How to Prepare for Family Photos: Snack Guide
3 Characteristics of a Winning Snack for Family Photos
Quick
Filling
Unlikely to stain, spill, or get stuck in teeth
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Apple slices
Goldfish
Cheerios or other cereal
Graham crackers
String cheese
Marshmallows
Fig bars
Granola bars
Small protein bars
That’s It fruit bars
Fruit snacks (that are soft)
Salami (or other meat) sticks
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Chocolate (if it’s warm)
Chewy gummy candy (e.g., Swedish Fish)
Apple sauce / pouches (prone to spilling and splattering)
Lollipops (they last forever)
Strawberries (can stain)
Carrots (take forever to chew)
Caveat: please be mindful of your child’s allergies and age (+ choking risks) with any of these foods.
Full Bellies, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose
For mini sessions when time is limited, I strongly recommend filling your kids up beforehand, and if you’re pro-bribing, promise a small treat at the end. I will always have some in my bag or trunk and give them with your permission.
For full sessions, I still suggest feeding your kids beforehand, but we have much more time for snack breaks (pee breaks, meltdown breaks, all the things) in these longer sessions.
Almost every single one of my sessions has snacking photos, and in a weird way, I kind of love this. When you look back on the photos in a few decades, and see your kid with their beloved Goldfish in hand, it’s pretty darn nostalgic if you ask me. Of course, you probably don’t want Pirate Booty and Anne’s Fruit Snacks in all of your photos, but it’s cute and classic to see in some.
Pro Tip: Don’t tell your kids you brought snacks; just be a savior and bust them out if they’re needed — otherwise, if your kids are like mine, they’ll be begging for them every 5 seconds.
I Can Relate
Having two snacking monsters of my own, I know how frequently kids need (or rather… want) to fuel up. I counted how many times my kids asked for/demanded a snack yesterday… 22. Twenty-freaking-two. I’m often trying to limit the frequency for my kids so that they actually eat meals, but the last thing we want is a hangry kid during photos, so that’s why I suggest filling them up beforehand and bringing a backup snack just in case. While I sure do love emotional train wreck photos, again, you certainly don’t want tears in all of your pics !