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Tools and Techniques for Fine Art Child Photography

Jul 27, 2025 | By: Mars and Cranberry Township Photographer

The Art Behind the Lens: A Look Inside My Fine Art Photography World

📸 Welcome to my Behind the Lens Series

If you’ve ever looked at a finished Fine Art children’s portrait—like the one below, where a little boy in red boots watches baby ducks paddle through a muddy puddle—and thought:
“How do they create something that magical?”
—this series is for you.

Whether you're a parent curious about what goes into portraits like this, or a fellow photographer eager to peek behind the curtain, I’m excited to share a more personal side of what I do.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be opening up about the heart, tools, time, and artistry that go into my work as a Fine Art photographer. Because while the finished artwork may seem effortless — dreamy lighting, painterly edits, nostalgic styling — the truth is, there’s a whole world happening behind the scenes.

A little boy wearing a yellow raincoat, floppy yellow hat and red boots while standing in a mud puddle looking at 3 baby ducks.

Why Share the Behind-the-Scenes?

I believe that when you understand the heart and effort behind each image, the artwork becomes even more meaningful. Photography is storytelling—and every story has a beginning, middle, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work.

One of my mentors, Cass Vanhorn, often says she believes in Quality over Quantity—a mindset I’ve carried with me since the beginning. Creating Fine Art portraits is not about snapping dozens of quick images; it’s about slowing down and crafting something lasting. That’s exactly what I hope to show you in the coming weeks: the intentional processbehind every portrait I create.

(Hint: I’ll be sharing more about my passion for heirloom artwork in a future post—so stay tuned!)

 What This Series Will Cover

Each week, I’ll be sharing one part of the process that brings my Fine Art children's portraits to life:

👜 Week 1: What’s in My Camera Bag and Why I chose it!

Have you ever looked at an image like this—two sisters walking hand-in-hand, framed by light and softness—and wondered what it takes to capture it so perfectly?

Next week, I’ll be sharing the tools that help bring portraits like this to life. From the cameras and lenses I trust to the little behind-the-scenes helpers (yes, even teddy bears count!), you’ll get a look at the gear that makes the magic happen.

Two young girls in vintage cream nightgowns walk hand-in-hand down a wooded path, one holding a teddy bear, during a Fine Art children’s photography session near Cranberry Township.

🎨 Week 2: From RAW to Fine Art – My Editing Workflow

 What happens after the shutter clicks? I’ll walk you through how I turn a photo into a work of art using Lightroom, Photoshop, and a whole lot of love.

Below is a preview of what’s to come—a before-and-after transformation that shows just how much storytelling happens in the edit.

a brother running through a wooden gate that his sister is holing open.
a sister and brother playing at an old wooden fence that has a gate in the middle.

💼 Week 3: The Real Cost of Running a Fine Art Photography Business

Photography may seem like it’s all play and pictures, but running a boutique studio is a serious business. I’ll share the often-hidden costs that go into offering high-end sessions and heirloom artwork.

little boy playing on a tire swing during a children photography session near Mars., Pa

🌟 Week 4: How I Learned to Create Fine Art Portraits (And Why I’m Still Learning Every Day)

I’ll take you behind my journey—from photographing my grandkids to becoming a Master Photographer—and why growth and storytelling will always be at the heart of my work.

 

Stay Tuned

I hope you’ll follow along over the next few weeks as I pull back the curtain and show you the real, raw, and rewarding work that goes into creating timeless fine art that families will treasure forever.

✨ Up next: What’s in My Camera Bag – and Why I Chose It
👉 Check out more of my work here!

And don’t worry—there’s no need for tears like this little guy’s. 😉 The first of this series will be available next Monday!.

With gratitude,
Marsha
Master Photographer | Child Portrait Artist | Always Remember Photography

Toddler in blue overalls crying on a country lane next to a green wagon with teddy bears, one fallen on the ground.
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