Lala Photography Portland’s Tips on How to Roll with Photo Session Changes: Finding Magic in the Unexpected

LaLa Photography Portland capturing genuine family dynamics not posed

Picture this: You've planned the perfect photo session. Everyone's outfits are coordinated, hair is styled, you arrive at LaLa Photography Portland right on time. And then... your toddler decides they're DONE, your teenager won't crack a smile, or someone announces they're hungry RIGHT NOW.

Your heart sinks. You think the session is ruined. But here's what we know after years of photographing Portland families: The "imperfect" sessions often create the most treasured photos.

Let's talk about rolling with the changes and finding unexpected magic when things don't go according to plan.

The Truth About "Perfect" Photo Sessions

Here's a secret from behind the camera: Almost NO session goes exactly as planned. Kids are unpredictable. Adults get self-conscious. Someone always needs a bathroom break. And you know what? That's not just okay—it's beautiful.

What Parents Worry About:

• "My kids won't cooperate"

• "Someone will have a meltdown"

• "We won't get any good shots"

• "I'm wasting money if it doesn't go perfectly"

  
  

What We Actually See:

• Authentic personalities shining through

• Real family dynamics and connections

• Opportunities for genuine emotion

• Stories worth telling

Common "Problems" That Create Magic

The Grumpy Kid

Your Worry: "They're going to ruin all the photos with that pouty face."

The Reality: Some of our most beloved photos capture authentic emotions—including grumpiness. That little furrowed brow? It's who they are at this age. In ten years, you'll laugh about their "moody phase" and treasure these real moments.

What We Do: We work with the mood, not against it. Sometimes the best approach is taking a break, switching focus to siblings or parents, or finding something that sparks their interest. And sometimes we just capture the grump—because that's real life!

The Hungry Moment

Your Worry: "They just said they're hungry and now the whole session is derailed."

The Reality: Snack breaks are built into good photography sessions. We pause, everyone resets, and often the post-snack energy is perfect for photos.

What We Do: We always encourage bringing snacks! A quick crackers-and-water break can completely transform the energy. Plus, sometimes photos of kids eating are absolutely adorable.

The Smile Refusal

Your Worry: "They won't smile and everyone will think we're miserable."

The Reality: Not every great photo needs a smile. Serious expressions, contemplative looks, and neutral faces can be incredibly powerful and beautiful.

What We Do: We capture a variety of expressions. The serious photos often become favorites because they show depth and personality. And we have tricks to eventually coax out genuine smiles—not forced "cheese" grins.

The Meltdown

Your Worry: "Full tantrum mode. Session over. Money wasted."

The Reality: Meltdowns happen. How we handle them often creates the most tender, authentic moments of the session.

What We Do: We pause completely. Let parents comfort their child. The photos of mom or dad consoling their little one? Those become treasures. Once everyone's calm, we reassess and adapt our approach.

Real LaLa Photography Portland Session Stories

Anisha's Session: When Anisha arrived for her newborn photo session, she was a mix of excitement and nerves — it was her baby’s very first photoshoot, and she wanted it to be perfect.

From the moment she stepped into the studio, the warm welcome and calm atmosphere made her feel instantly at ease. Every detail was thoughtfully guided — from choosing props and backgrounds to walking through how the session would unfold.

When her little one grew fussy, team LaLa took their time, gently soothing the baby and allowing Anisha to relax and enjoy the process. There was never any rush — just patience, care, and a feeling that her baby was in the best hands. 💗

The photos turned out beyond beautiful — the kind you’d expect to see in a magazine. What Anisha loved most wasn’t just how stunning the images were, but how stress-free and joyful the whole experience felt.

How to Embrace Photo Session Changes - Tips from Team LaLa Photography Portland

Adjust Your Expectations

Instead of thinking: "Everyone needs to smile perfectly for one hour."

Try thinking: "We're capturing who we are right now, whatever that looks like."

Trust the Process

Professional photographers have seen it all. We know how to:

• Read the room and adjust on the fly

• Find magic in unexpected moments

• Work with different moods and personalities

• Create beautiful photos even when things feel chaotic

Remember the Big Picture

You're not here for one perfect shot. You're documenting:

• This stage of your family's life

• Individual personalities at this age

• The connections between family members

• Real moments worth remembering

  
  

Interactive Reflection: Think about your favorite family photos from your own childhood. Are they the perfectly posed ones, or the ones that captured real personality and authentic moments?

What "Rolling With It" Looks Like

Flexibility in Action

• Planned: Everyone sitting formally together

• Reality: Toddler wants to stand, teenager wants to lean casually

• Result: A more natural, relaxed family portrait that feels authentic

Capturing What IS, Not What Should Be

• Planned: All kids looking at camera, smiling

• Reality: One kid looking away, one making a silly face, one genuine smile

• Result: A photo that perfectly captures your family's dynamic

  
  

Finding Unexpected Beauty

• Planned: Serious, formal portraits

• Reality: Someone starts laughing, everyone joins in

• Result: Pure joy captured forever

  
  

Tips for Parents

Before the Session

• Feed everyone well before arriving

• Bring snacks and water for energy boosts

• Set realistic expectations with kids (and yourself)

• Pack comfort items for little ones

• Plan for extra time in case of delays

  
  

During the Session

• Stay calm if things go sideways (your stress transfers to kids)

• Trust your photographer to guide you through challenges

• Be willing to take breaks when needed

• Laugh at the chaos instead of fighting it

• Remember: There's no such thing as a ruined session

  
  

After the Session

• Wait to see the photos before judging how it went

• Look for authentic moments not just perfect poses

• Appreciate the real story your photos tell

• Share the imperfect moments that made you laugh

  
  

Why "Imperfect" Sessions Work

Authenticity Wins

Photos that capture real life resonate more than staged perfection. Years from now, you'll treasure:

• Your toddler's stubborn phase

• Your tween's eye-rolling stage

• The sibling dynamics—arguments and all

• How you looked at each other with love, even in chaos

  
  

Personality Shines

When we stop trying to control every moment, personalities emerge. The quiet kid's thoughtful nature. The wild child's energy. The teenager's emerging independence. These are the things that make your family uniquely yours.

Stories Get Told

Perfect photos are beautiful. But photos with stories behind them? Those are priceless. "Remember when Johnny refused to smile and crossed his arms the entire time?" becomes family lore.

The LaLa Photography Promise

We're not here to create a fantasy version of your family. We're here to capture the real, beautiful, chaotic, authentic truth of who you are right now.

When things don't go as planned, we:

• Stay calm and positive

• Adapt our approach immediately

• Find the beauty in unexpected moments

• Keep the session fun and pressure-free

• Create photos you'll treasure forever

  
  

Ready to Embrace the Unexpected?

The best photo sessions are often the ones where families let go of perfection and embrace reality. Your family's authentic story—complete with grumpy kids, silly moments, and unexpected changes—is beautiful exactly as it is.

Book your session at LaLa Photography Portland and discover the magic that happens when you stop trying to be perfect and start being real.

P.S. - Worried about how your session will go? Don't be. We've photographed hundreds of families, and we've never met a session we couldn't turn into something beautiful. Trust us—and trust your family's authentic story.

📍 Our studio: 9742 SW Tigard Street, Portland, OR 

📞 Ready to chat? Call (971) 801-0033