I struggled with what to call this blog post. Beauty and the Beast seemed the most apt but all will become apparent shortly ...
Here's the beauty ... the beauty of photography which enables you to capture that perfect soulful moment ... that wistful gaze ... that beautiful autumn light. Just one snap - one click of the shutter, catching my partner's son unawares whilst walking at Tredegar House.
Now bring on the Beast ... he was excited ... he had a costume ... he had face paint ... he was the scariest boy on the block ... he had too many sweets! I shouldn't really call my son a beast but he can be everso good at it!
This, to me is the power of an image and why I love photography. Although very different, these photographs are the same in so many ways. They don't just capture a moment in time but a feeling. For me this is perhaps my favourite image of my little boy. Not your everyday traditional portrait but it evokes so much emotion in me. It's how he is and I never want to forget these moments.
The moral of my story? Next time you grab your camera try thinking outside the box. Think about what makes moments special, how you want to remember them, the feelings associated with special times. Take pictures of the unexpected. The details, candid moments. You'll have a unique set of images to look back on for a lifetime. Promise.
What will I do without my muse? Those of you who have been following me on Facebook and indeed this blog, should be familiar with her face. This little girl has been my inspiration; a willing model who puts up with my frequent 'need' to go out and try something new to keep me on my photographic toes. Does she moan? Nope (clearly not a normal 4 year old!!), she's just brilliant and stunning and fabulous and has spirit and ... I could go on but I won't.
But she's off. Her very selfish Mother (sorry Lorna, I don't mean it!) has made the big decision to move away from Cardiff and I will miss them. They aren't going far really, just the other side of the Severn Bridge (it's a different country and everything) so I will no doubt continue my hassling. There's no way that I'm missing the opportunity to see this little angel grow and blossom.
As a homage to my Muse, here are some of my favourite images ...
This beach shot is perhaps one of my favourite images that I have ever taken - and that's a big statement!
And finally Lorna ... I'll miss you too you know ... just a bit. I'll miss being able to call on your creative talents, your stash of the most bizarre props and that eye for ... well, lets just call it total quirky coolness. Thank you.
This is a people business - there's no doubt about that. I love the interaction I have with all manner of models, both parents and children. It so makes up for working by myself and the longing I have for the banter of an office life long gone. These relationships are crucial - not only for my sanity but for my business. You have to be natural. You have to be you. People buy from people at the end of the day and that's always at the forefront of my mind. What really makes my day is not only that people recommend me to their friends but when customers come back for more. It's a bit like a domino effect - the longer I am in business the busier I get - can't complain in fact THANK YOU!!
I first photographed this family back in August 2009 not long after the arrival of beautiful son number two into the household. I was struck, even then by the pure cheekiness (in a good way) of both of the kids. I totally love kids with strong characters. I love a challenge. It keeps me on my toes. Just check out their eyes in the images below - they've got that magic sparkle - LOVE IT!
For session number two we tried something a little different and headed off to a local park in Newport early on a Saturday morning before it got too busy. Great location, great kids, weather - hmmm, bit wet but nothing we couldn't deal with.
Thank you so much to Mum & Dad for being such sports with this session. I had a blast and the kids had me in stitches. A few of my favourites to end the week ...
I am addicted. I have realised recently that I am totally obsessed with finding locations and more importantly ... light.
I had a bit of a light bulb moment last weekend whilst parking up to visit the Big Cheese in Caerphilly (if you've never been then you don't know what you're missing!). One of the perks (all be it small) of my partner working in Caerphilly is that we had a secret place to park. As we pulled into the underground parking area, the hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle. My other half thought I was a little crazy. "But I park here every day and I've never noticed it!". Yeah, but it's my job to notice things like this ...
So on the way back from almost 3 hours of fairground rides and ice cream, I spent just 5 minutes playing with my ad hoc model (bless him, he was brilliant although I am sure he thought me a little mad!). I need to go back ... with my speedlights ... I've not even started to explore this location. Little things excite me ... sad I know.
One of the best things EVER about my job has been the wonderful people I have met along the way. Through social media sites such as Flickr and Facebook I have been lucky enough to become acquainted with a bunch of like minded photographers. We share, we laugh and we support each other. If we've had a bad day we pick each other up. We share hints and tips and we moan. Yep that's right ... we moan. Sometimes when you work on your own you miss someone to whine too - just as a way of venting frustrations and getting it all out of your system. It's all generally better then.
