One of the things parents often say to me during a session is, “I don’t know how you’re so patient!”
And it always makes me smile, because the truth is… it didn’t just come from photography. Before I became a family and newborn photographer in Lanarkshire, Scotland, I spent almost seven years working in a school within an Additional Support Needs department. I supported children with a wide range of needs- from communication challenges to behavioural and sensory needs- and no two days were ever the same. It was a job that was full of joy, connection, and so many rewarding moments. But it was also a role that required a huge amount of patience, understanding, and emotional awareness. And it shaped the way I work with children more than anything else ever could.
What Working With Children Taught Me
One of the biggest lessons I learned during that time is something that has stayed with me ever since: There is no such thing as a “naughty” child. Children communicate through their behaviour- especially when they don’t yet have the words to express how they’re feeling. What might look like “bad behaviour” on the surface can often mean something completely different underneath.
It can mean:
- “I feel overwhelmed.”
- “I’m tired.”
- “I’m unsure.”
- “I don’t feel comfortable yet.”
Once you start to see behaviour in this way, your whole perspective shifts. Instead of expecting children to behave perfectly, you begin to understand them- and respond with patience rather than frustration.
The Challenging Side (And Why It Matters)
Working in an Additional Support Needs environment wasn’t always easy. There were moments that were challenging. Times when children expressed distress through shouting, throwing things, or reacting physically or verbally in ways that were difficult to manage. But those moments were never about a child being “bad”. They were moments where a child was overwhelmed, dysregulated, or unable to communicate what they needed. Through training, experience, and a lot of learning (especially during lockdown, when I spent time studying child behaviour more deeply), I learned how to respond in a way that was calm, supportive, and understanding. And that understanding is something I carry with me into every photography session.
How This Shapes My Photography Sessions
One of the biggest things I’ve learned as a family photographer in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is that children are children- and that’s exactly what makes every session so special.
In my photography sessions, whether it’s newborn photography, cake smash sessions, or family portraits, I never expect children to sit perfectly still or smile on cue. That simply isn’t realistic and honestly, it’s not where the magic happens anyway. Toddlers don’t always want to sit still, babies can feel overwhelmed and some children are shy and need time to warm up. And that’s completely okay- I never expect children to sit perfectly and smile on cue.
Instead, I take the time to:
- Observe how they’re feeling
- Listen to parents (because you know your child best)
- Adjust the session to suit them
Sometimes that means slowing things down, playing games and sometimes it simply means giving them space. Because when children feel safe, relaxed, and understood- that’s when the most beautiful, genuine moments happen.
A Gentle Reassurance for Parents
If you’re ever worried about how your child might behave during a photo session, please know this: They don’t need to be perfect, don’t need to sit still and don’t need to smile on command. They just need to be themselves. My role is not to expect perfection- it’s to meet your child where they are, understand what they need, and create a space where they feel comfortable enough to be who they are.
Because those are always the moments worth capturing.
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