How to Prepare Your Teenagers for a Family Photo Session (and Actually Make It Fun!)
Family photos don’t have to stop once your kids are little. In fact, some of the most meaningful, personality-filled images I capture as a Raleigh family photographer are with families whose kids are in their teen years. These sessions look and feel a little different than when your kids were toddlers — but they’re every bit as beautiful. And with the right approach, they can even be fun for your teens (I promise!).
As a Raleigh lifestyle photographer who works with families all over the Triangle — from cozy in-home sessions to downtown Raleigh photo shoots full of energy and color — I’ve learned a few tried-and-true ways to help teenagers relax, feel comfortable, and even enjoy the process.
Here’s how you can help set the stage for a session that feels natural, connected, and true to who they are right now.
1. Involve Them in the Planning
One of the easiest ways to get buy-in from your teens is to let them have a say. Invite them to share their ideas about location, wardrobe, or the vibe of the session. Do they want something more urban and artsy in downtown Raleigh, or something relaxed and natural in a park? Giving them a voice helps them feel like part of the process rather than just a participant.
2. Keep the Wardrobe Comfortable and True to Their Style
Teenagers are deeply connected to how they present themselves — and nothing kills their confidence faster than being forced into an outfit that doesn’t feel like “them.”
Encourage them to wear something they genuinely like (within your family’s color palette, of course). When they feel comfortable and confident, it shows in the photos.
3. Set the Tone: Low Pressure, High Fun
Teens often imagine photo sessions as stiff and awkward. As a Raleigh family lifestyle documentary photographer, my goal is the exact opposite — I create an atmosphere that feels relaxed, easy, and authentic. Let them know there’s no need to “pose” or smile perfectly. We’ll move, interact, and capture real moments — laughter, connection, and all the personality that makes your family dynamic so special.
4. Plan for Movement and Interaction
The best sessions with teens are less about standing still and more about doing something together. We might walk through downtown Raleigh, explore a mural-lined street, hang out in a coffee shop, or capture a few film shots on a rooftop at sunset. Movement naturally loosens everyone up and allows me to document those in-between moments that feel real and timeless.
5. Focus on the Experience, Not the Outcome
Sometimes, the pressure of “getting a perfect photo” makes teens freeze up. Shift the focus away from the final product and toward the experience itself — a chance to spend an afternoon together, make a memory, and celebrate this season of life. When they realize it’s not about perfection, they’re more likely to show up as their true selves.
6. Trust the Process
Teenagers might start the session a little reserved — and that’s completely normal. But with time, patience, and a relaxed approach, they almost always warm up and end up enjoying themselves. My job as a Raleigh film photographer and lifestyle storyteller is to meet them where they are and bring out their authentic personalities, without forcing anything.
Final Thoughts
Family photos in the teen years are some of the most meaningful you’ll ever take. They capture your kids in a season that’s fleeting — still at home, but already growing into who they’re becoming. With a laid-back approach and the right photographer, your session can be less about stiff smiles and more about connection, laughter, and love.
If you’re looking for the best Raleigh family photographer to help you document this chapter in a natural, meaningful way, I’d love to help. Whether we’re exploring downtown Raleigh, creating something cinematic on film, or capturing your family just being yourselves at home, I’ll make sure your experience is as relaxed and enjoyable as the images we create.
Hello there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Katrina, the heartbeat behind Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film, in Durham, North Carolina. I specialize in capturing meaningful and precious memories for remarkable families in North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed this story I shared today and if you are interested in learning more about The Time Capsule membership, or let’s connect. Not quite ready to connect, but you would like to follow along the journey? Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!
Katrina is a family photographer and family filmmaker in Durham, North Carolina. She offers lifestyle newborn photography, family photography and family videography which focuses on capturing authentic and honest moments for families. Her clients love that not only do they get digital files from their session but artwork to display in their home. She is happy to custom albums so you can revisit your favorite memories for years to come! Be sure to check out the Adobe partnership to see Katrina sharing her knowledge on capturing magical light to highlight the essence of each family.
Want an easy way to make something beautiful out of all your phone photos and videos? Learn more about the Time Capsule Membership here.