How to use your camera to connect with your children
A subscriber feature guest written by photographer + mom, Jamie Shields
I’m so excited to present a new series featuring my photography students and Substack subscribers! Because one of my absolute favorite things is to watch my students grow and see all the unique ways that they choose to enjoy photography.
For my very first feature, I wanted to share with you the work of Jamie Shields.
Jamie is a mom + professional photographer based out of NYC. She’s also one of my best photography students (she’s taken my Home Grown class, is a Substack subscriber, and we’ve been doing an intensive 1:1 mentoring journey since the beginning of this year). One of the things that has impressed me most the last 6 months has been watching her play more with photography, and the absolutely incredible personal work with her children that has come from that.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record… it’s truly one of the best ways to channel creative, grounding energy that helps you cope with the conditions of living (like parenthood or running a business) - playing with your camera and genuinely letting yourself have fun with it. Whatever that looks like.
Anyway, I felt so happy and inspired every time she would post photos from her adventures with her kids. So I messaged her and asked, can you talk more about this on my Substack please?!
Without further ado, my friend and student, Jamie Shields!
xo Suzy
One of my favorite ways to connect with my kids through photography
Written by Jamie Shields
For over 15 years, I’ve been photographing families professionally — from newborn snuggles to the joyful chaos of parenthood at home. But lately, I’ve found a new creative rhythm. Over the last few months, I’ve started picking up my camera much more intentionally with my own kids. Not just for the “big” moments – birthdays and holidays – but for the little pockets of time when we’re out together. And let me tell you: “adventure sessions” have become one of my absolute favorite ways to photograph my children (and connect with them).
What Is an Adventure Session?
Adventure sessions are simply getting out of the house, letting the experience lead the way, and bringing your camera or iPhone along for the journey. Whether you’re hiking, beach combing, visiting the zoo, or exploring your favorite corner of the city.
It’s about being together and going at your children’s pace to see what unfolds.
Why you should try this with your kids
As a mom and a photographer, I’m always trying to be more present. These mini adventures allow me to slow down, have fun with my kids, and create meaningful work — all at once.
They’re also a space for me to experiment creatively, using different film stocks and mediums, and to preserve the types of memories that feel the most true to our lives.
How to do this on your own
Want to try an adventure session of your own? Here are a few simple tips:
Skip the coordinated outfits. Let your kids wear what they want. I love outfitting my children for pictures sometimes, but for these trips I let them wear whatever they’ve picked out for the day. Their comfort is more important to me than aesthetics when we are outside or traveling (and they’re a lot happier, which makes taking photos much easier).
Don’t force the smiles. I rarely, if ever, direct my children for these adventure sessions. Instead, I like to take more of a photojournalistic approach. My kids are 8 and 9 years old, and 100% the quickest way to make them shut down is asking them to stop what they’re doing to pose for the camera.
Pick a place that excites you. You can use this experience as an opportunity to try somewhere new or stick to what feels familiar: whether it’s a trail you love walking or a new beach town, follow your intuition.
Pack light, but smart. A few things I love to bring: snacks, water, chalk, bubbles, bug catchers, jump rope, nature journals, disposable cameras for the kids.
Would you do something like this with your kids and your camera? (and if so, what camera would you use? :))
A ginormous thank you to Jamie for being here with me and sharing with us! If you’re in the NY area ever, be sure to reach out to Jamie so you can connect (or maybe even hire her to tag along on an adventure session with you and your kids!).