People often ask me if it’s difficult to take children and animal portraits. The answer is yes and no. First of all, It is fun and an experience for your child. You also will get pretty photos. However, I do have to take many photos during our time together because some of them may not be usable.  This is because I am working with a moving child and a moving animal. When we are working with children we want them to have fun so that they will have relaxed facial expressions.  Telling them not to move an inch just does not illicit the proper mood.  Also the animals do move and don’t care one bit about my focal plane. Ha ha.  There is a chance that the animal will not be in focus as it should be in some of the images because of the way I choose to shoot to produce the nice creamy back grounds.
I am so excited to say that my studio was interviewed and the portrait below printed in this NEWS AND OBSERVER article. Thank you Evie Fordham, I really appreciate it.
Although most people do not want a rundown of how a camera and lens work, it’s still important for parents to know that you will not see all of the images that I take when I am photographing children and animal portraits.  Why would the animal be out of focus?  It’s not because he or she may be moving. However, it is because of the way I use my aperture to get the out of focus back ground that we want in your images. Otherwise they look like snap shots and that is not what you pay a professional photographer to produce.  I have a horse handler with me if I am photographing a child with a horse. That person has a good idea about what I need to happen with the animal for the animal and child to be in the same focal plane.  (That is what makes both child and animal in focus) She and I work together to get the nice images you see posted on Facebook and here on my site.  You and your children will have fun getting to snuggle with the animals, it’s really a nice experience. To top that off, I provide exquisite dresses for the girls from Dollcake in Australia. Boys photo very well in jeans and a cute sweater or shirt with suspenders. The ponies/horses/or miniature horses are sweet as are the bunnies. My images are adorable and classic. If a client is interested we will do unicorn photos too.
Being a Raleigh children’s photographer and living on a farm gives me the advantage of being able to schedule many children and animal portraits. Take a look through my thematic galleries.  I have images posted there for clients to see. I also have a gallery called “Meet some of the animals“. Some of these animals are available right now. If you are interested in a portrait with your child and a sweet animal give me a call and let’s talk about it.
This is of course what we are going for when shooting children and animal portraits.
  Sometimes I photograph BIG KIDS with their animals too, you are never too old to enjoy an image like this.
  Sometimes I photograph BIG KIDS with their animals too, you are never too old to enjoy an image like this. 
I am also a Raleigh senior photographer and am so excited when they have a horse to add to their senior portraits like this.
And of course, because as I mentioned I am often working with the animals and very young children there are always the bloopers. Â Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
And of course, because as I mentioned I am often working with the animals and very young children there are always the bloopers. Â Hope you enjoy as much as I did.Sometimes you just get sneezed on: Â Â I was laughing so hard when I saw this photo. Â Little Lighting even sneezes with a cute facial expression.
In the image below she is focused on the not so magical unicorn slobber on her hand.
And some girls are cowgirls early…
And because safety comes first there is always a handler. Â One of my handlers is my friend Tara Needham with Stampede of Love. Â You can keep up with her sweet therapy horses on her website. I am so thrilled to have a friendship as well as a working relationship with her. She and I are both insured.
My other handler is my wonderful 22 year old daughter Taylor who has spent the majority of her life with horses.
