M Brothers - Cary, Raleigh, Apex, North Carolina NC Family Photography

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting a good friend of mine in Saratoga Springs, NY. We arranged a quick photo shoot one afternoon of her two adorable sons at the state park. The boys thought they were going to a "real kid park" with playground etc. When they arrived I think they were at first disappointed but by the end of the shoot they were asking to stay and wanting me to "take a million more photos." I think they'd agree that running through the arches, wrestling in the grass and listening to a random guy playing the guitar (all while being photographed) was a fun way to spend an afternoon.











this may be my favorite photo from the shoot.


I have to admit that photographing little boys is very different than photographing little girls! Most boys are very disinterested in the camera. When I have the camera up to my face I can carry on a conversation with a girl and get some great photos while she is interacting with me, the boy on the other hand usually tends to bolt the minute I aim the camera towards him. Girl sessions usually are much faster, and easier, however boy sessions are typically more fun. As was the case with these little guys I had to spend some time watching them play, enticing them to climb trees, silly things like showing me their muscles. Once they have warmed up and become my friend, they give me the opportunity to capture the good shots.
Its work but its rewarding.
Here are some early shots where they were being silly and not interested in our shoot.

In half of the first 20 photos of Ethan he was making this duck face, it was hysterical. Luckily Mom just laughed along with me and pretty soon it got old to him, the duck then turned into more of a smile. Its important for parents to let the kids get away with being silly and play along with their ideas. It keeps the kids in a good mood and lets their real personalities and smiles eventually come out. Telling your kids to pose and act unnatural really makes for boring and fake photos.



how adorable is he?


Mini lesson:
Things not to do... don't tell your kids to go over there and stand next to each other. This is next to each other to them, lol.


Don't tell boys to pretend they love each other. This is how boys show their love by squeezing the crap out of each other. Girls would have hugged/kissed something sweet.


Let them do what they want, In this photo the boys started wrestling I encouraged them and this is what I got.
Love this one!