Ali Walker Photography Blog

I love working with kids. My photography career was spurred by my love of capturing my own two small children. This past summer I had the opportunity to attend a workshop with Chicago-based photographer Audrey Woulard, one of the premier children’s photographers in the country. I learned so much at that workshop and I can’t say enough wonderful things about Audrey.

So working with kids–I love it! I try to ease into the shoot. I’ll never ask them to smile or say, “Cheese!”
Generally, when I show up to a shoot, kids are usually a little camera shy. See?

(This image was processed with a bit of a film-like texture and the black and white conversion was on the moody side. It’s a bit dramatic, and sometimes this can really suit an image!)

Then I talk to them. Play peek-a-boo or ask them about their favorite toys or foods or friends. And they start to warm up…just a little bit at first.

(Again, a bit of texture here, but a less moody-feeling black and white.)

Then, with a bit more talking and playing, I can usually get a happy face. (Hint to parents: it’s a great idea with little ones to schedule morning shoots so that kids aren’t cranky and ready for a nap!)

And there we go! My schedule is filling up quickly as wedding season approaches, but I do have room on my schedule for a few portrait sessions each month.

(For photographers or anyone interested in photography, I’m going to start a series soon about my tools and post-processing of images, so stay tuned!)