Top 6 reasons not have a family portrait shoot (...and why you should!)
"I can't believe you got one of her smiling, she seemed to be playing up the whole time!"
"I'm worried they'll mess around."
"My littlest one is so shy, I'm not sure you'll even get him to look at you."
"Abi, you were so amazing with the children. It's like magic - you made it so much fun and captured their true personalities."
A recent client admitted that she'd been waiting three years to book her photoshoot. Why? She was worried that her children wouldn't behave.
This makes me sad for a few reasons...
- That's three years of lost memories that should be hanging as a portrait on the wall!
- I am not here to judge you, your kids or your parenting.
- This is not your traditional formal studio portrait - it doesn't require "well behaved" kids that just sit still and smile.
However, I get that it can be nerve-wracking. You're investing money in photos and your goal is happy families. Of course, you want photos that show you all smiling and having fun.
So, I thought I'd share the top six concerns that I hear about having a photoshoot. And why I think you needn't worry!
1. "I don't think my kids will behave well enough."
I'm a mum. I am far from perfect, and the same goes for my kids. I know what it's like!
I'm not looking for two hours of your kids on their best behaviour. I just need them to relax and have a bit of fun.
I have been told that I have a 'magic way' with kids and the 'patience of a saint'. Really, I just love to get silly, play the fool and generally mess around! The end result being that children usually respond well to this.
I also state my 'split second rule': My camera takes a photo in a fraction of a second. I only need your child to be smiling or behaving for that fraction of a second and I've got a great image. I'm aiming to take about 40-50 photos on a family shoot. So that's 50 seconds in a 1-2 hour window that I need them to behave - I'm working on pretty good odds!
If they decide to have a tantrum or frown during the session, my advice is to chill and let them do their thing. We'll move onto something else fun and they'll soon get it out of their system.
2. "My children will not sit still."
Good! Sitting still is boring...
For young children (as soon as they can walk up to the age of ten) I recommend an outdoor photoshoot. There's very little sitting still. Instead, there's going for an explore in the woods, climbing on fallen tree trunks, seeing who can jump the highest or run the fastest.
Put simply we're out for a walk, and we will stop every so often along the way for photos; but it will be fun, so they won't notice that I'm actually getting them smiling for the camera.
I have lots of tricks to keep children interested. I get mum and dad involved in this too - tickling and being silly - it should be fun for everyone (this works on studio shoots too, so if you decide you'd prefer a studio shoot, that's also fine!).
I often get feedback at the end of a session that it's flown by and was much easier than expected. That's exactly how it should feel!
3. "My shy child might take a while to get used to new people."
Every child is different. I understand that some can take a while to warm up and may be a little shy at first. I allow up to two hours for a photoshoot, which gives us plenty of time for them to get used to me and come out of their shell.
I'll find a topic their interested in (whether it's cars, dinosaurs, ballet or their favourite TV show) and we'll chat about it - no camera, just chatting on their level. It's rare that I can't tempt a little smile out of even the most timid child.
The 'split second rule' applies here too - I need a smile or eye contact for less than a second!
Sometimes families are surprised that we'll end the session with their children holding my hand and chatting away about their friends at school, when at the start they'd hidden behind mum or dad's legs.
Worst-case scenario, I don't necessarily need them to talk to me - as long as they're interacting with you and having fun, you'll get beautiful natural images.
4. "If we're taking photos outside, what if it rains?"
Ah, the great British weather. I'm an outside photographer in the UK, I'm used to being flexible. If it rains on the day you've booked, then we have three options: we watch the weather and aim for dry periods during the day; we move to another day; or if you're the outdoorsy type, we pull on some wellies and have some fun jumping in puddles.
5. "I hate having my photo taken."
Me too! I'd rather be behind the camera than in front of it. I often describe myself as a photographer for people who hate having their photo taken - I know how it feels, so I aim to keep you as relaxed as possible.
If you feel awkward in front of the camera, then the same rules apply for you as for the kids - we go for a walk, we have some fun and mess around - there's no standing still and posing for ages. If there are particular things you don't like about yourself in photos, then please tell me, I have lots of tips for flattering poses!
