WHY MY STYLE WORKS FOR THE SHY AND RELUCTANT - SYDNEY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Embrace the relaxed and un-posed family portrait.
It’s such a common refrain from families. We’d love family photos but we feel so awkward or shy. Or maybe you’re worried about how your children might behave during the session. Sometimes when I arrive for a family photography session little ones greet me with open arms and willingly show me around and start chatting to me. They might even ask me to take their photograph and then of course to look at it immediately. Then there are times when children are reluctant, shy, having a bad day, or are just more reserved in nature. This of course is true for adults too. I’m very often hired by people who will say - we hate having our photo taken but we value family photographs, can you help?
As a family and child photographer I am very used to photographing children, and even adults, who perhaps would rather not be in front of a camera. My family photography sessions are extremely relaxed and ahead of meeting we will chat about your family and what I might expect. I always approach a session by matching the pace I am greeted with. You’ll never hear me say cheese, smile or even look at the camera. I always tell my families not to look at the camera, except if you feel it. For some portraits we do look into the camera, but I help you with how to do this best and when to expect it. Talking, touching and connecting with each other is a great way to relax and not feel awkward in front of the camera. I’ll guide you through it. Here are some ways that we get the best out of a session with those who are a little more reserved.
Start right with low pressure. My family photography sessions are about being relaxed and letting moments unfold naturally. It’s okay to let children warm up and I always try and match the pace of the family I am photographing. We don’t need to perform right off the bat. So first off I won’t get my camera out, I’ll chat with you and your children. The least successful sessions are when children are rushed to sit still and smile. When I hear these words I actually freeze up a little. It’s not my style of shooting and I know that for reluctant children these words are like a red flag. The more we push the less likely it is to happen. If your session is at home I will often recommend that you leave some of the getting ready for when I am there. This takes the pressure of everyone to be buttoned up and ready to go. I highly recommend in-home sessions for the very shy or reluctant. It’s a safe space where children can retreat to their comforts if the pressure feels too much. We typically thrive in our own spaces and children can be really proud to show me their room or toys.
Plan an activity. It can be a great ice breaker to bring a ball to the park or a frisbee and start out by playing. Worried about getting dirty? Bring a top to change into after we’ve run around. More often than not after we’ve let a little steam off we will find ourselves relaxed, curled up in laps and enjoying a snack and then if we play our cards right we can get that beautiful portrait together. I have a few tricks and if we give everyone the space and time to find their rhythm it usually works. At home we might do some baking together, read, do a puzzle, put on some music and dance! Whatever is your normal that’s where we’ll meet.
True reflections. It’s entirely possible that you won’t get everyone looking at the camera and smiling together, and you know what? That’s okay. Some of my favourite family portraits are the ones where someone is upside down, someone is laughing, someone is looking the other way. There is beauty in the chaos and the un-posed and letting people be who they are. Would you be happy looking at a portrait of your family and seeing a forced smile or would you much rather see the beauty in a face that beats to their own drum. A true portrait will reflect our personality and uniqueness. We’ll focus on the moments, the connection, your story.
So those are just a few ways we approach a session with those who prefer a more relaxed pace. To be honest, they are my favourite, they speak of real and true moments. So if you’ve been thinking about arranging family photography but are worried that your children might be reluctant, or your partner might not be keen, then maybe I’m the photographer for you. My family photography sessions focus on being together as you are and creating a keepsake of your now, however that may look. I’ve pasted just two of my testimonials from families with shy little ones. You can read more of my testimonials here.
If you have questions or would like to know more I’d love to hear from you.
“Katherine is a wizard. Not only did she have my shy and temperamental 5 year old chatting away and eating out of the palm of her hand. She also had my hubby relaxed and willing to have pictures taken. The pictures we have capture the real us, are relaxed and will be something we can treasure forever. I recommend to anyone who wants some real and gorgeous pics of their family.”
Doing an activity is a great way to take the pressure off and capture beautiful moments together.
