make sure you walk away with photos that not only look beautiful but feel like you. The love, the connection, and yes, even the little quirks that make your family uniquely yours—that’s what we’re here to capture.

So, let’s make some memories together, tantrums and all. You’ll be amazed at how those little moments, even the ones that don’t go according to plan, turn into sweet memories you’ll cherish forever. ❤️

For more ways on how to feel comfortable in front of the camera check out these resources below;

#1 What to Wear tip I give to mamas

How to feel comfortable at your family portrait session

What I wish I could say to moms as a family photographer

Are you ready to book your beautiful family portraits at Greenfield Lake Fragrance Garden? Fill out the form below and I will be in touch shortly.

Wilmington NC Family Photographer

As a Wilmington NC Family Photographer one of my favorite places to photograph is Greenfield Lake. There are so many different areas around the lake that are gorgeous and you can get a different session every time depending on the spot you choose. The Davis session was no exception. Corbin choose the Fragrance Garden over by the amphitheater. I am so blessed to live in an area with so many gorgeous locations and even more blessed for clients like the Davis family.

The day of the family session

I could tell by the end of the session, she was becoming more comfortable with me.   As we walked around the Fragrance Garden at Greenfield Lake, we chatted about where we’re from, how Ryan and Corbin met and where they went to school. It was a wonderful morning, I felt as if I was chatting with friends.  Oh and you could just tell, Ryan adored Corbin. He looked at her with the most admiration and love. This was the sweetest and snuggliest family of three and I just adore them and these images. <3

To see more of my work follow me on Instagram here and Facebook here. And to see family session pricing check out my family session page here.