Dreamy Photos of Children Reveal the Overlooked Magic Hidden Within Every Day

Dreamy Portraits by Elena Shumilova

Photographer Elena Shumilova captures the beauty of every day in dreamy portraits of children and adults. Shot with a softened focus, the scenes fixate on light and the story that can be told with it. A car’s headlights, for instance, illuminate a young boy whose bag is packed for a big adventure, while a woman in the middle of a sunlit field radiates with the possibility of what could be. The focus is on people, but the light is its own character, too.

We have long been admirers of Shumilova’s portrait photography. Years ago, she revealed her secrets to snapping great pictures of your kids. Some of her helpful tips include consistently photographing them so that you get the most natural-looking shots possible and to refrain from dressing them in colorful clothes as these garments will take the attention off of the children.

Since we last shared work by Shumilova, her career has continued to grow. In addition to producing beautiful photographs, she hosts many sold-out workshops a year and even sells online courses that reveal how she edits her work.

Photographer Elena Shumilova captures the beauty of every day through dreamy portraits of kids (and adults)—with a special focus paid to the light in each image.

Dreamy Portraits of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Portrait Photography by Elena Shumilova

Portrait Photography by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Portrait Photography by Elena Shumilova

Portrait Photography by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Portrait Photography by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits by Elena Shumilova

Photographs of Kids by Elena Shumilova

Dreamy Portraits by Elena Shumilova

Elena Shumilova: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Elena Shumilova.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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