Photographing toddlers and young children is one of the most rewarding things I do as a photographer—and also the most unpredictable. One moment they’re giggling, the next they’ve decided shoes are optional and they’re running in the opposite direction or crying uncontrollably !

But over the years, I’ve learned a simple truth:
Young children aren’t “misbehaving”… they’re discovering independence

A 2-year-old buckling their own shoe…
A 4-year-old insisting “I’ll do it!”…
A 6-year-old choosing which colour shirt to wear…

They’re learning new skills every day—and to them, every new ability means “I’m big now. I can decide.”
If we understand this, we stop trying to control the photoshoot and start designing it so the child feels in charge.

The secret to a successful photoshoot?
Make it feel like the child’s idea.

Here’s how we do that—step by step.