You Don’t Have to Choose

Here’s something I hear all the time: “We want candid photos, but we’re not sure our kids will cooperate.” Or the flip side: “We’re okay with posed, but we don’t want anything stiff or forced.”

And honestly? I get it. The whole candid vs. posed conversation can feel like you have to pick a side before you even walk through the door.

But here’s what I want you to know before we go any further.

You don’t have to choose. Not with me.

The Freeze Factor Is Real (And It’s Not Just the Kids)

When families arrive for a session, there’s almost always a moment – usually about two minutes in – where everyone kind of… stiffens up.

Dads are especially good at this. 😄

It’s not their fault. Most people haven’t had someone point a camera at them and say “just act natural” since their last awkward school photo. So they freeze. They look at me waiting for direction. They’re not sure what “candid” even means in practice.

What I’ve learned shooting families is that candid doesn’t mean unguided. It means creating the right conditions so that something real can happen – and then being ready when it does.

That’s the part that’s actually hard to pull off well.

How I Actually Run a Session (A Little Structure, A Lot of Connection)

My sessions almost always start with a bit of structure. Not stiff, not formal – just enough to help everyone settle in and remember that this is supposed to be fun.

Here’s how it tends to flow:

We start with a little direction

I’ll usually begin with something simple – a “look at me” moment to get everyone oriented and comfortable. It gives families something to do with their hands and their faces while they’re still warming up. Think of it as easing into the water instead of jumping straight in.

Then I hand it back to them

Once everyone’s a little more relaxed, I start using open-ended prompts instead of specific poses. Something like “love someone next to you” is one of my favorites – because every single family does something different with it.

Some families get silly. Some get sweet. Some end up in a full-on pile. That’s the point. The prompt just opens the door. What they do with it is entirely theirs.

And then I get out of the way

The sessions I love most are the ones that flow because the family knows what to expect and can just… be. When that happens, I’m not directing anymore. I’m just watching and capturing.

That’s where the real stuff lives – the belly laughs, the quiet squeeze, the siblings who forget they’re being photographed.

What Families Most Often Get Wrong About This

The biggest misconception I run into is that candid and posed are two completely different experiences you have to choose between before booking.

They’re not. At least not here.

My sessions have:

• A little structure – so no one feels lost or awkward walking in
• A lot of connection – through prompts that let your family respond in your own way
• Space for real life to sneak in – because that’s where the images that actually feel like you come from

You don’t need to have perfectly cooperative kids or a family that loves being photographed. You just need to show up. I’ll handle the rest.

Why This Actually Matters

Photos aren’t just images. They’re what your kids will look back on someday – and what you’ll look back on too.

I want those images to feel like your family. Not a version of your family that held still long enough for a perfect shot. The real one. The one that’s a little chaotic, a lot of love, and entirely worth preserving. 🤍

When the style of a session matches who you actually are, that’s when the photos stop being something you hang on the wall and start being something you feel every time you walk past them.

That’s what I’m here for.

Ready to See What This Looks Like for Your Family?

If you’ve been on the fence about booking because you weren’t sure whether posed or candid was right for you – I hope this helped clear that up.

You don’t have to figure it out in advance. That’s my job.

Visit jadeaverill.com to learn more about sessions and get in touch. I’d love to hear about your family and find the approach that fits you perfectly.

Nothing forced. Nothing stiff. Just your people, exactly as they are. 🤍