“Katherine Millard is a magician! She took the most exceptional photos of our family and has given us the most beautiful pictures to remember this stage of our life. I was very apprehensive to get professional photos done because our daughter has special needs and we knew it would be confronting for her. Katherine made the whole experience so comfortable and fun for everyone! She captured the essence of each of our family and I’m so grateful for her vision and her laid back approach.
If I could give 10 STARS I would!
”
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SYDNEY NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY - HOW TO PREPARE
If you’re thinking about having newborn photos here are a few things I recommend considering and to help you get a feel for what to expect. My newborn photography sessions are lifestyle & documentary which means I photograph you and your family at home and I do some verrrrrrrry light posing but mostly candid/documentary style photography. I don’t do heavy posing, wrapping or putting your baby into certain positions. For the most part, and especially post Covid, I will handle your baby as little as possible. Here are few things that might help you understand how it all works and what to expect.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY NEWBORN PHOTOS?
I recommend finding a photographer you love and book in at your 20 week mark. Calendars can fill up about 6 months in advance for me so it’s best to be on the radar. Once you’ve booked with me I mark your due date in your calendar and keep space on either side of that to accommodate you when your baby arrives. In terms of how old the baby should be for photos then 6 - 14 days is best for that very sleepy newborn look but many people prefer to wait until they’re a little older. I wrote another blog on the best age for newborn photographer. You can read it over here. Really there is no wrong time to create a keepsake, but by planning it advance, you can just drop me a line when the baby arrives and I will pop over. You might just prefer to wait until baby is here to decide when you feel ready. So find someone you can have an easy conversation with and book them. Then have them take the heavy lifting from there - send a message when baby comes and tell them if you’re feeling ready (or even if you’re not sure ideally you’ve formed a little connection with your photographer and can be like having a friend popping in for coffee!).
HOW TO PREPARE FOR MY NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION?
We’ll schedule the newborn photography session typically between 10am - 2pm. If you have older children I will suggest we pick the time that suits their schedule best, which is typically the morning. If it’s your first baby then we pick the time when you might have the chance to feel ready. We will photograph in 2 - 3 rooms of the house with the best light. This is typically the master bedroom, the lounge room, and some nook of our house where the light falls beautifully, like a stairwell or front step. Don’t worry about mess or anything like that. I won’t be photographing your laundry pile.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR TO OUR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION?
It’s best to be comfortable and remember you’re at home so a relaxed dress or jeans and jumper is fine. Partners look great in relaxed tees or coloured shirts if that’s their norm. You want to feel good and cosy works so well for in-home photography. For baby simple white onesie looks lovely, knitted outfits, wraps, blankets, textured items all look great. Gather a few things in a pile and we can go through them when I drive. Simple is best.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE I ARRIVE AND WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE SESSION.
Try and dress the baby in their photo outfit and feed them 20 - 30 minutes before I arrive so they're hopefully in deep sleep when I drive and we can photograph them alone on the bed by the window. Now babies don’t know much about routines to begin with so if it doesn’t work out that way no problem. Try and have your home nice and warm so the baby feels cosy and sleepy. We'll likely spend 1.5 hours together, maybe up to 2 hours if you have older children. You can expect to stop for feeds, nappy changes or to settle baby in need. We keep it low pressure and relaxed and follow the lead of the little ones.
ARE SIBLINGS WELCOME AT THE SESSION?
Absolutely! Please also feel free to include grandparents or any special family members. It’s often helpful to have an extra pair of hands if there are siblings around too.
SHOULD I DO BREASTFEEDING PHOTOS OR SKIN TO TO SKIN IMAGES?
One thing you don’t always know before you have your first baby is that breastfeeding isn’t always easy for everyone and not everyone does it. So this is definitely a personal decision. I do love to capture intimate skin to skin and breastfeeding with either parent - it doesn’t need to be just the birthing partner. So I will gauge this with you based on our chat and ask you which photos you connected with of mine. I can generally read which type of photos each client likes from my style and I do a range. So the answer is yes - if you feel it.
