Real Talk: These family photos tips will make that family photo shoot a million times easier…….just in time for your holiday pictures!

Thank you to Disney Books and Santa Bruce for sponsoring this post.

Ok, let's be honest here. No one looks forward to the annual family photos extravaganza. RIGHT? Someone almost always ends up crying. It's actually something that my photographer friends and I joke about all the time. We obviously take family photos or mommy and me photos ALL the time. And let me tell you, I've learned a few tips and tricks that make taking family photos a million times easier.

Family Photos Tips: How to Take Adorable Christmas Pictures

SNACKS AND WATER: Fed and hydrated children (and adults) are happy. Hungry and thirsty people aren't. So, eat beforehand. And DON'T SCHEDULE A SHOOT DURING LUNCH OR DINNER time. You're asking for trouble. Plan around mealtimes (and naps).

COORDINATED BUT NOT OBNOXIOUS: Lay out all your outfits, and be sure they coordinate. Simple rule: pick one or two dominate colors and let the rest of your outfit pieces be neutral. Patterns are rough, solid colors are best. For Christmas? I always love pops of red!

PROPS AND SMILES: Kids don't stare at the camera and smile. Seriously. So plan for that. We always bring one or two fun props to incorporate into our pictures.

For this Christmas round of family photos? I hid our copy of my favorite new holiday book, Santa Bruce. Yup, Lydia hadn't seen it BEFORE the shoot. So see those happy excited expressions? Those are genuine. We literally set up the blanket, sat down and I read her this adorable story for the first time. If you haven't read the OTHER Bruce books, this one is the perfect place to start (and just in time for the holidays). Grouchy Bruce the Bear somehow gets wrapped up in a case of mistaken identity……the whole forest thinks he's Santa Claus. Lydia thought it was the funniest thing to see each animal try to share their Christmas Wishes with Bruce!