Photographing tweens is a delicate balance. They are in that stage where they are not little kids anymore, but they are not quite teenagers, either. They want independence, they want to feel grown up, and at the same time they can be silly, goofy, and unsure of themselves…all in the span of five minutes. This mix makes them so much fun for me to photograph, yet it also explains why many tweens feel awkward when the camera comes out. As a tweens photographer in Berks County, I see this every week in my Sinking Spring studio.
Think about it. For years, kids have been used to parents snapping quick photos with their phones. Suddenly, a professional studio session feels kinda intense. There are lights, a backdrop, and someone new giving direction, anyone would want to bottle up. The first few minutes are often the toughest because they are adjusting to the idea of being photographed in a focused way.
Helping Tweens Forget the Camera Is There
I never start a session by asking tweens to pose. That would only make them more uncomfortable. Heck, that would make anyone uncomfortable, myself included! Instead, I start with conversation. I ask about school, favorite activities, or what shows they are into right now. Since I never schedule sessions back to back, they have this extra time to relax. Once they realize I am interested in them as a person, the pressure starts to fade.
What Parents Can Do (and What to Skip)
Parents play an important role, too. I know how tempting it can be to stand behind me and say, “Smile bigger,” or “Straighten your shirt.” Sometimes that makes tweens more self conscious. I encourage parents to stay relaxed, offer gentle encouragement, and let me take the lead. Often, tweens respond best when they feel like the session is truly theirs.
What the Photos Capture
When tweens relax, their personalities come forward. Years down the road, these photos remind parents not just of how their child looked, but who they were at that stage: their quirks, their interests, and their growing confidence.
The Age That Usually Gets Skipped
The tweens years are often overlooked in photography. Families book photos when their children are little, then again for senior portraits in high school. The in between years get lost, even though they are some of the most important to capture. Tweens are learning who they are, developing interests, and experimenting with their identity. Freezing this stage in portraits gives you a glimpse into that journey, and it is something you will be grateful to look back on when they are older.
From “Do I Have To?” to “That Was Fun”
Photographing tweens does not have to be awkward. With patience, humor, and a genuine interest in who they are, it becomes a session they actually enjoy. They walk away feeling proud of themselves, and parents leave with portraits that are natural and full of personality. These are the photos that remind you of your child’s journey and the stage where they were growing into the person they are becoming.
