How to Get Authentic, Natural Smiles from Kids During Family Photo Sessions

By Leah Browning | Sage + Soul Photography – Tacoma, WA

There’s nothing quite like the sound of genuine laughter echoing through the trees at Wright Park on a crisp, rainy November afternoon. The golden and rust-colored fall leaves, the glisten of drizzle on the branches, and the giggles of kids being—well—kids.

That’s what I love most about photographing families here in the South Sound: real, authentic moments. After 20 years as a Tacoma family photographer, I’ve learned that the key to capturing natural smiles in children isn’t about asking them to “say cheese”—it’s about connection, conversation, and play.

1. Talk, Don’t Pose

When kids are relaxed, their smiles flow naturally. Instead of stiff directions, I start with conversation. I ask about their favorite pizza or ice cream flavor. Once they tell me something like “pepperoni” or “mint chocolate chip,” I playfully respond:

“Oh, I thought you were going to say you like the spicy icky pizza!” or "not the fish flavor or booger flavor ice cream?"

That gets an immediate giggle—and once the laughter starts, the magic happens.

2. Engage the Whole Family

Family photos work best when everyone’s part of the fun. I love asking questions like:

• “What color are Mom’s eyes?” to get them to look at mom's face

• “Who has the stinkiest feet in the family?”

  
  

These little moments not only bring out laughter but also create eye contact and interaction. Kids look toward their parents, parents laugh with their kids, and the smiles become effortless.

3. Embrace the Weather (PNW Style!)

The Pacific Northwest has its moods—and that’s part of its beauty. On this year’s fall family photo day at Wright Park in Tacoma, the weather gave us everything: rain, wind, and bursts of golden light. When the drizzle came, we moved under the covered breezeway nearby with its rich brick backdrop—proof that the PNW’s unpredictable skies can make every session unique.

The result? Candid, joy-filled images full of texture, color, and emotion.

Today was SO windy we kept sessions SHORT to 10 minutes~

4. Make It a Shared Experience

This session was part of a marathon photo day for a local mom group, and the energy was contagious. Between outfit changes and kids with the zoomies, everyone was cheering each other on. Hosting these kinds of mom group photo meetups creates community—and keeps the kids having fun instead of counting down the minutes.

If you’re part of a local Tacoma or South Sound mom group and want to plan a fun, relaxed photography day together, I’d love to host your next event.

5. Keep It Playful, Keep It Real

Kids don’t need perfect poses—they need space to be themselves. My job as a photographer is to guide them toward moments of connection: a shared joke, a silly face, a gust of wind through their hair. Those are the moments that tell your family’s story.

So the next time you’re planning a family photo session in Tacoma, remember: the goal isn’t perfection—it’s authenticity. And with a little laughter and a lot of love, those natural smiles will shine every time.

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📍 Serving Tacoma, Puyallup, and the South Sound🍁 Now booking Fall Family Photo Sessions and Mom Group Meetup Days

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