So, this “tween” stage in life…it’s weird, right? I mean it’s awesome. Well, it’s awesome one minute and then then in the next minute your tween is in the midst of some hormonal rage that leaves you wondering what demon has just possessed your kid. We are blessed (and I don’t say that sarcastically) to have two tweens living in our house. Honestly, 90 % of the time that is an absolutely wonderful thing. The other 10%? Well, we call those growing pains in the Smith house, and we won’t dwell on that. Let’s focus on the good stuff. =) They’re self sufficient. I haven’t poured a bowl of cereal or fixed a sandwich in years. They are soooo funny. No lie, there’s not a person in this world that can make me laugh harder than Makgill Smith. They have crazy amounts of creativity, and their goals and dreams are incredible. Sit back and listen to the life goals of a tween the next time you’re around one. They dream BIG and don’t even entertain thoughts of obstacles getting in their way and stopping them. It’s pretty inspiring! The conversations that occur around here can be deep and meaningful about things that truly matter and leave me thinking “Wow, this kid is REALLY growing up!”. Or they can be about farts. Basically, what I’m saying is that this stage in life is a wonderful one! If you have a tween in your life then you know that. As part of our year of celebration of our studio’s 15th anniversary and in honor of Mak’s 12th birthday coming up this week, we are giving away a Tween session!! But not just a session, we’re giving away a custom video slideshow and proof book of your session as well! And if you want to order prints from this session they will be at Limited Edition pricing (up to 60% off of normal prices). Here’s how to enter. Just leave a comment here on this blog post telling us what you would like to see in YOUR tween’s session. What’s their thing? Dance? Art? Dirt bikes? Football? Fashion? There are so many fun interests out there and that’s what we want to focus on with these sessions. These sessions are perfect for 9-13 year olds, guys and girls. Comment here to enter, and remember to tell your friends about this contest!
Here are just a few images from Mak’s twelve year session to give you an idea of the type of session this will be. And we just won’t talk about how grown he looks here. Sheesh!! Also, I’m glad he’s mine. =)
Winner will be picked by a random generator and announced on Friday, Mak’s Birthday!!
Can’t believe it, they were just babies weren’t they!?!
Love these Can’t believe how fast they are growing and watching them has blessed me so! My boy enjoys ANY sport, but what I would really love to capture is his love for soccer âš½ï¸
Gillian, YES! They were just babies playing on Margaret’s den floor!
Of course I want to nominate my newly-minted tween Isaac Kirby – his interests are Panthers football; reading books and more books; Star Wars and costumed play; army, army, ARMY; and anything TENNIS or SOCCER!! Thanks!! 🙂
My son will turn 11 in a few months and he loves sports! Especially Basketabll. He struggles with school and really has a sweet heart, but is faced with certain challenges in life. To have professional pictures of him playing basketball, shooting the ball and just enjoying these years before he’s a teen would be an awesome experience for him and I am so proud to be his mom heart emoticon
Two tweens in this house too and yes it gets interesting! One of ours has a birthday today! 🙂 I have one that loves games, animals, basketball, art. The other loves friends, animals, all things sports, school, shopping. Happy early birthday Mak!
Our tween is Anderson Lewis Jones he is ridiculously smart and loves video games and hanging around our large family farm. This year he was chosen to be a member of the skeet shooting team for his middle school. It makes him so happy to aim his shotgun towards the sky and take a chance at shattering the clays as they fly through the air. Anderson really enjoys being a part of the team and working to improve his skill from all different positions. He has a passion for the sport and I can’t wait to see how he will continue to grow and develop. It makes me sad to watch him grow up but we are incredibly proud of our well mannered, well behaved young man.
My sweet boy is 11. There is no one like him. He always surprises me. Sometimes good and sometimes not so good. He is my precious blessing from God. He loves all electronics but he is my book worm too. Take the good with the not so good:) Disclaimer: He is two handfulls but no one lights up a picture better with his laughter!
Yes tweens are fun and frustrating. My tween is all about baseball – talks about it 24 hours a day (yes he swings a bat in his sleep)! Would be fun to get professional pictures somehow on the baseball field. And since the Smiths are the only ones that can get a non goofy faced picture of my son I’m really hoping I win!!
My 13 year old is so deserving of this opportunity. She is always putting others first and has learned at such a tender age the value of having integrity and good character. She absolutely loves to cheer and she volunteers in her spare time teaching little girls how to use cheer to develop self-confidence. My Kaile, rocks!!!!
