Let’s be real here – when you’re a mom running a photography business, your kids see EVERYTHING. And I mean everything. The good shots, the terrible ones, the “why did I even think this would work” moments, and yes, even the occasional meltdown when nothing is going right.

But here’s what I didn’t expect when I started Lilley Photography: my own kids would become my harshest (and most helpful) critics.

The Reality Check I Didn’t Ask For

Picture this: I’m editing a senior session , feeling pretty good about my work, when my teenager walks by, glances at my screen, and casually drops, “Mom, why does she look so uncomfortable in that pose?”

Excuse me, what now?

My first instinct? Defend my work. I mean, I’m the one with over a decade of experience here. I’m the one who understands lighting and composition and all those technical things. But then I actually looked at the photo again.

And dang it, she was right.

When “Just Kids” Became My Secret Weapon

Here’s the real talk: kids don’t care about your technical excuses. They don’t care that the wind was brutal that day or that you only had ten minutes to work with. They just see what they see, and they’ll tell you exactly what that is.

“Why is his face so dark?” “Her skin looks too fake.” “That background is wrong for the outfit.”

At first, this feedback hit different. I’m not gonna lie – it stung a little. But then I realized something huge: if my kids are seeing these things, so are my clients’ families. And unlike me, they’re not emotionally attached to the “story” behind each shot.

The Dinner Table Focus Group

Now I’ve got this unofficial system going. Before I deliver any gallery, I’ll pull up a few favorites and casually show them to whoever’s around. Not for technical critique – they couldn’t tell you what an f-stop is if their life depended on it – but for that gut reaction.

“Does this person look happy to you?” “Would you hang this in your room?” “What do you think when you see this?”

Their answers have saved me from delivering technically perfect photos that just felt… off. Because here’s the thing – families don’t hang photos on their walls because the exposure is perfect. They hang them up because those photos make them feel something.

The Unexpected Plot Twist

But here’s where this story gets really good: somewhere along the way, my kids actually started getting interested in what I do. Like, genuinely interested.

My daughter now sends me location ideas. “Mom, look at how pretty that light coming through the trees!” or “I sent you a location that I think would be great!”

My oldest went from rolling her eyes every time I pulled out my camera to actually asking about my sessions.

What This Really Taught Me

Real talk? My kids reminded me why I started this whole thing in the first place. It wasn’t to impress other photographers or win technical awards. It was to create photos that real families – families just like mine – would love looking at for years to come.

They taught me that sometimes the most important question isn’t “Is this technically perfect?” but “Does this make you feel something good when you look at it?”

Because that’s what matters. That’s what makes a photo worth printing, worth framing, worth treasuring.

The Bottom Line

Having my own personal critics living under my roof has made me a better photographer, hands down. They keep me grounded, keep me focused on what really matters, and keep me honest about my work.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So to all you parents out there getting “helpful” commentary from your kids about your work – listen to them. They might just be seeing something you’re missing.

And to my kids reading this – thanks for keeping me on my toes. Even when I pretend to be annoyed by your feedback, or sometimes get emotionally bummed, I’m actually grateful for it.

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Want photos that will pass even the toughest family critics? Let’s create something amazing together. Hit me up at (765) 312-2115 or lilleyphotos@gmail.com – I promise my kids have already pre-approved my skills.