Today you have a family portrait session scheduled and it’s only three hours away, when you remember there will be three little ones all under the age of two. The trick to making this shoot successful is being able manage the three of them all at the same time without you, the parents, or the kids having a complete meltdown.

Many times part of the meltdown process begins with the parents. Always eager to help, they bring all kinds of stuff to the studio they think will keep the kids lively enough to take a nice portrait, but subdued enough to sit in a studio in front of a camera. Everything from loud rattles to talking Elmos, squeaky toys to Nerf balls.

Your clients arrive at the studio with excitement and anticipation. The energy is usually very high and that one perfect shot is about to take place. Finally, after about fifteen minutes, everyone is ready to start. Posing is a bit of a challenge with Mom and Dad trying to prop up the smallest ones to keep them from toppling over. Here we go! Your first shot goes off and the parents have an uncontrollable urge to clap hands, shake rattles, and speak in loud, high-pitch voices while contorting their bodies-what we like to call “twist and shout.” Let the meltdown begin … the effect this behavior often has is the opposite from what it was intended and suddenly you have kids everywhere but where you want them.

So here is the tip: Controlling children’s shoots starts with Mom and Dad. Inform parents prior to the session and during the session that they don’t need to “Twist and Shout” because the children get scared and early meltdowns will (usually not might) occur. Encourage them to support and entertain the children calmly, because often kids will mimic their parents. Wild gyrations often inspire the same, while calm but pleasant voices help limit little ones’ tendencies to act out their impulses.