kids life

"Shoot what you know" is what they say.

And I know these two.

Yet it isn't until very recently that I realized that my sons, now almost 8, have been a constant source of inspiration whether I was holding a pen or my camera. And though I am now able to create a routine that revolves a little more around my work rather than school schedules, and I no longer feel the compulsive urge to squeeze and kiss their cheeks all the time, documenting my children's daily life is still one of the greatest joys of mine.

It's little surprise then that some of my favorite photographers like Hitoshi Ishihara, Jenifer Altman, Bob Smith and Alison Garnett are also parents. And parents who photograph their kids. A lot. There's just something heartbreakingly beautiful and touching when we are faced with such innocence, curiosity and unrestrained joy of life.

What about you? Do you photograph children a lot (yours or otherwise)? Please share your images of kids life with us today.

Comments

[Mel]

I photograph my daughter all the time... even when she is sleeping

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45952550@N05/4260352220/

[Malin]

I photograph my children all the time, but only a few of them goes public. Here's one from a few days ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34701818@N08/4256741945/

[Darlene]

My subjects vary. I wish I had digital when my children were younger. But my daughter has been "letting" me take pictures of you lately. Here's a few:
http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/892/annabelle-maine-lifestyle-photographer/

[Marcie]

Here are a few of my recent favorites:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=815
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=895

[melanie]

do I ever :) I have four children, but two are teenagers _ not so willing subjects- and two are 4 &6 - my willing subjects!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/originalbritgirl/4232574882/in/set-72157615119463239/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/originalbritgirl/4232564632/in/set-72157622939325323/

[shutterboo]

I don't have my own children but every chance I get, I snap at it. Same with animals. I believe its because I enjoy the thrill of the chase and the hope of getting one really good shot.
My 9yo niece: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterboo502/4181911081/
My 3yo niece: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterboo502/4137078020/
I had a blast crawling on the floor following a 2yo yesterday - and it paid off. But I'm still sorting through that pile. :)

[Puna]

This little girl was really curious...
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/01/january-6-untitled/
I had to keep showing her the photo.

This little girl kept hamming it up for me.
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/12/december-24-christmas-angel/
Her hair is a mess but I thought that's what made the photol

[bright and blithe]

Yes, I think my little one is growing accustomed to having a camera in her face...a lot!

I recently created a Flickr project to celebrate the details of childhood called Childhood: The Fine Print. You can read more about it in today's post at

http://brightandblithe.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/play/

[Jess]

http://fifthlampdown.blogspot.com/2009/12/amy-had-great-suggestion-today-instead.html
When I was collecting my favorites from the past year I was surprised by how many of the photos were of my kids.

[Kathleen]

Constantly shooting this little guy...his expressions are endless.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/4227367912/in/set-72157605110004100/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/4122668629/in/set-72157605110004100/

[SJ]

Funny you should post this today. For my 365 project I had a little photo shoot with my eldest yesterday. He is almost 8 as well. Here are a select few from our fun little afternoon: http://oneshortyear.blogspot.com/2010/01/nine.html

Here's a shot of my other two (almost 2 and then just 2 months): http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4245282340_9b11d8179e_b.jpg

My kids are my favorite subjects, so I anyone who follows my blog will see lots of them. The only problem is that I can't help but post the not-so-great quality photos of their best expressions. :-/

[Katrina Kennedy]

Great post and great links! Thanks!

It was my son who rocketed my photography from something I liked to do to something I loved to do, in fact felt the NEED to do in such a positive way! He is my inspiration. I just looked at the last nine day's of my POTD and yep, he's there A LOT! Love the little man!

http://ianck.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-to-do-with-your-photos-of-day.html

[Sandi]

Yes, my children have always been a huge inspiration for me in photography.
Even though they are grown now I still get a few photos in :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandis_art/4256974052/

[Brandi]

I just posted these yesterday...some of the 10,000 photos I have on my computer, and yes we back them up! Enjoying this site and looking at everyones beautiful pictures:)

[Brandi]

darn it, i did it again...here you go,,,

http://bbbphotography.blogspot.com/2010/01/tired-of-cold.html

[lifeineden]

Always and often. Here (some of them) were yesterday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/4260497069/

