Teenage Friends Photography Gallery
Photographing Teenagers: Why Friends Make All the Difference
Photographing teenagers can sometimes be a little tricky. They are at an age where they can be wonderfully confident with their friends, yet suddenly become self-conscious the moment a camera is pointed directly at them. So perhaps the answer is not to photograph them alone at all. When I invited my neighbour’s teenage daughter into the studio to try out a new set-up, she asked if she could bring some friends along – and it turned out to be a brilliant idea. With their friends around them, the atmosphere immediately became more relaxed, and the photographs became much more about who they are rather than simply what they look like
Friends, Laughter and the New Forest
There is something very different about photographing a group of friends. They already have their own relationships, jokes, personalities and ways of interacting, so rather than asking them to “pose”, I can give them space to be themselves. There is laughter, teasing, conversation and the occasional bit of complete silliness – all of which creates opportunities for genuine photographs. A session doesn’t have to take place in the studio either. The New Forest and Dorset offer an enormous variety of places to explore, from woodland and heathland to beaches and open countryside, giving the session a completely different feel and plenty of opportunities for natural, relaxed photographs.
Creating Photographs They Will Actually Want
I think that is particularly important when photographing teenagers. These are photographs that will become part of their memories of growing up, and I want them to feel authentic rather than overly posed or polished. A friends’ session can capture the friendships, personalities and little moments that make this period of their lives so distinctive. It can also be a lovely opportunity for parents to have photographs of their teenagers that go beyond the usual school photograph or quick snapshot on a phone – photographs that show the people they are becoming, as well as the friendships that matter so much to them right now. Whether we create them in the studio, somewhere in the New Forest or at a favourite Dorset location, the aim is the same: photographs that feel like them.
More Than Just Teenage Friends
If you’re looking for a way to capture this particular stage of your child’s life, I’d love to talk about what might work for them and their friends. A session can be relaxed and informal in the studio, or we can head outside for photographs in the New Forest or Dorset. Have a look at my Children’s Photography and Portrait Photography pages to see more of my approach and the different ways we can create photographs that reflect who they are. And if you have an idea of your own, get in touch – I’m always happy to explore something a little different.
