A Deep Dive into My Approach as a Newcastle Upon Tyne Family Photographer: Adopting the Child-Led Family Session
Hi, I’m Madi — a Newcastle-based family photographer passionate about capturing real, authentic moments that reflect where you are right now. Over the years, I’ve found that some of the most magical images come not from perfectly posed smiles but from the natural interactions and joy shared within a family. This is why I’ve adopted a “child-led approach” when capturing families and honestly, I haven’t looked back.
From Posed to Playful: How My Approach Evolved
When I first stepped into photography, like many starting out, I was pretty focused on posing. I thought that’s how it had to be — directing every hand placement, every smile, every tilt of the head. At the time, that was fine - I never disliked my work. But with experience and confidence, I began to loosen my grip.
I can honestly say that letting go was one of the best things I ever did for my family photography and the clients I work with.
Now, especially when photographing little ones, I’ve learned to follow their lead. Children are wildly imaginative, endlessly curious, and wonderfully unpredictable. And instead of trying to mould them into a shot, I create space for them to simply be. I go home to find photos that are full of life, connection, and genuine emotion.
Parents, it’s totally fine.
One thing I notice often is that parents feel the need to apologise when their child isn’t having the “best day.” Maybe they’re shy, energetic, tired, or just not in the mood. And that’s totally okay. Truly. The beauty of a child-led session is that there’s no pressure to behave a certain way. We roll with it — and often those candid, in-between moments become your favourite images. If you’ve shot with me before you will know I am one of the most laid back people, super relaxed and “go-with-the-flow” - my energy really aligns with things not going as planned and I think that is awesome.
What Does a Child-Led Session Look Like?
It’s playful. It’s spontaneous. And it’s tailored to your child’s energy on the day. Here are a few things you might see during a session with me:
Giving tasks or playful prompts:
“Can you run around Mommy and Daddy in a big circle?”
“Can you find Mommy’s eyes and give them a gentle boop?”
“Can you show me your best silly face?”
“Let’s see who can jump the highest!”
“Can you find the biggest leaf?”
These gentle cues encourage movement and interaction, while keeping things lighthearted and fun. I’m there to document the giggles, the cuddles, the little hands grabbing yours — all the bits that make your family yours. However with that, I do understand that a lot of people do feel a bit “awkward” in front of the camera. I am able to sense this quite quickly. I am not an entirely hands off photographer and will gladly guide you into areas with some direction. You’re not totally on your own.
Recent Session: Coastal Fun Near Whitley Bay
Recently, I had the joy of photographing a family session along the North East coast near Whitley Bay and their photos are embedded in this blog post. The salty air, open space, and blue sky (I know right - and it was March) was the perfect backdrop for a relaxed and joyful shoot. The little ones were free to explore, jump around, and play in the sun whilst I captured the moments that unfolded naturally. The result was a gallery full of connection, laughter, and love — no forced smiles in sight
If you’re looking for a Newcastle family photographer who values authenticity, play, and real moments over non-family-friendly stiff posing, I’d love to chat. Whether it’s on the bluffs near Whitley Bay, in your favourite park, or at home (see home sessions here) - I’m here to capture your family just as you are.