[georgia]

what a precious photo. and very cool processing, too. it reminds me of some of the perfectly faded with age photos of my husband and his brother {the were the only kids in their family} from the 70s. they were the cutest photos, 'cause they were best friends and the fact that they loved each other was evident in the photo. they were inseparable and loved to do anything together. looks like your guys are, too. so sweet.

i don't have kids, but i'm fortunate to have friends and family that have them. and i'm fortunate that they've allowed me to have little photo shoots with them to practice my taking pics of children -- otherwise, i'd have no way of learning this. i just called my sis yesterday to ask if i could come out and do a practice session with her three kids in the snow.

anyway, one of my favorite shots that i've taken yet is of one of my best friends with her daughter. the day was spent just getting shots of her daughter, but we took a break to play in the park, as her daughter was getting a bit antsy and tired of picture-taking and just wanted to play. it ended up that taking impromptu pics during that were my best shots of the day.
anyway, here's my favorite:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/4025275341/in/set-72157623125785794/

[Katherine Schutte]

Daily. Photographing my children helps me focus on the innocence, humor, simplicity, and magic of our daily lives. From the images friends have seen of my kids, they have asked me to photograph theirs. Providing images that create these same emotions for others makes me feel I have a purpose.

http://schutterbug.blogspot.com

[Jen]

yes, all the time...it's impossible not to be inspired by them for they are the reason I do what I do.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32172714@N02/4187328291/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32172714@N02/4187436057/

[jaymee]

I work full time and run a successful photography biz so I don't get to spend nearly as much time with my daughter as I would like. I take photos of her daily life constantly so that this crazy but wonderful life of mine can be documented as much as possible. It all goes by so fast, I want to capture as much of it, even the mundane, as I can. : )

http://jaymeefoster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/a-new-year-a-new-project.html

[Christian @ Modobject at Home]

Sometimes I think I photograph mine all too often!

At the barbershop:
http://www.modobjectathome.com/2009/12/captured-moments.html

Mud mischief:
http://www.modobjectathome.com/2009/12/happenings-and-mistletoe.html

A snowless snowday:
http://www.modobjectathome.com/2010/01/snowless-snow-day.html

[Kelly]

My daughter IS the reason I take pictures. I have pushed myself to learn and grow as a photographer so that I can capture exactly what my naked eye sees. It's a challenge every day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26241857@N03/4241573775/

[Heather]

Oh yes, all the time. My children are my inspiration nearly always -- willing or otherwise:) This blog entry captured them at play in the snow:

http://mamamutterings.blogspot.com/2009/12/ringing-in-new-year.html

[Jessica]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982366@N06/4260731606/



I think I could photograph them all day long...if it didn't drive them nuts!

[Shelly]

I was just thinking the same thing! I love catching my kids when they are not aware that I'm there..

http://shellymoralesphotography.blogspot.com/2010/01/camera-pose.html

[sarah]

My girls are my constant inspiration.. I try to take pictures of them everyday, trying to save the memories
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahcosta/

[natalie]

I can't stop! My daughters are two of my biggest inspirations. A favorite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/narmalie/4158719385/in/set-72157622971010748/

[heather]

My Children are a constant source of inspiration. I take pictures of them everyday!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/topsyturvydays/4263104598/in/photostream/

[Jess]

Oh, so many of my favorites are of my children and the other children in my life! A couple close to my heart:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theloushe/3787348474/in/set-72157623159945148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theloushe/3455806394/in/set-72157623159945148/

And a new favorite from yesterday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theloushe/4261263534/

[melissa]

I love photographing my kiddos. My news resolution is to get more lifestyle/candids of them everyday.

http://melissamillerphotos.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/a-hes-going-to-lose-his-first-tooth-session.html

[ashley]

Love this post! I photograph my son so often that he almost has a sixth sense of when I'm sneaking with the camera to get photos of him. If he notices me, he just gives me the goofiest faces...he's so cute : )

http://ashleyburginphotography.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/my-uno-player/

[Haley]

ofcourse...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2hcreative/4254428145/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2hcreative/4258448076/

some recent shots of my two girls....many more on my flickr stream.

