The Toddler Cling Project

Documenting the deep attachment between mothers and their toddlers during this season of early childhood.

A photography project by San Diego family photographer Karen Doughman

Photographing San Diego families in their homes

Does this sound familiar?

• Your toddler reaches for you even when others are nearby
• They want to be carried, held, or tucked close into your side
• They often circle back to you throughout the day
• You sometimes feel like their safest place in the world

As a mother and photographer, I’ve come to recognize how meaningful these moments can be. Some toddlers seem to return to their mothers again and again — reaching for a hand, leaning into a familiar shoulder, asking to be carried just one more time. These moments of closeness are easy to overlook in the rhythm of everyday life, but they often hold a quiet kind of significance. This project is an opportunity to pause and document that connection.

If this season feels familiar to you, I’d love to learn a little about your family.

If you're unsure whether your toddler fits the project, you're still very welcome to apply.

Applications close March 20.

Project Details

Here are a few details about participating in the project: I’m selecting 3 San Diego families currently in a true toddler cling phase (ages 1–3) for relaxed, in-home sessions focused on connection (no pressure for perfect smiles).

Selected families will receive:

• A 60–90 minute in-home session

• 3 complimentary high-resolution digital images

• The option to purchase additional images at a reduced rate

Because this is a portfolio-building project, participating families must be comfortable with images being shared publicly.