I hope that’s helped give some insight about what to expect in your newborn photography session. If you’re looking for a family photographer in London I’d love to hear from you. You can also see my frequently asked questions over here.
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5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MATERNITY SESSIONS - SYDNEY PHOTOGRAPHER
Here are 5 things you should know about maternity photography and how to get the most value from a session you’ll never regret creating. x
SHORT IN-HOME SESSIONS
SUNRISE BEACH SESSIONS
HEY BABY. ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MATERNITY PHOTOS.
MATERNITY PORTRAITS
PARTNERS ARE WELCOME
MATERNITY PORTRAITS
One of the most common things I hear from women who are about to have a baby is - I’m 30ish weeks pregnant and I’ve been thinking about having maternity photos done but I’m not sure…and I just wanted to ask about it. I know many people they feel a bit awkward having maternity photos done. Often partners aren’t keen to be involved, they have not yet felt the same connection and closeness, they often choose to wait until newborn photos. It might seem like an indulgent expense along with all the other costs involved in having a new baby. The thing you really need to know is - this time won’t come again. Of course you might have another child, but this one, and each one, is unique and special and never to be repeated. So if you’ve wondered about how it works, and why you should do it, here are my top 5 things you need to know about maternity photography.
SUNRISE SESSIONS
PETS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. IN-HOME MATERNITY PHOTO SHOOT.
THAT LACE. IN-HOME MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY.
SIBLINGS WELCOME
IN-HOME MATERNITY PHOTO SESSION
SUNRISE SESSIONS ARE PERFECT FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
Maternity session at home with partner.
MATERNITY SESSION WITH SIBLINGS ARE SUPER LOVELY
IT’S EASY AND MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY MAKES A GREAT BABY SHOWER GIFT. A lot of women can feel awkward about having maternity photos done.Your body is changing on a daily basis and you don’t always feel your best. Find the right photographer for you and it will instead feel fun and special. Maternity photography styles range from flowing gowns at sunrise on the beach to relaxed in-home sessions with a cup of tea. Whatever your vibe find someone you feel comfortable with and create that maternity keepsake. Let your friends and family know you’re saving for a session and that you’d love to receive money towards pregnancy and newborn photos. There are lots of gift registry services available like Album Registry where you can start a page with your favourite photographer and have everyone contribute.
COMBINE MATERNITY & NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS TO GET BETTER VALUE. You might know you want newborn family photos but you might feel like the maternity part isn’t a must have. Maybe you don’t feel your best, maybe it’s too painful because your pregnancy journey was so long and you aren’t ready to enjoy it. I highly recommend combining your maternity and newborn sessions together to get the most value. I offer a bump to baby package and it combines the two sessions and you make a saving. You can also purchase your session via PayRight which means you can pay it off in installments. Having a maternity photography session before your newborn photography session is a great way to get to build a relationship with the photographer. Find a photographer who can grow with you so they come along for the journey. This makes the photos even more special and intimate. Seeing families every year is super lovely and special. The more you do family photos the more relaxed you become and the better they are.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS? I recommend between 31 and 35 weeks because generally you’re feeling good at this time. However, every pregnancy is different and we can chat about what is right for you. For example I have a maternity photo shoot coming up for an almost 40 week pregnancy. It’s a third time mumma and she loves the idea of a super big belly and her 2 other children and husband can join for an in-home session. It’s all about what suits you, the location and your routine too.
YOU DON’T NEED A SPECIAL GOWN FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS. Another common thing I hear is - I’ve been wearing the same dress my whole pregnancy I have no clothes. Maternity shoot outfits don’t need to be fancy. I promise you have something that works and if it’s at home you can wear underwear or swimmers, or a robe, your partners t shirt. It’s not about that and it’s my job to make it work for you. If you feel like buying something for the occasion I can recommend some things too.