6. "I need to lose weight."
So many mums tell me they're waiting to lose weight before having a photoshoot. For every week, month or year that you wait, your child is another week, month or year older. Don't wait until they're no longer small - make the memories now!
Your kids, your friends and your family all love you for who you are - none of them think any less of you for carrying an extra stone or two.
The only person it matters to is you... and I understand: we want to look our best in photos. I have lots of posing tips that help flatter figures and help you look like the best version of you. I also provide clothing advice before a session and I'm more than happy to discuss what to wear to flatter.
And the best bit about family photos is that kids make great shields! We'll position them in front of you and they'll hide nearly everything but your face.
I hope this helps to put you at ease for your photoshoot. If you have any other concerns that I haven't addressed here, then please do add them in the comments, as I'd love to help more people feel happier having photos taken!
Katie & Toby's Berystede wedding
Huge congratulations to Katie & Toby whose wedding I photographed at the Berystede on Saturday!!
Katie looked stunning as her four 'bridesmen' walked her down the aisle. Her beautiful blue gown was made by family, and she carried an amazing unique bouquet made by her mum - what talented relatives!
At our practice session they told me they are not fans of having their photos taken, so we kept their portraits relaxed and natural, with a focus on documentary photography throughout the day.
It was a fun day of celebration, topped off with a fabulous choreographed first dance. Their smiles throughout the day said it all, they clearly have a very happy future together.
Katie & Toby - thanks so much for choosing me to capture your day - I think you'll be really pleased with your images. I wish you all the very best!!
Marrying in Central Windsor? Where To Go For Wedding Photos
After Prince Harry and Meghan chose Windsor as their wedding location in 2018, the town is growing in popularity with brides and grooms. The royal couple have now settled on Windsor as their home, and I don’t think they could have made a better choice!
Windsor has been my adopted home town for 18 years and I absolutely love living here! As a wedding photographer living and working in the town, I know all the best spots and hidden locations for wedding photographs.
On the outskirts of Windsor, you have a choice of beautiful venues with gorgeous grounds - from Oakley Court and Monkey Island to the West, to Beaumont House and Runnymede in Old Windsor.
But what if you choose Central Windsor as your wedding location? Either at the Windsor Guildhall or one of the central hotels (Castle Hotel, Macdonald Windsor, or Sir Christopher Wren)?
In the past, I’ve spoken to wedding couples who are concerned at the lack of grounds at wedding venues in central Windsor. I don’t see it as an issue, rather I feel that the whole town is at your disposal and you have so many options for photos.
At your pre-wedding meeting we’ll discuss what you’re looking to get from your wedding photos: Do you want trees and greenery or are you happy with an urban background? Do you want to showcase Windsor’s history and feature the castle in your images? Maybe some idyllic summer images by the River Thames? Read on to find out how Windsor can provide you with all of these!
The Long Walk
The go-to place for many wedding couples is The Long Walk. Even in the height of Summer it’s possible to find a quiet corner for photos - there are avenues of trees and lovely features with pillars and gates. It is necessary to apply for a permit for wedding photos on the Long Walk; I take care of the admin of this, and it's usually just a formality - the Crown Estate usually permit photos Mon-Sat (exc bank holidays) unless there are royal events taking place. There are also lots of other lovely options around Windsor...
Windsor Castle
There are plenty of different vantage points for the castle around town. The rustic castle walls make a fab background for photos, whilst there are a few archways directly accessible from public areas that can perfectly frame a photo.
If you don’t mind a few tourists in the background of your photos, then you can get a great shot of the Castle from Guildhall Island.
The River Thames
The river and the Windsor-Eton Bridge are great spots for photos - you’re unlikely to get a deserted bridge unless you marry on a Monday morning in winter (like the bottom left photo here), but on a busier day, the bridge gives the option of photographing with the river in the background, or the view from the promenade back towards you on the bridge.
Why not take a short boat ride on the river? I’ve seen the Fringilla and Dragonfly take many a wedding couple down the Thames. Perfect either as a treat for your guests or an opportunity to take a private moment for just the two of you, and of course another angle for photographs.
