At a Glance
- 5- and 6-year-old girls captured 70 wedding photos that went viral on TikTok.
- The clips received more than 150,000 likes and nearly 550,000 views.
- The idea came from photographer Ember Medeiros, who handed the camera to the girls during the reception.
Why it matters: A simple, child-run photo session turned a Dallas wedding into a social media phenomenon, showing how authentic moments can resonate online.
The wedding that sparked a viral trend took place on November 1 at the Brake & Clutch Warehouse in Dallas. Alison Schlarb, 27, and Krystian Johnson, 33, exchanged vows in a warehouse-style ceremony that blended rustic charm with modern flair. The venue, known for its industrial aesthetic, provided a unique backdrop for the couple’s celebration.
The Impromptu Photo Session
Professional photographer Ember Medeiros, 22, was hired to capture the ceremony and reception. While setting up, Medeiros noticed that Kensli, the bride’s five-year-old daughter and the flower girl, was fascinated by the camera gear.
“I knew she would have fun with her own,” Medeiros told News Of Los Angeles. “After teaching her how it worked, I was curious about what she would capture and it also gave them something to do during the reception!”
The plan was simple: give the girls a camera to use during the reception. Kensli and her six-year-old friend Charlotte took about 70 photos in total, ranging from unconventional angles of the bride to shaky selfies and playful poses on the checkered dance floor.
> “We thought they were absolutely precious!” Schlarb told News Of Los Angeles. “Kensli was SO excited to see them and still talks about it today.”
From a professional viewpoint, Medeiros felt the images were a perfect representation of a child’s perspective.
> “Silly and fun. Everything being taken at a kid’s height,” she said. “I thought it was so cute and ironic because their photos received a lot more attention on social media than the ones I had taken. I think that speaks to the innocence of children and how special it is to see things from their perspective. If an adult had taken them we’d probably think they are ‘bad’ but since it’s from the hands of little girls we can’t help but feel the childlike wonder they evoke.”
Viral Reaction
The photo compilation was uploaded to TikTok, where it quickly amassed more than 150,000 likes and nearly 550,000 views. Comments poured in, many of them emotional:
- “Seeing a wedding from that angle is actually making me sob they’re so SMALL AND TINY,” a user with about 10,000 likes wrote.
- “I’m bawling my eyes out, thanks 😭.”
Medeiros shared the footage on her own social media, captioning it with:
> “I loved seeing what they captured 🥹 these were some of my favorites they took! As a photographer I love kids at weddings. They tell a whole other story during the day.”
The clip’s success demonstrates how spontaneous, authentic content can outperform professionally curated imagery in the eyes of online audiences.
Behind the Lens
Medeiros, who had just turned 22, explained that the idea came from a simple observation. Kensli’s interest in the camera gear sparked a moment of creativity that turned a routine wedding shoot into a memorable, child-centric narrative. The girls’ enthusiasm made them feel seen and important, a feeling that resonated with viewers.
The wedding’s timeline, including the key moments captured by the girls, is summarized below:
| Date | Event | Photo Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | Ceremony | Flower girl Kensli holding bouquet |
| Nov 1 | Reception | Girls taking selfies on dance floor |
| Nov 1 | Reception | Unconventional angles of bride |
Social Media Impact
The TikTok post’s performance illustrates the power of user-generated content:
- Likes: 150,000+ (over 10% of total views)
- Views: 549,000+ (almost 1.2 million impressions across shares)
- Comments: Over 5,000, many expressing emotional reactions
These metrics highlight how a single creative decision-handing a camera to children-can amplify engagement and broaden a wedding’s reach far beyond the original guest list.
Key Takeaways
- Authenticity wins: Kids’ spontaneous photos can eclipse professional shots in popularity.
- Engagement through novelty: The novelty of child-led photography drew significant attention.
- Social proof matters: Positive comments and high likes reinforce the viral potential.
For couples planning their own celebrations, the story suggests that encouraging guests to participate in creative ways can create lasting, shareable moments.
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