How to Take Better Candid Photos of Your Kids (Hint: It’s Not About the Smile)

As someone who taught commercial photography for almost 20 years—and now spends my days photographing families on 30A—I’m here to tell you: the best photos of your kids aren’t the perfectly posed ones. They’re the honest ones. The ones with scraped knees, missing teeth, and belly laughs.

If you want to take better candid photos of your kids, here are a few tips from a documentary photographer who believes the chaos is part of the story.

1. Skip the Smile—Capture the Story

Don’t wait for the perfect expression. Get the tantrums, the bedhead, and the pout. Real emotion is what makes a photo memorable.

2. Let the Background Talk

I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but sometimes it's okay to have brands, clutter, or “stuff” in the background. I still remember the smell of my childhood shampoo because there was a bottle of it on the bathroom counter in a photo.

The laundry piles, the stack of books, their favorite toys—they can all anchor the image in this moment in time.

3. But Sometimes Simplicity Wins

A clean, simple background can be powerful too. A quiet moment in a tidy room might be just what the story calls for. The trick is to ask yourself: What story am I telling here?

Sometimes chaos is the point. Sometimes calm is. Either way, let the scene speak for itself.

4. Try Different Angles

Don’t just shoot from where you stand. Get up high. Lay on the floor. Tilt your camera. Play. Kids aren’t static. They live in motion—and your photos should too.

5. Use the Light You Have

Window light is magic. Soft, directional light can add depth and emotion. Try turning off overhead lights and just using a nearby window or lamp. Pay attention to reflections. Look for shadows. Watch what happens.

6. Frame It Differently

Try shooting through something—like a door or a window. These frames within the frame can pull the viewer in and add a sense of intimacy.

7. Bath time Is Gold

Wet hair, bubbles, silly faces, quiet moments—bathtime is full of natural magic. 

8. Embrace the Details

A bandaid on their knee. Glitter stuck to their cheek. A gentle touch. These are the little things you’ll miss one day. Don’t wait for them to be “cleaned up” to grab your camera.

9. You Don’t Have to Be in Control

Let go of perfect lighting, perfect outfits, perfect behavior. The real magic happens when you let them be. Candid photography isn’t about perfection—it’s about truth.

 you want to know more about this approach, here’s a quick explanation of what documentary family photography really is.

10. Be in the Story, Too

Here’s the part where I gently remind you that you don’t have to do it all yourself. If you want to be in the photos—not just take them—I’d love to help you tell your story, just as it is. Reach out here, and let’s make some memories you’ll actually want to keep.