How do you photograph kids well? My main tip: let them play. This Bedford Park session near Lawrence and Mount Pleasant perfectly illustrates why play-based photography creates the most compelling images. When children are genuinely engaged in activity, their authentic personalities emerge—no forced smiles, no artificial poses, just real moments worth documenting.
This little guy was absolutely determined to retrieve two plastic balls from underneath the couch. His focus was total, his effort visible in every muscle—including that tongue sticking out in concentrated determination. I found an angle where I could shoot through to the other side, capturing both his mission and his adorable commitment to it. I was laughing so hard while photographing this moment.
This photograph has become timeless in my child photography gallery, loved by countless viewers. It works because it captures universal childhood determination while remaining completely specific to this little person. It's simultaneously relatable and unique—the hallmark of editorial-style documentary photography that resonates broadly while telling individual stories.
There should be a complete guide to photographing kids, but the truth is every session differs. Cooperation levels vary, energy fluctuates, interests shift. Sometimes everything aligns perfectly into unforgettable images like this one. Professional experience means recognizing those moments and being ready.
Location: Bedford Park home, Toronto.
Keywords: baby (40), casual (21), day-in-the-life (4), family (58), portrait (82). 1/60; f/4.0; ISO 800; 45.0 mm.