Kids are the best little directors. Give them the tiniest bit of control and suddenly their personalities pour out. That is when the real photos happen — the ones that actually look like your kid instead of stiff, “say cheese” smiles. As a children’s photographer here in Berks County, I’ve learned that when kids feel like they have a say, the camera doesn’t scare them. It excites them.
Kids Love Choices
Want to see a kid light up? Give them a choice. Sit or stand. Hug their stuffed animal or toss it in the air. Wear the sparkly dress or the jeans and bare feet. These little decisions make a huge difference. When they get to pick, they feel proud of themselves, and that confidence shows in every single photo.
Building Trust in the Studio
My Sinking Spring studio isn’t about stiff poses. It’s about letting kids be kids. I’ll suggest an idea, but if they’d rather show me their silly dance move, I am all in. Those unplanned moments, the belly laugh, the goofy face, the little smirk they only give when they’re comfortable — are the ones parents end up framing. Because that’s their child, exactly as they are.
Parents, Grab a Coffee, I’ve Got This
Sometimes parents worry that giving kids too much freedom will end in chaos. The truth? It almost always works the other way. When kids feel like they’re part of the process, they stop resisting and start having fun. The best thing you can do is kick back on the couch, sip a coffee, and let me handle it. The more relaxed the room feels, the better the photos.
The Photos That Make You Say, “That’s So Them”
When kids get to lead, the portraits show more than a smile. They show curiosity, imagination, and all those little quirks you don’t want to forget. Years from now, you’ll look at these photos and remember exactly who your child was at this stage, from the way they scrunched their nose to the toy they couldn’t put down. That’s what makes children’s photography worth it.
Why I Let Kids (Sorta) Be in Charge (and It Works)
Letting kids lead doesn’t mean the session turns wild. When they get to call a few shots, things become genuine and their personality really shines. The laughter, the goofy expressions, and those little looks that make you say, “yep, that’s my kid,” are the photos parents end up loving most. That is why I will always give kids the space to lead, because it works every single time.
