These kids are so fun! They love adventure. They love to be silly. They live life without reservation. Their home allows them to live fully, and inspires me to bring that energy into my life. These kids are not self-conscious. They live big and true. They love to hate each other, and because they do that so well together, they love each other. Their life is colorful and adventurous, caring, in touch with nature, appreciative, and exciting. They experience a full range of emotions and experiences. They have compassion for animals, eagerness for excitement, and a taste for adventure. They just want to enjoy themselves – it’s as simple as that.

These kids represent freedom! They have room to run – both in their physical life and in their spirits. They don’t feel self-conscious because it doesn’t even cross their minds to think of it. They are living perfectly, in their inherent perfection. They serve as a wonderful example for all of us by saying or doing whatever moves them. And no matter what, it’s always just right.

The day we shot our photos it was wet and rainy. They didn’t care. Nothing can stop them from living out their true identities because they are so deeply in touch with themselves. They don’t need labels or expectations. They just are who they are. And it’s beautiful.

They are fun and happy kids, and their mom allows them to express themselves fully. She truly appreciates the qualities that make them so perfect. With such an understanding for who these children are, she feels the need to express their perfection – to amplify it and project it back to herself and to the world. These free spirits are an inspiration to all of us. When I look at these pictures, I literally feel their energy. It’s amazing that we can bring photos of little people around with us and find enlightenment and happiness in their images. It’s the miracle of life.

Sometimes kids love me for no particular reason. Like the time last week when I went to the zoo, there was a cute little boy at the meerkat exhibit who couldn’t get enough of me. He pointed at countless pictures of meerkats, apparently just to hear me say they were meerkats. Then, when his mom took him away to look at the animals, he just kept smiling and staring at me instead!

Other times, kids don’t want anything to do with me. I had a session in April where the little boy was happy to be there, but every time he saw me he whined and fussed. He would give me nasty looks and run to mom or dad when he saw me coming. It was a challenging session, but it just meant we had to allow space and time for some good pictures to emerge.

I’ve found over the years that getting honest pictures of children has little to do with whether or not they like me. And the same is true for you.

When you photograph a child, look for things that interest them. Do they linger when they see animals? Do they run to smell the flowers? Maybe it’s mom or dad that they can’t get enough of – or running up and down a hill! Whatever it is, notice it. Then use it to engage them. That thing you’ve noticed is the key to the essence that glows inside. When you let a child lead the way, you see typical moments. There is truth in what’s typical.

When you photograph this way, those who see what you create will feel the sparkle of life in your images. There is an element of patience involved in creating portraits; especially with children. I’ve developed my skill for capturing honest moments through many years of practice. I started working with kids when I was still a kid myself. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a kid to learn to see the sparkle. I often know I’ve found it when I feel a wave of “cute” through my body and I can hardly keep from laughing. It’s joy in its purest form.

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Her mother was quite upset because she had waited 20 minutes or so for her session to start – our studio was very busy that day. Every time the little girl looked away from me, her mother would scold her sternly in an attempt to make her cooperate. Of course, feeling the frustration from her mom, the little girl started to cry. She didn’t want her mom to be mad at her!

This continued for a while, and the more the girl cried, the more upset the mom became. And then, of course the girl cried more. And so on.

About 10 minutes into our session, I went to the mother and asked her to step outside of our portrait room so I could try working with the little girl without distractions. She agreed, and as soon as the mom was gone, the girl began to settle down.

I didn’t have much time left to take pictures, as more clients were waiting, but I’ll never forget the great shot I took in that session. The little girl was still feeling shy, and started holding onto her braids. Her hands were up near her head, she was turned to the side, and peeking at me with her eyes. She cracked a smile, and SNAP! I got it.

Mere minutes after desperate tears had been flowing, I got a photo that I would always remember as one of my best (I wish I could show it to you, but I was working for a large studio and the rights to the photo don’t belong to me). Kids are truly amazing and inspirational. They are so skilled at living in the moment. This is something we can all learn from them.

That session happened over 10 years ago. I never saw the girl again. I wonder what she is like now, as a teenager. Maybe she’s still shy, and maybe she still feels pressure from her mother. But I hope she still has the resilience that allows her to let her spirit shine through, even in the midst of a challenge. And I’m so glad her family has that moment captured so they can savor those times that are so far behind us now. That’s what it’s all about.

Here is Cam, about 6 months old. If you look at these images closely enough, you’ll start to notice the soul that resides in his little growing body. He’s like an old friend: inquisitive, good natured, and full of humor.

We tend to think of babies as cute and cuddly, almost the way we see our pets. They are adorable – don’t get me wrong – but so often we’re taken aback by the human qualities within them. Why? They’re human, after all!

Cam’s inquisitive nature has already emerged – it sparkles in his eyes. It’s obvious that his discoveries bring him joy, and energize his drive to learn more. This is human nature at its best!

In each of these photographs you see a flash of a cute baby boy. With the entire image collection, however, you know Cam without having to meet him. He’s had wonderful adventures in his young life, and he has loved every one of them. Yes, he will change over time. He’ll grow, he’ll learn, and he’ll flourish. But for now, this is his story. It has been told.