August 15, 2020
A Summer Portrait Guide to Locations
Summer! We love it! A time when our spirits seem a little higher, our mood a little lighter and the sunshine gives us energy to spring out of bed on light mornings and make the most of the long nights.
Every season has its merits when it comes to creating your perfect portrait but while we are soaking up this years’ welcomed rays we aim to bring you the best that this glorious season has to offer. Grab your deckchair, a refreshing tipple (mines a Passionfruit Martini) and happy reading!
Hitting the Beach
The beach is probably the most obvious place to start for a summer portrait. With its unique lighting, open skies and wide variety of natural textures, not to mention all of those nostalgic childhood associations, it’s no wonder it’s such a popular location.
Plus, it totally rocks as a blank canvas for a silhouette composition – look at this family of five strutting their stuff under that high, dazzling sun.
And if you take a step back from the shore you are often gifted with a fine palette of colours and solid wooden textures of a beach hut or two, brilliant for bringing that unmistakably British coastal vibe to your image.
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March 19, 2018
My take on family portrait photography
“Never work with animals or children”, they say. Well I do both. And I love it! My job is truly a privileged one which I will never tire of! If you have followed any of my previous blogs you will have noticed that much of my time is spent capturing brides and grooms-to-be, making the biggest commitment ever on arguably the most special and important day of their lives. This is an awesome honour for me to capture and, despite nearly two decades of photography under my belt, I still feel blown away every time a couple ask me to photograph their big day. Between weddings however, I am often found photographing glowing bump-laden mums-to-be, squeaky-new newborns, mischievous toddlers, sometimes harmonious / sometimes chaotic sibling combinations and character-filled families taking all forms, shapes and sizes. Sometimes the ‘family’ portrait shoot simply involves a single beloved pet, yet each and every opportunity to capture bonds of love between those considered precious, cherished and adored by their loved ones, is unique. It demands thoughtful preparation, good timing, the right environment and professional handling - to mention just a few of the key elements that need to be right when considering booking a portrait shoot. In this blog I will aim to unpack these elements a little to give you a headstart if you are thinking about why, how and when to have portraits taken. You need to feel confident about making the plans to capture your developing family in photographs and not fear the task and then miss the moments. Such crucial stages will be fleeting, can never be re-lived, and equally should never be forgotten, which is why now is the perfect time to get planning.
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April 05, 2017
At the beginning of 2017 I took a moment to reflect back through some of my work from over the last couple of years and noticed how the beautiful British seasons featured boldly throughout many of the portraits I'd taken. Between wedding shoots I am lucky enough to photograph people in all stages of life from newly engaged couples to expectant mothers, right through to large family groups (with every age and stage in-between)! The diversity in nature and unique backdrops offered by a variety of locations such as woodlands, beaches, and vast distant landscapes, alongside our ever-changeable english climate mean I always have loads of great variables to play with. Clients often ask me, "Where should we have our portraits taken and which is the best time of year?" Great questions. Personally I think every season can offer wonderful and differing opportunities that ensure a unique story is told through the images, and this I think is personal for every client. Not only the season but the time of day with it's shifting light opportunities plays a part when planning a portrait shoot, even the decor in a client's home can be a factor that can determine what kind of images will be hung on the wall!
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