I was honored to write an article in NAPCP (National Assoc. of Child & Portrait Photographers) Magazine that came out this past month, and I had no idea that it would become a 15 page spread! I wrote about how I am developing a program to help kids regain and strengthen their confidence and self-esteem through specialty portrait sessions as well as compiling local and online resources for both kids and their parents. Her is my article and the photos that were included in the magazine 🙂
Check out the article here!
Children today navigate challenges that constantly test their self-worth. Social media platforms expose them to constant comparison and unrealistic standards. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics study revealed a troubling correlation between increased social media use and diminished self-esteem among children aged 10-14. Additionally, with one in five students experiencing bullying, many kids struggle daily with anxiety, depression, and negative self-image. And according to the Dove Self-Esteem Project, 7 out of 10 girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way.
I remembered my own experiences at that age and when I saw my two kids’ social struggles begin at 10 and 12, I knew I wanted to make a difference. I started to notice how kids their age transformed when in front of the camera and again how they reacted when I went to hang a portrait in their home or deliver an album from their session. I know my own kids love to go through our albums, both printed and online (they still ask almost daily to see my Facebook memories). It brings me so much joy to be able to give this feeling to them: a feeling of pride and joy.
This led to the creation of “Dream Catchers by Kristin Merck Photography”, a portrait experience designed to celebrate children’s individuality and remind them of their unique strengths. Through these sessions, kids not only see themselves as beautiful and capable but also begin to believe it. I can see how proud they are to share a talent with me and how they come alive and out of their shells during the sessions.
Each Dream Catchers session is tailored to highlight a different age and/or interest:
Little Dreamers (Ages 3-7): These fantasy-inspired sessions allow young children to immerse themselves in a world of magic, encouraging creativity and self-expression.
beTWEEN (Ages 8-12): Designed specifically for tweens, these sessions celebrate their hobbies, talents, and passions, helping them embrace what makes them unique. These are especially wonderful for kids who might be more reserved and not into sports, and I love the creativity that comes out of them!
Legends (Ages 7-17): Epic sports portraits that go beyond the standard action shots, making young athletes feel like heroes in their own story. I offer both composited images shot in-studio on a green screen and on-field/gym portraits.
Couture Kids (Ages 7-17): With professional styling and couture fashion, these sessions offer a confidence-boosting experience where kids see their own beauty in a new light.
Research by Dr. David Krauss shows that displaying portraits in the home strengthens a child’s sense of belonging and self-worth. This becomes particularly crucial during adolescence, when children are forming their identity and self-concept. I love it when the kids say “I want that one for my room” and how excited they are to see their portraits hanging on the wall.
I start the portrait process with a questionnaire for both parents and kids to fill out, followed by an in-person consultation to meet the parents and the kids for every session, no exceptions. It also lets them see the studio, get to know me, try on clothing from my client closet (if applicable), and see all of the products firsthand. This process, while it may feel like an extra or unnecessary step, really puts them at ease and lets us put together a plan for the session and the end goal, whether that’s wall portraits (and which walls), an album, and/or a few prints for gifts and keepsakes. The day of the session, everyone shows up relaxed and confident in the process and when we sit down together at the ordering appointment, everyone is on the same page and they are just excited to see and select their images.
Beyond the session itself, I’m working to provide online and local resources for parents and kids, including tools on self-esteem, bullying, and mental health. I am also working to partner with local professionals to be guest bloggers and provide information on issues they see and how they can be helped. Some of the professionals I am talking with include therapists, athletic trainers and coaches, teachers, nutritionists, and more. I also plan to start a program that will offer complimentary sessions to deserving kids to try and reach and help as many kids as I can. I am still developing this program, but in the past I put out a call out for nominations for kids who either were experiencing difficulties themselves and really needed a boost, or have gone above and beyond to help someone else.
I always ask for feedback and testimonials (and I have brief questionnaires for both the kids and parents) so that I know what I’m doing right and what I can improve on. Recently, after a specialty stylized session, a mom sent me this email and it brought me to tears:
“She absolutely had a wonderful time and talked about it for days. You truly gave her so much confidence and I am so grateful. We are so thankful to have met and found you. What I didn’t tell you is that she spent her 7th grade year in a remote school because she was bullied so horribly (including a boy threatening to bring a gun to school to shoot her) that she really fell into severe social anxiety with kids her age and depression. We worked very hard to get her back on track and she was able to go back to in person school in 8th grade. Modeling has always made her feel confident and like she isn’t an outsider looking in. Thank you for giving her that opportunity. We appreciate your beautiful art but also how you give these young people confidence and make them realize how beautiful they truly are.”
As professional photographers, we have a unique opportunity to make an impact on these kids during some of their most vulnerable years. What we do behind the lens can be transformative. Every portrait session is an opportunity to counter negative messages and reinforce positive self-image. By approaching our work with this understanding, we can use our skills to make a lasting positive impact on the next generation.
Thank you to all of these amazing kids and their parents for trusting me and the process, especially when it was in the very beginning stages! I really hope that this keeps growing and evolving to help even more kids!