I spent a summer evening with this family at their favorite beach, tucked between Lake Michigan and a creek that flows into it. The perfect spot for rock skipping and splashing in cool water. While a toddler may not be so keen on having a stranger photograph them, they are usually more than willing to play in the water at their favorite beach, so we spent a lot of time letting their little one lead the way. I often joke that portrait sessions with toddlers and young children are my favorite because I have little art directors guiding me. They are the ones who determine where the session takes place, if we will be standing still or running around. I always follow the children’s lead, as it is the best way to both gain trust and to make sure that our time together feels connective, rather than stressful.
In the end, children are our best teachers, often seeing the world in a more creative way than us rigid adults, so doesn’t it make sense to let them guide the way during a portrait session? We’ll always get a photo of everyone looking at the camera, but the photos of a toddler splashing in the creek, pulling his mama close for a hug, laughing as he reaches for his dad’s hair, those photos will forever help pull the parents back to what it was like to be a family during that tender stage. In my mind, that’s the entire point of these family sessions.
I will be opening bookings for family sessions for 2024 in a few weeks. I have new portrait session packages that I cannot wait to announce. Every portrait session will include educational information on how to prepare for your session. And while yes, there will be insight on what to wear (I know that this feels so difficult when planning for a session!), it will mostly offer insight on how to set the tone for a fun, carefree, memorable session.
Parents, there will be an entire guide just for you, to help prepare your little ones for the session and reduce everyone's stress leading up to the photoshoot. With just a bit of intentional planning, we will create an experience that isn't solely about the end result, but takes care to make sure everyone feels seen and heard in the process.
