“I just don’t know what we could do during our session.”

It’s a common refrain among clients as they contact me. And I admit, I’ve had the same feeling when hiring someone to come photograph my family, too. Like, what we do together as a family doesn’t seem all that interesting to my “trying to think of something fun to do” brain. My brain only seems to remember us sitting around a lot, which feels boring and not photogenic. The concept of figuring out something to do during a family photo session can feel overwhelming, with its open-endedness and “whatever you want to do-ness.” Kind of like choosing what to do for dinner. If you have All Of The World’s Options in front of you, it’s hard to decide, and you’re more likely to default to putting it off.

A mom tickles her baby's foot while they sit in their high chair with a snack. The photo is black and white.

Snapshot Sessions, with their little restrictions, might help with the decision making.

Sometimes you need a box to restrict your choices, to help narrow down the options from endless to a manageable number. Boxes like “30 minutes” and “specific activities” can help inspire you to come up with something that’s meaningful and fun for your family.

But even with those little boxes in place, it can be challenging to think of something for your family, and you might need some help coming up with ideas. (Hint: that’s where I come in.)

A tattooed mom wearing glasses lays on the carpet and snuggles her baby girl in her arms. The floor has books and toys around her, and the dog is close by.

So here’s one more box to help us narrow down the choices: Let’s use a Snapshot Session to celebrate Motherhood, as we approach Mother’s Day. What activities can we do together that would be fun, just you and your kid(s), at home or in your favorite places around Richmond?

I’m here with inspiration, and the caveat that this won’t cover everything, because your family is your own and the things you do together are obviously varied and unique. But hopefully it’ll get your brain wheels turning.

A family of four sits on a blanket on the ground at the VMFA and eats a picnic lunch.

Here are some 30-minute activities that you could do with your kids during a Snapshot Session:

Outside:

Going for a walk or short hike
Working in the garden
Having a picnic somewhere fun (this one was on the VMFA lawn)
Meeting at your family’s favorite playground
A sweet treat treat (like ice cream or doughnuts, something special)
Bubble, chalk, and/or water play outside

A little girl "helps" stir cookie dough in the kitchen at home while her mom wipes her sister's face with a napkin. Both girls are covered in chocolate.

Inside:

Cooking or baking together
Playing dress up (Mom included)
Tea party
Jumping on the bed and reading books (maybe in that order, maybe not)
Playing board games or doing puzzles
Painting (with fingers or brushes)

A little girl laughs at the camera with artwork spread in front of her. Her mom is laughing at the table with her own art.

Routines

Don’t forget your routines! Routines are what make up your life, and if you want a printed memory of Life Right Now, consider having me come over for a truncated version of one of your routines:

Morning

Dressing the kids, eating breakfast, brushing little teeth and hair, putting on shoes, getting ready to go

Early afternoon (for babies and littles who nap)

The last bit of lunch and preparation for naptime

A mom smiles while feeding her baby daughter apple sauce and supporting her daughter's back as she sits on the table.

Afternoon

Greeting kids getting off the bus, having an afternoon snack, helping with homework or unpacking bags, and the conversations (and meltdowns) that happen naturally

Evening

Dinner prep, with kids underfoot

Bedtime

The evening bath (best for very little kids and babies), dressing in pjs, brushing teeth, reading a book before bed

A quiet moment of a mom snuggling her sleepy daughter into her chest. The image is dark and moody.

Don’t want the truncated version of documenting your routines? We could spend a whole hour doing one of these routines, documentary style, where I don’t give you any specific instructions and you just live life with your family while I follow you around in your home in Richmond.

Either way you decide to do it, now is a perfect time to leverage that Mother’s Day gifting attitude from your family, and schedule a session: either a 30-minute Snapshot Session or a 60-minute Classic family photo session, at home or around Richmond. Head over to my contact page and start a conversation about your ideal session.