Is it ok if the kids watch TV during the photo session?

A while back I did a "morning in the life" session for a Bay Area family. Before the session I had a video call with the mom, just to go over any questions or expectations. She asked me if it was ok if the kids want to watch TV, or if she should try to direct them towards other, maybe more interesting, activities. I told her that anything they would normally do is great.

Secretly, I knew kids watching tv does make for quite fun pictures, because well, ants in their pants.

Documentary family photography is not about being interesting for the outside world’s benefit – and certainly not for the photographer’s. Whatever is part of your day, there are pictures to be made.