My Ruth loves RUNNING!! But with her determined spirit she can accomplish anything. Her ability to practice something until she gets it never ceases to amaze me. I love this age because you start having fun with them on a whole new level. They aren’t “little kids” anymore!!
You are soooo right on ALL accounts! The mention of farts had me laughing out loud considering our tweens were having a goof ball contest last Tuesday over “Source #1” and “Source #2”. Too much and so true! My tween could definitely use some swimming shots. It’s outright difficult getting good swimming shots. I know a couple of people who could probably rock it, though. 🙂
My son will turn 11 in a few months and he loves sports! Especially Basketabll. He struggles with school and really has a sweet heart, but is faced with certain challenges in life. To have professional pictures of him playing basketball, shooting the ball and just enjoying these years before he’s a teen would be an awesome experience for him and I am so proud to be his mom <3
Charleigh now has a passion for Football!! Clemson and the Panthers have invaded the ballerinas realm!! She’s learned how the game is played, has favorite players and watches every moment of a game!! Ballerina-Football?? Who would have thought that!! A newly teen 13 yr old girl. Prim and Power built into one joyous girl!!
Yes tweens are fun and frustrating. My tween is all about baseball – talks about it 24 hours a day (yes he swings a bat in his sleep)! Would be fun to get professional pictures somehow on the baseball field. And since the Smiths are the only ones that can get a non goofy faced picture of my son I’m really hoping I win !!
Oh my what puberty is doing to my precious Dean! Last Wednesday night on the way home from church we were talking about school work that had to be done the next day bc of errands and scheduled plans for Friday. A casual conversation quickly became a crying frenzy for him. He says,”If I don’t do well on my science I’m going to fail and then I won’t get into a good college and then I won’t get a good job and then I’ll be homeless!” Good grief!! He’s usually a happy go lucky kid! Got to pray and talk through this puberty! But he’s still playing with stuffed animals one minute(don’t repeat that…he’ll be embarrassed) then cheering on the Panthers, playing Spike Ball, and Nerf War. He loves Skylanders, Minecraft, camping and hanging out in his Eno.
Dylan and Makgill are dirt bike buddies. I would love for him to gave a dirt bike session too. He is also an avid baseball player. He lives for baseball. I can’t believe our boys are this big now!
I was definitely shaking my head yes to the hormone comments. Lol. Most of the time though, my 11 year old son is the sweetest kid I know! He loves God, others, and video games. He also loves our farm animals, and helping sometimes. Lol. Would love to win!
My niece Abbi is 12 years old. She loves tumbling and being a prissy tween! I would love to be able to gift her a session with you guys. She would be so excited and I’m sure put on an awesome show for you guys!! What a great idea!
I’m nominating my first born tween, Regan, because her sweet compassion and zest for life actually makes me look forward to having a teenager around the house next year! My little baldy baby has transitioned into a young lady who has quickly become a companion to me. Oh, I miss kissing that soft downy head, but having her by my side laughing at the same jokes and enjoying the same activities and watching her grow emotionally and spiritually makes up for it. I think I’d love some shots of her with her flute. Love my tween…it’s a fun age!
Thank you for all you guys do for your customers and others on a daily basis.My almost 13 year old Maura( the baby of 4 siblings) is smart and funny and super talented. I would love to see a session with her with the 3 instruments she plays- guitar , ukelele and piano. She sings, plays music and acts in plays at FLT and would love to see all her inner beauty shine through in her outer beauty in the way that I know Collin can do 🙂
I nominate my son Cole. He loves Sporting clays and cross country running. He’s quite the outdoorsmen and you can find him whittling a twig, planting a hatchet in a tree to shooting pesty squirrels.
We could not be prouder of our beautiful niece, Reagan. She is the best big cousin to our little ones and is such a kind hearted, amazing girl. We love watching her at cheer competitions for Jonakhin Middle where she is co- captain of the squad. Our family has been heartbroken at the sudden loss of her dad a few weeks ago. Reagan has showed such courage and faith beyond her 13 years, remaining actively involved at her church. Last week, she named one of only three junior scholars at her school! We would love for her to have a special photo session that captures the incredible girl that she is.
