A Portrait Experience Made Simple (and Beautiful)

Little Works of Art is a fresh take on children’s portraits, simple, honest, and beautifully timeless. These sessions are designed to capture your child’s personality just as they are. No forced smiles, no awkward props, just the art of childhood, photographed with care.

Little boy smiles big for photographer Brooke Holliday at Little Works of Art: Kids Portrait Pop Up

Each child steps in front of the backdrop for a few minutes, and that’s all it takes. What you’ll receive in return are portraits that feel natural and true, the kind of photos you’ll actually want to frame.

What to Expect at your Portrait Session

Every Little Works of Art pop-up runs a bit differently, but here’s the general flow:

Each child will have a few minutes in front of the camera. Sessions move quickly, keeping things fun and relaxed.
You’ll receive a private online gallery to view and select your favorite images.
Each image is hand-edited in my signature style, clean, soft, and timeless.
Depending on the event, siblings may be photographed separately or together.

Preteen girl with genuine expression poses for photographer Brooke Holliday at Little Works of Art: Kids Portrait Pop Up

These sessions are short and sweet, but the portraits created are full of personality and emotion, little glimpses of who your child is right now.

How to Prepare Your Child

It’s normal for kids to feel shy or uncertain about having their photo taken. A few simple things can help:

Let them know it’s going to be fun! Tell them it’s just a few pictures with someone who loves taking photos of kids.
Skip the pressure to “smile big.” Natural expressions always photograph best.
Encourage them to be themselves, silly, serious, curious, whatever feels right in the moment.
Bring a comfort item if they need a little reassurance before their turn.

Remember: there’s no “perfect” picture. Every genuine moment is what makes these portraits art.

Little girl smiles for photographer Brooke Holliday at Little Works of Art: Kids Portrait Pop Up

what to wear for kids portraits

The goal is timeless, not trendy. Simple, comfortable clothing helps your child shine. Here are a few tried-and-true tips (inspired by my years of photographing kids):

Avoid:

Neon colors: Bright tones reflect light and can cast color onto your child’s face.
Graphics or text: These distract from your child’s expression.
Hoodies or bulky collars: They bunch up and hide necklines.
Tank tops: They often photograph awkwardly and limit posing options.

Choose instead:

Neutrals: Cream, tan, soft blue, grey, and muted tones look beautiful on every child.
Textures: Knits, linen, denim, and cotton add subtle depth without distraction.
Simple patterns: Small stripes, dots, or delicate plaids can add interest without stealing focus.
Fitted pieces: Clothing that fits well (not oversized) always looks cleaner in portraits.

Siblings pose for photographer Brooke Holliday at Little Works of Art: Kids Portrait Pop Up

And if your child insists on a favorite shirt or dress, that’s okay too. The best portraits often come when they feel most like themselves.

portrait day tips for parents

A few last details to make things go smoothly:

Brush hair, wipe faces, and make any small adjustments before arrival.
If possible, arrive a few minutes early so your child has time to settle in.
Avoid bringing snacks or drinks that could stain clothing.
Most importantly, relax, these sessions are designed to be fun and stress-free.

After the Session

young boy gives a silly expression during his Little Works of Art portrait session.

Your gallery will be delivered via email within a short timeframe after the pop-up. From there, you can select your favorites, order prints, or choose digital images. Each image is carefully edited and presented in the same fine-art style I bring to all my portrait work.

If you’d like to stay updated about future Little Works of Art pop-ups, follow along on Instagram or join my email list.

A Final Note

Every year, our children grow and change in quiet ways we don’t always see until we look back. These portraits are a small way of holding onto that, a reflection of who they are right now, just as they are.

Because they really are little works of art.