YOU WON’T REGRET IT. EVER. Although in the moment it might feel indulgent I can 100% guarantee you that when you’re little ones are grown or even just 5 and they say - mummy, do you have a photo of me inside you? That you’ll be so happy to show them your keepsake of that time. Not just for them but for you. You’re about to embark on a life changing journey. Stop and take a moment to create something that in years to come you look back at and reflect on. It’s as much about your journey as it is your children. You want see any of the flaws you think you have now. If your partner isn’t ready to join, that’s totally fine and very normal, but don’t let that sway your decision. It’s one of those things that we don’t always understand how important it is until later down the track.
So that’s just 5 things that I hope will help you consider professional maternity photos . If you have questions or would like to chat about a session I’d love to hear from you. You might also enjoy this blog about when to scheduler your newborn photos.
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BEST AGE FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY
Sydney Newborn Photography
In-home newborn photography session - 6 days old
The most common question about in-home newborn photography sessions is what is the best age to have them at. The answer is that it’s really when suits you best and that there are lovely things about all ages of newborn photography. Lifestyle photography isn’t about posing the baby in curled up positions so that very sleepy newborn look isn’t essential unless you specifically want to capture that time.
In-home newborn photography session with sibling - 6 days old
I recommend between 6 and 12 days old for newborn sessions. You can plan it ahead of the birth and simply message me when baby arrives and we’ll agree a date within those first 12 days. On booking your session I take your EDD and keep a space for you during this period. Babies are generally more content at this age and it does make it an easier and calmer session. We can capture all those tiny details - little hands and eyelashes. Often partners are on leave at this time too.
In-home newborn photography session - 13 days old
Of course it’s possible to have a newborn session up to 12 weeks technically and I really love the 12 week stage. By this time you have found your feet a little more as parents, siblings are getting more used to the idea of having someone new at home and your baby is generally smiling and laughing. Sessions are interactive, partners have had more time to become involved and connected and we see lots of personality shining through. So even though those first 12 days are that quintessential newborn newness, you might prefer to wait until there is more engagement and everyone has had more time to adjust. Around the 9 - 10 week stage tends to be quite a contented time too with eye contact, smiles but still a snuggly bundle.
In-home newborn photography session - 9 weeks old
I do recommend avoiding the 6 week mark. Often babies are really unsettled at this time. Maybe it’s a wonder week, maybe it’s vaccinations, it’s hard to say but this is a time I suggest avoiding.
In-home newborn photography session - 12 weeks old
Really there is no wrong time to take newborn photos - I know some people who have their “newborn” shoot before the first birthday because they were a little preoccupied! The beauty of in-home newborn photography is that you’re at home with direct access to cups of tea and pillows! In-home is also wonderful as a keepsake of where your child first lived. In terms of time of day to schedule the session, well babies as we know have no routine at the beginning (or first 4 years for some of us!), so I recommend 10am or if you have a toddler then pick a time that suits their routine best. In-home newborn photography sessions are low pressure, relaxed and largely un-timed so we can stop for breaks - toddler to snack or to settle or change the baby. If you’re interested in knowing more don’t hesitate to contact me. You can see a recent in-home family photography session here on my blog. You can read frequently asked questions here.
In-home newborn photography session - 4 weeks old
In-home newborn photography session - 8 weeks old
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5 TIPS ON WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION - SYDNEY PHOTOGRAPHER
My top 5 tips for what to wear to your family photo session including colour palettes and mood boards. Sydney lifestyle photographer.
The number one thing I get asked by clients is - what should I wear to my family photo session? The simplest and easiest answer to that is - whatever feels good and is authentically you. It’s often helpful to dress yourself first and once you feel great you can have everyone complement you. A lot of the time we can leave ourselves til last and end up panic buying something that we actually regret. So this time, for the photos with you in them, start with you. In the carousel of images you’ll see I’ve selected different family photography sessions - none of them the same style - they have all dressed to suit their style, but simply, and that’s what works.
Here are my top 5 tips on what to wear:
Choose 3 or 4 colours that look good together and use that as your base. Think about where you will be - in-home, in a green park (avoid red - it’s very easy to look Christmas themed wearing red in a very green park), or at a beach when picking your colours. Think about colours you actually like. Another thing to consider if you’re planning on printing and displaying your photographs in your home is what will work well with your interior. The colour chart below is a great guide to choosing a palette, it’s from a brilliant article by Geneva Vanderzeil on Collective Gen.
