Let the children lead. I mean that. Children don't have much control over their little world. We take them to a magical place like the beach and get frazzled when they have fun instead of pose for the camera from our checklist of poses. <==== I am guilty of this myself or have been in the past. So I will repeat it for the people in the back, "Let the children lead."

I gave up long ago. I want photos, but I want them to be them. And if funny faces come with that, so be it. Believe me, I have one child that insists on doing this funny face. I tried warning him that his face would stay like that. It doesn't work. I find that if I let him get in a few of those, he might be open to doing a few for me.

Some of my craziest sessions where I thought, "nothing is going right. I hope I have a few decent images," have been my favorite images ever. You see, you can't manufacture authentic raw moments. I look for the kind of happiness that stops you in your tracks when you pick up an old photo, and it takes you back to that moment in time.

I feel like letting your children lead in this way shows us the connections between the family. What do they want to do with this "power," will they bring you in for unlimited kisses or say mama "run with me?" And that's the mystery and uniqueness of it all. Whatever they do has meaning to them, and we want to live in their world of wonder too.

These portraits were a fun night on the beach tossing sand-like meatballs, chasing birds, and splashing in the water. I am so excited that this family got to splash around in the water without a care in the world because that is what your kids will remember one day when they pick up these photos. I was actually surprised at how fast they jumped in the water. I mean I think it was a total of 10 minutes before they were soaked. I love how mom and dad had the "this is us" attitude. I think these are golden.

I don't believe that there is anything more precious than children on the beach enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. So let them enjoy it. If they are happy, they will want to come back and take more photos again and again. Don't let a checklist of perfect poses dictate your experience if it doesn't work out. Your photos will be entirely unique to you and guess what you might just love them all the more! - Jessica