*she was named
I’d like to nominate my 12 year old daughter Macy. She is a great kid with a kind heart and a love for the Lord. She’s an honor roll student at FCS and always gives her all. She’ll be testing soon for her black belt in Tae Kwon Do (look out boys!) And she is very excited about that! She loves to hunt & fish with her Dad and doesn’t mind getting dirty. But also loves to get her nails done and shop with her Mom. I’d love to hang some beautiful, unique photos of my Macy in our home!
Congratulations, Michelle! You were picked as the winner of the contest! We look forward to getting with you and Macy to plan out your session!
Yay, I’m so excited! I will email you soon with some dates. 🙂
Love that all boys are the same!! Our sweet guy will be 10 this year!! ( where has the time gone!!?)
He loves his Legos & Takondoe . He is so close to his black belt! It’s amazing how far he has come! And it’s wonderful that daddy has been right beside him too!
I never can capture the true face of him, as he won’t smile for me ! Would love to have you guys make my little man smile !
Would love to win this for my amazingly sweet,smart,sassy,prissy tween.although she is only 11 the tween harmones have started to kick in and she can go from giggly to sulky in the blink of an eye.She loves school and is on A honor roll she is also enrolled in the Duke program ,goes to Reach classes for last 3 years and was recently inducted into the jr.beta clubShe is always bouncing around either on the trampoline in the yard or house she has been in tumble clases at Extreme Cheer and Tumble for 3 years and loves it ,she loves to sing (with her friends ) and roller skating . Thanks for this chance to win .
He is so handsome, and they grow so fast !!! Happy Birthday Makgill !!!!
I love it!! Each day is an adventure. Tanner is 11 and Landon just turned 13 this past Friday. They love baseball and basketball. I love love watching them play both. Who knew the girly girl would have 3 boys? God knew exactly what he was doing!! Blessed
Yes! All of the above is so true!! …and 2 kids in that category??? Life is NEVER boring!! Tween #1 (and really thinks she IS #1) is 12 going on 16 (sigh…!) loves ballet and being on pointe (and has the blisters to prove it- OUCH!!)
Tween #2 will be 10 (TEN!!!) this month and is still incredibly sweet. He loves ANYTHING to do with a ball, the outdoors, and is becoming quite a good guitar player!
As I look back through years of portraits, I am so glad we captured all of their sweetness… And the Tweens is just another part of that journey to look back on one day…!
My girl, Sofie, is all about fashion, gymnastics, business (Sofie’s Candy Store and More) and well, just being bossy. I mean showing great leadership qualities. She’ll be 10 next week and has so much love for God in her heart for such a young age. She doesn’t care what others think of her outfits and is even more proud if they’re homemade by sewing with Aunt Mamie. God knew just what I needed when he allowed us to adopt this precious little gift.
My daughter, Kaitlyn is 12. She loves music, reading, and gamecock football.
My tween is one of a kind. She will be 12 in two months, and has brought us nothing but joy since the day she was born. I must admit, I’m beginning to see a little tween-attitude, but it’s to be expected. She’s beautiful, smart, and brings light to everyone she comes into contact with. She loves fashion, dance, and cheer. She also enjoys getting her hair done and playing in make up. She loves to read Harry Potter (which I never would’ve expected). She’s caring and has been nothing but a great help since both her brothers were born. I consider her very responsible and mature for her age. She would love an opportunity to model her smile. Happy birthday to Mak and happy anniversary CMSmith photography!
I nominate my sweet cousin Pryce McLeod, who is an amazing big cousin to all of her little cousins! She loves to knit and play piano:)
That was a great article! My fourth is now a tween and she’s really rocking it with style. She’s a tumbler so she’s really into her back handspring and mastering the back tuck right now. She’s tall and gangly and looks so grown up in boots and a sweater. Then she’s down on the floor playing with her American Girl Dolls. Sigh, I’d love to capture this in print and on video. We haven’t done a lot of videos/ movies around here and now that they’re older I sure wish j had those little voices recorded.
Love love love Collin Smith Photography!!
My daughter Avery is going to be 11 in March. She has changed so much since the last time I had pictures taken of her when she was 9. It is simply breaking my heart how fast she has grown. (And how the hormones have made her, and everyone around her, a bit crazy.) Right now she is all about school. I am just so blessed to have such a smart, beautiful, kind young girl and I would love to remember this time in her life. Frankly, I know what is coming next, so I want to bottle it up while I can!
I nominate my 11 year old son, Ben. He loves UK basketball, soccer, football, playing piano and the drums.
