Toronto Kids Fashion Week 2024 | Calgary Event Photographer

Jul 31

Capturing Children's Fashion, Confidence, and Creativity

TKFW Season 18: Calgary

As a Calgary event and fashion photographer passionate about shaping perceptions of beauty through imagery, being invited back to Toronto Kids Fashion Week (TKFW) Season 18 was an absolute highlight of my 2024 season. Three runway shows, 18 incredible designers, hundreds of stunning looks, and one unforgettable weekend - this is what fashion photography is all about!

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Telus Convention Centre came alive with colour, creativity, and pure runway magic. I had the privilege of photographing three back-to-back runway shows as part of TKFW's Calgary event, reconnecting with familiar designers from last year's show and discovering exciting new collections for the very first time. Toronto Kids Fashion Week celebrates children's fashion and the latest trends in kids' apparel and accessories. It provides a powerful platform for both established and emerging designers to showcase collections tailored specifically for children. This year's show did not disappoint, with 18 fashion designers taking to the runway before an incredibly enthusiastic crowd, the energy in that room was electric.

Photographing Fashion Trends and Promoting Designer Brands

TKFW serves as a platform to celebrate the unique and vibrant world of kids' fashion while fostering a genuine sense of community within the industry. As a Calgary event and fashion photographer, being present at a show like this allows me to capture and document the very latest trends in children's clothing, accessories, and styling in real time.

My role on the runway goes far beyond simply pressing a shutter. I work to convey the mood, aesthetic, and narrative behind each designer's collection. This helps to tell the story visually in a way that resonates with consumers. The fashion images I create at events like TKFW have been used across advertising campaigns, designer lookbooks, editorial features, and social media platforms, helping designers build brand identity and recognition that extends well beyond the runway itself.

Why Kids and Teen Fashion Photography Matters to Me

Fashion photography does something that few other genres can, it pushes the boundaries of artistry, composition, and storytelling all at once. I’m deeply passionate about child and teen fashion photography because I believe it has the very real power to shape perceptions of beauty, identity, and self-expression. Every image I create at an event like TKFW is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and promote inclusivity in a world that desperately needs more of it.

Getting to collaborate alongside talented designers, stylists, makeup artists, and young models to create visually stunning and innovative images is something I never take for granted. These aren't just photographs, they are statements.

During the day, we had 18 designers that showcased their newest collections on the runway: Rain on Me, Noria & Co, Linda Bellino (Boys), Oakley Rae Handmade, SAIFI, Alexandra Sam, Belia Belei, Mini Street, Oba's Closet, All About Inspo, Eyes On Mi, Lucky Seven, Oak Collective, Linda Bellino (Girls), Fernwood Kids, Javeda Baby, A Squared Apparel and LMCG Designs!

Collection by All About Inspo (ABI)

Building Confidence Through Modelling and Kids Fashion Photography

One of the most meaningful aspects of working at a kids' fashion event is witnessing firsthand the transformative power that modelling has on young children and teens. Childhood empowerment through modelling nurtures self-confidence and self-esteem in profound ways. When a child steps onto that runway, they are learning to own their space, express their unique personality, and celebrate who they are on a very public platform.

Through modelling, children learn to embrace their individuality, celebrate their diverse identities, and develop invaluable life skills - poise, resilience, and effective communication - that will serve them long after the runway lights go down. The encouragement they receive from peers, mentors, and audiences reinforces their sense of belonging and validates their self-worth in deeply meaningful ways.

Professional fashion photographs taken at events like TKFW give these young models something equally powerful: a tangible, lasting representation of themselves at their most confident and expressive. Seeing themselves captured in moments of beauty and creativity allows them to see their own unique qualities through a completely different lens. When working with a skilled fashion photographer who provides thoughtful guidance and positive reinforcement, these portraits become so much more than images. They become a form of validation, recognition, and encouragement that a child carries with them far beyond the event itself.

Collection by Belia Belei

Must-Have Gear for Runway Fashion Photography

The runway is a fast-paced, high-energy environment where split-second timing is everything. There is no room for missed focus, slow shutter lag, or gear that can't keep up and that is why having the right camera setup is absolutely non-negotiable for me.

My go-to runway kit includes:

Canon R5 + Canon R6 Mark II: My two favourite mirrorless camera bodies that handle fast-moving subjects and low-light ballroom conditions with ease
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM — My absolute favourite runway lens. That wide-open f/2.8 aperture creates that dreamy, fashion-forward separation that makes runway images truly sing
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM — Perfect for those dramatic wide-angle shots capturing models as they make their entrance down the full length of the runway

Whether it's a model striking the perfect pose at the end of the runway or the beautiful flutter of fabric mid-stride, I know that with this setup in my hands, I've got the shot.