I Let My Kids Take My Branding Photos: Lessons From a Raleigh Family Photographer

There are seasons in my approach to business where everything feels polished and intentional. And then there are seasons where I decide to hand my camera to my kids and see what happens. Spoiler: it’s the latter season, baby!

A few weeks ago, after the chaos of the fall busy season and in the quieter stretch that follows here in the Raleigh area, I realized I needed updated branding photos. Not the perfectly styled, highly produced kind, but something that actually felt like me in this point of my life. So I did what felt both fitting and slightly chaotic: I let my kids take the photos.

I’m a Raleigh photographer who prides herself on being great with kids. I spend my days earning their trust, inviting their personalities forward, and reminding parents that the in-between chaotic moments are actually the ones that matter most. What I didn’t expect was how much this experience would turn the lens back on me.

Here’s what I learned.

Letting Go of Control as a Raleigh Photographer Who Is Great With Kids

I love imperfection in the family photos I take for other people, and it turns out I can also love the imperfect photos of myself because I love the people I’m with. When my kids were behind the camera, nothing was curated. My hair wasn’t perfect. The framing wasn’t intentional. And yet, I loved the images because they showcase connection. I can see how they feel about me from behind the camera and I get to see how my body looks when it lights up for them. The magic has never been in perfection. It’s in presence.

What Being Present Really Looks Like

I’m more present when I’m not trying to perform. Without a shot list or a mental checklist running in the background, I showed up differently. I wasn’t managing the moment. I was in it. And that presence is exactly what kids respond to, whether I’m photographing my own family or working with families across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Seeing Myself Through My Kids’ Eyes

I see myself more kindly through my kids’ eyes. They didn’t notice the things I usually fixate on. They saw their mom and that alone was grounding. It reminded me of how often parents step out of the frame because they don’t feel “ready,” when in reality, they are already deeply loved as they are.

The Way I Photograph Others is the Way I Want to Be Remembered

Not polished. Not perfectly posed. But real, joyful, and mid-motion. Standing in front of the camera made this truth personal in a way I had forgotten could also be true for myself. It also reinforced why inclusivity and emotional honesty matter so much in my work. If I’m asking other families to be honest about their lives and love, I need to practice doing the same. I’ve written more about that here: What being an inclusive family photographer means to me

Branding Photos Without the Pressure to Perform

I don’t need to look “professional” to be worthy of being seen. Branding photos don’t have to mean stiff smiles or curated versions of ourselves. I don’t need to sit behind a desk, throw some papers around my laptop and pretend like they’re shot lists. My life, my kids, and the way I move through the world are part of my brand whether I acknowledge it or not (and you know I do). Letting go of the idea that I had to earn my place in the frame felt like permission I didn’t know I needed.

Why the Unplanned Photos Matter Most

The photos I treasure most are the ones I couldn’t have planned. Some of my favorite images from this session are blurry or off-center. I see the same thing happen during client sessions here in Raleigh all the time. Recently, during a family session, one child took off running mid-photo. We didn’t stop him. The photos that came from that moment of chaos were full of movement and laughter and ended up being the family’s favorites.

This Is Exactly Why I Do What I Do

One day, these photos won’t matter because of how they look. They’ll matter because of how they feel. That belief shapes how I photograph families throughout the Triangle and why my sessions are built around trust, flexibility, and connection.

And if this post resonated and you’re thinking about documenting your own season, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out anytime through my contact page. Thanks for sharing your time with me <3