[amy]

my daughter is going to have a large collection of photos someday:)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30588897@N06/4262781673/

[Stevie]

I don't have any children of my own but I take care of my nephew and I take photos of him all the time. It's a great way for me to be able to try out fun and creative photo ideas. He is my new muse. Here are a few of my favorites.

http://steviet365.blogspot.com/2009/10/october-27th.html
http://steviet365.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-5th.html

[Meg]

Mmmm Yes! They are my all day every day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7565577@N04/sets/72157623115459428/

(btw, happy to have been shown some new photographers, thank you for the links!)

[Jenny]

I really love photographing children. They take you on the best adventures and ALWAYS stop for icecream.

http://jenniferblaauwphotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/back-in-business.html

[gonzomama]

i love that my kids are so used to having a camera around them. i'm terrible at shooting 'posed' shots!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/4262950325/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/4257426707/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/4230110394/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/4227382332/in/set-72157608180075078/

[Kathy Winter]

I've found things work out much better if I just catch my daughter engrossed in an activity. She's not fond of posing, unless costumes are involved. This is my daughter pushing a friend on the swing at a local playground.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathywinter/4237547555/

[Jaana]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dxeechick/4264309912/

[Tracy]

Oh yes, I take many photos of my daughter though I don't consider portraiture my strength. One of my favorite recent shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/4171487804/

[Jeanne]

I am constantly photographing my nieces, friends children and sometimes strangers children (with permission).

I love photographing children because I think they continually capture the simplicity of everything. They love, they play, they sleep, they eat. There is no manipulation. There is no conditions on what they give you. They give you hugs and growls and laughter and that is enough for me...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22522584@N02/4246127637/

[Jenny Rebecca]

I photograph my daughter all the time. Even moreso now that she seems to be entering a phase where she'll sit still for a picture every once in a while. I've already sent this to the SS365 pool, but I thought it'd be a good one to share for this post. It has been REALLY cold in Florida these days and our heater isn't quite able to handle it. There's been alot more co-sleeping and morning snuggling going on to keep warm and I took this as my daughter was waking up in our bed the other morning.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/4256857001/

[Dani]

I can't wait to photograph my best friend's little baby - for now I just have her still tiny belly - http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/4160104125/

And her super adorable nephew I can't get enough of - http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/4141010435/

[erika]

I'm pretty sure I might have taken 20 pictures prior to having kids.
And now I can't help but grab the camera when they're near.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22634402@N02/4180291656/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22634402@N02/4065565520/

[Nina]

Woefully, it has been a while since I dusted off my camera but I really could only photograph my boys. Sometimes I need to take a break from it because I'm too busy capturing the moment instead of relishing it.
Here are some of my faves:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beansf/2919910908/in/set-72157603925140755/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beansf/3616010518/in/set-72157603925140755/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beansf/3615190583/in/set-72157603925140755/

[Jen]

I started a 365 project on 1/09 and at first told myself that I wouldn't photograph my kids. It felt like cheating - they are so consuming of my time that I thought I was going to force myself to look elsewhere for 365 inspiration. I made it 8 days.

My oldest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enniferj8/3655460861/in/set-72157612068453319/

My middle:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enniferj8/4238278155/in/set-72157612068453319/

My wee:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enniferj8/4220921506/in/set-72157612068453319/

[mosey along]

Now you've done it. How do I choose, when basically a good portion of my blog is devoted to my kid?? Funnily enough, my most recent post has a two-photo collage (one of my favourite ways of putting together a "story") which captures my daughter's spirit very well. My post itself is kind of self-deprecating and silly, but the photo livens it up nicely I think.

http://moseyalong.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-being-irked.html

I love the dreaminess of the photo of your two boys.

[darrah]

I don't have any kids, but I love photographing them! Here are some of my favorite shots of my adorable nephew and a few other cuties:

http://artcetera.squarespace.com/artcetera/2009/12/1/view-01-munchkin-love.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artcetera/4013085908/in/set-72157623017664495/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artcetera/3940010055/in/set-72157623017664495/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artcetera/3919136493/in/set-72157623017664495/

[kamana]

I'm always photographing my kids. My most recent post is:
http://journallingthroughphotos.blogspot.com/2010/01/blow.html

[brittany]

having my first son is what got me into photography in the first place. and now that i have two boys, i definitely find that most of my pictures are of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/4248682970/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/4213745251/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/4207825686/