When your teen says: "I Don't Want Athlete Portraits"

KEY POINTS

• Reluctance is normal. Many teens aren't avoiding portraits because they dislike the idea of preserving memories. They're worried about feeling awkward or being judged. Those concerns usually disappear once they experience a session designed around confidence and authenticity.

• Involve your athlete in the process. Giving teens a voice in choosing locations, uniforms, poses, and creative ideas helps transform the session from something they're being told to do into something they help create.

• The impact goes beyond the photos. Elite athlete portraits often become a confidence-building experience that helps teens see themselves in a new light, while giving parents lasting images they'll treasure long after the final whistle.

"They rolled their eyes the second I mentioned it."

"They said it's weird."

"They don't like being in front of a camera."

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

One of the most common things parents tell me before booking an athlete portrait session is:

"I want this way more than my teenager does."

That's completely normal.

Teenagers don't always recognize the value of preserving this chapter of their lives. They're focused on the next practice, the next game, the next test, or the next text message. They're living in the moment.

Parents are the ones who understand just how quickly these years disappear.

The good news? Nearly every reluctant athlete changes their mind once the experience begins.

Here's how to make that happen.

Remember: This Isn't About Loving Pictures

Most teens don't wake up thinking, "I really hope someone takes professional portraits of me today."

They worry about things like:

• Looking and feeling awkward

• Smiling the wrong way

• Feeling embarrassed

• Friends making fun of them

• Being forced into cheesy poses

Those concerns are legit.

The goal isn't convincing them they'll love having photos taken.

It's helping them understand this isn't the kind of photo session they're imagining.

Explain What Makes It Different

Many young athletes picture stiff poses in front of a painted backdrop.

That's not what I create.

A Be Elite portrait session feels more like a creative collaboration than a traditional photo shoot.

I photograph athletes in the places where they train and compete. I use dramatic lighting, high quality equipment, authentic uniforms, and poses that highlight confidence, determination, and personality.

I believe in connection. To my core, I believe the athlete in front of the lens has to trust the person behind the lens.

The session isn't about pretending.

It's about showing who they are.

Give Them Some Ownership

Teenagers value independence.

Instead of telling them, "We're doing this," invite them into the planning process.

Ask questions like:

• Which uniform do you like best?

• Is there a location that means something to you?

• What piece of gear should we include?

• Do you have an idea you've always wanted to try?

When athletes help shape the session, it becomes their experience instead of their parent's project.

That can change everything.

Don't Oversell It

Parents sometimes build the session into a huge event.

Ironically, that can make teens more anxious.

Instead, keep it simple.

"It's just an hour, where we make some really cool images while you're doing what you love to do."

That's much less intimidating than, "These pictures are going to define your high school career forever."

The portraits become meaningful later.

Today, they just need to enjoy the experience.

Trust the Process

One thing I've learned over the years is that confidence grows during the session.

The first few minutes are often quiet.

Then the athlete sees an image on the back of the camera.

Suddenly they realize:

"Wait ... that's actually me?!"

Their posture changes.

Their energy changes.

By the end of the session, they're offering ideas and asking to try one more pose or one more lighting setup.

The young athlete who didn't want to come often becomes the athlete who doesn't want the session to end.

Focus on the Bigger Picture

The portraits are wonderful.

But they're rarely the most important outcome.

Parents sometimes tell me they notice something unexpected during these sessions.

Their athlete stood a little taller.

They carried themselves differently.

That confidence carries into practices, games, interviews, recruiting conversations, and everyday life.

The portraits simply become a reminder of what they were already capable of.

One Day, They're Thank You

Many meaningful decisions parents make aren't appreciated immediately.

Music lessons.

Family vacations.

Keeping old trophies.

Saving report cards.

Professional portraits often fall into that same category.

Years from now, your teenager won't remember rolling their eyes when you first suggested the ssession.

They'll remember seeing themselves as strong, confident, and capable.

And you'll have more than just images.

You'll have a lasting reminder of who they were during one of the most important seasons of their life.

Dave Pidgeon is the owner and chief image maker at Creative Sports Photography, a premier visual production service for athletes. CSP is home to Be Elite - Signature Portrait Experiences for Young Athletes. Dave is based near Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania.