Photographing Kids Is One of the Hardest and Most Rewarding Things You Can Do with a Camera

If you’ve ever tried photographing kids, then you probably know it’s not as easy as it looks. First, they move fast. Too, they don’t follow directions. Plus, their moods can flip in seconds.

However, despite the chaos, photographing kids is one of the most meaningful and joyful forms of photography out there. Here why our guest author Kaitlyn Kellar knows this to be true. 

I started photographing children professionally over a decade ago. As a mom of two, I’ve been behind the camera for hundreds of meltdowns, giggle fits, and everything in between. And so, through all of it, I’ve learned that photographing kids isn’t about perfection. Instead, it’s about presence.

So, why is it so challenging and worth it?

First, kids are unpredictable. You can’t pose a toddler the same way you’d pose a senior or a bride. They’ll either wander off or give you the world’s most forced smile. Instead, you have to play. Plus, you have to earn their trust. So, get down on their level. Of course, sometimes that means you have to act a little silly.

Lighting & Timing

Second, lighting and timing matter more than ever. Most kids have a short window of cooperation. If you miss it, then your window’s gone. That’s why I always prep parents ahead of time, plan for soft, natural light, and keep sessions short and sweet.

Forget Perfection

Third, you need to let go of perfection. In fact, some of my favorite images are the ones where the child is mid-laugh, mid-run, or mid-tear. We connects with real emotions. So, when parents see their child’s true personality reflected back to them in a photo - that’s magic.

Tips for Photographing Kids:

• Use a fast shutter speed. Kids move. A lot.
• Don’t ask for smiles. Play a game or tell a joke instead.
• Focus on connection, not perfection.
• Let them move, explore, and be themselves.

Photographing Kids Teaches You

Photographing children teaches you patience, creativity, and how to truly see a moment. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it (mostly).

Guest author Kaitlyn Kellar is a professional photographer, studio owner, and mom of two based in Yucaipa, California. She specializes in in-studio newborn, maternity, and children's portraiture that captures the quiet, fleeting beauty of family life. Through her business, Kaitlyn Dawn Photography, she helps families preserve their memories through printed heirlooms like wall art and fine art albums.

Kaitlyn Dawn Photography

Kaitlyn has photographed hundreds of families over the past 10+ years, with a focus on guiding her clients through a thoughtful and personalized experience. She believes deeply in the power of presence both in life and in photography and uses her sessions to highlight the real, unscripted moments that often go unnoticed.

When she’s not photographing babies or planning artwork with her clients, Kaitlyn enjoys time with her husband and two children, serving in her local church, and mentoring other creatives. Her work and voice are warm, heartfelt, and rooted in the belief that every season of motherhood is worth remembering. View more of Kaitlyn's work on her website and follow her on Instagram.