Sometimes they just don’t care that you’re sticking a cool camera in their faces, hoping for cute expressions.

Troy and I don’t have kids.  But we spent some time with our friends’ kids in Door County over the weekend (that’s their kids in these photos).  I have to say that I give mad props to kid and family photographers  … it’s sooo not my thing, haha.  I’ve always known this about myself, and therefore I don’t take on family portrait commissions. I think it’s important to find what you truly love as a photographer, and really work at it and be your best at that one area (or in a couple areas; I love adult portrait work, too).  For me, it’s definitely weddings and engagements.  I love working with adults.  I love working with people in love and with people who love my style … and trust me as an artist.

Kids don’t do that.  Kids could care less.  And yet … I do love capturing fun candids of kids at weddings.  They do the sweetest and most hilarious things.  They run away from the camera one minute, and the next minute they are showing off for you. But you’ll never see me trying to get acceptable expressions out of multiple children at one time for a family portrait session.  I’ll be sticking to weddings.  It’s my love; it’s my thing. Will I change my mind after having kids of my own?  Probably not :)

On a photography note, I used my new 35mm 1.4L lens exclusively over the weekend.  I love the wide angle perspective and I love getting right up in people’s faces when I am shooting them … but I think my heart is still with the 50mm.  We’ll see what I think after taking the 35L for a spin (literally) during my ice skating engagement session later this week!

PS — That amazingly cute Oscar hat that you see on my friend’s daughter?  Well, she made it!  She makes tons of other great stuff, including custom designs.  You can check them out HERE, in her Etsy shop!