Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

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Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

Chatting about how to connect with your TEENS It's hard to pinpoint when I began my photography business.

I developed in the darkroom as part of the yearbook staff in high school. Took photography 101 in college and photographed friends engagements. Got my digital SLR in 2003 and started taking clients then. I've taken all kinds of pictures, now I focus on Family portraits and high school seniors.

09/26/2025

O was chatting with a mom recently who told me: “I just want to help, but my teen won’t talk to me.”

So she pushed harder.
Lectured.
Demanded answers.
That’s what furious looks like, and it only built a bigger wall.

When she shifted to curious, just listening, sitting in the silence, everything softened.

Help often only lands when it’s offered without agenda.

Comment SWAP and I’ll send you 2 simple “Say This, Not That” swaps you can use today.

09/22/2025

❓Which one do you want to hear more about? Which one do you want to try and incorporate in your home right now?

I’ve never loved the word “rules“ it feels heavy, like a list you either pass or fail. And it when it comes to teenagers, “rules“ can sometimes build walls instead of bridges.

I prefer the word “expectations” and collaboration and trying again without freaking out and punishing.

When you have built up a trust with your teenager, they want to meet your expectation, because they care about the boundaries you’ve laid out.

We’ve found that connection thrives less on rigid rules, and more on approaches, rhythms, and agreements.

👉What’s a rigid rule that you have felt you wanted to adjust, but weren’t sure how to do it?

These simple shifts have shaped how our family communicates, handles mistakes, and stays connected through the chaos of the teen years.

👉What’s can I explain further for you? Send this to your bestie to discuss. Save for later.

If you’re new here at join us only if you want to become more trusted by your teenager without being a doormat 🫶

09/21/2025

It’s natural to want to correct when you see things with your teenager going sideways, but correction without connection rarely lands.

When your teen feels seen for what they’re doing right, they become more open to hearing the guidance you actually want to give!

Here’s an example: imagine your teenager left their dishes all over the counter. Your first instinct might be to go in hot and say something like “why can’t you just clean up after yourself?!“

Maybe you could consider taking a breath and instead say “I love that you are experimenting in the kitchen.”

It may surprise you, they will likely go back and clean up their dishes without asking, but if not, they’d be a lot more open to that suggestion then.

3 ways to shift from hot correction to warm connection:
⭐️ Lead with praise. Name one specific thing they did well before offering input.
⭐️ Ask before you tell. “Do you want an idea that might make this easier?“ Puts them in the driver’s seat.
⭐️ Wrap in trust. Frame advice as belief in their capacity: “I know you can handle this.”

Yes, teens still need your wisdom, but when it’s covered in connection and trust, it goes from feeling like criticism to feeling like support.

👉 Be honest: what’s harder for you? Holding back correction or finding the good?

(Thanks for the inspo )

09/17/2025

When you’re trying to build trust with your teen, it can feel discouraging if your husband doesn’t believe in it, or feels like the kids like you more than him. 💔

This week’s podcast is all about why many dads resist the Trusted Method and how you can invite your spouse into the process without nagging, tiptoeing, or turning it into another argument.

👉Is your husband on board with what you have been learning or resisting?

Comment POD and I’ll send you the link to listen.

09/15/2025

Teaching emotional regulation is not about preventing teen tantrums.

It’s about raising kids who know what to do with anger, disappointment, shame, and sadness, without letting those emotions turn destructive.

And it starts with you modeling calm in the storm.

Encouraging both boys and girls to feel whatever they are feeling without trying to fix it, and teaching them how to process hard emotions by you showing them the way.

It’s not too late for you parents to learn emotional regulation, just because it wasn’t taught well to you. It’s worth the wrestle.

👉Comment CALM and I’ll share some simple ways you can begin breaking the cycle today.

💗Send this to your spouse or partner, so you can work on your freak outs together.

09/14/2025

Every parent hopes their values “stick” when their kids leave home.

But here’s the catch: the more control you use now, the more likely they’ll run from it later.

Of course this won’t be the case in every scenario, but something to consider, and check yourself on your current approach to not only earn your teens trust, but keep it as an adult, no matter what path they choose.

What keeps influence alive isn’t stricter rules or tighter grips, it’s building safety in your relationship. Safety for them to think differently, question openly, and know their voice matters.

When teens feel safe with you (trusted) they don’t need to push you away to find relief later.

Want a simple script to start these safer conversations with specific questions?

👉Comment SAFE and I’ll message it to you.

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Austin, TX
80920

Website

https://www.kristenduke.com/

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