Why to book an extended family shoot

FAMILY GATHERING, WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE

A family gathering is a perfect occasion to book a photographer because it’s not every day that you manage to get everyone in the same place, at the same time. It’s a great way to capture multiple generations together, with images that are cherished forever.

The photoshoots are always different and can be tailored to you. I know how busy you are likely to be during that time, I want to make the process of capturing those priceless moments as easy and stress-free as possible.

If you're staying at different locations and would prefer a local scenic space for your photos, I can recommend various places to best your family. The outdoor photo shoot is excellent for all ages, with many images to choose from.

What not to do during your family photoshoot

If you're investing in family photography to capture and remember these wonderful years… You need to be beyond delighted with your images!

I'm always giving advice about outfits, posing, preparing and locations but what about what you shouldn't do?

That's pretty important too so let me tell you what you need to avoid doing if you want the best family photography possible.

DON'T: Time watch

I'm happy to spend half an hour with you or 90 mintues with you…. It doesn't matter to me in the least. What matters to me is that you and your family enjoy the experience and we get some great photographs. If some members of your family need a little more time – so be it. I only book one family session on any day…. Purely because I don't want to be in a hurry.

DON'T: Nag the kids

I know, I know… You're worried that the investment will be wasted if your kids don't behave. PLEASE don't worry. I've got you! I took my first professional photograph of a child when I was 18 years old. And much as I look young (ha!), I can tell you that's a LOT of years ago. I can literally count on one hand the number of kids who I've not been able to get a great photo of in those 10 years.

DON'T: Stress about how you look

This is a big one. If you look stressed and uncomfortable, then it will show in your photos. I get it, I'm a recovering photo-avoider myself, but I do it now because I want those gorgeous family images too and whenever we have a family portrait I always love the images after because I just relax and go with it.

Once you get to your session try your best to relax into the fun of playing and loving your family. Forget all your hang-ups, once you're in front of the camera, leave it to me to get all your best angles. 

DON'T: Always look at the camera

The BEST photos, the ones that make my clients cry, are always the unposed photos. Those moments in between setups when everyone is interacting with each other, having fun and showing love. Your family photography session is not about standing, posing and looking at the camera. It's about celebrating you as a family! It's about me capturing the special connections you have with each other! So laugh, giggle, hug, kiss, make loving eyes at your partner, chase each other, muck about... This is where the magic is. 

DON'T: Worry that the clothes will get dirty

The number one thing I need to do (even before taking a single picture) is to make sure everyone is calm, confident and relaxed. While I know that you likely bought new clothes for the occasion if any of us stresses about them getting dirty, then that's just going to interrupt the atmosphere. Try if you can to release all worry about messiness (bring a spare change if you need it), and also trust me that I can edit out most scuffs and scrapes! 

DON'T: Practice the kid's smiles

And while we're here... This one drives me nuts!! Your kids don't need to 'practice' their smiles before the session… The smiles they already have are beautiful! Perhaps not their regular 'photo' smiles, sometimes they can be a little forced and weird kind of smiles I get out of children are real and joyous. These are smiles of kids having fun! I do this day in day out so don’t panic I have ways of getting them to relax and do their natural smiles without us having to remind them about it.

DON'T: Stress... Before, during or after

The number one aim for me as a family photographer is to make the experience stress free and easy.  I will help you all the way through preparation, on the day and after. From booking through to hanging your pictures on your wall – I’ve got your back.

Whilst you're here, why not drop me a message  so we can start chatting about YOUR family photography session.

Why existing in photographs is important?

I recently did a survey asking a series of questions related to taking photographs, being in photographs and why they are important. Below are some of the questions and results I received..

Just take a minute and think what you’ve answers would be to the questions, it’s so important to create these beautiful memories, capture them and print them. This doesn’t have to be with a photographer either even just phone photographers, make sure you are existing in images.

As a child I can remember lots of occasions at my grandparents where we would sit with the photo albums out, looking back on old photographs which were from many years ago, before I was a baby. Learning who the family members were and hearing about all the old stories from when my grandparents were younger and listening to stories of my mum growing up as child too. I feel this generation is loosing that beauty, people aren’t printing photographs anymore and if we don’t print them did those moments ever exist? How will further generations hear and see your beautiful stories.

Here are a few of the survey results -

Question:How many pictures do you take of the people you love on your phone?

Results: Lots: 78% Some:18% Hardy Any: 4%

Question: Do you print your photographs?

Results: Yes: 55% No: 45%

Question: Are you in enough pictures with your loved ones?

Results: No 100%

Question: What stops you from being in the pictures?

Results: Never anyone else there to take the picture so I can be in it 59%

Don't feel comfortable in pictures 18%

Never know what to do and feel silly 5%

Don't like being photographed 9%

Other 9%

Question: What is the consequence of you NOT being in your family portraits?

This for me was the most important question, I feel this would have gone a lot of people thinking and I definitely think the results show this too..

Results: It looks like I was never there, Everyone who answered my survey in their own words put that their family, friends and children would think they were never there as they don’t exist in any photographs.

We live in a generation where we are all on our phones these day, make sure you are using that time to also capture those all important moments. Grab a friend ask them to capture that moment with your family. Make sure you exist in your photographs just as much as your family. I know we’re not all lovers of being in front of the camera, but set yourself a challenge to exist in at least one photograph for every month of 2020, print it and pop it into a photo album.

#BE KIND

Why book a family shoot?

Do you exist in photographs with your children and family? Are you always the one behind the camera?

It’s so important to exist in print to cherish those beautiful moments with your loved ones. Show them off to your family and friends.

We all grow and change each year and before you know it they are off to uni. How many images do you have in your house with your family? How many of them do you love?

Booking a professional family photo-shoot is so important, it lets you create new memories together. It gives you beautiful images to cherish for a life time whilst being able to look at them every day and think wow I love that. As a mum especially it gives you the opportunity to be in the photographs too. 

I hear from too many mums how they are always behind the camera, or dad doesn’t take a look image. Be involved, have photographers with your children and your partner. Exist in print and create those beautiful memories to treasure for a life time.