There are tons of examples out there of great creative photo sessions for girls. But what if you only have boys? Is it possible for boys to enjoy a photography session and for you to get great, creative images from it? You bet!

Here's how:

1. Find a photographer who specializes in working with kids.

Why? Photographers who specialize in working with kids will know how to connect with children. Young children may become shy and unsure as a stranger sticks a large black camera in their face. A photographer who specializes in working with kids will know when to take a break, when to encourage the child and how to connect with the child despite these obstacles. This will allow the photographer to capture all the things you know and love about your child.
How do I find a child photographer? Ask for recommendations from friends or in local groups, search for their websites using keywords such as ‘Phoenix, Arizona, child, photographer’, you can also utilize the search feature on Facebook or follow area specific hashtags on instagram.
How do I know I’ve found the right photographer? Peruse the photographer’s work on their social media, website and blog. Take a look at how often children are photographed independent from family pictures. Photographers who specialize in children will have a lot of work showcasing children on their own or in groups, independent from adults. Ask yourself, do I like how they captured the child? Do I like the reviews from other parents? If the answer is yes. You’re ready to proceed to step 2.

2. Brainstorm ideas with your chosen photographer: Once you’ve found a photographer, it’s time to figure out the theme for your session

Make a list of things your son enjoys. This can be anything from tv shows and characters to things your family enjoys doing together or aspects of his personality or features that you love and really want to capture.
“Meet” with your photographer. This can be done in several ways by phone, facetime, email or through a face to face meeting. Let your photographer know what works best for you.
Narrow it down to 1-2 ideas. Keeping who your son is in mind, pick your favorite theme(s) and work with your photographer to bring your absolute favorite idea to life.

3. Prepare to Play: The best images of any child are produced when they feel comfortable and happy.

Don’t stress about posing your child. Posed photos, while adorable, will never capture your child in the same authentic way that playful, unscripted images will. During the shoot, your photographer will connect with your child through guided play while you sit back and enjoy the experience they’re having.
Here’s what this experience may look like. When we arrived on location I instructed Paxton to stand and pose for a minute while I adjusted my lighting (left image). This allows him a minute to warm up to the process while allowing me to get ready for all of the action I’m about to capture. Clearly, this is not enjoyable for him. We quickly progressed to playing in the water so he could full become his character (middle image) and I was able to capture the enthusiasm with which he approaches his entire life. In between guided play I grabbed a few more posed images (because I know mom loves to see that cute face) and he was happy to oblige knowing we would return to playing soon.

4. Stay flexible during the planning process and the shoot

Sometimes the best laid plans don’t work out That’s what happened during this boy’s creative session. Our original costume idea, the traditional orange and green Aquaman costume, just wasn’t working. We searched high and low and could not find a costume to appropriately fit a child his size.
Revisit your original ideas we went back to our original list of ideas, refocused on the idea we wanted to capture: her son as Aquaman while he still had the perfect hair to complete the look. We revised our idea of using the official costume and decided to utilize the black pants and tattoos you see on Aquaman in the movies prior to his discovery of his origins. Mom and I agreed, this look fit her son better. He, of course, loved the full chest of tattoos. See more of this session here

And that's how you get awesome creative professional pictures of your boys. If you are in the East Valley (Chandler, Gilbert, Temp or Mesa) of Arizona and looking for a creative child photographer, I'd be happy to chat and help you design the perfect session for your son. Contact me Here

When I first launched Devoted, Autumn submitted the idea of doing a feature about single parenthood. Having watched Autumn’s girls grow up at Rhythm and Motion Dance Center, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to learn more about her amazing family. The respect and compassion this family shows towards each other is beautiful and I was honored to create family portraits for these beautiful souls!

Please start by telling us, how has motherhood changed you?: I've been a mother for 17 years now, so it's kind of hard to remember what life was like before. But I do know this: left to my nature, I can be a selfish person. I like comfort and I like to do things my way. I'm a typical "type A" personality, and I like things as I like them. To an extent, motherhood forces you to exist, live, and thrive outside of yourself. It challenges you to put others above yourself, to put your own comfort last, to make sure everyone else is ok first. And the crazy thing is, most days, you love it.

Who inspires you as a mother?: As a single mom, naturally I get inspiration from other single moms (and single dads... there are some single dads out there rocking it!). I believe at its inception, parenting was meant for two people to tackle together. It's a tough job, even for two, even under the best circumstances. So, when you take an ideal situation that's already hard and make the situation less than ideal, things get exponentially more difficult. I'm also inspired by single moms who are able to co-parent with their children's dad. I only had to do it for a couple years before my ex passed away, however, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a mom. Hands down. And I freely admit I wasn't very good at it (though I believe we would have done better over time...). So, I absolutely find those moms (and dads) who are able to truly put their own wounds aside for the sake of their children to be an inspiration.

If someone wants to know more about your experience, what's the best way to ask/learn about it? : I'm a pretty open book, and have no issues talking about my successes and my failures (a significantly longer list!) in my single mom journey. I think the best way to ask is just to ask. And the best way to learn is to listen. I think that's one of the reasons we go through crap in life - so that we can be a help to others when they step in similar piles! I've learned a ton from women who have been in my shoes. And hopefully, I've helped others a little along the way as well.

Who has been your biggest support in your journey?: I often talk about my "village". I've been blessed to have a huge support system of friends and family. I am surrounded by "hold my hoops" women who would thrown down for me in a heartbeat, if I needed them to. I couldn't have survived the last almost four years without them. My church has been more supportive than I could ever describe. God knew what He was doing surrounding me with the people He did. And my family has been nothing but pillars of strength. I've had to check my pride and ask for help more in the last four years than in my life to date, and my village has surrounded me 100%. These people have seen me at my absolute worst, and they've loved me unconditionally. It's no small thing.

What’s your favorite memory of being a mom?: I know a lot of moms will say that their favorite memories are when their kids are little. All those "firsts", and they're just so cute. And while I do look back at those days and those memories with an unbelievably full heart, one thing I've learned about favorite memories is that they rarely come in the moments where we plan them to be. I find when I look back that my favorite memories usually happen when I least expect that what we're doing will end up being a memory. I've been privileged to be able to have a front row seat to some of the bravest conversations and moments in recent years with my kids. When my kids spontaneously comfort each other in hard times, when they choose to have a difficult conversation with friends because it's the right thing to do, when they share with me something God is teaching them, when they show me forgiveness and grace - I'm finding those are the memories that take up the most space in my head and in my heart. Second only to that is the moments when we're just silly and laugh. We do that a ton too. My kids are hilarious!

What do you love the most about being a single mom?: the thing I love most about being a single mom (which still seems strange to say...) is that my relationship with my kids is tight. We were close before, but we're unbreakable now. Shared trauma and life experiences have fused us together in ways that "normal" life never would have. Parenting kids though divorce and the loss of a parent is never something I thought we'd survive. But we are surviving it. I put this in the present tense on purpose, because I don't think it's in the past yet - or that it will ever be. But we are currently surviving it. And we're growing, and learning, and doing the best with what we've been given.

Thank you Autumn for sharing your heart and your family with us! If you want to share your motherhood story for a chance to be featured on devoted you can do so here -> https://nakupendaphotography.com/devoted

How to plan a creative session for your son (boys ages 4-7)//Arizona Child Photographer

Devoted//A mother's story about single parenthood