Take a stroll around town
All the locations I’m featuring in this blog are within a few hundred metres of each other, and you can easily take a stroll around the town stopping for photos on the way.
In the height of tourist season, I know secret nooks and streets that are likely to be quieter and even free of people. From rustic walls, to Windsor’s smallest public gardens, to busier areas where we can use camera techniques (if you stand very still!) to freeze you and blur the rushing passers-by.
Will my photos be full of people and tourists?
This is the question I’m asked most often when we discuss wedding photos in Windsor town centre. And my short answer is… maybe.
The long answer is It really depends on you and what you decide.
If you’d like a photo that gives the scale of the castle and isn’t the classic one at the top of the Long Walk (which will inevitably be watched over by dozens of tourists, even if they don’t appear in your image), then all the options are likely to have people in the background. However, I do have a clever angle of the round tower that manages to exclude tourists even on the busiest days!
If you’re happy to use castle features such as arches and walls, then I know the quiet places to go and can frame the image to ensure it’s just the two of you.
It’s the same with most popular locations around the town, there are creative ways of framing your photo to exclude the passers-by, or blurring them in some cases as mentioned above.
As a last resort, for some locations there’s always Photoshop - this before and after (right) shows a busy Long Walk on an August Saturday, and the resulting image after a bit of tweaking. This was quite simple on this image as there was a lot of grass in the image that I could use to copy to hide people, it’s not always as easily done.
At your pre-wedding meeting/call, we’ll go through all the options, discussing where you’d like to go for your photos, but be assured, Windsor is a fabulous town to marry in and there are plenty of opportunities for beautiful wedding images!
These ladies mean business! - Commercial photography for small businesses
"Do I need professional photos?" "What will I wear?" "I hate having my photo taken!"
These are just some of the things that people say when we start discussing photography for their business. Whether it's a simple headshot or a portfolio of images to use on your website and social media, I will work with you to understand your business and what you'd like from your photos, as well as calm any fears you may have.
I don't want you to just take my word for it - I have worked with a number of businesses around Windsor and Berkshire, from those running their own home-based business to larger companies - and I have interviewed two recent clients to find out how taking professional photos felt for them.
Josie Wareing is a Nutritional Therapist whose business, Live to Thrive, offers personalised nutrition with an honest approach and an emphasis on education. And Michaela Spear runs Spear Reflexology, a small holistic treatments practice whose main focus is on foot and facial reflexology with additional treatments such as pregnancy massage, manual lymph drainage and abdominal sacral massage.
I find it really inspirational to work with businesses, seeing them going from strength-to-strength. There's a real passion in the businesses I work with! When I asked Josie what she enjoys most about running her own business, she told me "That I get to educate people in my passion for nutrition and make a real difference to their health outcomes."
Running your own business whilst challenging and demanding, is also very rewarding and flexible. It's the flexibility that Michaela really values: "I love the flexibility my business gives me around my children and life in general. I enjoy meeting new people all the time and making new connections."
Why use professional photography?
Your website and social media pages are your shop-front - it's often the first place people interact with your business. First impressions count and professional photos show that you mean business, are professional and give your potential clients confidence in you. The right images can assure your clients that you are friendly and approachable.
I asked Michaela and Josie why they chose to have professional images taken for their business. Michaela explained "There are many therapists and other businesses in the area and I noticed they all tend to use similar pictures from the web. I wanted to capture essence of what I do, making sure that the pictures I use not only look nice but they represent the true image of my treatments."
Josie was rebranding and needed images she could use on her website and when featuring as a guest blogger on nutrition sites: "I rebranded my business and wanted some professional shots which incorporated food. I think professional shots stand out much more."
Another local business warns against downloading images you find on the internet, "I naively downloaded images that I found on Google relating to my area of business. I genuinely didn't realise that these images were copyrighted and that I shouldn't be using them. The company that owned the copyright found out I was using them and sent me an expensive bill for using them without permission."
Although you can purchase stock photography, it can often cost as much, if not more, than a dedicated photo session for your business. The added benefit of a shoot for your business is that it will be specifically planned around your brand and its values, and is unique photography that no one else will be using.
Where to start...
