Not every kid shows up to photos ready to smile and charm the camera—and honestly, I love that. During this family session near Dayton, Wyoming, their little guy was pretty shy when we started. Instead of forcing him to look at me or asking him to smile, I gave him some space and let him warm up on his own terms. We played, explored the river, let him stay close to Mom and Dad, and I photographed the little moments in between. Eventually, he started opening up, and before long, that shy little guy was giving me some of the sweetest smiles and expressions. Sometimes the best way to get genuine photos is to stop trying so hard to get the photo.

If you have a shy child, don't worry about preparing them to “perform” for your photographer. Instead, talk about photos like they're something fun you're going to do together. Let them know they don't have to smile, hug, or look at the camera if they don't want to. Bring a favorite snack or comfort item, give them time to warm up, and choose a photographer who is comfortable following your child's lead. I also love giving kids little jobs during sessions—finding something, exploring, playing, or helping me with a prompt—because once they forget they're being photographed, that's usually when the magic happens.