Big (ish) Kids

Here's a secret about big kids and teens: they are still SO cute - no matter how much they aw-shucks it, that is the gosh darn truth.

And the pre-teen and teen years are complex. We may be parents now but we also lived teen-dom too once, so we know, amiright?! This is the age of becoming - the music taste, the hobbies that turn into identities, the fashion sense, the bedroom walls that change every year and tell you exactly who's living in there (with the stuffies still prominent on the bed!). Which is why I love shooting this age, especially documentary-photo-style, at home and in their space: the gamer setup, the sketchbooks, the dog or cat (sometimes... rats, birds, lizards!) that they love snuggling, the trophy or jersey collection, the chaos curated just so. Their room is a self-portrait - I just let them share it, and put them at the heart of it. And then for these, we get the family photos too: cuddling on the couch or the porch, tossing a ball, showing off wicked dance moves, baking something experimental, slime (and more slime or endless squishies!). Portraits + real life + love. And big feelings, obvs.

And here's the part I need you to hear about the pre-teen/teen era: this is the age when families slow down on booking photo sessions. The kids groan, the schedules explode, and the camera quietly retires. Please don't let it. Get this - apparently research has suggested for decades that kids who grow up seeing themselves in family photos feel more valued, more rooted, more seen - and teens, whatever they claim, need that more than anyone. They may be more reluctant and grumpy at that age to do a session but they (and you!) will treasure the pictures. Both things can and will be true. I've witnessed it, and I'm living it.

Because here's my reality: my daughter is an incredible illustrator who runs circles around me in graphic design, and my son is only newly a teen and he towers over me now - I look WAY up to talk to him! Regardless - they are still, and will always be, my babies. And understanding their world now and always is precious.

All I'm saying is: keep taking the pictures. Especially now.