Problem is, all of my bestest buddies are up north (and Guilford, sorry Kate). We speak daily but rarely get together. A virtual relationship is all very well but there isn't anything better than the real thing. So, many months ago I threw open an invitation to the lovely ladies to come to Cardiff for a weekend of photos, cake and ultimately just a little wine to ease our aching bones. It can be hard work running after kids you know. The main aim of the weekend though was to allow the ladies to get some cracking images for their portfolios. I gathered models, props and took them to some of my most favourite locations.
One of the best things about events like this is that you can shoot for yourself. The pressure is off. You can be a touch more creative than you would usually be. You can play and experiment. It keeps you fresh. It keeps you creative. It's fun! Really fun!
This is the first blog post to document the day. I didn't shoot that much - I felt an overwhelming responsibility to make everything run smoothly - but I got a few that I was happy with and the girls all seemed to have a ball (even though I did burn the chicken wings!). Much more to follow but here are a few of mine from our evening session at the meadow.
Thank you to Claire Penn, Kate Griffin, Pam Hordon, Alexandra Andrews, Aly Linaker, Tamara Tovey and Amanda Holl for coming to visit. Also a HUGE thank you to all of my models and their parents for allowing us to capture them on the day. I just know you are going to be delighted with the results.
Thanks again to everyone and make sure you come back again VERY soon ...
I am a very lucky girl. I am blessed to have a partner who not only puts up with my constant gabbing about cameras but to have one who's actually interested. Yes, he's genuinely fascinated with what I do. So much so that on a recent sunny afternoon (yes, there has been at least one!), he asked whether he could come along to a session to see what I do. After checking with my customer, he took a seat in a local field and watched as the session unfolded. I didn't feel that uncomfortable as I tend to throw myself into things and forget all else and my little model was such a pro that she wasn't even aware that we had an extra pair of eyes! We traipsed through corn fields, we picked buttercups and played hide and seek in the local church grounds. It was fun. Lots of fun.
After the session we said our goodbyes and headed to a local watering hole for a quiet drink (I wholeheartedly recommend the Newbridge on Usk). As we sat by the riverside watching the salmon gracefully leaping out of the water and I picked sheafs of wheat out of my hair, I asked him what he thought. His response surprised me. He was totally unprepared in regards to how personal the session was. How I was totally engrossed in building a relationship with my model that nothing else really mattered to an extent that he almost felt (sort of) uncomfortable. I'd never really thought about it like that but he's right (for once). So for now on I will continue on my lonesome until I can encourage him to carry my ever so girly yellow camera bag and to train him to hold a reflector!
I loved this session ... thank you so much to my beautiful little model and her ever patient mum for standing in those windy fields of corn!! ;)
Having kids does something to your memory ... at times mine is truly awful. If you're a mum then you'll empathise I am sure. Saying that, I have a good knack of remembering my sessions, my clients and their children's names. I suppose it's because I totally throw myself in to each session, spend such time with them and then take my time studying their lovely little faces to get the pictures just so! But this session will stay with me much longer for a few VERY good reasons.
Firstly ...
... Upon arrival, I had banter with Grandad. I like banter. We were due to take some images in the garden but the mower had broken and he had popped out to buy a new one. I secretly think that the old one was broken 'accidentally on purpose' so he could have a new toy but don't tell anyone! This was a very good start. This was going to be fun!
Secondly ...
... Well just look at this face.
And finally ...
... I always go back to my customers to help them choose their favourite images, show you products and discuss displays. When did I choose to do this ordering session? At 10.30am on Royal Wedding Day. So, when my grandchildren ask me where I was when William and Catherine married, I will proudly say ... sat on the floor of a customers house drinking coffee and ooohing and ahhhing over that stunning dress.
{ This is going to look so stunning big! Can't wait for it to arrive!!! }
Thanks so much to this fab family for a truly memorable occasion and allowing me to meet your cheeky little monkey :)
I am often asked, "What is the best time of day to do a photo shoot?". When working on location in the summer the answer always has to be early in the morning of last thing in the afternoon ... why? Well, the light ... it's everything, especially in the summer and, crikey we've been having some wonderful weather at the moment haven't we? Is this really April??