Don’t match. Unless you’re recreating a family photo from the 80s or 90s then jeans and white tees are no longer recommended for family photos. Be yourselves, show some personality. Your family photographs will be much more vibrant and engaging if you have pops of colour and different looks.
Limit patterns & avoid logos. While I do love prints, heavy plaid or patterns can distract the eye. Avoid slogans, cartoon characters or logos on t-shirts. They can be distracting to the eye and also means your photos won’t be timeless.
Add texture, layers and movement. Wearing textured clothing can add depth to your images and especially in winter and autumn chunky knits and fabrics look wonderful when paired with neutrals and pops of colour. Layering is a great idea too and can give you variety through your gallery. We can do some with jumpers and jackets and some without. Dresses or skirts are wonderful because they flow and add movement. A little breeze or moving from room to room and the photograph takes on a little magic.
Plan ahead and avoid last minute hair cuts! Life is busy and it’s easy to forget about planning but family photographs will last a lifetime and are an investment so do take the time to consider how you want to be captured. Treat yourself to a new dress or something that makes you feel great. Maybe wear your old faithful but get a blow dry the morning of your photographs, you don’t need to do make up but a blow dry always makes you feel great. Avoid last minute hair cuts, they are almost always regretted! Don’t worry about bumps, grazes, pimples. We can take care of those.
Most important of all is to be yourself and have fun. Some of my clients like to take photos of their clothing options laid out on the bed and send it to me for advice. I’m no stylist but as a family photographer I am happy to help and have a good idea what will look good on camera.
For more inspiration of some of my favourite outfits from sessions, and mood boards, you can check out my Pinterest board.
Colour chart via Collective Gen article by Geneva Vanderzeil on choosing a colour palette for your wardrobe.
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HOW TO CONVINCE YOUR PARTNER TO HAVE FAMILY PHOTOS - SYDNEY
5 tips on how to prepare for your family photos (including how to convince your partner). Sydney natural family photographer.
How to convince your partner
Now I know lots of dads who happily attended family photography sessions. I’ve seen dads who brighten faces, prepare snacks, throw their children high into the air and chase after them and many who know how important the photos are for their family. I am often booked by dads. That said, I know a lot of mums who would love family photos but can’t convince their partners. One of the biggest objections is often they don’t want to pose or be staged and let’s face it - be told what to do! My sessions are perfect for camera shy and relaxed people who just want to hang out and connect rather than do lots of posing. I also really recommend letting your partner know how important it is to you to have these photos. That you want to exist in photographs together for your children to look back on in the future. The number one thing I hear from dads after a session is - oh that was easier than I thought. Another objection is money and I get that. These are precious memories of never to be repeated days and really are an investment worth making. A few of my clients do family photographs as their birthday gift each year. I love this idea and it becomes a regular event that everyone looks forward to. Research shows that family photographs can lift self esteem in children, but I think it’s also a lovely experience to do as a family. Just simply being together in the moment and having a keepsake of that is precious. I often get asked but will we still do portraits? Yes, absolutely. I love portraits too, I like them as relaxed as possible and reflecting your individual qualities.
2. Choosing a location
It’s no secret that in-home family photography sessions have my heart. They are simple because no one needs to leave the house, children are relaxed and best of all they include details that tell your story. Your furniture, the books, the paintings, the colours, the blankets - these are all individually you. There can be no greater way to create a keepsake of your family than in your home. If you move home you’ll always have a memory of not only what you all looked like then but what your home was like and in future generations these will be powerful and important parts of your family story. You don’t need an amazing home. Just a window or a couch or bed. If in-home isn’t right then there is no shortage of parks and green spaces available. A place of meaning is always great - maybe a favourite park, where you met or like to walk as a family. I always love when there is an activity, so at home that can be baking, playing or reading and out and about that can be running, hide and seek or kicking a ball. Having an activity lifts the pressure and gets everyone to relax and we get a little documentary style to our lifestyle sessions which is my favourite combination.
