Why Letting Kids Be Themselves Makes for the Best Family Photos | A Guide from a Family Photographer in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
When parents book a family photoshoot, one of the most common concerns I hear is:
“What if the kids don’t behave?”
Here’s the honest answer, I don’t expect them to. In fact, I don’t want them to, and I definitely don’t see it as not behaving, or not ‘being good’.
As a family photographer based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, my approach is all about capturing real moments, not perfect poses. The best family photos aren’t the ones where everyone is smiling stiffly at the camera, they’re the ones full of life. The giggles. The mischief. The cuddles. The wild hair and muddy knees. The look your child gives you when they think no one’s watching. The cheeky faces they pull whilst running off in the opposite direction of where you encouraged them to go.
So let’s talk about what really makes a magical family session, and why letting your kids be themselves is the key to photos that feel honest, joyful, and you.
Let Go of “Perfect”
As parents, we all want everything to go well. But if there’s one piece of advice I could give before a session, it’s this: let go of “perfect.”
Don’t worry if your toddler doesn’t want to sit still. Don’t panic if your five year-old is feeling shy. Don’t stress if the baby’s socks keep falling off. It does not matter, even a little, and it certainly wont ruin your photos.
This isn’t school photo day! It’s a space where your children get to just be. And when we stop asking them to pose and perform, that’s when the magic happens. That’s when we capture who they really are.
A child led family photography session in the Peak District by Marley & The Wildlings Photography
Follow Their Lead
During every family photoshoot in Mansfield and the surrounding Nottinghamshire countryside, I follow one very simple rule:
let the children lead.
If your child wants to run through the woods, we run. If they want to pick wildflowers, throw pebbles into a stream, or lie down and stare at the sky, that’s what we do. The goal isn’t to control the session. The goal is to capture their energy, their curiosity, their wonder.
By giving them space to explore and be themselves, they feel safe. They relax. And that’s when the most beautiful, authentic moments unfold.
Connection Over Control
As a documentary style family photographer, I’m not here to make your kids “behave.” I’m here to document the love and connection you share. And that doesn’t happen in forced smiles or perfectly posed portraits.
It happens when:
You swing your child by the arms and they burst into laughter
They run into your arms at full speed for a cuddle
They pull faces at the camera, then dissolve into giggles
You hold their tiny hand while walking down a woodland path
These are the moments that matter. And when you let go of control and lean into connection, we create something that’s timeless and true.
What to Expect From a Family Photoshoot with Me (Your Local Family Photographer in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire)
I keep things simple, fun, and completely pressure free. Whether we meet in your favourite outdoor spot in Mansfield or at home in Nottinghamshire, the session will be child led and relaxed.
You can expect:
A natural, play based approach that feels more like an adventure than a photoshoot
Zero pressure for “perfect” behaviour. Tantrums, silliness, and snack breaks are all welcome
Beautiful, honest photographs that tell the story of who your family is right now
I often photograph families in parks, woodlands, and fields around Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. I know all the best hidden spots where kids can run wild and parents can just relax and enjoy being together.
Why This Matters
Because they won’t be little forever. Because the way they scrunch up their nose when they laugh, the way they reach for your hand, the way they leap without looking, these things change so fast.
You deserve to remember them, not the version you asked to smile nicely for the camera, but the version who is full of life and completely themselves.
That’s what I offer as a family photographer in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Honest, playful photography that celebrates the wild, wonderful chaos of childhood and the deep, quiet love of family.
Ready to Book Your Family Photoshoot in Mansfield?
If you’re looking for a family photographer in Mansfield or across Nottinghamshire who values real connection over posed perfection, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s let the kids lead. Let’s laugh, explore, and capture who they really are, together.
Lauren x
Contact Me or follow along on Instagram to see more candid, joy filled family moments.