Virginia Beach Summer Photos: Handling Late Bedtimes on Session Evenings

As a photographer who stays very busy with Virginia Beach summer photos for families, when I tell a client the start time that I recommend for their session, I often hear “but my kids go to bed at 7:30”. And my response is always the same: first, I GET IT. In addition to being a full-time Virginia Beach photographer, I am a mom of four and I fully understand the importance of bedtime (for both the parents and the kids!!). With that being said though, I have photographed enough sessions to know that in almost all cases, your kids will surprise you and everything will be just fine.

My hope is that with this blog post, I can help explain the importance of start times for your Virginia Beach summer photos, ease your mind that it will almost always work out, and also give some tips and tricks to help you make it work along the way. As your photographer, I fully believe that we are in this together! 🙂

Are you concerned about a late start time for your Virginia Beach summer photos and want more information?

Sharing below:

Why the late start time?

I highly recommend a “golden hour” start time for my sessions year-round. In the summer of course, that time is later (typically between 7:15 and 7:30). The hour before sunset gives us soft flattering light, those golden colors, less harsh shadows, and more comfortable temperatures. The images that you see in my portfolio were all taken during this hour of the day and truly that beautiful golden light only happens during this time.

What the Session Looks Like:

I structure my family sessions to be FUN, full of movement, and energy. The photo session does not feel like bedtime – my hope is that instead, it feels like an adventure. There is lots of playing with mom and dad, exploring, snuggling, and laughing.

I also always encourage my clients to frame it as the positive experience that I hope it will be. If mom and dad treats this as a fun, special outing – the kids will usually feel that energy and think of it that way, too. This way your session doesn’t just result in pretty photos, but also in a precious memory.

Tips for Beating Bedtime:

I always provide my clients with tips for sessions with kids in general, and many of these tips for handling a later bedtime are similar to those. I am sharing some below:

• A later nap time, if applicable. If your kid(s) are still napping, push it a little farther back that day. One day of a change in routine will not ruin everything, and I promise you will be back to normal in no time!
• Pack easy car snacks. A well fed child is a happy child. Pack easy snacks for the car ride to the session. Think fruit snacks, crackers, cheese or anything your child loves that isn’t too messy. 😉
• A small reward. I am never above a small reward at the end of a photo session! I always bring lollipops (which can truly go a long way!).

The thing is – kids don’t always get cranky just because “it’s late”. It’s often because they are overstimulated, rushed, hungry, or told to sit still for a long period of time. My goal as your photographer for your Virginia Beach summer photos is for your session not to feel like any of those things.

*If you would like more tips on family photos with kids, see this blog post!

In conclusion, the honest truth is that some of my happiest, most energetic galleries have resulted from families who were worried about bedtime. A little flexibility for one evening can create memories on your walls for years to come – which in my opinion, is absolutely worth it!

If you are ready to stop putting off family photos because sunset is too close to bedtime, let’s make it work together! I would love to chat – you can inquire here or email me at ashleybricknerphoto@gmail.com.

For some information on newborn sessions, you can check out this post on when to take newborn photos by Lindsey, it’s such a great read!

If you like this post, you may like these:

What To Expect When I am Your Family Photographer

Four Reasons to Book Beach Photos