5 Ways My Kids Have Taught Me to Enjoy Life

Becoming a mother is one of the most amazing journeys I have been on in my adult life. Seeing my three children grow has been a source of never-ending joy. The way they approach the world and see the world has been a beautiful reminder to me that there are so many ways to enjoy life, people and the world around me.

In my work as a child and family photographer, I get a chance to capture that joy and that enthusiasm every day. Working with children and living with children, every day is an adventure. And some days, it’s exhausting. But there are so many amazing things my kids have taught me. Today, I wanted to share some of the lessons I’ve learned from my kids. Here are five things my kids have taught me that make my life more enjoyable.

5 Life Lessons from My Kids

1. It’s not hard to make friends.

As a mother to three boys, at times it feels like they will never slow down. But one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how easily they can make friends. Whether we are at a park, a playground or a birthday party, it is so easy for them to run up to another child and invite them to play. If you are warm, inviting, and kind. It’s not hard to make friends. As an adult, it feels hard to make a new friend! But if you just start talking to someone in a kind and friendly way… it isn’t hard at all!

2. Give brutally honest compliments.

I once heard one of my children yell “you have the face of an old man and I love it!” at his 3year old brother. While that might not be the best thing to shout at another human, we can still learn to be more open with our praise. Don’t hold back if you love someone, or something, and tell them why. Is your mom amazing? Tell her. Is your dad great at reading? Tell him. Is your spouse a wonderful listener? Tell them!

3. Dance for fun, at least once every day, even if you’re horrible at it.

Kids have such an amazing ability to dance like no one is watching. Anywhere. At any time, they have no hesitation to jump up and dance. It gives them such joy that I can’t help but join in! Dance isn’t only fun but there are both physical and mental health benefits. Not only is it a cardiovascular activity, but it can also help boost your mood. Recent research shows that dancing can support psychological well-being and can even decrease symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Plus, it can be a social activity. Dancing with my kids, even to the most ridiculous of songs has brought all of us great joy. Not only because it’s fun, but because it’s something we can do together.

4. While you’re at it, sing every day, too.

Having children introduced me to hundreds upon hundreds of songs. I never truly realized how many song lyrics I could store in my brain until I had kids. The joy and delight with which we can sing together brings me such happiness. Singing with my boys certainly makes my life more enjoyable. But what’s interesting is that there are actually scientifically proven benefits to singing! Singing can release endorphins that can alleviate anxiety and stress. Plus, it can improve mental function because it delivers more oxygenated blood to the brain. The brain has such an excellent memory for song that the Alzheimer’s Society has started “Singing for the Brain” sessions to help people suffering from dementia. So, when I get the chance to, I will belt out a song. Sometimes I’ll even do it without the boys!

5. Ask crazy “what if” questions, just to enjoy coming up with the answers.

What would the world look like if the sky was purple? Where would I travel if money was no object? What kind of person would I be if I was born 100 years ago? I love the way that my children ask questions about the world. The inquisitive mind of a child has curiosity about everything in the world around them. Keeping that fresh and childlike wonder alive in my brain and cultivating curiosity just for fun has truly made my life more enjoyable.

As Walt Streightiff once said: “There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”

Capturing Wonder in Kids Photo Sessions

The photos in this blog post are of my three boys. My oldest, Charlie, middle, Johnny, and youngest, Gus. Charlie is sharp, inquisitive, introverted, and very intellectual. He loves to read. Johnny is sweet, creative, deeply feeling, and loves to make things. Gus is silly, athletic, and energetic. He loves to be goofy and to roughhouse. Every day, they improve my life. And every day, I am reminded of the gifts they’ve given me. The things that I have learned by being a mother have enriched my world and made my life infinitely more enjoyable.

Never underestimate the wisdom of your kids.

5 Ways to Get Authentic Smiles at Photography Sessions

Getting real, authentic smiles can be one of the biggest challenges in a photo session. At Indy Family Photo, I’ve run into my share of kids who’ve only been told to say “Cheeeeeese” in front of the camera.

So for my family photo sessions, I strive to help my clients “relearn” how to act in front of the lens. Don’t get me wrong, a quick smile can sometimes be all a photo needs. But if you really want to capture those truly wonderful, happy moments — especially with the kiddos — then here are five quick tips to capturing authentic smiles at your next family session!

5 Ways to Photograph Authentic Smiles

1. Never Underestimate Funny Faces

For the really little kiddos (like toddlers), have mom or dad stand directly behind, or even crouched over the photographer. We’re talking as close as they can get! Then have them make the silliest faces they can. If all goes to plan, it will look like the kids are looking directly into the camera.

The mistake most people make is standing up higher, or off to the side, and the kids never look like they’re looking at the camera.

2. Grab Yourself a Sound Machine

Sound machines can be a lifesaver! I have one that makes amazing noises — everything from clapping to sad trombone to fart sounds! (You can probably guess which sound is the most popular…)

So grab a good sound machine, hit play and capture all that authentic smiles!

