“What the heck is a tween”, you asked ?  Tween is defined as PRE-adolescence, that is, the stage between middle childhood and adolescence in human development, in the range of 10 to 12 years old. To most of us its also defined as “What happened to my baby?” . This is the stage where they are trying to find their own independence, boundaries and answers to the questions that they are probably to embarrassed to ask.

As a Photographer who styles 80% of my clients, this stage is hands down the most challenging to shop for, and even harder to say to some parents with tween girls  “I will not shoot your child in that outfit”. I HAVE and Will say no because before I am a Photogapher, I am a woman who believes that we are all responsible for our little girls self value and esteem and it is my policy. I DO NOT shoot children in “SEXY” clothing. I do not care about the financial value of a Portrait Session more than I care about how that child sees herself.

TWEEN BOYS are not as hard to shop for and there are a few “GO TO” pieces for them that can really transform any outfit into a Cool style , that represents their personality and highlight their handsome faces.

1.Ask for their input , like… favorite colors , jeans or khaki etc. Often you will find that they dont really care about that kind of stuff.

2.COLORS , Layers, Hats, suspenders, colorful socks to show off  and a vest … Those few pieces can be mixed and matched into any wardrobe in more ways that you can imagine. OH… Suspenders and Bow ties are everywhere right now!

TWEEN GIRLS? Yep, this is often my dilemma.

You walk into any store and there is wall to wall choices, however as I get into laying out my style map (a list with my clients age ,size, personality, hobbies and my standards as a Photographer) This easy task can become a very creative project!

Most stores carry styles that look too immature for this age group and then they push styles that are far too mature! Many girls in this TWEEN bracket are already wearing clothes from the Women’s JUNIOR Dept, so I am going to give you some tips to keep your tween looking like a TWEEN yet able to exude their personal style and boost their confidence in the appropriate areas.

1. Always ask for their input (affirms that their words and opinions are valued). Ask questions like … Whats your favorite color right now? What styles do you like? Incorporate some tween magazines or conduct an online search with them.

2. Set CLEAR BOUNDARIES and incorporate AS MUCH of their choices as you can WITHOUT COMPROMISE TO YOUR BOUNDARIES. This is so very important , your boundaries NEED reasons that explain to your child that confidence beauty and sexuality have NOTHING to do with over exposing yourself and fitting in happens when you are confident and comfortable with who you are not what you wear. (yes, you need to explain your boundaries)

3.Together with your Boundaries and your TWEEN’s fashion list that you created from #1, you can do this with ease and teach life long lessons that don’t have to be learned later in her life with pain attached to it.

I hope this was helpful and that you have an amazing, fun and loving Journey with your tween and this transition.

Below is a TWEEN SESSION with some ideas for young girls and parents.

Enjoy

Meet Genesis … Very well rounded Tween who will walk us through some styled ideas … see below

Photographer: QianaNicole

Stylist: QianaNicole

MORE TIPS: Take Portraits of your TWEEN professional or snapshots, FRAME THEM , and HANG THEM ON THE WALLS … this will re- assure them of their beauty and value in such a season of insecurity.