5 Tips For Working With Tweens & Teens
So you are thinking about adding Tweens and Teens to your Model Crew or just to your business in general? Are you a little nervous because you photograph seniors all day long and know exactly what to do? But maybe feel like this age group is a little scary?
Relax, they are just younger versions of your clients with SO many benefits (I will go over those in a later blog post)!
I have been photographing tweens and teens for 9 years now and I LOVE this age group. They are so much fun and will add to your business and your world in ways you could have never imagined!
I will be sharing a few of my favorite images through the years working with various age groups for inspiration!
Here are my 5 Quick Tips to get started with tweens and teens NOW!
Just Start Already…
Biggest excuse I hear “I do not know anyone in that age group?” So none of your favorite clients have a younger sibling? Go ask if you can photograph them! Put a call out on FB and watch your post become flooded with comments! The first step is all you ever have to take. Just start.
2. Let Them Express Themselves…
Biggest excuse “I do not know what to do with this age group?” Ask them! It really is that simple. I ask my clients how do you want your session to look? I have had some super fun creative sessions by simply saying “What do you want your session to look like?” Tweens especially have BIG ideas. And they will post repeatedly. They are not afraid of flooding their feed with image after image!
3. Posing…
Just take them somewhere and try. The first image was from my very first tween session. It was the summer between 8th grade and freshman year. Full Disclosure…I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I had to keep doing it! This tween later became the face of my #teenspirit line and grew up in front of my lens. Biggest excuse “I do not know how to pose them.” Don’t. Just let them be themselves and you will be surprised by the outcome. Ask them to bring a friend or two or three and let them be themselves. Several laughs later and their innocent giggles are captured for mom(s). If you are taking a client’s sibling or a child of a friend, just go have fun. Set aside 30 minutes and just see if this is for you.
4. Put A Call Out For Themed Mini’s…
Parents love themed minis and they are less pressure for you as they are typically 15 minutes to 30 minutes.
Biggest excuse “I don’t know what themes to do.” Make it simple think… Valentine’s Day, BFF Minis, Christmas Tree Farm Minis, Beach Minis, The Fair, Santa Minis, anything you want to dream up. The Santa Minis work very well with the middle school age kids, just make it fun and modern to collide with their lifestyle. Valentines Day Minis are something my clients look forward to every year. I love them!
5. Blow Up Their World With Color In The Studio…
Biggest Excuse “I don’t have a studio.” You do not need one. Set a drop up in your living room, garage, office etc. Anywhere you can imagine setting up. You can even tape the paper to a wall if you do not have a portable backdrop. Get a couple of bright colors from John Scott at Roberts Camera (he knows what is hot and is on top of the trends!) and have some fun. I did the Color Series a year ago in my studio and it was a hit with my clients! I found they really experimented with their style and had so much! Offer it on your off season and bring in extra income.
The best advice I can give you is to be open, have fun, let them express themselves and make mom part of the experience always. I can’t wait to see what you do! Please tag us on instagram @modernteenstyle to share your work with us!
For those that are not familiar with Modern Teen Style, it is the sister company of Senior Style Guide showcasing tween and teen images in the industry. I want to see your work.
xoxo,
Vickie