Fashion has changed a lot in the past decade. I would like to share some experiences I have witnessed as my daughter, Amber, has become somewhat of a fashion kid. My biggest motto from the beginning to today has been never to forget to have fun. I can’t say that it has been easy. In the age of technology, social media platforms are at the centre of advertisement and modelling growth. If you are not posting, updating, promoting, or collaborating, you are not going to progress and be known in the community. Picking up a magazine and seeing models advertise for a company is a thing of the past. In a click, you get a thousand likes and tens of thousands of views. This is the true meaning of advertisement today. You can reach people all around the world with just one post. 

Now the most important part of this whole concept is getting a toddler to do exactly nothing while you photograph her. I have been very creative, making funny sounds, faces, and even “bribing” her with Barbies or LOL toys or delicious ice cream. Sometimes, she would participate, and the photoshoot would be done in fifteen minutes; other times, she wanted to play and not have any part of it. Afterall, who can blame a toddler for just wanting to be a child and play. 

Since I take the photos, this was more difficult because I am Mom. She knows that she can get away with just saying “I am done”. It’s important to understand that when your child is not into it, don’t pressure him or her to continue or you will get sad faces and no one wants a photoshoot, especially for a collaboration, with a child in it that doesn’t not look excited. My daughter is 5 years old now, she understands more what is occurring, and I make sure to explain the importance of what we are doing. 

She even gets dressed up in the outfits, gets joyous when new products are delivered. She even picks up the outfits to go with each product. She wants to make sure that she is fashionable! Another very critical thing to remember is that no parent should deter these opportunities affect your child’s education and growth, socializing with other kids is equally relevant to make sure that your child does not feel “trapped” in the world of the fashion. Keeping the balance can be difficult but none the less very critical. 

So always remember, to let your child and yourself to have FUN, spread the love and produce awareness around the world. Nothing is more valuable than the happiness of your child.

~ Eni Blushi
IG Handle: @eni_blu