I’m so excited to bring these classic heirloom portraits to McKenzie for a special pop-up event at The Silly Goose in downtown McKenzie! 

Heirloom portraits are timeless vignettes of childhood. But let’s be honest: getting a toddler to sit still in a smocked collar while looking “regal” can feel like a high-stakes mission. I’ve put together a few tips to help you capture those soulful expressions (even if your toddler is in a ‘wiggly’ phase) to make this whole thing feel a lot less like work. 

Here are my 3 tips to making sure your session is a total success:

1. Don’t book right at nap time! Aim for about 45 minutes after they wake up. But remember, they can smell fear and they know when refusing a nap will be the most inconvenient. Don’t let them know what you’re up to. In fact, the less you tell them before hand, the better. You can accidentally over-hype the event and cause an expectations-induced meltdown.

2. In an heirloom vignette, textures like lace, smocking, and linen are king. Stick to whites, creams, or pastels for that classic look. A great collar is a must! Think button-downs for older boys and Peter Pan collars for the younger ones. For girls, a beautiful collar or a smocked top is always a win.

1. When we ask kids to “say cheese,” we often get a forced, squinty-eyed look. Trust me, you’ll love seeing their real smile so much more than anything fake or coached. I have 20 years of experience being ridiculous behind the camera to catch a fleeting smile, even if your kid only sits still for 3 seconds!

 

✨ BONUS TIP: If you’re taking photos at home, try some simple reverse psychology. Tell them: ‘Whatever you do, do NOT smile. If I catch you smiling… don’t you dare!’ Let me know if it works!

Ready to put these tips to the test? I still have a few openings left for the pop-up at The Silly Goose Children’s Shop on February 21st! You can grab a spot right here:

Click to Book

To find more information about what to expect at the pop-up event: CLICK HERE.