Maine & New Hampshire Family Photographer // Please Don’t Make Your Kids Practice Saying Cheese

(That’s Not How We Do Things Around Here)

Okay, let’s get one thing straight: I do not need your kids to rehearse their “cheese” face. This isn’t a school picture day from 1997. I’m not out here hunting for stiff, strained smiles that look like someone just told them to "act natural" under duress.

What I am here for? Real smiles. Big belly laughs. Silliness. Movement. Connection. And you know what gets us there? Not practicing poses in the mirror—just knowing what to expect.

Here’s What Actually Happens:

We meet up at a location you’ve chosen—maybe your favorite park, a beach, a mountaintop, or even your backyard. I say hi. Your kid stares at me for a second like “who dis?” and then we’re off to the races.

I guide your crew with simple prompts—kind of like Simon Says but with more chaos and less pressure. “Run to mom like she’s a human pillow!” or “Tell your sister she smells like pizza!” That kind of stuff. They don’t need to perform. They just need to play.

Keep It Simple: Clothes Edition

Let’s talk outfits. The goal is to look cohesive without going full matching plaid Pinterest board. Dress your kids in clothes they’ll actually wear without threatening to mutiny. I always toss my kids in plain t-shirts and shorts. Easy. Comfortable. They match the color scheme, they’re not itchy or complicated, and most importantly—they don’t hate me by the end of the shoot.

If you’re stressing over the wardrobe, take a deep breath. If you’re chill about it, your kids will be too. Nobody has fun when the vibe is “Mom’s About to Cry Over a Hat.”

It’s Supposed to Be Fun. Seriously.

This doesn’t have to be some big, stressful production. If you roll with it, laugh through it, and don’t worry about perfection, your kids will follow your lead. And honestly? The best photos come from that energy. The calm, fun, “we’re just out here being a family” kind of energy.

So skip the “cheese.” Trust the process. Let your kids be themselves. And let me do the rest.