As a parent of two young children, I think kids are cool.

Becoming a father actually made me a better wedding photographer, as I started to pay a bit more attention to what the kids are doing at the Christchurch weddings I photograph.

Putting together the photos for this post, I realised a couple of things about kids at weddings.

kids and the centre of attention

Young kids in particular, love being the centre of attention at a wedding. They inherently know that a wedding is a special day for their mum and dad. And they love nothing more than having everyone’s attention when they can get it.

Kids have to burn off energy

Every parent knows this and it is no different at a wedding. Kids will inevitably sneak off from the guests and play and run and keep themselves gloriously occupied.

Kids Quickly find their tribe

In the same way adults at a wedding gravitate to similar people as themselves, kids do the same with other kids at a wedding. Kids know that playing with a group of buddies is often a lot more fun than playing by themselves. When you combine a cool wedding location, which is all new to the kids, they have the perfect excuse to run off as a tribe and start exploring and playing.

Kids are Curious

Kids, particularly young kids, have an innate curiosity about the world, which makes them inquisitive and interested in a lot of things. It also gives them a perspective that isn’t tainted by an adults view of the world. This makes young kids great teachers.

Being around young kids, whether that is at a wedding or my own kids at home, reminds me to keep it light and fun.

Kids love looking cool

The photo of this young child was at a Chinese Wedding I photographed in Christchurch recently. The boy in this photo couldn’t wait to have his photo taken of himself and his dinosaur themed bow tie.

Kids will get into trouble

This usually happens later in the day, around the time of the wedding reception. Kids are tired, a little low on food and energy and let’s be honest, a wedding is a pretty big day if you are a young kid.

To finish off this post, below are some more photographs of kids at a number of weddings I have photographed in and around Christchurch and abroad.