How to Style Children's Portraits: Backdrops, Floors & Outfits

WITH ANNIE MARIE

A huge part of the success of any children’s portrait session happens before the session even takes place (and this goes for any session, for that matter). The creative process of planning your session with your clients is what ensures that the final images are the perfect match for the style and vibe they want to display in their home. 

For me, the consultation is key. I talk with my clients about their vision, their home, and where they plan to display their portraits. We discuss decor style, colors, and overall vibe. This is crucial if you’re wanting to sell wall art. I also have them fill out a detailed form with more information about each child so I can best prepare for the little personalities I’ll be working with. In this post, I will go over how to style children's portraits: backdrops, floors & outfits to make your children's sessions simple.

Styling Starts with the Perfect Backdrop

I always start with the color palette and vibe that we’ve chosen. For this particular session, I chose my backdrop that best fit our project, which was Plaster Wall Green II. It’s modern and industrial but still simple enough to let the kids stand out. The soft green and neutral tones of this backdrop were a perfect match for the client's home.

Once the background is decided, I pick the floor that will go with it. When you’re working with children, the floor is super important. You know they’re going to be moving around, so the floor needs to be sturdy and comfortable. For this session, I chose three floor options from BackgroundTown: two wood floor options and another textured backdrop. The three floor options I selected are the Level RubberMat Floor, Ellwood RubberMat Floor, and Classic Texture Sand backdrop.

After considering all the options, I decided on the Classic Texture Sand Ultra Cloth Backdrop because of its clean design with just a bit of texture. It provides the look we want without being too distracting.

How to Set Up the Floor and Backdrops for a Kid-Friendly Shoot

When using backdrops for the floor, it’s important to lay them over a rug so they don’t slip around. I tuck the background under the rug, then spread the floor drop around the rug at the base of the backdrop to keep it secure. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference. For high-traffic areas, I always recommend RubberMat Floors—they work great and are incredibly durable.

Outfit Styling: Choosing the Right Clothing for Your Portraits

When it comes to children's photography, clothing is essential. It plays a key role in the overall image, so I always offer my clients suggestions that match the vibe of the session. If they don’t have what’s needed, they can purchase clothing to match.

It’s also important that the outfits be shown to me before the session so I can make suggestions or changes if needed. I often recommend having a few alternate outfits just in case something isn’t working as planned. Be sure the outfits are pressed or steamed —wrinkles can be distracting in photos, and having everything ready beforehand saves a lot of time in post-production. I also keep a steamer in the studio just in case.

Preparing for the Session: Setting Up and Managing Kids’ Energy

I always arrive early to set up the studio so I’m ready as soon as the clients arrive. When working with children, you want to give them your full attention from the moment they walk in. Kids are often on a tight schedule, so you don’t want to be busy setting up while they’re there.

Once the set is ready, I take a photo of the empty set. This is helpful if you ever need to digitally replace the background later. It’s also a great way to check your lighting and composition before the shoot begins.

How to Work with Shy Kids and Capture Genuine Expressions

When working in children's photography, it’s important to make them feel comfortable. I get down on the floor with them, play a few games, and spend some time getting to know them. This helps them relax and settle in before the session begins.

I usually start with the most important images for the client—this typically means the family or group shots. This is a great way to help shy kids feel more comfortable. By keeping the family or siblings together, the kids can get used to the lights and camera while still being close to their parents or siblings.

For the children who might be shy or overwhelmed, I always schedule enough time so they can warm up. After the family shots, I work with each child individually. My goal is to get both traditional shots and lots of fun, candid moments that capture each child’s personality.

Dealing with Parents and Getting the Best Expressions from Kids

One of the most important things to remember is to let the kids be themselves. I ask the parents to step away while I work with the kids to capture those natural expressions. Nothing is more distracting than a parent on the sidelines shouting, 'Smile!' or calling the kids’ names. If the child isn’t clingy, I politely ask the parents to step aside so I can get the expressions I’m looking for (assuming the child isn’t clinging to them for life). Kids tend to open up more when they don’t feel like they’re being watched too closely.

The Aftermath: Wrapping Up the Session

After the session, I always praise the kids for doing a great job. I have a treasure chest of toys, and the kids get to pick one out as a reward for their hard work. It’s a small gesture, but it helps end the session on a positive note and makes the experience fun for them.

I also give the parents a packet of information, including details about their order and what to expect after the session. It’s important to reassure them that everything went smoothly and that the images are going to be amazing!

How to Ensure Client Satisfaction and Long-Term Success

If you've done your job right—educating your clients about your process and products, delivering a seamless experience, and capturing authentic images of their family and children, while going out of your way to ensure their experience is excellent—you're sure to have happy clients. And I’m sure you will have success with a generous order and with giving your clients images they can enjoy for years.

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Final Images

Technical Details - Camera: Canon R6 // Lens: Canon 24-70R // Light: Small Rig Constant Light (camera left) // Modifier: 65” Parabolic Umbrella w/diffuser // White V-Flats for fill (camera right)