Teen Modeling Headshots Columbus Family Portrait Photographer

I’ve been trying to share these amazing (if I do say so myself) teen modeling headshots and family portraits for days weeks. The pictures are easy to share, its the words that are more difficult…

Let me start at the beginning.  As most sessions do, my relationship with this incredible family started with a simple email inquiry. They were referred to me by a friend (and client) whose senior pictures I photographed (had taken earlier in the summer).  These two beautiful young ladies were in need of updated modeling headshots for Heyman Talent. To make a long story short; what we originally planned as (just) teen modeling headshots turned into (senior) pictures for their brother and family portraits as well. Challenge happily accepted!

It is when talking about this family that my words become more difficult to articulate.  The girls are twins, fifteen years old, and at that critical high school age when teens can be overwhelmed with studies, social media, peer pressure, and extra curricular activities.   At this stage, as with most stages, parenting is critical.  Luckily, I am not there yet with my own boys; but when I get there, I would without a doubt call on this family for advice. All three of these teenagers are mature, kind, humble and gracious. They are supportive of one another which as a mom myself, makes my heart happy.  They celebrate one another and have fun together. Because we were fitting what could have been 3 separate sessions in to just a couple hours, I fondly remember that I headed to Downtown Columbus and began shooting with just Sophia and Marcus. It was then that I first saw how connected the teens were. Their on-camera expressions were results of each other, and it was magical when they looked at one another on the back of the camera and cheered.

Moving on, we met up with the rest of the family in German Village for their family portraits and additional headshots. Did I mention yet that it was drizzling rain from the moment we started until we met in German Village?! Did anyone complain or question it? No!!! They’re models for Heyman Talent, remember?! Plus, it was obvious that they were all there in support of one another; and most importantly, in support of their mom who knew the importance of family portraits at this age. So, we did some style changes, hairstyle changes and continued the fun.

This is quite obviously a gorgeous family, but their connections are even more beautiful. It was those very connections that I wanted to capture for their family portraits. In a previous post, I shared my thoughts on the importance  of making family pictures a priority during the tween and teen years.  Since that time, I read a lengthy article that talked about how displaying family portraits could have a positive impact on the self esteem of a child, and how it helped them to see their individual identity within their family.  In the article, David Krauss, a licensed psychologist stated, “… I think placing a family photo someplace in the home where the child can see it every day without having to turn on a device or click around on a computer to find it really hits home for that child this sense of reassurance and comfort. They have a certainty about them and a protecting quality that nurtures a child. It let’s them know where they are in the pecking order and that they are loved and cared for,” says Krauss. “It says we love you and care about you. You’re important,” says Krauss.  His studies give me even more reason to try to shout from the rooftops that families NEED to see the importance here. Don’t get me wrong, I am not demanding that you hire me to be your family photographer.  I am simply saying that it is important to take the time to have a family pictures taken, printed and hung on the wall. Even better, frame one and put it on the night stand next to your teens bed to serve as a reminder that you are there for them! And it can be a family selfie if that is all you can manage right now. Just do it.

Now that my preaching is over, I can move on to talk about how we wrapped the session with Olivia’s modeling headshots. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more impressed by working with this family, this beautiful young lady makes a statement by so elegantly slicking back all her hair from her face and showing her strength in the form of confidence. WOW!! I don’t have teenage girls of my own but if I did, I would hope that they would be so confident in their identity to make such a statement. The thing is, I believe that their father is a key source of that confidence. Just like it was yesterday I remember the compliments that he was giving his daughters.  Rather than fixating on his babies growing up, he showered each of them in compliments, showing each of them exactly how they should expect to be treated. Have I mentioned how much I adore this entire family?!!!

And finally, the easy part, the PICTURES….

Fran Barker Photography is a senior portrait photographer in Columbus, Ohio, serving New Albany High School, Gahanna Lincoln High School, Westerville High School, Olentangy Liberty High School, the Columbus School for Girls, Columbus Academy, St. Charles Prep,  and surrounding areas.   If you are looking for high school senior pictures, I would love to talk with you about scheduling a session.  You can also follow my senior portrait work or my newborn baby work on Facebook.