As school has come back into session, I’ve noticed that the teachers are asking the kids to take part in setting the ground rules. I love this idea. I think we can all remember as kids what it felt like to be “bossed around,” and to not be in control of our lives. I can’t say those times were fun for me. It even made me want to misbehave because I wanted to have a say in how I would live my life.

I’ve taken that notion forward with me into adulthood. I find that people of all ages, everywhere, want to feel like they’re in control. I’ve learned to make my goals known, and let people figure out how they might be able to help me reach them. This is one of the ways I’ve been able to have so much fun with kids in photography. I let them know that I have plans to take their picture, and I ask them to help me come up with a way for us both to have fun in the process.

I remember during one session, a little boy I was working with decided he wanted to go to the basement of his house. I could tell he was trying to be difficult because he didn’t really want to have his picture taken. His mom and I had planned on outdoor pictures, but there was time to be flexible with him, so I decided to go with it and give him some control. I asked him what was in the basement, and discovered that it was full of toys. So, I grabbed a light, followed him down the stairs, and lo and behold we came out of that basement with some of my favorite pictures from that year! Later, we had a chance to head out to their back yard for more pictures, and everyone was happy.

Listening to children and giving them a little bit of control can be a great way to get them to relax and share their spirit with you. Do this when your camera is out, and the difference in your pictures will really shine through.

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.

These kids have been so much fun to work with, and it thrills me that they get to be a part of my competition experiences! I think the best part about this photo is its genuine reflection of the children’s personalities. I admit I might tell people where to stand from time to time, but other than that, this moment is genuinely candid. These kids got all dressed up and *gasp* acted like kids! How wonderful! That’s what Lara Grauer Photography is all about – capturing those elements that make people who they are.

And while we’re here . . . there’s a lot to ponder about the composition in this photograph; especially the use of lines.