3. Remember the Game of Telephone?

Put your family in a row and have mom or dad start a game of telephone — only make it extra silly. This is a surefire way to get the kids rolling over with laughter.

4. Use “Bubbles”

No, not actual bubbles, though that could be fun. Instead, have the kids in the session say the word bubbles… only have them say it in their angriest voice. Or better yet, have dad say it. This never seems to fail when trying to get those authentic smiles from the kids in the session — even the adults!

5. Faking the Laughs

I love employing this technique because it always works wonders when nothing else will. Tell your subjects — the whole family — to start fake laughing as hard as they can. In a few moments, they’ll actually start laughing because the whole thing sounds so ridiculous and silly!

At Indy Family Photo, we use many of these kinds of techniques and more! We love capturing authentic smiles and laughter from our clients — it’s what we live for! If you’re interested in book a family session, or even a session just for the kids, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

James, Jacob, and Sophia | Kids Adventure Sessions

Childhood should be an adventure. And the beautiful thing about childhood is that every tiny kiddo’s adventures are unique. There’s no “one size fits all” adventures for kids. That’s why I love thinking creatively about my adventure shoots. An Indy Family Photo Adventure Session is built to encourage children’s imaginations to run wild. From princess gowns to forest adventures, my goal is to let kids play in an imaginary dream world, and to capture those memories, smiles and laughs to be enjoyed for years to come. That’s what I did with the three Beeson kids: James, Jacob and Sofia. Each of them had their own adventure, and I had such a blast photographing them.

Adventure Photos Shoots

These adventure sessions took place at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, the Indy Family Photo studio, and the area outside and around the studio. Because each of the three kids have very unique personalities, I wanted to make sure that their adventures were as unique as they are! Sophia is a kind, gentle, voracious reader who loves learning. James and Jacob love being silly and fun together. James is an amazing Lego-builder, and Jacob would love to be both a farmer and a surgeon when he grows up.

I pulled together two very special adventure shoots for this family - one for Sophia, and one for the two boys together. For Sophia, we rented several dresses. What little girl doesn’t love to dress up from time to time? I photographed her at home, with the grand piano that is special to her while she was wearing one of the beautiful dresses. The resulting photos were stunning and really capture her love for music! Together, we took more photos outside the studio, and in the studio as well. I made sure to get a few pictures of her with piles of her favorite books.

For the boys, their adventure photo session happened in the studio. They got dressed up for a few photos, and I made sure to get a few photos of James (the master builder) with his Legos. After, I transformed the studio into an epic playground! I dumped out 1000+ ball pit balls for them to all play in! It was soooo fun!! Then we headed over to the state park. That’s one of the huge benefits of the Indy Family Photo studio being nestled in the heart of historic Fort Ben! Together, they played in the creek and fields.

Making Photo Memories

Both shoots were full of sibling moments of jokes, pinches, wrestling, laughs, and more. But what’s more important is that we made memories during these adventure shoots. James and Jacob found crawdads, and Sophia told us about her favorite books and who she wants to be when she grows up. It was an experience for all of us. And, best of all, it’s captured in beautiful photographs to be enjoyed for years to come.

Adventure Session Vendors:

Sophia’s red dress - by Dollcake

Sophia’s blue dress - Rent the Runway

If you love this adventure session, you might also enjoy Jodie, Trent & Drake’s Fmaily Adventure Portraits and Lola and Lillian’s Colorful Adventure Session!

Baby William Lifestyle Family Photography

One of the greatest compliments a photography client can pay me is to invite me to photograph them again. That was the case with Matt and Talia. I am so pleased that I got to spend time with them again to photograph their sweet kiddo, William. I can’t believe he’s already one year old! I’m so happy I could return to their home for another lifestyle photography session.

In-Home Family Photography

I had originally had the chance to meet and photograph this precious family for William’s in-home lifestyle session and I loved being there to photograph those special moments.

Dad is a doctor, a private pilot, speaks Spanish fluently, AND plays the piano beautifully! Mom works part-time and loves hanging out with William and watching sports. They live in a beautifully restored home in old Indianapolis where they surround little William with love.

When it comes to being a child and family photographer, one of my greatest joys is being able to see little ones as they grow. I can’t believe how time has flown by and William has grown from a wide-eyed inquisitive newborn into an active little boy! He is crawling around like crazy and already LOVES to play piano with daddy.

In-Home Cake Smash Milestone Session

To celebrate Baby William turning one, we did an in-home lifestyle, mini-smash, and bath session since they have recently moved to their new home. I loved spending time with the family all around their home, taking pictures of Mom and baby reading in the nursery, William watching Dad play the piano, and all the fun William had at bath time! Part of what makes in-home lifestyle photography such a great option for a photoshoot is that we can just let life happen. I get to photograph a true day in the life with real, candid smiles and natural moments filled with love and laughter.