For any commercial booking, whether it's a headshot or a full portfolio of images, I will start with a consultation to plan the images you'd like for your business. For a headshot, this may be a quick discussion on the values you're hoping to convey (friendly, professional, smart, fun, quirky, etc) as well as background colours you'd like and what to wear.
When I worked with Josie, she was after slightly more than a standard headshot, wanting to incorporate food into her images. I had worked with Josie on her branding and logo, so we chose a setting and clothing that was neutral, then incorporated her brand colours through the colours of food involved.
Michaela was looking for a unique portfolio of images that showcase the variety of treatments she offers, from facial reflexology to maternity massage. We discussed the look she wanted for them, keeping them bright, fresh and clean to suit her brand. The photos would be taken in her treatment room and I planned the lighting to give the right feel to them.
During your consultation we'll also discuss what to wear. Clothing advice depends on the look you're aiming for and the message you'd like to convey. For example, in Josie's case we kept clothing neutral to bring focus to the brand colours in the props, whereas in Michaela's case, we stuck to clothing she'd usually wear to give a treatment. For a more creative or quirky business, we might add colour to your clothing. In any case, I would advise you to dress how you would when meeting a new client - after all your website and social profile is often the first time they will see you.
I hate having my photo taken!
Let me tell you a secret - me too! - I'd much rather be behind the camera than in front of it. I always tell my clients this makes me the perfect photographer for people who hate having their photo taken as I know exactly how it feels! I'll help you relax and keep it natural. I'll also give you tips on how to pose to look your best.
I'm glad that both Michaela and Josie felt I put them at ease. Michaela said "The photo session was fun. I'm not someone who enjoys being in front of the camera and Abi understood this.", while Josie explained "It was a fun process and Abi made me feel totally at ease. She gave clear direction which meant that we got some great shots in a really short space of time."
You don't even have to look at the camera if you don't want to! Your session will be tailored to you and your business and I'll ensure you feel comfortable throughout. A recent client, osteopath Juliet Hartis said "Thank you so much Abi! Wonderful pictures! I really appreciated the time you took on the day and how easy and comfortable you made it all."
So what are you waiting for?!
If you run a business, however big or small, professional photography can make a huge difference to your clients' first impression.
Hopefully this has convinced you that it will be totally painless, but if you still have any doubts, I offer a free telephone consultation. I'm more than happy to chat through how images could help your business, along with what to wear and tips to help you relax in front of the camera.
You can find my headshot and commercial prices here and examples of my work here. If you'd like to arrange a free consultation or get booked in, then please contact me - I'd love to hear from you!
It's a real privilege for me to work with local businesses, plan the right imagery for them and see them grow. Josie & Michaela's businesses are going from strength-to-strength, so I asked them for their advice for anyone starting their own business. Josie said "Be authentic, set intentions and be true to your values."
Michaela's advice is to "Stick to your working schedule, plan a day off and try to use it to recharge your batteries. Running your own business is tough. Network and get to know other business owners in your area. It is always nice to collaborate or just have an occasional coffee together."
To find out more about Josie and Michaela, please visit:
20 Children Photographed as Emojis... or How I became a 'Craftsman'!
I have spent several days over the last year photographing children as their favourite emojis. It has been a fun and colourful project, but if you're wondering why and what led me to this, please read on below...
The Guild of Photographers is a professional association for individuals committed to the art of photography. As well as a being a registered member committed to their code of conduct, you can also have your work assessed to gain levels of qualification: Qualified, Craftsman and Master Craftsman.
I have been a registered member of the Guild since 2014, and Qualified in 2015. It's a big step from Qualified status to Craftsman. As the Guild explains:
"'To attain the level of 'Craftsman', we add an increasing level of professional critique to evaluate our members work. In other words we get increasingly 'fussy' and look in detail at all the elements of photographic understanding. Those that achieve this accolade have demonstrated the finest technical skills and an exceptional creative and artistic 'eye'."
In fact, only about 60 people hold the distinction of Craftsman. To qualify as a Craftsman, you must submit a panel of 20 images that tell a story, have impact and demonstrate excellent technical skills, as well as working well together as a set. Which leads me onto emojis...
