When I need a headshot, Clara (10) is my photographer of choice. She’s often at the studio with me, she understands keeping the focus points of the DSLR on the eyes, and she offers a string of ultra-specific, entertaining instructions. 😛

I set up the lights and reflector first, using her as the test subject. She was in the middle of making cherry trees from paper bags and construction paper, and you can see her fuzzy, end-of-day ponytail. No time for beauty standards when there’s crafting to complete!

We did several tests because I was uncertain about the brick wall contrasting sharply with the white wall it connects. “Just go with it, Mom,” was Clara’s opinion.

Go with it we did. She expected to be paid. “Craft supplies are getting expensive,” she shrugged.