
Alice Mongkonglite / BuzzFeed

1. It's never too early to start.

2. They're really only squishy like this for such a short time.

Suzanne Davis / Via bebehblog.com
3. Make the memory permanent.

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4. Balloons never fail.

5. Ever.

Leigh Miller Photography / Via instagram.com
6. It seems daunting, but committing to one photo a month will yield such great results.


7. Capture them in their natural state — dirt and all.

Nish Weiseth
8. Never forget the simple excitement of a favorite pastime.

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9. Snap them when they're not looking.

Nish Weiseth
Tender moments like this can't be interrupted for a "cheeeese!"
10. But if they do catch you, that's OK too.

Suzanne Davis / Via bebehblog.com
11. Love never gets old.

Heather Spohr / Via thespohrsaremultiplying.com
12. Hide in a sheet fort with just them and your camera.

themombot.com
Make sure it's in a room with lots of natural light.
13. Let them be their own superhero.

Speak Now Photography

14. Capture them doing what they love.

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15. They're going to climb inside of lots of stuff. It's always a great photo op.

Sarah Stewart Holland
16. See?

Morgan Shanahan / Via Instagram: @the818
17. Capture them as they see themselves.

Liza Hippler Photography / Via lizahipplerphotography.com
18. Don't be afraid to get wet.

Morgan Shanahan / Via Instagram: @the818
19. Let their personality shine through — in a pose, or a favorite outfit.

Amiyrah Martin
20. Snap them from your usual perspective.

Whit Honea / Via instagram.com
This will be priceless when they tower over you.
21. Get up close and personal.

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22. Let them wear their favorite costume.

Lizz Porter / Via morethanthursdays.com
23. You know that weird thing they do every day? It won't last forever.

Melinda Pang Kim
Memorex it while you can.
24. And you will never want to forget that laugh.

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25. Go deep.

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26. Give them matching props.

Sara Moe
27. Follow them to their happy place.

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28. Capture them against a vibrant background.

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29. Certainly they must share a love of something.


30. Even if it's each other.

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31. If you've got more than one and they're all in the same place, SNAP!

Kristen Chase
32. Don't forget the action shots.

Roger Weber / Getty Images
33. Catch them in their natural habitat.

Lisa Wareham Photography
34. Let them be their silly selves.

Jeff Bogle / Via OWTK.com
35. Posing is overrated.

Roger Weber / Getty Images

36. Let them sparkle.

Hannah Lane Photography
37. Keep it simple.

James Woodson / Getty Images
38. You'll giggle looking back on their early smartassery.

Leigh Miller / Via Leighmillerphototography.com
And so will they.
39. Try a senior shoot beneath the trees.

Kelley Walker Chance Photography / Via Facebook: kelleyphotodesign
40. They're never too big to play with chalk.

Kyle Thompson
41. Celebrate their first love.

Ammentorp Photography / Getty Images
Parenting Week is a week of content devoted to honoring the hardest job you'll ever love, being a parent. Check out more great Parenting Week content here.

Andrew Richard