Honestly, there is nothing worse than shooting in the middle of the day when the harsh sun makes people squint and the light is SO unflattering. My advice is always to go for a time when the sun is low - that golden hour just before the sun sets is perhaps my favourite time of the day to capture portraits. Yes, this is often when children are not at their best but a quick afternoon nap often sorts out that problem and keeping them busy with lots playing and exploring does the trick too.
Let me show you what I mean ... Unseasonably I got the opportunity to visit one of my favourite spots a couple of weeks ago with 3 wonderful little girls. This was the final shoot for the fashion company Bread & Jam (if you haven't already checked out their dresses ... DO!). It was an impromptu affair. A last minute call to get down to the meadow. It had been a wonderfully sunny day and I just knew the light would be perfect. Picnic? Check. Dresses? Check. Stylist? Check (thanks again Lorna, you are marvelous).
I knew the look I wanted for this session - it'd been swimming around in my head for weeks. It had to be something that evoked the feel of the summer. Those days when you can still feel the heat of the days sun on your skin. It had to be playful. It had to be innocent with a touch of vintage thrown in for good measure ...
Yes, it's true. I have an unhealthy obsession with vintage cameras. To me they are just things of total beauty.
What child could resist such a fantastic den? We had great fun just playing around to get those natural playful shots that I craved. Tea anyone?
They ran, they twirled, they were themselves.
That's a wrap! Lying back on the picnic blanket - exhausted after rolling around on the floor, I just knew I had the shots I wanted in my camera. It didn't feel like work. A nice chilled out evening in a deserted meadow with friends and carrot cake ... perfect.
There were so many images from the evening that I found it hard to narrow it down for this post. Want to see more? Check out this short slideshow ...
I would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who was involved in this session. To the wonderful girls, to the parents for coming down at such short notice (and for the cake), to Lorna who is perhaps the most creative mind that I know and to Bread & Jam who kindly loaned me their beautiful designs. I can not be grateful enough.
If you would be interested in a similar setting for your family portraits then stay tuned. I have a very special announcement coming up in the next few days. If you are a subscriber to my newsletter you will find out first. The offer is going to be very limited so, if you haven't signed up yet then you just may want to. Click here to register and you get a voucher for a free print too (worth £15!).
I've been running my business for about 4 years now and I'm not going to lie to you, it's been a real roller coaster ride. It's very easy when you are starting out to think that it's going to be easy - you can take a decent photo and people like what you do. A bit of advertising and you'll have a thriving business ... simple. Being a photographer can seem like a very glamourous job but what people don't see is everything that goes on behind the scenes. Yes, you need to be a good photographer but you need to be constantly learning and developing your skills both behind the camera and in the digital darkroom. Then there's all of the business elements ... accountancy, networking, marketing, pricing, legalities, exceeding customer expectations and ultimately attracting more customers. You need to wear many hats in this game.
Sometimes, something happens that really pulls everything into focus (excuse the pun). I got a bit emotional this week. You see, I have a customer who has been with me since almost the very beginning. Whilst putting together a collection of images captured from all of her sessions over the past 3 years it hit me! I am so lucky to do what I do. I am so privileged to be able to capture, not only images of children but to document such a special time in the history of a family. Let me explain ...
Back in 2008, I first met a new family with their beautiful newborn daughter. One of my first newborn sessions and they were delighted with the images in fact I think they bought every image!
Roll on to 2009. and we decided to go to a local park to capture their baby as she turned one. Not the smiliest of days but a memorable one non the less.
And now - 2011. That little baby that so gracefully allowed me to poke and prod her when she was a newborn has turned into the most beautiful toddler. This time we opted for something a little more natural and captured her at play in her home - you've got to LOVE the fairy wings.
And the icing on the cake? I go to meet her stunning baby sister too.
I am so grateful to be invited to revisit families such as this, to capture images that they truly love and capture their children as they really are. It really is an honour and it makes all of the hard work worth while. Not only am I able to see a family growing but also it's a lovely record of the way I have evolved in my work and photographic style!
