I love doing these personality portraits of kids—there’s just something about capturing who they are right now that feels so timeless. The cheeky grins, the serious thinker faces, the toothless smiles… all of it. And when families decide to jump in too? Even better. Honestly, some of my favorite images have come from these simple, 15-minute sessions that let each person just be themselves.
These black and white portraits are all about capturing personality over perfection. No matching outfits required. No fake smiles. Just you (and your wild, wonderful crew) exactly as you are. Bonus: they make seriously cool artwork for your walls—and trust me, they age way better than that school photo with the blue background and awkward head tilt.
Would you ever do a black and white personality portrait session? (Spoiler: you totally should.) One of the best parts? Picking what to wear is ridiculously easy. When color isn’t the focus, it’s all about texture and pattern—so bring on the denim, knits, linen, plaid… whatever feels like you. It’s less about looking perfect and more about feeling real.
Oh—and we absolutely cannot forget the tiniest family member. Because yes, even the dog gets a moment. And may we all carry ourselves with the unapologetic confidence of a chihuahua.
Scroll on to see some of my faves from this round of personality sessions—and if this sounds like your kind of vibe, let’s chat about getting your fam in front of the camera next time.
Jen Madigan Photography is a Naperville, IL and Iowa City, IA based photographer available for travel worldwide. She specializes in maternity and lifestyle newborn photography.
I would love to tell your family’s story through photos! Contact me for details and to book your session!
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