FAMILY AND CHILDREN BLOG POSTS

Why Your Family Photos Don’t Feel Like the Moment Did

12 real-life tips for photographing the people you love with the phone you already haveThe photo shows what happened. But it doesn’t always show how it felt.You were there. You felt it. Something sweet, or funny, or a little messy in the best ...

5 Milestones You’ll Wish You Had Captured

A photographer's guide to documenting the many stages of childhood.They say childhood goes by in a blur. It’s not the big birthdays or first steps that fade the fastest. It’s the tiny moments. The in-between seasons. The quirky ...

Hey Mama—Want to Be in the Photo Too?

  You’ve captured a million moments: the bubble baths, bedtime snuggles, and messy-faced giggles. But let’s be honest… you’re rarely in them.So here’s a little something you can quietly pass to your ...

All the Things You’re Really Paying For When You Book a Photography Session

 Let’s peel back the curtain on what goes into a professional photography session—because it’s so much more than a quick snap of the camera and a few digital files. When you invest in a session, you’re also investing in ...

A baby looking off camera chewing on a purple teething ring.

How to Prepare Your Child for a Fun, Stress-Free Photoshoot

If you’ve ever worried about how to keep your child calm or cooperative during a photoshoot, this post is for you. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few simple steps that can make all the difference between a stressful day and a relaxed, ...

An Express cheerleader posing on a black stage with stadium lights and fog.

What is the right age for a Spotlight Session?

I get asked this question all the time: “At what age can we sign up for a Spotlight Session?” The truth is, you can jump in at pretty much any stage—but each phase of childhood (and beyond!) offers something special. From the ...

A girl with white dress and long blonde curls walking through red stage curtains.

Bespoke Children’s Portraiture: Tailoring an Experience to Your Child

Watching our children grow, change, and discover is one of the greatest joys of parenting—and also one of the hardest because these moments are so fleeting. At Paula Ward Photography, I create Spotlight Sessions to celebrate their unique ...

Stadium lights and fog.

Why I Need at Least Two Weeks Between the Interview and the Photoshoot

Hello there! I’m so excited you’re considering a photo session for your child. I want to let you in on a little secret: creating truly meaningful images doesn’t just happen on the day of the shoot. It all begins the moment we chat ...

A young girl sitting on a beach under a palm tree with a pink beach ball.

Preserving Fleeting Moments: Why I Photograph Children Exactly as They Are Today

My Personal Reason: A Memory in PhotographsChildhood is a whirlwind—each day brings something new, and before we know it, those precious moments have slipped away. As a parent, I’ve discovered how quickly time moves—and, if ...

Little girl in front of ice cream backdrop sticking out her tongue.

What If My Child Misbehaves? How I Handle Real-Life Moments During a Children’s Photoshoot

Let’s talk about something that’s often on a parent’s mind: What if my child doesn’t “behave” during the photo session?One of the most precious ways to celebrate your child’s personality is through ...