Those of you who follow my work will know that my style is bright, colourful and emotive. I wanted to demonstrate this in my panel, particularly how I love to capture moments of emotion.
If you have pre-teen children, do you ever feel like they're living in a different world? They grow up with technology all around them, such a different childhood to the one that those of us in our late 30s and 40s will have experienced! Sometimes it feels like they're speaking a different language.
During my research I found that there are more than 2,600 official emoji, and on Facebook Messenger alone more than 5 billion emoji are sent each day. Of these, 900 million are sent without accompanying text - it is a universal visual language that transcends national barriers, but not always trascending age barriers!
Visually, I found emoji to be colourful and a great source of inspiration for the children's expressions - we discussed their favourite emojis (although many of them wanted to do the poo emoji, which didn't really fit the aesthetic of my project!) and had lots of fun making lots of faces.
Yesterday, I did the six-hour round trip up to the Guild HQ in Stoke-on-Trent to present my panel of twenty mounted prints, USB of digital images, photo album and three acrylic desk blocks. These were scrutinised by the judges, whilst I was a shaking mess of nerves, but I am delighted to say that I passed... and I am now a Craftsman of the Guild of Professional Photographers.
2018: my award-winning year and why I might stop entering competitions...
With thanks to Samantha Jayne Photography for the image of me collecting my award.
The Photographers' Bar
This weekend, I have been away at The Guild of Photographer's annual awards dinner. I was delighted to be awarded the 'Photographer's Bar' in the Baby & Toddler category.
The Photographer's Bar is "awarded to photographers who have successfully had images assessed by the Guild over the course of a year, and have attained a score evidencing an exceptional level of professional skill and consistency".
Why do I enter awards?
I have always been competitive since I was a child (just ask my family who sometimes dread playing board games with me!). I don't see the awards as competing with other photographers, rather I'm competing with myself and trying to improve year-on-year; awards are one way of measuring this.
My goal in 2018 was to be awarded the Photographer's Bar and I am so happy to have achieved it. It was also my goal in 2017, and I missed out - being short by just one image. In fact, I achieved a higher number of award-winning images in 2017, but they were spread too broadly across different categories (as the Bar is awarded after achieving a certain number of award-winning images in a single category) - so in 2018, I decided to put all my effort into one category (babies and toddlers) and it worked!
Clients vs competition
Taking photographs for awards is quite a specific skill - every competition has its own rules and standards, and what scores well may be different in one competition from another. As you learn what scores well in a particular competition you can select images that are likely to fit those requirements.
The images you see awarded may not always be my (or my clients') favourite images, rather they are the ones that tick the technical boxes or requirements of that particular competition. For example, eye contact with the camera is one of the elements that often scores well in the Guild's competition, whereas my favourite images are often where kids are giggling and looking at mum and dad being silly.
I find the Guild competition can seek technical perfection, whereas I seek to capture real and natural moments - the two aren't always compatible. For example, a genuine moment of interaction between a family may not have perfect posing where all hands are in the 'technically correct' place; or a kid laughing uncontrollably may be slightly blurred, but it will be loved by the parents.
Sometimes it's possible to have everything - the technically perfect images, as well as the real moments and happy clients - but my clients come first, so I'll always prioritise keeping you happy and relaxed over refining an image for competition.
What the future holds
At the end of 2018, I said I would take a break from entering competitions, but after having a couple of months off (the Guild competition does not run in November or December), I felt refreshed and decided to enter in January. It's an emotional rollercoaster as you enter then wait three weeks for the judgement; it can be disappointing if an image doesn't perform as well as you might have hoped. As such, I haven't set myself any competition goals for 2019 and I may decide to take a break as the year progresses.
I'm keen to keep improving, however, and will soon be submitting a panel of work to be judged as a project for the next level of qualification by the Guild of Photographers - again this is a different kind of judging as it looks at whether you are showing a consistent style as a photographer, as well as how the panel works together as a set of images. Watch this space for more news soon!
Thank you!
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to all my clients and supporters. I mainly enter client images into competition (rather than shooting specific projects for awards) and I'm so glad that you trust me with photographing your families and capturing your story. I greatly appreciate that you agree to me sharing them so that I can enter them into competition. Thank you!
