S Family | Portland, Maine Family Photographer | Stepheney Collins Photography

I spend a lot of time at family photo shoots trying to get the little ones to smile. I try everything—jumping up and down, singing songs, saying silly words, making silly faces, playing peekaboo, holding up cute stuffed animal friends. You name the trick, and I’ve probably tried it! (But seriously, if you have a new trick I haven’t tried, please tell me! I’m always looking for new ways to entertain kids and make photo sessions more fun!)

Sometimes none of my tricks work. Sometimes it is a serious day for the little one and they are having none of it. And you know what? That is okay! Because the pictures that I will capture of your child are real and authentic. They will show you that side of your baby girl and you will be grateful to look back on the images and remember her serious side.

This lovely session at Fuller Farm in Scarborough feels like fall to me and I just want to package this feeling up and save it to enjoy year round. Jessie and Nick were adventurous and met me at this new to me spot for a session and we had so much fun exploring the fields and trying not let our boots get stuck in the mud! Little Claire was a sweetheart but wasn’t into smiling that morning, no matter what silly things we did. And I’m okay with that, because these pictures still tell the story of this family and the beautiful connection they have with each other.