If you’re a photographer looking for a new revenue stream that brings both impact and income, this may be exactly what your heart—and business—have been missing! I’ve been a photographer for 27 years, and I’ve photographed just about everything—families laughing in wildflower fields, seniors stepping into their next chapter, weddings full of joyful tears.

But about six years ago, I started feeling a shift.

It wasn’t that I didn’t love what I was doing—I did.
But something inside me was whispering: There’s more.
More than busy seasons and mini sessions.
More than trying to compete on price or offer the next trendy backdrop.

I wanted to use my camera for something deeper—something that could actually help people feel something. I wanted to create an experience that stayed with them long after the gallery was delivered.

That’s when I found it—not in a new prop or marketing trick, but in a group that had been quietly overlooked for far too long: tween girls.

The Age No One Talks About (But Everyone Should)

Most photographers don’t even realize there’s a gap—I didn’t either at first. I was so focused on capturing toddlers, seniors, and the big milestones that I never stopped to think about the quiet, in-between years. But once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. There was this whole age group—girls around 9 to 12—just quietly fading into the background. Not because they didn’t matter, but because no one was showing up to celebrate them.

And then I started really listening.
I’d hear them say things like:

“I hate my smile.”
“Can you make me look skinnier?”
“I look weird in pictures.”

And they weren’t laughing when they said it.

They were believing it.

It stopped me in my tracks—because those were the same things I used to say to myself. The same words I carried around for decades. And I couldn’t help but wonder… what if someone had reminded me of my worth back then? What if I had seen myself through someone else’s loving eyes—before the world convinced me I wasn’t enough?

That’s when I knew… I had to do something.

When 75 Moms Reached Out in 48 Hours, I Knew This Was Bigger Than Me

At first, I thought I would offer them during the slow months.
Something unique. Something special. Just a way to fill my calendar with sessions that felt more meaningful.

I never expected what happened next.

Within the first 48 hours of announcing these sessions, I had over 75 moms reach out—not just to book, but to pour their hearts out.

One after another… messages that stopped me in my tracks.

“My 11-year-old has started cutting herself.”
“My 12-year-old is searching for love from boys and it scares me.”
“My 9-year-old says she’s fat.”
“My 10-year-old comes home from school saying she’s ugly and no one likes her.”

These weren’t random stories.
These were cries for help.

It was overwhelming—but also undeniable: these girls needed something more.
They needed to be seen. To be celebrated. To be reminded that their worth is not up for debate.

And suddenly, this wasn’t just a slow-season offering anymore.
This became my mission.

I Am on a Mission Because We Have a Real Problem in our Society.

I’m not the only one who sees how urgent this is. Studies show that by age 13, over 50% of girls already dislike the way they look—and that number keeps growing. That’s why organizations like the https://www.dove.com/us/en/dove-self-esteem-project.html are working globally to support girls’ confidence from a young age.

But even with those efforts, so many girls in our own communities are still quietly believing they aren’t enough. And sometimes, what they need most isn’t another message online (or “just what Moms says” —it’s others who show up and see them.

The Response Changed Everything

That one post turned into something so much bigger than I ever expected.
It wasn’t just about filling my calendar anymore.
It became about showing up—for the girls who feel invisible, for the moms who are holding it all together, and for the generation who needs to hear that they are more than enough.

But here’s the beautiful thing:
When you lead with heart, the business follows.

If you’re a photographer looking to create more meaning in your work—and yes, more revenue too—this is a path that brings both. Tween empowerment sessions have become one of the most profitable, FULFILLING parts of my business, especially during slower seasons.

And if you’re wondering where to begin, I’ve created a free guide to help:

👉 “What to Do and Not Do When Photographing Tweens”

This simple but powerful PDF shares the do’s and don’ts that make all the difference—how to help these girls feel safe, confident, and truly seen in front of your lens. If you’re looking to grow your photography business with a new income stream, adding this untapped genre will help!

Click here to get it sent straight to your inbox: https://cedarhillstudios.com/sales-landing-page

And if you’re ready to go deeper, my course Bloom Beyond the Lens walks you through it all—from the session experience to pricing, marketing, and how to turn this into a life-changing (and income-building) part of your photography business. It is a new revenue stream for photographers.

You can build something that fills your heart and your calendar.
You can help girls see their worth—and see your own in the process.

Let’s do it together.

Debbie McFarland is a photographer, kindness advocate, and mom of six who lives on a 10-acre flower farm in Brooks, Georgia with her husband and their beloved Goldendoodles. With nearly three decades of experience behind the camera, Debbie is on a mission to help people—especially tween girls—see their beauty, feel their worth, and know they are more than enough. She’s the founder of Bloom Beyond the Lens, a course for photographers who want to create confidence-building photo experiences that make an impact and an income. When she’s not behind the lens or leading empowerment events, you’ll find her spreading kindness through her movement, Sparks of Kindness, or chasing sunsets with a camera in hand.

You can learn more about her work at https://cedarhillstudios.com/