That’s completely okay, and honestly, very common.

Spotlight Sessions are designed so your child doesn’t feel like they’re “performing.” The environment is relaxed, the pacing is natural, and I guide the session in a way that allows their real personality to come through.

Instead of forcing stiff poses, I focus on conversation, interaction, and small moments. Many parents are surprised by how comfortable their child becomes once they realize they can simply be themselves.

The session itself typically lasts about 2–3 hours.

We move at a pace that feels comfortable for your child, allowing for breaks, outfit changes, and natural transitions between sets. The goal is not to rush through a checklist, but to create space for genuine expressions and moments to unfold.

Because the experience is customized, the timing is guided by what produces the best result, not the clock.

Spotlight Sessions are intentionally designed to focus on one child at a time so we can fully capture their personality and this specific season of life without distraction.

That focused approach is what allows the experience to feel deeply personal and story-driven.

If you’re looking for family or sibling portraits as well, I offer separate session options that are designed specifically for documenting the family together.

Spotlight Sessions work best for children who are old enough to engage, communicate, and share their personality, which is typically around age 4 and up.

Around this stage, children begin to express clear interests, preferences, and quirks, which allows me to design a session that truly reflects who they are right now.

There’s no real upper age limit. These sessions can be just as meaningful for older kids, teens, and even adults who want to document a chapter of life intentionally.

I recommend reaching out 6–8 weeks in advance whenever possible.

This gives us time for the planning conversation, concept design, and set preparation that make the session feel fully customized.

Since only a limited number of Spotlight Sessions are offered each month, earlier planning usually provides the most flexibility.

Yes.

After your session, you’ll have the option to order additional copies of your child’s magazine, as well as albums or wall art if you’d like to expand how the images are displayed in your home.

Many families choose to add pieces over time as their collection grows.

My goal is always to create something that truly feels like your child.

If something doesn’t feel right, we’ll talk through it together and make thoughtful adjustments so the final result reflects the story we set out to capture.

This is a collaborative, guided experience from beginning to end, and your satisfaction with how your child is represented matters deeply.

Once you submit your request, I personally review the details you share about your child and this season of life.

If it feels like a good fit, you’ll receive the next step to schedule your planning conversation, where we begin shaping the session together.

Because each Spotlight Session is fully customized, availability is intentionally limited each month.

That’s actually very normal, and the experience is designed with that in mind.

The first step of the Spotlight process is a Story Interview, and your child is part of that conversation. This allows us to meet, talk about the things they care about, and begin building comfort in a low-pressure setting before a camera is ever involved.

As we talk, I gently guide the conversation so your child can share in their own way and at their own pace. That child-led interaction helps them feel seen and safe, which makes a big difference once we move into the session itself.

During the session, we continue with that same approach, starting with simple interaction rather than jumping straight into posed images. Because the pace is guided and unrushed, even quieter kids often become more comfortable as we go.

Some of the most meaningful images come from those softer, more reserved personalities once they feel safe enough to be themselves.

Only a small number of Spotlight Sessions are scheduled each month so each family receives the time, planning, and customization this experience requires.

Typically, I work with no more than two Spotlight families per month, which allows every session to be thoughtfully designed, unrushed, and fully personalized.

This pace ensures that each child’s story is captured with the level of care and attention it deserves.