In case you haven’t read this post HERE this is when all of the middle years thinking started for me… Since then I sept some time focusing on this tween age group this year. I started the year off working with Sharon of Kids Anthem in downtown Tomball and we created SHINE sessions for 18 young ladies! This day was beyond emotional and meant so much to these girls, their mamas and to both of us as moms with our own daughters.
IN HOME WORK STUDY
I continued to learn more about this middle years/tween/teen demographic because I was living with two middle years girls under my roof ha. One thing I love the most is that they aren’t too old to belt it out on the karaoke machine or make slime in my kitchen! This age is so freaking fun y’all!
THROWBACK
Then I threw it back to the old days when I used to shoot high school senior girls! I needed to be somewhere in between the magic of all about me sessions and the maturity of these high school senior sessions. I wanted them to feel good about themselves but still look like KIDS…
LIFE MOVES FAST
The next thing I knew I was recording a guest spot on the unraveled postcast and then writing a class all about the importance of photographing this age and challenging photographers all over the world to remind this age that they matter and to remind mamas that life moves fast. TRUTH BOMB ALERT: That cute squishy little toddler that wears tutu’s and lets you put her hair in pig tails is going to grow up. And when she does, as her mother YOU are going to want to do everything in your power to build her up and fill her heart with confidence. If you just suddenly stop capturing her what does that say to her? She deserves your time now just as much as she did when she was a chubby cheek’ed baby!
ART IMITATES LIFE
or whatever the quote is…my girls have always grown up along side my business and it just feels like a full circle moment to photograph this age group especially because 85% of my clients have been with me since day 1 and most of their beautiful babies are incredible middle years kids today.
Top Three reasons to book a photoshoot for your tween
1. They grow up..
.yep it’s one of those truth bombs and this one is harsh so brace your self. Y’all, your babies wont be babies forever! That cute squishy little toddler, that wears tutu’s and lets you put her hair in pig tails, is going to grow up. When she does, as her mother YOU are going to want to do everything in your power to build her up and fill her heart with confidence. If you just suddenly stop capturing her what does that say to her? She deserves your time now just as much as she did when she was a chubby cheeked baby!
2. Their story needs to be told too
Think about your own middle years…it was hard wasn’t it? I know it was, because it doesn’t matter what walk of life you are on or who your family is, that age is HARD. It can be filled with hurt, heartbreak, betrayal, feelings of being invisible, emotional highs and even lower lows.
This is the time we stop capturing them. I have been on this photography journey for 13 years, and when my clients’ kids hit around the age of 9, clients stop making it a priority to do sessions. Some of it is they busy-ness of life with sports and afterschool activities. But some of it is just because they don’t see it being done so they assume they don’t need it. This is the biggest lie we are selling! This age, NEEDS their stories to be told! They deserve to see how amazing and inspiring they are through the lens of our camera!
3. It’s plain old fun for you both!
I have been focusing on photographing my own girls as we navigate these years and let me tell you I make it fun! I get their hair done add a smudge of mascara and chapstick and then let them pick out their clothes. It’s just us. We do the shoot until they are done and then its off for ice cream and conversation.