2018's award-winning images:
Sarah & Ben's Windsor Guildhall and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel wedding
It was grey, it was gloomy, and a little bit damp... but there was love in the air and smiles everywhere! Sarah & Ben did not let the cold January day dampen their spirits on Saturday, even bringing along a rainbow umbrella to brighten things up when it got too damp.
The Windsor Guildhall is a magnificent venue, whatever the weather, and the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel offered cosy splendour for celebrating after they said 'I do'.
The day started with a slight hiccup when the groom nearly spotted the bride on her entrance to the Guildhall when he quickly popped down to the main hallway, but after a bridesmaid led him back upstairs with his eyes shut, all was well!
After the wedding we took a stroll through Windsor's historic streets with some photos at the foot of the Castle, on the Windsor-Eton bridge over the Thames, before finishing under the pillars at the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel.
Sarah & Ben - thank you for choosing me to capture the memories of your big day - I wish you all the very best for the future!
Ceremony venue: Windsor Guildhall
Reception venue: Sir Christopher Wren Hotel
Photography: Photography by Abi Moore
Bridal hair & make-up: Mandy Driver at Big Day Hair & Makeup
Dress: Windsor Bride
Flowers: Natalie at Luxe Flowers Eton
DJ: Brian Mole
Thank you for a wonderful 2018!
Thank you to you all for making 2018 a fab year. I'm now out of the office for the festive period. I'm looking forward to capturing more memories and telling more of your stories in 2019!!
Video music credit: bensound.com
Paula & Dan's winter Windsor wedding
Paula & Dan married at the Windsor Guildhall last weekend on a slightly gloomy winter day. Embracing the winter vibe, Paula took the opportunity to wear a gorgeous fur-rimmed hooded cloak, and their guests enjoyed mulled wine at the reception across the road from the Guildhall at the Macdonald Windsor hotel.
The chilly day did not dampen spirits, their day was full of love and laughter. As Paula said in her speech, they share a sense of humour and their house is always full of laughter, which was definitely reflected throughout their day.
Their daughters were bridesmaids and also enjoyed a giggle - although, like most pre-teens, not so keen when mum and dad were kissing (which made for a fab fun photo)!
I'd like to wish Paula & Dan all the very best for the future - I can see you'll be truly happy together, with lots more laughter to come. Thanks for being such a fun couple to photograph!
25 Photos That Show Family Portraits Through The Seasons
Working outdoors year-round, you get to notice what each of the seasons has to offer and love the change that each brings. A client recently asked me when the best time of year is for outdoor photos; as each season has it's advantages, I thought I'd share what you can expect from your family photoshoot at different times of year. As I'm also often asked what to wear on a family photoshoot, I also share some colour palette recommendations for each season.
Spring
After a chilly winter, the warmer weather that spring brings is often when my outdoor photography year starts to get busy. At the beginning of the season (early March) you may find the trees can still be quite bare, but as time progresses, blossom and flowers will start to sprout and can make a beautiful background for your images.
When the green shoots are just starting to show, or if there is a lot of white blossom on the trees, it is great to add colour through clothing - pastel colours can work very nicely alongside spring greens.
April is usually bluebell season - the timing of the bluebells varies each year depending on how warm or harsh a winter it has been, but I'd usually plan to book the last two weeks of April or first week of May for anyone wanting a photo session among the bluebells.
As May progresses, other flowers will begin to bloom and there are some amazing spots around us that have beautiful flowering foliage including Windsor Great Park and Langley Park.
Where we are using a flowered area as the backdrop for your photos, I'd recommend pale pastels or neutrals and blues which can work well alongside the colours of the flowers.
Weather can be unpredictable during spring (remember this year we had snow twice in March!), but rain showers tend not to be long-lasting so I find most sessions usually go ahead or it is possible to move them by an hour or two to avoid any forecasted rain. Layers are really important so that you can add or remove clothes should the weather be changeable - it can also add another colour dimension into your session if you want to try a variety of looks!