3. What to wear
The best advice is to keep it simple and be yourselves. A simple t shirt or jumper and try and compliment each other as opposed to matching. Don’t be shy of colour, prints, texture or movement - skirts and dresses are perfect because they move and flow. Newborns are best in simple white onsie or solid colour. We can use wraps and blankets to add as we go. Husbands look great in simple tees - you can spot a man who has been told what to wear a mile off and it shows in their posture and face. Be yourselves. Happy faces win every time. Do try and avoid brand names or slogans, they can be distracting. When picking your outfits consider the location - if it’s home keep it more casual, if it’s in a park think about footwear that is easy to walk in. You can see my inspiration boards for what to wear to your family photography on my Pinterest boards here.
4. How to prepare your children and your home
There is no need to arrange a cleaner in advance or go on a huge spring clean! We will choose 2 - 3 locations in the home with the best light. Some nice linen on the bed, it doesn’t need to be fancy just basic or with a beautiful rug or coloured cushions. A special blanket passed down or items of meaning, people have used scarves that belong to loved ones passed, others include an outfit all their children have worn. If you have a newborn session planned than warming up the home is a good idea. We want a sleepy contented baby so warm and well fed and relaxed will help. Now I know you want beautiful photographs but I can assure you the fastest way to get young children to misbehave is asking them to sit still! I love to do a very low pressure hands off approach. Please don’t ask children to smile. Trust me I won’t be judging tantrums or over excited behaviour. I have 2 children myself and I know it can be unpredictable and not always happy. We don’t need to be all singing and dancing, we just need to hang out. We want natural and relaxed and the way we do that is by chatting and giving children a chance to open up. My sessions can be up to 2 hours and the reason for this is so children can warm up. Similarly, if your child is shy or wary of strangers I will let them find their comfort zone and that’s where we’ll stay. We get the best results when we follow their lead. Relax and enjoy it, it’s all part of the experience of being together and capturing true reflections of who you are.
5. When should I have my session?
The best answer is a time that suits your family routine. Newborns don’t have a schedule so pick a time that allows you to be ready, maybe have had a chance to brush your hair and a cup of tea! Newborns are super sleepy in the first few weeks, around 6 weeks can be a really unsettled time, and at 9 - 12 weeks you start to see their personality really coming through. There are benefits to every age though so it really comes down to when you feel ready. I can help you with this when you book. If this is a family shoot without a newborn then pick the time your children are at their happiest. If it’s outdoors I’ll be looking for an early morning or later afternoon time slot to get the best and softest light.
I hope that’s given you some insight in how to prepare and plan for your family photography. It’s really very easy and actually lots of fun. I guide you every step of the way and am always on hand for questions. When you book your session we will chat about your thoughts and make a plan that suits your family. I’d love to hear from you.
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HOW TO TAKE MORE NATURAL PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME - SYDNEY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
If you’d love to take more natural, joyful and authentic images of your children at home then I have some top tips to share with you.
Beautiful Arabella. I asked her if she could see herself in my camera.
If you would love to capture more natural, joyful and authentic family photographs then the best thing you can do is to let children be themselves. The best sessions are when children feel unfettered and by letting them set the pace - be that fast or slow - we capture true reflections of people which families identify with. When you look back at your photographs you want to be struck by that feeling in your gut that reminds you of how sweet they were at that age. You don’t want to be thinking that’s the time they wouldn’t sit still for a photograph and we had a big melt down! In this blog post I’ll give you my top 5 tips for taking more natural and joyful photographs of your children.
Jumping on the bed is always a winner!
