The pre-teen capture: Savouring the last childhood cuddles

by | May 21, 2024

Are your kids about to enter their pre-teen years? This mumma had a very good reason for wanting to book in her family photos.

As all parents know, there comes a time when our babies make the shift into their teenage years, and want a little less to do with us (for a period of time anyway.)

It’s their independent awakening…yearning to show us they no longer need us, less open to affection, as they make their leap into the world.

A couple stand in their kitchen with the arms around each, illuminated by the window behind them. Their two boys are blurred as they sprint past them.

Capturing the last of the early years

This transition comes with a lot of pride but also a tug of sadness.

A longing for hand holding, snuggling, kisses smothering their beautiful cheeks and childhood laughter.

It’s a time to relish, to enjoy and to remember when the time comes.

A family of four sits outside their home. Mum and dad are sitting on the grass, leaning up against the fence, while their two young boys sit perched upon a trellis above their front gate.
A family of four look at one another. They're standing outside on their lawn with the sun shining from behind them.
A man sits on green grass, smiling as he pats his brown and white dog, which is smiling at the camera.

This family told me how important this time was to capture for them.

Before every session, we chat on the phone about what you love to do. All families fill out a questionnaire to let me know everyone’s hobbies and we start planning your session from that.

I always say the more information you give me in those, the more I can make the session ‘you’.

A family of four sprints across their lawn laughing. Dad is bending down slightly, chasing his two sons. All have joy on their face. Their white house is visible in the background.
Family portrait sessions are meant to be fun, joy-filled and a chance to connect with your children.

How kids can have the ‘best time’ of their life during family portraits

Get your kids involved in the planning and I guarantee you they’ll be looking forward to it as much as you are.

Ask them what you think you should do for the session? Where should you have your photos taken?

The more involved they are, the more they’ll take ownership of the experience.

A family of four sit on their front steps as they tickle the youngest one. Everyone is smiling.
A young boy is held by his mother as they look at one another and laugh. Warmer timber is in the background.
A father has one son on his shoulders and another next to him as they smile at the camera. A pool and while homes are visible in the background.
Family photo sessions in the backyard are relaxed, playful and easy.

Avoid bribes/rewards for family photos

I totally get it! Family photos are really important to you and you’re so worried the kids won’t be up for it on the day.

But bribes/rewards won’t make them excited. (I have more tips on what to avoid to make your family photos awesome here).

Why not talk about why you want the photos in the first place, how much fun it’s going to be and ask them what would make the session enjoyable for them?

Do they love playing soccer? Do they love running around the backyard? Do they have a joke they’d love to tell?

A mother kisses her son on the forehead. Both have their eyes closes and you can feel the emotion from both of them.
A family of four pat their three dogs while sitting in the backyard. The sun streaks through the trees behind them.
A young boy plays with a soccer ball in the family kitchen as his father looks on. His younger brother holds a ball and is pictured in the foreground, as he leans up against the doorway.

The importance of capturing the pre-teen and teen years

We’re often great at organising family photos when our children are born and when they’re toddlers but as the years tick on, the photo shoots become few and far between.

Kids feel a real sense of pride when a professional photographer takes the time to capture them with their family.

It’s like bottling up the love in your family unit and putting it on display for your children to be reminded of daily.

A young boy has his arm wrapped around his father as he smiles towards his mother who is not in the frame.
A birds-eye-view of a family of four playing with their three dogs in the backyard. A warm glow from the setting sun illuminates the sky.
A family of four stand in front a big barn door. Dad is holding onto one of his sons, both smiling. Mum is holding her other son's hand and she is looking at him smiling. They are standing on grass.
A man holds his wife shoulders as they embrace. He is snuggled into her and they are both laughing. Her hands are holding onto his arms.

Portraits that ‘make your heart smile’

The families who have had their portraits professionally printed and framed, tell me how much it makes them smile and the sheer delight it brings their kids!

Scientific studies show that displaying professional family photos on the wall can have significant benefits for their development and brain health.

Research suggests that children who grow up surrounded by family photos tend to have higher self-esteem and a stronger sense of their own history and roots.

Plus, engaging with family photos stimulates cognitive development, memory recall, and language skills, as children often ask questions and share stories about the people and moments captured in the images.

What better excuse to get the family photos off the hard drive and onto the walls!

A frame with five family photos printed inside of it. It hangs on a white wall.
A framed family portrait of a family of four running after each other.
A framed family portrait hangs on the wall. The image is looking through a window at the family of four.

If you’d like to book in to capture your children’s childhoods, head to my contact page.

A young boys kicks a soccer ball in the air while standing in their well lit kitchen. His father watches on. In the foreground, his brother sits intently looking at something in his lap. In front of him is a coffee table with an arrangement of candles and leaves on it.
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