I know I say this a lot, but tween portraits may very well be one of my favorite things to shoot. There is something magical about that age, and I truly believe that allowing tweens to see how beautiful they are in pictures allows them to gain serious self-confidence. This is one reason why tween portrait sessions are important for a child’s self confidence.
When a child reaches the age of eight years old, they begin to have self-awareness about their image. As parents we try to speak words of affirmation to them. We tell them that they are beautiful. We tell them that they are kind. But the truth is that sometimes isn’t enough. They need to see it for themselves. This is the age where they are discovering who they are, and portraits are a great way to boost their self-confidence.
It isn’t about “just a pretty picture.” It is also about the experience that they get with their photographer. It isn’t just about “seeing” how beautiful they are. It is about being made to “feel” beautiful. This one single experience can do so much for your child’s self-image. Even if you believe that your child doesn’t struggle with self-image, chances are they really do. It’s part of life, and it is the moment in their life where YOU can help them gain confidence.