Kids will be kids - let them!

One of my favorite but most challenging sessions is taking photographs with children involved. Challenging because well, read first part of the title for this post. Children have such imaginations and a whole different outlook on life. It happens to be one of my favorites because who wouldn't want to either take of have a picture like that?

My family is huge and with that comes several children. I'm also at the age where a lot of friends may be having or have children. In other words, people want these moments captured!

One of my most memorable photo sessions was when my friend asked me to take some family photos for their Christmas cards and to have some updated family photos. A beautiful mid November day was scheduled and the family of five arrived for some picture taking!

These pictures came out great. However, you know me and my love for candids, plus the kids started getting antsy. The weather was beautiful out, sun shining, mid 50s, leaves in the yard, and they could see it all through the window while they were inside posing for me. Finally, after a good portion of indoor shots I told the kids to just go have fun. Let them be kids! They only get to be this age once. And so I bring you the kids being kids! (Not before we had the youngest get a picture with the stuffed Santa that caught her eye and let the two older ones have a moment to be silly...)

Then we proceeded outside where the kids and parents had a blast playing games, chasing one another, enjoying the outdoors! (The photographer did as well.)

Needless to say, I was thrilled when a good majority of the candids made it into my friend's top picks. The kids were awesome, they just had fun! The staged ones came out great as well, but look what can happen with candids.

Fast forward some months to the christening the friends of the family's newest addition. Now when a child is 2 months old, all you really can capture are the candids:

The cutest ever!

That pretty much sums up my photographs of children and families (for now!) I can't wait to photograph more! And just my little life lesson for all of you readers out there, I'm sure everyone has at least one child in their life. Capture the moments whether it be professionally or just on your phone. The camera only assists with the photo, you need to create it.

After all, who wouldn't want a photo of their child singing and dancing their heart out and just having a good time making people laugh? Those memories are the best!

Enjoy!

~ C