As a photographer and also a mom I go through phases on which age/stage I love most. Honestly it depends on my mood if I am in love with the current age of my child, or if I am feeling nostalgic for a stage that has gone by. That might also have to do with my current sleeping situation (can I can an amen for all other mom’s whose children still wake them up at 1 am?)
Right now because of some amazing Three Year Old sessions in the studio and seeing my son about to turn 3, I am totally in love with Three Year Old kids!
Today I thought I would share the 3 Reasons I love Three Year Olds!
1. They can be sweet and then sassy all within 60 seconds!
For any parent of a “three-nager” you know that their moods can change like the wind. I find it fascinating to watch them go from being sweet and cuddly to wild and crazy all in the matter of seconds. In a photography session this is awesome because we can capture many moods and expressions all in a short period of time. Parents love this because they now have a collection of memories of all their child’s expressions!
2. They love collections
Ok maybe this is high on my list because I myself am a hoarder 🙂 but toddlers begin their “collecting” habits at 3. Once they lock on to something they love (trucks, cars, trains, dolls, dinosaurs, etc.) they can’t have enough of them. If you have ever walked through a store with a 3 year old you will know what I am talking about “Mommy, I want that”. The answer of “but honey, you already have 100 of them” does not work. They don’t understand the concept of “too many”, they want what they want and they want it now!
In the studio I can have fun with this because I just tell the parents to bring along their child’s collection! We will have fun photographing it and incorporating their LOVE of that collection in a portrait. This is fun for the toddler, but also perfect for the parents to have a photographic memory of what their child obsessed about at that age.
3. They love to dance
Girls or boys, it doesn’t matter. Three year olds love to jump around and dance to music. They each do it in their own way, but watching them enjoy music makes me happy. The enjoyment of music is such a part of who we are as people and too often in life becoming an adult takes away our ability to purely enjoy music. The fear of who is watching or what people may think takes over and we no longer simply enjoy (unless we are jamming to 80s rock music in the car thinking nobody is watching until we look to the right and the car next to us is laughing at us, not that I know this from personal experience or anything.)
If you have a three year old at home, enjoy these days. Their curiosity and enjoyment of life will never be as pure and full of wonder.
If you are planning your three year session with me at the studio, I can’t wait to talk to you about all the fun we can have celebrating who your toddler is right now!!
Oh and for some fun, here is me and my “almost three year old” having fun in the studio during the Valentine’s Day Party!
XOXO,
Jeanine
Jeanine McLeod is the owner and lead photographer of Cloud 9 Studios, a full-service photography studio located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, just north of Tampa.
For almost 20 years, Jeanine has specialized in family, children, and baby photography that celebrates the joy and connection of family life. She’s best known for her storytelling approach to first birthday and milestone sessions, creating portraits that capture love, laughter, and the magic of childhood.
Jeanine’s mission is simple — to go through life with her clients, documenting each chapter of their family’s story through beautiful, heartfelt images.
When families search for first birthday photos in Wesley Chapel or family photographers near Tampa, Cloud 9 Studios is where the experience becomes as meaningful as the portraits themselves.
