Over the years, I’ve heard from many parents of older kids who wonder whether their kids are too old for family photos. Parents of tweens and teens worry that their kids will feel awkward, be ornery, or refuse to participate. While, as a fellow parent of a teen, I understand their reservations. I have found family sessions with teens to be some of the most fun and lively sessions of all. Below are some ways I approach photographing older kiddos:

Celebrate Tweens’ and Teens’ Maturity

There is so much to celebrate when working with tweens and teens. They’re funny. They’re (more or less) composed. They have a sense of style and know what they like and what they don’t like. I make sure to laugh, praise, and affirm. Sure, they might give me an eye roll or comment on my direction being ‘cringe’ but we can also laugh about it. What I’ve found (not so deep) underneath the tough or cool exteriors that older kids give off, is a tender and curious kid that appreciates the excuse to be seen and be with family. Sessions with these kids tends to be more collaborative with them making suggestions for what they think a cool photo would be. And an added bonus, tweens and teens are far less likely to have a meltdown or wipeout than the toddler set, at least for the hour or two that were together. 🥴

Be Curious About The Lives of Tweens and Teens

I’m old enough now that the teenage years actually do feel far away. Gen Z kids doubly feel like an enigma to me with their special language, dance moves, hobbies, tastes and preferences. I’m genuinely curious about their inner lives and they’re surprisingly happy to share with adults who aren’t their parents. Asking relevant questions and really listening to their answers is a powerful way to connect with anyone. It’s one of the best ways I get tweens and teens to not only be open to the experience of doing family photos, but also make them actively motivated to participate. The best is when they tell you about a dance move or a sport they play and then proceed to actually give a live demonstration. 😉

Set Kids and Parents Up for Success at Family Sessions

If a tween is super self-conscious about being photographed in public, we opt for a home session. If a teen can’t be up before 11am on a weekend, we opt for a sunset session. If the parents are pre-occupied with worry their teen will be rude, I reassure them that I take nothing personally and I have a teen at home. The family featured here decided to take advantage of our shoot being during Friday happy hour and made themselves cocktails, which livened up the mood for everyone. 🤩 The bottom line is that I work make sure the parameters of our session serve to elevate, create ease, and elicit cooperation and collaboration.