How to Capture Real Smiles In Your Mother’s Day Portrait Sessions

Can I let you in on a little secret? The photos you’ll treasure most aren’t usually the ones where everyone is perfectly still and smiling on cue. They’re the ones where something real happened. A giggle that got out of hand. A squeeze that turned into a tackle. A moment where you completely forgot I was there. That’s exactly what we’re going for — and it’s way more fun to get there than most families expect.

The Worry Most Moms Carry Into a Session (And Why You Can Let It Go)

If you’ve thought “my kids are never going to cooperate” before a session — same. Almost every parent thinks this. But after nearly twenty years of photographing families, here’s what I know: the sessions that feel the most stressful going in almost always turn out to be the best ones.

Kids feel their parents’ tension. They pick it up instantly, and it shows. Suddenly the session that was supposed to be fun becomes one more thing to just get through.

What I want you to think about instead: your session is a play date. A screen-free play date. Your people, your chaos, and someone along to document it. I’ll offer guidance here and there — but the good stuff, the real stuff, comes from you. I’m just here to catch it.

What This Actually Looks Like in Practice

So what does this actually look like when we’re together? Simple: you’re doing things with your kids, not just standing next to them.

Hug them. A real one — the kind where you bury your face in their neck. Tickle them. Chase them. Scoop them up. Put them on your shoulders and let them feel tall and ridiculous and delighted. Whisper something silly. Laugh. Just be with them.

Nobody has to be looking at my camera for any of this to make a gorgeous photo. (Don’t worry! I’ll make sure we get some everyone-facing-forward portraits — but that’s only part of the session.)

Oh, and one more thing: we do not say “cheese.” I know it’s been beaten into you, but that smile is the one nobody actually wants to frame. If we need to coax a grin out of a little one, I’ll pull out something much sillier — a made-up word, a weird noise — whatever gets a real reaction. TBH, I’m an expert at silly noises and fake sneezes.

The photos that make your heart feel full are the ones where you forgot to perform. Those are the ones worth printing large.

Ideas to Make Your Mother’s Day Session Feel Like You

You don’t need a script or a shot list. But a little intention goes a long way.

Think about what your family actually does together. Is there a game you play in the backyard? Bring it. Does your kid have a favorite way to be carried? Tell me. Is there a joke that always lands? Use it. The more the session feels like your real life, the more the photos will look like your real family — not a version that held still for a camera, but the one that shows up every Tuesday.

And please, don’t worry too much about “behaving.” I know you want everyone to look nice and feel settled — that’s completely natural. But a kid who’s playing has a face that’s alive. We want those alive faces every time.

As for the unpredictable stuff — the toddler who bolts, the fussy baby, the kid who decides a meltdown is the perfect choice right now — none of that is a problem. It’s just family. And in my experience, it always — always — becomes something beautiful.

Why This Matters So Much More Than the Perfect Shot

Mother’s Day is a great reason to book a session — but honestly, photo sessions can be done any time of year. Most moms book them because they feel time moving and they want to hold onto something real.

Not a perfect version of their family. Their actual family. The way their kid fits under their chin right now, at this age, in this season.

That’s what I’m here for. I love documenting the ordinary moments that will come to feel extraordinary — the chaos, the giggles, the slightly-too-tight squeeze because they don’t know their own strength yet. That’s the stuff worth printing large and hanging on your wall.

And I promise: beautiful and real aren’t in competition here. You can have both.

Let’s Make Some Photos Your Family Will Love Forever

Thinking about booking a Mother’s Day session — or really any family session this spring or summer? I’d love to hear from you. Head over to margaretbelanger.com and let’s chat.

Come as you are. Bring the chaos. I’ve got the rest.

Still on the fence? The only prep you need is showing up ready to play with your kids. Seriously. That’s it. We’ll figure out everything else together.