Set the scene. Think about where you’re going to take your photographs. At home you want to be by a window or where there is great natural light. Recently someone asked me about how I used flash at my in-home family photography sessions. The answer is I don’t! I very rarely (almost never) use a flash indoors for a family session, we just find the light or we go with the moody and dark feel. Natural light is our best friend. Often the master bedroom has the best light. Kids love to play on the parents bed so why not make a game of it and capture the joy, playing peek a boo under the sheet, or morning cuddles and chats on the bed. Watch the light in your home and notice where it falls throughout the day. If you have gorgeous sunbeams coming in somewhere then set up some toys there or if they are older ask them to sit in the pretty light (something children of photographers are used to being asked!) and experiment with where the light falls on them or what shadows they can make of themselves on the walls - have them dance in the light and snap away. Another good one for pretty light is pools is asking them to close their eyes and tell you their favourite colour or food.
Point of view. Think about where you’ll position yourself for the photograph. Straight on and and at their eye level is perfect for an intimate and up close portrait. For more of the story take a step back and get in some of the room and the scene, especially if it’s an action shot where they are playing or jumping on the bed. Tell a story with your photograph. In years to come these details of home will be so meaningful to you and to your children. You can also lay on the floor or stand on a chair to change up the perspective and get a more documentary feel. Experiment with different positions and try out portraits - up close and personal and engaging with them or more fly on the wall observing shots.
Top tips for newborns. Always remember that your angle with babies is very important. For newborn photography you want to avoid shots up the nose! So for those close up face shots be looking down their face as opposed to up. Shots from above are also wonderful for newborns (just make sure you have your camera strap on and are not in danger of falling!). Don’t forget all those tiny details - eyelashes, tiny curled up fingers and that milk drunk fast asleep look. Use a simple wrap or body suit and keep it really simple.
Best time of day. For childrens photography I always recommend a morning session. Children are often at their best in the morning and you can get some beautiful morning light too. I always avoid afternoon photographs because sometimes little ones can be grumpy after their lunchtime naps but this would make a good time for more documentary style images while they sit and play quietly or rest with a snack. Of course sunset is beautiful too and if your children are a little older than this light can be magical for outdoors in the yard.
Natural shots. My number one piece of advice when taking photographs of your children is not to ask them to smile, or sit still. Talk with them and ask them to tell you about their day, or ask them to sing a song, or tell a joke. Wait for them to laugh, or look off into the distance while they think and snap your photograph then. You want to capture the in-between so you have to wait for the fall out. If it’s a photograph with a sibling or another family member ask them a question about who they are with. What colour eyes does your brother have? I also like to take my face away from the camera and look at the children, make it a conversation or say or do something funny that makes them laugh. My number one game to play is the smell game. Have everyone cuddle up together on the bed then ask someone to smell another person's cheek and report back what it smells like. Now the results can vary from anything like strawberries to things not so pleasant BUT it does normally result in lots of laughter and fun. Snap away, set your camera to burst mode, and get all those moments. Another one I like is to ask them if they can see themselves in my camera, this works really only if you have a DSLR or a reflective lens, and then once they have found the eye of the camera ask them a question. It might take time so relax and make it fun. The more you can get your little ones to chat and engage then the better it will be. Compliment them, ask them to tell them you something, be interested in them and you’ll have them begging you to take their picture more and more!
A simple moment in the kitchen snacking on a banana and looking content. Let your subject relax and hold the eye of the camera.
So that’s a few simple ways you can take more natural photos of your children at home. The best thing to do is to keep at it. Henri Cartier Bresson said our first 10,000 photographs are our worst so don’t give up. It’s also true that the more your children are used to having their photograph taken, in an unobtrusive and relaxed way, the better the results will be. The families who see me every year end up with photographs that are more beautiful each year and that is for two reasons. Firstly, we develop a relationship (which you already have with your family) and secondly, they become more used to being in front of the camera and don’t feel self conscious. It becomes a fun thing to do together. If having our photo taken can be as easy as playing or sitting down and having a chat then probably more of us would be less reluctant to do so. Most of us hate fuss and being told what to do. Engage or observe and try out different rooms and light and I promise you’ll have some keepers for your albums and walls. Let me know how you get on, I’d love to see some photographs you’ve taken at home. x
Find the pretty pockets of light in your home and experiment with where the light falls.
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