Should I Bribe My Child for Photos? Using Incentives During Your Photography Session
By Elizabeth Lang Photography – Surrey, near Vancouver
As a parent, one of the things I hear most often when parents book a photo session is, “Should I bribe my child for photos?” It’s a great question, and while I won’t dive into a deep philosophical debate about incentives, rewards, and intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, I’ll give you my honest opinion on the matter—leaving the final decision up to you.
We all know that, when it comes to teaching our kids good habits (like eating healthy foods, reading for fun, or studying hard), we want them to do these things because they genuinely enjoy or value them. We want them to internalize the rewarding feeling. That said, when it comes to photography, I think about it a little differently.
Taking photos is not something children are always eager to do—especially when they’re younger. They don’t yet understand the sentimental value these photos will have in the years to come. Right now? They likely don’t care much about capturing those memories. So, in this case, I think a little incentive can go a long way to encourage cooperation. Think of it like work: most adults find satisfaction in doing a job they love, but we also want to get paid for our hard work, right? Similarly, your child might not love taking pictures, but they might be more willing to cooperate if there’s a small reward waiting for them at the end.
So, let’s break down how you might approach incentives based on the age of your child.

Incentives for Very Young Children (Under 2 Years Old)
For babies and toddlers under 2, you’ll want to stick with something immediate and simple. At this age, they love things like singing songs, flashing lights, bubbles, and food—all of which can grab their attention quickly and create a positive, fun atmosphere.
For example, a freeze-dried yogurt bite or a puff (you know, those little snack puffs that are easy to eat) can do wonders for getting your little one to engage for a few moments in front of the camera. The trick is to make the reward something small, quick, and low-mess so they don’t get distracted.
Incentives for Toddlers (2-3 Years Old)
Once your child is in the 2-3 year-old range, they’re starting to understand more and can handle slightly larger rewards. Toddlers are usually still into small, sweet treats that are easy to eat, but they may want a bit more variety. Think about things like M&M’s, mini marshmallows, or chocolate chips—small, easy-to-eat snacks that don’t create a mess. It’s important to make sure the reward is something they can immediately enjoy after a few minutes of cooperation, and be mindful that promises for rewards later don’t work well for this age group.

Incentives for Preschoolers (3-5 Years Old)
For kids in the 3-5 year-old range, you may want to start offering them a larger reward—something like choosing a candy from a candy bowl or getting a small bag of chips. At this age, they’re starting to get a better sense of rewards, but they still have fairly short attention spans. A sweet treat or something easy to chew might be enough to keep them engaged. However, the key is to keep the reward simple and non-messy. Choose bite-sized candies and snacks that won’t leave sticky fingers or stain their clothes (we don’t need to worry about those dreaded chocolate smudges!).

Incentives for Older Children (5-8 Years Old)
As kids get older, around the 5-8 year age range, they may be willing to participate with a slightly bigger incentive. Screen time (think iPad, TV, or video games) can be a great motivator. Some children this age might respond well to a promise of a small toy or an extra 15 minutes of screen time after the session. Just keep in mind that at this age, they may have more patience and be willing to cooperate for a slightly delayed reward.

Incentives for Tweens (8-12 Years Old)
When kids hit the 8-12 year age range, they’re starting to be a little more independent and may be more interested in a special treat for cooperating during the session. You might find that a trip to the toy store, a happy meal, or another fun outing works best. They can also handle a delayed reward, so it’s okay to tell them that after the session, they’ll get their reward. For this age group, incentives are about offering something they’ll appreciate, but they should be more thoughtful or experience-based.

What You Should Consider for the Best Results
- Immediate vs. Delayed Rewards:
- Younger children (under 2) typically respond best to immediate rewards, like a small snack every few minutes.
- Older children (8-12 years) can usually wait for a reward until after the session.
- Non-Messy Snacks:
- Avoid using rewards that can cause a mess. Stick to small, bite-sized snacks like gummies, M&M’s, or marshmallows that are easy to eat and won’t stain hands, faces, or clothes. Avoid items like lollipops, which can take too long to eat and create a sticky mess.
- Props and Activities:
- Sometimes, rewards don’t need to be food. I have a selection of stickers, small toys, and colouring pages in my studio to keep kids entertained and engaged. These little extras can also make a big difference in helping kids feel like they’re having fun during the session.

Conclusion: It’s Okay to Use Incentives!
At the end of the day, the goal is to make the photography session as stress-free and enjoyable as possible—for both you and your child. A little incentive can go a long way in getting your child to participate and cooperate, especially when they’re younger and don’t fully understand the value of the photos being taken. Hey if a plastic ring could make the trip to the dentist exciting I figured why can't it do the same for the annual family photos?
Whether it’s a small treat, some extra screen time, or a special outing, incentives can help keep kids engaged and make the experience more enjoyable. Just remember to tailor the reward to your child’s age and preferences, and keep things simple, quick, and non-messy.
I have a selection of chips, candy, small toys, stickers, colouring pages, crayons, and juice boxes here for you if you allow your children to have treats.
I look forward to capturing beautiful moments of your family—no bribery required, but a little treat never hurts!
Elizabeth Lang Photography
Serving Surrey and the Vancouver Area
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