Holden would do miserable in a situation like that, especially at 20 mos. He's pretty shy at times. I found a wonderful woman on Craig's List who comes to our house and is great with Holden. She's pretty cheap too. I get a disk of all of the photos. Maybe try that?

For my daughter's first birthday, we had a friend of mine who is a photographer come to our house and that went pretty well. This year I took her to a studio...twice... with no luck. I called my partner in hysterics after the second time, swearing I'd never do it to her again -- it broke my heart to see how scared she was! Well, my partner snuck her back while I was out of town on business. The key was that the photographer brought his Yorkies to the studio (my daughter loves dogs) and had them pretend to take the pictures, which got some smiles. Also, she sat on my partner's lap and he worked around her. We got several really good shots that I am happy with. But honestly, after I finally got the "real" portrait shots I had longed for... I find I am made happier by the candids I take myself.

Honestly i think its about the studios people. My mom took my kids to Walmart every other month or so because there was an awesome lady who did a great job in getting the kids to smile and laugh.... after she left the replacement was awful and my kids hated it so we don't go there anymore. perhaps the best option is to see if the studios in your area would let you watch other photo sessions before you take your kid in so you know what to expect.... either that or go freestyle and do it yourself or with a photographer friend. I have some darling pictures I did myself of my twins from just last saturday at the park... Dolled 'em all up and went posing... with a bit of fun between shots.

We get family photo's each christmas....and then photo's of JUST the boys on their birthdays. So our son Jackson (2 years old) has had 4 photo shoots in his life. My advice is this....

TAKE CONTROL!

I hate to say I'm "that mom" but frankly, I am. Regardless of what the photographer suggests, YOU know your child. I know what my kid willa nd won't tolerate. I want the shots to remember my child by...so why not have shots of him doing what he does best at this age...PLAYING! Some of my most favorite shots of Jackson, were when I told the photographer to get OFF the tripod and ON the floor with my son...then we just let Jackson play and VOILA - great smiles, cute poses, etc. The photographer wasn't too thrilled about it, but even he admitted that the shots turned out GREAT and Jackson was much better behaved. I even let JACKSON choose the props he wants (chairs, etc) and I let him bring one favorite toy from home too. When he was REALLY little, we'd just let him wiggle and play but his 2 year photo shoot I did try and pose him some. It's honestly exhausting a bit and the shoot only lasted 10 minutes tops -- but the shots we got were great.

At his first birthday, my favorite shot of Jackson was of him riding a wooden tricycle towing stuffed animals...so cute. At his 2 year old shot, my fav was of him sitting in a wicker chair he picked, showing off his favorite racecar toy. it's got a GREAT smile and is very "Jackson".... So...ALL THAT SAID....

Do try and reschedule for a time your daughter will do well at (we prefer morning shoots)....then ask if she can just FREE play and explore the studio a bit beforehand so she can get comfortable with her surroundings and see if that helps her loosen up a bit. You might not get a traditional "portrait" shot, but you'll get some beautiful natural action shots of her and her sweet smile at the very least. OH YEAH...and dress her in something she LIKES that is COMFY and easy for her to move in. At this age, stuffy fancy clothes can just make the experience more stressful for them if they are already nervous.

All great ideas. I've also had great luck with outside photos - taken by me or a pro. Kids are happier outside and the lighting is great.

There are 1000s of photographers out there. We have twins, and for their 1year shoot, found one that came back 3 times and did a location shoot at a park, 7am, which is the best time for US, with no additional charges. Shop around, and you should be able to find one who is similar. The playing photos were the best - impromptu, genuine smiles of joy. The posed family shots were ok - I imagine that will get better an a few years. Good luck!

My sister in law just takes all of our family photos. We do them outdoors, at various parks in our two cities, and she directs us and does her thing. My daughter is more relaxed because it's someone she knows, she smiles more because we are out doors, and if she wants to play in the leaves so be it, that makes a good photo! Plus, she does it for free....we just supply the memory card and she takes literally 1000s of pictures for us. Everything from posed to natural.

We did do studio once, it was a promo, and Marlow was only 10 months and she hammed it up. All smiles and poses, but I think she was too young to be scared. The stranger phase showed up about a month later, so I think now it would be a disastor to do it that way.

Agree with getting a photographer to come to your house or park. We found one in Houston that is great who will then give you a disk of more than 40 photos- with all the rights. She also had a very fast speed camera that could take a tons of photos a minute to catch those quick smiles. Good luck!

I love my photographer.. again as many have said, at the house when my LO is most comfortable. Good luck!