5 TIPS ON WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION - SYDNEY 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Sydney Family Photographer, North Sydney Baby Photographer, Paddington Newborn Photography, Sydney Maternity Photographer, Sydney Newborn Photographer, Sydney Family Photographer, Balmain Family Photographer, Balmoral Family Photographer, Sydney Lifestyle Photographer.

SYDNEY PHOTOGRAPHER

Beautiful, relaxed and natural portraits of home.

I wanted to share some favourites from this beautiful in-home family photography session from earlier in the year. When Lucy contacted me she said we’ve been talking about family photographs and I was thinking it had to be a studio, but then I saw your work and I thought of course it doesn’t have to be! That’s very much music to my ears and I knew right away that I would love meeting this family. 

It was a relaxed and easy morning, albeit rainy and cold, and I was delighted to find when I arrived that hair still needed drying and brushing and socks needed to be found. I often recommend that people leave some of the getting ready for when I arrive, it means we can capture some more documentary style images, as well as the portraits, and it also takes the pressure off having to be camera ready by a certain time. I love when I arrive to find mum’s drying their hair or still getting ready, children half dressed or even some still asleep! When I know the family is relaxed and natural I know we will get some beautifully authentic shots which will capture true reflections of their family. True portraits of home.

We spent some time in the front room cuddling up on the couch and chatting, a little time in the kitchen while we grabbed a quick handful of crackers and then we spent some time playing records and dancing in the garden room. Beautiful, relaxed and natural captures of home. I’m so glad we were able to create this keepsake of home together.

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HOW TO CONVINCE YOUR PARTNER TO HAVE FAMILY PHOTOS - SYDNEY

1. 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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WELCOMING KAI | SYDNEY NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

This beautiful, much longed-for boy made his way into the world at just 24 weeks and spent 4 months in NICU at Westmead Children's Hospital, under the incredible care of the nurses and doctors there.

Kai’s parents counted not only days in the beginning, but hours and minutes, they counted grams instead of kilograms. Premmie babies have such different milestones and they and their families embark on such a brave journey.

I’m often aware when I post newborn sessions that for some families, these can be difficult to see. For many, the journey to family is long and hard and I’m sure it sometimes must seem as if babies are growing on trees for everyone else.

I love being welcomed into your bubbles, hearing your stories and being reminded that, whilst life is sometimes fragile, little and big souls alike can be so very strong.

I know for many newborn photography sessions have been on hold for the past few months. I hope you’re all keeping well and that I’ll be able to visit with newborns again soon. But know this; every photography session is special - newborns to grown children, to weddings with special moments between families. When people sadly pass on and we hunt for something tangible to remind us of them. To be connected once more and witness the love within your family it is more often than not family photos. So soak up your families and when it’s time let’s create a keepsake for you. I’ll be here when you’re ready.

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WHY IN-HOME FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IS SPECIAL - PORTRAITS OF HOME

I love portraits of home. When I am contacted for a family photography session I often recommend home as the location, especially for families with young children. There are 2 reasons why I recommend in-home family photography.

Firstly, in-home family photography is convenient for families with very young children. There is no getting dressed and out the door on time bringing snacks and jackets. No traffic, parking or dealing with weather. There is just me popping by at a time that suits your routine. For very young families this is mostly 8am, sometimes 7am, and other times a more modest 10 or 11am. I recommend that families leave some of the getting ready for when I am there. It takes the pressure off and also helps if you’re feeling nervous to have something to busy yourself with. We also have easy access to the kitchen for snacks and it’s a perfect way to break up the session and capture some candid shots of real family life.

Portraits of home

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, not only does family photography at home make it so easy for families it creates a keepsake of how your life looked at this time. Years from now these photographs will become a part of your family history. When you have family photographs you are preserving a piece of your story that your children, and your grandchildren, will spend time staring at them - searching those faces for reflections of their own. They will soak up the details of each room for links to their own story. They will take in each room to understand a home they’ve perhaps forgotten having since moved. The blanket on the bed that was a wedding gift perhaps passed down and is there in the photos with everyone cuddled up on. I love capturing in-home family photography because they are some of the most real and authentic sessions. To be invited into a home is special and allows me to observe and capture true portraits of home.

If you’ve been thinking about creating a natural and joyful family keepsake that captures true reflections of you and your family in a relaxed way, I’d love to help you. Each session is as unique as every home. Let’s plan your session.

HOW TO TAKE MORE NATURAL PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME - SYDNEY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

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!

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Sydney Family Photographer, North Sydney Baby Photographer, Paddington Newborn Photography, Sydney Maternity Photographer, Sydney Newborn Photographer, Sydney Family Photographer, Balmain Family Photographer, Balmoral Family Photographer, Sydney Lifestyle Photographer, Mosman Family Photographer, Cremorne Family Photographer, Crows Nest Family Photographer.