If life isn’t sweet enough, have a daughter.

The little one I photographed this time is around one year and four months old—absolutely adorable, and she fulfilled all my dreams of having a daughter.

The shoot went smoothly. Although their home isn’t very large, it was beautifully decorated by the mom, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for photos. The baby is lively and playful—she can only say a couple of words for now, but she understands adults very well and expresses herself through gestures. The parents happily followed her lead, playing and laughing together for two joyful hours.

I often hear from clients that their one- or two-year-old or three- or four-year-old children don’t cooperate during photo sessions. My thought is: Why should they cooperate? All they need to do is be themselves and do what they love. “Cooperate” is a term from an adult perspective, very much an “adult-centered” view. It’s the adults who want the photos, and it’s the adults and photographers who need to cooperate.

Playing with your child is the best form of cooperation.

Shoot type: Family documentary

Subjects: One-year-four-month-old baby, dad, mom, and grandmother
Shoot time: 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM

Equipment: Canon R62 + EF 35mm f/1.4L II

I’m Dora, an family photographer based in Shanghai. If you prefer a real, natural documentary style over posed shots, feel free to get in touch. Let me capture warm, heartfelt family moments for you.