A Life In Portraits Celebrating the Seasons of Childhood
As children are born and grow, there are seasons meant to be preserved—not only for you, but for them, their children, and generations beyond. This guide was created with that in mind.
Let’s get started…
The age of
Innocence Newborn to Twelve Months “Babies are bits of stardust blown from the hand of God.”
Newborn to Twelve Months
Babies…full of promise. As we cuddle them, we realize how completely they depend on us for their very existence. Each moment of each day brings new experiences and new levels of both joy and exhaustion. We see how quickly they change and we long to preserve every moment. Between the rst few days and throughout their rst year, there are many drastic changes that take place.
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*We recommend doing a black and white “Relationship” style portrait during this season so that babies can be held close in mom or dad’s arms where they are the most comfortable.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: Newborn to 6 months Babies need to be held close to mom and dad at this age, so we encourage hugs and snuggling while we focus on baby as the main subject. Mom and dad, you are simply “props” here.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: 6 months-12 months
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This age is on the cusp of being in constant movement, so while baby still wants to be cuddled, we want to capture these eeting moments while we can.
The age of
Wonderment One to three years “The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.”
TODDLERS can best be described as a bundle of surprise and delight. Unpredictable behavior marks the typical toddler that walks through our doors. Will they be shy? Quiet? Rambunctious? Or all of these…and in the same session? Wtth no pretense, these little ones are a joy to photograph as they are always true to who they really are.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: ONE year-18 months Toddlers need to stay close to mom and dad at this age. Perfect! We can then create portraits that celebrate the family and tell their unique stories.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: 18 months and 3 years Depending on their personalities, we can include parents in the portrait or photograph them alone.
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We recommend doing a black and white “Relationship” style during this season, especially for the younger children as they still nd comfort being held close to mom and dad.
The age of
Discovery Four to seven years. “Childhood is the most beautiful of all of life’s seasons.”
These ages are seeking to nd their place in the family and the world around them. It is hard to let them make their own way…but it is necessary. Starting school opens new vistas as teachers and friends start playing a bigger role. Searching for and discovering where they t in means they need reassurance from mom and dad as they begin to stand on their own.
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*We recommend doing a Beau Visage Mixed Media painting (see above) at the age of FIVE as it is a SIGNIFICANT milestone, bridging the gap between toddler and childhood.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: 4 years to 5 years. So many changes take place in a child’s life, but none so drastic as losing their teeth around the age of ve. Faces lose their babyish look and elongates as you realize your toddler is growing up into childhood…and in the blink of an eye.
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Beat Visge Mixed Media painting.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: 5 years to 7 years. At these ages and with more control, we can add the option of Color Studies with siblings and families.
The age of
Signi cance Ten to fourteen years.
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Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.
As these ages, children are searching for their place and becoming young adults. They are guring out where they t in with reassurance from their family that they are always part of the “tribe” and will always be there for support and encouragement. Parents become chau eurs as schedules get busy with sports and school and dinner is often on the run.
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Suspended between child and adult, this age is one of the most amazing to photograph.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: Age 10-12 years Portraits at this age are often neglected due to busy schedules, getting braces, their opinions…and LIFE! Don’t miss this important age. Don’t let it slip by unnoticed. This is a pivotal portrait that reminds your child that he is part of the family and is important.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: Ages 12-14 years This is a wonderful portrait opportunity before your child hits the sixteen year milestone.
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This portrait highlights the nal salute to the early teen years and is a perfect time to catch up on family portraits too:-)
The age of
Purpose Sixteen to eighteen years. A am a teen. I have a messy room. I am moody!
This is the time for your young adult to establish who they are as they mature more each day. These are their nal years in the home. They are both ready to go and wanting to stay.
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These ages are major milestones that we often photograph once parents realize the many changes that are getting ready to happen.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: Age 16 years This is such a pivotal age. It’s not called “sweet sixteen” for nothing! One of our favorite portraits of our youngest daughter was when she was sixteen and we suddenly saw the woman she would later become emerge as we photographed her. It brought tears to our eyes.
The SIGNIFICANT moments: Ages 17-18 years
A LOVE LETTER to your child… A gift only you can give.
Years ago, when we rst decided to implement how to write a letter to your children as an addition to our portraits, we wanted to rst write letters to our girls so we could explain how it felt and what it meant rsthand. So we did. And it was so touching.
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We then created a process that allows you to easily do the same for your children.
The black pouch is attached to the back of your framed portrait.
There will never be a more meaningful gift you can give your child. Here is how it works: We provide the paper and instructions in a pouch attached to the back of your framed portrait. Whe you get home and have a quiet moment, remove the blank paper, read the instructions, and write your love letter. Replace in the pouch. This letter can stay hidden until you give the portrait to them with its hidden secret. We are giving you the MATERIALS and MOTIVE to write what will become a priceless treasure as the years go by.
In the beginning… …there was a little boy, born into a family of photographers, who then became a photographer himself.
Tim at 13, photographing Rosie with his rst camera, purchased by his dad, Bob, at a garage sale for $12.00
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Tim, at 16, joined the studio as his dad’s assistant at weddings.
The rest of the story…the history of Walden’s Tim’s father, Bob, was a professional photographer for the Army when he was paralyzed due to a freak accident. But that didn’t stop him He mentored Tim from a very early age, training him in the craft of photography and showing him all about the darkroom and printing. Tim and Bev met in high school, married after college and bought the business. Today, Tim does the photography and Bev creates the Beau Visage Mixed Media paintings. We are forever grateful to Bob who passed along more than a profession…he passed along passion, excellence and a “no excuse” way of living and doing business.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on lm is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
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Aaron Siskind
How to contact us Our physical address is: Walden’s Photography 3229 Summit Square Place Suite 100 Lexington, Ky. 40509 Our mailing address is: Walden’s Photography 2901 Richmond Road Lexington, Ky. 40509 Our website is: www.waldensphotography.com Our email is: hellowaldens@gmail.com Call (kindly leave a message) or text; 859.221.2889