How to Handle Difficult Photography Sessions: The Essential Contract Clause That Saved Me When a 4-Year-Old Melted Down

Fourteen years in this business. Four boys of my own. I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to handling difficult photography sessions.

Then came the session that sent me venting to complete strangers in a parking lot.

For the first time ever, a session ended early. Not because I called it — because mom did. And in that moment, standing there with my camera at my side and a screaming kid running circles around his family, one thought screamed louder than anything else:

What does my contract say about this?

This week on the Keep It Moving podcast, Melissa and I got real about how to handle difficult photography sessions — specifically what happens when a session goes completely off the rails. Not just “kid won’t smile” off the rails. I’m talking hitting, screaming, total meltdown chaos that makes it impossible to continue.

Because here’s what matters most: it’s not about managing the tantrum. It’s about managing your business when cooperation completely breaks down. Learning how to handle difficult photography sessions means protecting yourself legally and financially.

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When “Difficult Behavior” Becomes “We Can’t Continue”

Let me paint the picture.

Three boys. Ages 8, 5, and 2. Grandparents visiting Hawaii. Everyone dressed and ready for beautiful vacation photos.

From the very first minute, the middle kid was not having it. Wouldn’t play. Wouldn’t stand near his family. Wouldn’t engage with any of my tricks — and y’all, I pulled out everything.

I burned through my entire playbook in three minutes:

• Candy bribes
• Cookie bribes
• Games (ring around the rosie, follow the leader)
• Getting down on his level
• Giving him space

Nothing worked. And then it escalated:

• Hitting his siblings
• Hitting his parents
• Running away crying
• Telling his dad he hated him and his smile

I got stern (not mean, just serious). I said, “Hey bud, you need to be in the picture. You can stand next to Grandma or over here, but you have to choose.” We got maybe one shot where he’s in frame. I don’t think he’s smiling, but he’s there.

And here’s the moment that made my blood pressure spike:

When I gently asked if there was anything else we could try, mom said, “No, this is normal for him.”

I’m sorry — WHAT?

That would’ve been really helpful information during our pre-session phone call. Or on the questionnaire I send every single client. Or literally anytime before I showed up ready to photograph a family of five plus grandparents.

The Panic Call to Melissa (and Why Your Contract Matters More Than You Think)

After mom ended the session, I stood in that parking lot having a full existential crisis.

I spotted three twenty-somethings getting ready for a run and — I kid you not — I unloaded on them. “Y’all, I might need to come with you.” They looked terrified. One asked if I wanted to join their run. I almost said yes.

Instead, I called Melissa.

“I’ve never had this happen before. Do I refund? What does my contract even say? Holy crap, what do I do?”

And that’s when Melissa asked the magic question: “Do you have a cheerful cooperation clause?”

I did. Thank God, I did.

Here’s what my contract says (and what yours should too):

I wrote that clause years ago thinking it applied to grumpy dads or sulky teenagers who didn’t want their photo taken. I never imagined I’d need to apply it to a 4-year-old having a complete meltdown.

But guess what? It applies. There’s no age restriction in my contract.

After this session, I went back and clarified the language even more:

• The session fee is non-refundable once we attempt the session. I showed up. I did my job. That counts — even if we only lasted 30 minutes.
• Image minimums no longer apply if cheerful cooperation isn’t present. If I only deliver 40 images instead of 100 because the session fell apart, that’s covered.
• I explicitly reserve the right to end a session early if behavior becomes unsafe, disruptive, or unmanageable.

You don’t need these clauses to be harsh. You need them so that when a client comes back later asking for a refund because they ended the session, you can calmly point to your policy and say: “I showed up. I executed my job. This is covered.”

The Real Problem: I Walked In Blind

Here’s the thing that stung the most.

I get on the phone with every single client before their session. I ask specific questions:

• Who hates having their photo taken?
• How old are your kids?
• What are their personalities like?
• Are they compliant? Wild cards? Do they melt down easily?
• Is anyone neurodivergent or struggling with transitions?

Then I ask again on my session questionnaire. I give clients two chances to warn me.

This family gave me nothing. Zero indication that their middle child had behavioral challenges. No heads up that this was “normal for him.”

If I’d known? I would’ve adjusted my entire approach:

• I would’ve ignored that kid for the first 20 minutes
• Let him warm up on his own terms
• Set realistic expectations with the parents before we even started
• Maybe even suggested we focus on other groupings first

Instead, I walked in expecting cooperation and got chaos. And when things went sideways, I had no plan B.

That’s on them for not communicating. But it’s also on me for not having a backup plan in my contract.