I would like to nominate my son Noah. Noah truly loves all sports; baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf and football! If I had to pick one for the photo shoot it would be football. His heart bleeds Clemson orange, his love for the Tigers is spurred on by his papa and has truly created an awesome bond between them! Thanks for giving one of us this awesome chance!
I read your blog and realized what an amazing season our children are in. This will be my last journey though the “Tweens” and I often refuse to realize that truth.
I would love to have a session for Trae Ann. Might be the only “girl” session with shots playing football, basketball, soccer and golf.
I would love to nominate my twin girls, Abby and Audrey, age 12. One is a cheerleader (5’3″) and the other plays basketball (5’10”). They are really sweet girls who are as different as night and day! It has been a long time since I have had any professional pictures made of them together. This would be awesome to capture these trying middle school years before they turn into full blown teenagers!
I would like to nominate my son Kayleb! He will be 11 years old on February 11 and he is an awesome kid! He loves karate, reading, his cat, and playing with his little brother.
I would like to nominate my great grandson, Kayleb Greene. He will be 11 on February 11th. He enjoys reading in his Cat Warrior books and playing with his cat. He enjoys sports and Tae KwonDo. He has earned his High Green Belt! He is super smart and helps me with any computer questions I might have. He also enjoys his little brother who is fun to play with.
I would like to nominate my son Kayleb! He will be 11 years old on February 11. He loves karate, reading, his cat, and playing with his baby brother. Such a sweet kid!
I would like to nominate my 12yr old niece, Macy Powell. She is one amazing young lady! She accepted Jesus and was baptized in August 2015. She is an honor roll student, recently invited to join the Duke TIPS program. She will soon be testing for her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is a big daddy’s girl who loves to hunt & fish. But she also likes to shop with her mom. Most of all she loves her family, especially her Nana and her Nanny. This beautiful and special young lady would be so thrilled to have a photo day just for herself!
AAGGHH these years might give me more gray hair than the toddler years. Caleb is 10 1/2 and enjoys Legos, minecraft, and science. These years are also the awkward years and good photos seem impossible. Every time the camera comes out the need to throw something in front of his face or act like a clown happens! But he is so amazing and as scared of the next few years as I am, I am excited to continue watching him figure life out!
I would love to nominate my two tweens.
Tween #1 11 year old Amaya is a gentle, kind hearted spirit that always has her nose in a book. She loves “classic” fashion, music, Legos and reading. She is a lover of the earth and world peace. When her hormones get the best of her and she raises her voice everyone looks at each other bewildered because it’s so out of character for her.
Tween #2 10 year old Caryn was born to be a ceo. I won’t say the b word that rhymes with glossy lol, but we’ll just say she is a natural leader. She is a ball of emotions (think all of the inside out characters) but she is also one of the sweetest kids who loves hugs & snuggles. She loves all things girly & sassy. She also likes reading, Legos & tumbling.
Thanks for this opportunity and Happy Birthday to Mak!
I want to nominate my cousin (although I claim her as a niece as her mother felt more like a sister than a cousin). Kimberly will be 13 in April and despite a tail of hardships in her young years she has a heart full of love and happiness. She lost her mom 6 years ago after Julie’s second double lung transplant. The majority of the memories she has of her mom are of her being sick plagued with fatigue and inability to breathe enough to play outside of the bed. One of my favorites memories of Kimberly and Julie was going to Disney with them when Kim was only about 6. Julie used a battery powered scooter and portable oxygen tank to maneuver the parks when she could. There were times it was only Kim, her sister, and me but when Julie felt strong enough to come the girls lit up with joy. Julie’s battery on her scooter was dying while we’re at one of the parks so Kimberly showing her servants heart pushed her mom and her scooter up hills and around just to be able to spend time together.
She is now a busy tween. She dances with Showbiz and is very involved in the youth choir and other youth activities at church. She loves arts and crafts, experiments with “potions” and other creative concoctions. She’d be a great choice for this prize!
I’m nominating Reagan Saunders. She has a heart of gold and a million dollar smile. I remember meeting her when her parents adopted and brought her back from China. She was and still is the sweetest little girl. I had the privilege to babysit her for many years and have watched her grow up into a 13 year old young lady. She now babysits my little boy which just brings the love full circle! Her favorite thing to do is bake and she enjoy running. She is a little mommy and a huge help to her mommy with her two younger siblings. She just got her braces off so a photography session to show off her new smile would be perfect!