Let’s be honest. Photographing teens is not the same as working with toddlers. They’re not holding hands. They’re not giggling at fart jokes. And they definitely don’t want to sit on anyone’s lap. But somehow, Christa Paustenbaugh makes it all work. A former social worker turned photographer, Christa specializes in documenting families with teens, high school seniors, and college grads. Her work feels effortless and real, and it’s grounded in genuine connection.
“Teens get a bad rap,” she says. “People assume they’ll be grumpy or uncooperative, but that’s rarely the case. You just have to meet them where they are.”
And that’s exactly what she does. Instead of diving straight into posing, Christa makes it a point to connect with the teen first. She asks about their outfit or hobbies, talks about where they’ve traveled, or simply finds something to compliment. It’s never about forcing a smile. It’s about building trust quickly, and that shows up in every image.
One of her favorite ways to break the ice is with a height comparison. Teens almost always want to know if they’ve passed Mom or Dad, and it’s an easy way to get them close together without it feeling staged. Another go-to is the “family sandwich,” where she squeezes everyone in tightly at the end of the session. It might start with groans, but it usually ends in laughter and that’s the moment she’s after.
Her background in social work gives her an edge in reading family dynamics. She notices who gravitates toward whom, who’s more reserved, and who’s likely to bring the energy. That intuition helps her pair people naturally without it feeling awkward or performative. She doesn’t push. She notices, she invites, and she lets things unfold.
When it comes to storytelling, Christa uses conversation rather than direction. She’ll ask about favorite family vacations or what kind of music they like. Sometimes the answers surprise the parents, and that sparks real connection. “That’s when I get the best images,” she says. “When they forget the camera is there.”
Christa knows how to prepare too, especially for destination sessions. She’s built her business five times over due to her husband’s military career, and she doesn’t leave anything to chance. She scouts with Google Earth, gets location updates from local friends, and sends clients a detailed questionnaire ahead of time. If they’re willing to hop on a call, even better. “By the time we meet in person, we already have a connection. That makes all the difference.”
Her advice for other photographers working with teens? Keep it simple. Be yourself. Don’t try too hard to be cool or funny. Definitely retire the fart jokes. “They don’t work anymore,” she laughs. “You’ll just get a blank stare.”
The feedback Christa gets after sessions is exactly what you’d hope to hear. Parents are often surprised at how relaxed their teen was. Sometimes the teens themselves say, “That was actually kind of fun.” And occasionally, a dad who didn’t want to be there at all will say, “She wasn’t so bad.”
Now that her daughters are grown, Christa is enjoying a new level of creative freedom. She’s traveling more, saying yes to creative projects, and leaning into storytelling sessions that feel a little less polished and a little more real. She’s also giving herself permission to play again. Model calls help. So does lowering the pressure. “Sometimes you just need to try something new without a client attached to the outcome.”
The magic of Christa’s work is that it never feels forced. It feels thoughtful, relaxed, and real. She’s not just documenting faces. She’s capturing connection.
And her best advice, whether you’re starting over, photographing teens, or stuck in a rut?
Stop overthinking. Just start. Breathe. Be patient. The connection is everything.
If you want to elevate your work in a similar way, be sure to join us for our Family Retreat.
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