Children's portraits can be both challenging to capture and rewarding if done in a creative way. My children's sessions are very fun for the kids and journalistic in nature.  I let them play and relax... and never use the "S" word (smile) and I try to get clients to learn not to say that word either.  I will get the children smiling but it will be "real" - not because they were told to. 

The natural, real-life images are also what I am after.  I encourage parents to just say we are going to "play" at Paul's... not going "to have your picture taken."  I do not want to be remembered as the school photographer.  I am much different and want to be thought of differently by the children.