Summer
As the weather warms up, the days get longer and the sun gets higher in the sky. This can make for slightly more challenging conditions for photographing as a bright sun can cause harsh shadows and may make us squint - not a great look for your photos. To avoid this, I tend to schedule summer photoshoots for early (9am) or late (5pm) in the day, and will always ensure our location has a good amount of shade.
The advantage is that the weather is usually (not always!) warmer, drier and a bit more predictable. Also, when photos are taken in the shade it can be a really flattering light. Earlier in the season there will be a lot of bright green around, particularly from grass. This is another reason for seeking shade as bright sunshine will reflect off the grass, giving us a green hint to our skin (and who wants to look like the Hulk in their family portraits?!).
To work with the bright green, I suggest bold and bright colours - primary colours of reds, blues and yellows or bold pinks all combine well.
If you're not a bold colour kind of family, then neutrals can also work well with the greens. As we move further into July and August, particularly if we've had a warm summer, the grass can also start to dry out and will become more neutral and straw-coloured - so I find it's best to work with this, wearing neutrals or pale blues and greys.
If the day we photograph on is particularly warm, please bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration - thirsty overheated kids will not make happy models. We'll aim to keep to the shade as much as possible, but it's also worth popping on some sunscreen - please apply this at least an hour before your session to avoid any white marks showing on skin in your photos.
Autumn
There are benefits and disadvantages to an outdoor family photoshoot in autumn - the season brings warm rich colours as the leaves start to turn along with a soft golden light,
however, the weather can also become very unpredictable. Even on a dry day, the ground may be wet underfoot from rainfall on preceding days. Despite all this, I love the richness that autumn colours and light bring to photos!
Being an outdoor photographer requires flexibility - if rain threatens, we may move your session back or forward an hour, or we may have to postpone to a later date. Alternatively, I don't mind the rain and my equipment is all waterproof, so if you have kids that love splashing in puddles, it can make for lots of fun!
The colours in autumn are rich and bold, so clothing needs to work with this - yellows, reds, oranges all look great for a toned look to your images, whereas blues make for great contrast. If you prefer something less vibrant, then navy, neutrals, browns and burgundies are all good options.
Last year, I wrote a blog post all about autumn photoshoots, with lots of advice on what to wear which is worth reading if you're considering booking an autumn photoshoot for your family.
Similar to Spring, as the weather can be changeable, bring layers in case it gets warmer or colder; and even a change of clothes if your kids are the type to fall in a muddy puddle.
The great thing about a photoshoot in autumn is that it's perfect timing for photos in time for Christmas, making fab gifts for grandparents and other family!
Winter
Last and, well, probably least, we come to winter. I do work outside all year round, and I usually have a handful of photo sessions outdoors from December to February. However, I would suggest that if you're considering an outdoor winter session then you need to be prepared for the following things:
1. Your kids must be the outdoorsy type; if they love to be outdoors in all weathers then they won't mind spending time outside for photos when it's a bit chilly.
2. It generally suits older children (approximately age 7 and up) who are usually better at dealing with the cold, but are also prepared and happy to have their photo taken, meaning the session can run a bit quicker and we can all get back indoors to the warm sooner.
3. You will need to be wrapped up in your photos - this can mean woolly hats and scarves (a great way of adding colour!) and coats - if you don't want to be wrapped up in your photos, then it's better to wait until the warmer seasons.
4. We will need to be flexible - there's a much higher chance of rain, so you'll need a flexible diary in case we need to move your session to a later date (or be happy to head outdoors in literally all weathers!).
With the shorter days in winter, we will be scheduling your session much nearer the middle of the day before it gets too dark - although the sun never really gets high enough to cause the problems we get with harsh sunlight in summer, so we can work anytime in daylight hours (although there are far fewer of them!). Colours in this season are often dictated by the colours that you have coats and warm accessories in, but dark colours such as dark green, navy and rich purples can all look great.
What are you waiting for?...
Hopefully that's given you a good idea of what to expect from all the seasons. If you have your heart set on rich autumn colours, a bluebell session or photos in the height of summer, then please contact me to book your family in. These can all be peak seasons and weekends can be booked out up to a month or more in advance. If you're still not sure what would suit your family, then please give me a call - I always love to chat and we can discuss what might work best for you.