When it was time for the cake smash, we got Baby William all up in his high chair. He was going to town on his cupcake! He was truly enjoying himself. But then, he noticed that Dad was eating a cupcake and he started to cry. William had forgotten that there still was an entire cupcake in his hand!

Talia and Matt, thank you for trusting me to photograph your precious memories. It was such a pleasure to be able to visit your beautiful home and photograph these special moments with little William!

Sentimental Activities to do Before Baby Comes

Pregnancy is such a beautiful, exciting time in a woman’s life. The weeks and months before baby arrives are filled with exciting milestones. Before you know it, that sweet little bundle will be here, changing your world in all-new adorable ways.

There are so many precious moments during a pregnancy. The moment you find out you’re expecting, the reveal to friends and loved ones, the moment you find out the gender, the very first kicks and flutters as you get to know the tiny human within you… they are all so special, no matter how many children you have. In the work we do at Indy Family Photo, I get to meet a lot of wonderful expecting women. To celebrate the happiness in pregnancy, I wanted to share a few special things you can do before baby comes.

Write a Letter to Baby

One sentimental activity you can do before baby comes is write a letter! All these beautiful feelings that you are feeling, you can write down and share with your little one when they are older. Write a letter to them to share how excited you are to welcome them to the world and to your family. Hold onto it and gift it to your little one on their 10th birthday, or another important milestone! You can even include it in your baby album and it will be a wonderful keepsake for your little one to appreciate.

Celebrate the Siblings

Another special thing to do before baby comes is to throw a "big brother" or "big sister" party for your older child(ren). It’s a nice way to make sure they feel special during this time. Guests can include family members, family friends, and their own friends! Have everyone write advice on "how to be a good older sibling" on scrapbooking paper, and maybe even have them decorate it. After the party, bind the papers into a fun book!

Book a Maternity Photoshoot!

There’s no better way to celebrate your upcoming bundle of joy than scheduling a maternity photoshoot with us at the studio. Our maternity sessions can be customized to you, whether an intimate in-homes maternity session, a studio session, or a maternity session at a place of your choosing. A maternity photoshoot is as unique as you and your pregnancy, so I will work with you to style the photo session of your dreams. The best time to schedule a maternity shoot is around month seven or eight of your pregnancy. That’s the pregnancy sweet spot, when you’re glowing, but not too exhausted.

Have a Date Night

Go out on a date night while it's still just the two of you! Have fun dreaming about the days to come. Write out guesses as to what your life will be like — and what your baby will be doing — when they are 3, 6, 9, and 12 months old. Read the lists when you hit those milestones to see how wrong (or right) you really were! And… maybe grab a laugh at how soon you thought baby would be sleeping through the night ;)

Book a Newborn Session

We have so many options for newborn photography, both lifestyle newborn photography and studio newborn photography. It’s never too early to book a newborn photography session and at Indy Family Photo we make it as easy as possible for you. We know that you and your family are adjusting to a new normal, so we take time and care to make sure that your little one is safe, warm and happy all through the photo session. It’s a common misconception that you need to have a baby before you book your newborn session, so feel free to call to schedule a consultation!

The Lund Family Lifestyle Photography Session

As a child and family photographer, it is both a joy and a privilege to capture and document the precious moments of childhood. But what’s even better is when I can build a relationship with a family so I can photograph them through the years, sharing moments and documenting memories. When it comes to the Lund family, the relationship we have goes back much further. Amanda, the mom, has been my friend since seventh grade! I met up with Amanda, her husband, Stephen and their three children: Sam, Abby, and Matthew in their home for a family lifestyle photography session!

In-Home Family Lifestyle Photography

Originally, we planned on having this family portrait session outside at a park. But the weather did not agree. You know how it goes with Indiana weather! The winds were VERY high, so we went to their home instead, which was wonderful. Lifestyle photography sessions are a great way to be able to capture natural, candid moments. I get to meet the family in their own space, where they are the most relaxed. This results in real, genuine smiles, laughter, and reactions.

For this family lifestyle shoot, we picked a few activities that each of the family members love to do. Abby loves painting her mom’s nails and her own, so we started the session with that. Sam loves excavating dinosaur skeletons from his play archeological dig kit, so he and dad worked on digging together. Matthew loves snuggling in mom and dad’s bed, so we all piled onto the bed next and read a dinosaur book together! We also braved the wind and headed outside to take a few photos outside in the field near their home.

Mom wanted a special photo of each of the kiddos with their lovey in black and white. She hung these three portraits side by side in the hallway to forever celebrate their special relationships with their bunny blankets. All too often, photos stay on phones and thumb drives, so it really makes me happy to know these precious images will be seen and appreciated. Family photography sessions are all about capturing the magic of childhood, so I’m thankful I could be the photographer for this family lifestyle photography session!

Thank you, Amanda and Stephen, for inviting me into your home and into your lives!