Create prep materials that set expectations:

Share all your tips and tricks with your client before the session. This can be done in many different ways:

• Videos (like Melissa)
• Email checklists
• A “What to Expect” PDF

Be specific about cooperation:

• “Please bring well-rested, fed kids”
• “Cooperation doesn’t mean Pinterest-perfect — it just means not hitting people”
• “If your child has behavioral challenges, please let me know so I can adjust my approach”

Ask the hard questions twice:

• Once on the consultation call
• Again on the session questionnaire

Give parents multiple opportunities to warn you. And when they don’t? Your contract protects you.

How to Handle Difficult Ph otography Sessions When Things Go Sideways

Okay, so you prepped. You asked questions. And the session is still falling apart mid-shoot. Now what?

Here’s what I learned about handling difficult photography sessions in real-time:

Stay calm and pivot to what you CAN do.

When the middle brother lost it, I didn’t panic (externally, anyway). I started problem-solving:

• Photographed the older brothers individually
• Did grandparents alone
• Got grandkids with grandparents (minus the one melting down)
• Offered to do mom and dad together (they declined)

You can still deliver value even when Plan A explodes.

Keep your tone positive and offer alternatives:

• “Let’s do the two of you while he takes a break with Dad.”
• “How about individuals of the older kids right now?”
• “I can do grandparents-only shots that’ll be stunning.”

Don’t be afraid to acknowledge reality.

If cooperation truly isn’t there, you’re allowed to say it:

• “I’ve used all my tricks. Let’s talk about what we can still accomplish.”
• “This isn’t working right now. Here are some options for what we can do instead.”
• “We don’t have the cooperation we need to continue safely. Let’s wrap up what we can.”

You’re not being mean. You’re being honest. And that protects everyone — including the kid who clearly doesn’t want to be there.

Protect your boundaries (even when it feels uncomfortable).

In my case, I kept offering options. “Are you sure you don’t want a couples shot? You’re dressed, you’re here in Hawaii, let me at least capture you two.”

Mom declined everything. She ended it.

And that’s her right. But here’s what I made crystal clear in my follow-up:

• The session fee is non-refundable
• The print credit is non-refundable
• I showed up and executed my job

I may only have 40 usable images instead of 100, but I delivered something. They can use their credit. They can book a reveal session. But we’re not starting over, and I’m not refunding money for a session I attempted in good faith.

If a client wants to reschedule (and you have an ongoing relationship), you can offer that — for another session fee. You don’t owe a do-over because their child had a hard day they didn’t warn you about.

The Checklist: How to Protect Yourself Starting Today

Let’s get tactical. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

Review your contract RIGHT NOW:

• Add or strengthen your “cheerful cooperation” clause
• Clarify that session fees are non-refundable once you attempt the session
• State that image minimums don’t apply if cooperation isn’t present
• Reserve the right to end sessions early for safety or disruption

Beef up your client prep process:

• Ask behavioral questions on your consultation call
• Ask again on your questionnaire
• Send prep materials that set realistic expectations
• Make it clear that parents are responsible for bringing rested, fed, cooperative kids

Have your mid-session language ready:

• Practice saying: “I’ve used all my tricks. Here’s what we can still do.”
• Don’t be afraid to pivot to Plan B, C, or D
• Offer alternatives that keep things positive
• Know when to call it and have the words ready

Protect your boundaries in the aftermath:

• Don’t refund session fees if you showed up and attempted the work
• Honor your contract clauses
• Offer flexibility on the backend (like skipping the in-person reveal if there are bad memories attached)
• But stand firm: fees are non-refundable, credits are non-refundable

The Bottom Line: How to Handle Difficult Photography Sessions Like a Pro

Look, I hope this never happens to you.

But after 14 years, it happened to me. And if it can happen to someone who literally built her business model around chaos and has four boys of her own, it can happen to anyone.

The difference between spiraling and successfully handling difficult photography sessions? Preparation.

You can’t control how kids behave. You can’t control whether parents give you a heads up. But you can control:

• The language in your contract
• The questions you ask before the session
• The expectations you set
• How you pivot when things go wrong
• The boundaries you protect when it’s over

And when all else fails? Find some runners in a parking lot and unload on them. (I’m kidding. Mostly. Call your business bestie instead.)

You’ve got this. You’re not starting over after a tough session — you’re building a smarter, more protected business.

Need support navigating the messy reality of running a photography business? I’ve got you. Grab my free guide 39 Ways to Get New Clients to start attracting your ideal clients today, or book a free discovery call so we can talk through your biggest challenges together. And hey — if you’ve got your own horror story from a session gone sideways, I need to hear it. DM me on Instagram @alisonbellphotographer or tag us at @keepitmovingpodcast. Because if we’re going to survive the chaos of this business, we might as well laugh about it together. And make sure we’re protected while we do it.

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