How to get Those Natural Smiles!
You never know what to expect from kids on the day of your photo shoot. At home they're adorable, laughing, beautiful natural smiles and then comes the day of the photo shoot, off goes the charm and they freeze in front of the camera! Kids are unpredictable, we want to avoid the forced smiles so here's some things you can do:
Before I commence a photo shoot I try and get to know them, break the ice so to speak. I'll ask them questions about their favourite movie, TV show, toy character, school, anything where they forget they’re in front of the camera. I might even ask them to show me their room and what child doesn't love showing off their toys? I then let them play....let them be themselves and not force them to smile or "Say Cheese" shots.
I might ask them to tell me their favourite icecream flavour and suggest disgusting combinations like spaghetti sauce with chocolate sprinkles, you'd be amazed at flavour combinations kids can make up! This always gets a natural laugh. Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.
If all else fails we might have to have the lollypops on standby!
What to do if Baby isn't Co-operating!
Newborns are a miracle and we want to show our new little bundle looking peaceful and relaxed when they have their first photos taken. We've all seen those photos of new little babies posed in baskets, boxes and all sorts of poses that just seem as though they are the perfect baby, cooperating with every photo you wish to get. Unfortunately this doesn't always happen and this is where lifestyle photography comes into play.
Crying is a natural, real emotion that all newborns have for most of their first few months of life. Embrace this moment in time. It won’t be long before you forget how their little forehead wrinkled up whenever they screamed, or how their toes would get all stretched out and tense when he was upset. Let me capture those little details. You want your photos to evoke real emotion and demonstrate the love you have for your child as you try to soothe them. These tender moments are just as important, if not more so, than the sleeping, posed photos.
A newborn photo session is to preserve those first memories of your newborn's life. Whilst posed photos can be cute, in years to come you're not going to look back and think wow, look how my baby was able to do this great pose! The memories you'll have will be you comforting your baby, humming a lullaby to settle them and them gazing into your eyes with amazement and love.
"I'm six"!
Trying to decide what to wear to have her photo taken, she decided she wanted to wear her ballet outfit and show me her dance moves .... simply gorgeous!
Lifestyle Family Photographer Melbourne
An oldie but a goodie of my munchkin!
Imperfectly perfect!
Imperfectly perfect!
Angel Flare
My favourite time of the year, gorgeous Autumn sun flare on a little angel!
Big Brother
I have so many photos that I love from this session and couldn't resist sharing this of big brother's love for his new baby sister!
Autumn Family Photo Shoot at the Park!
It was glorious Autumn day and my client and I decided to meet at Albert Park Lake. I forgot that they still hadn't pulled down all the Grand Prix stands around the lake but I had a bit of a buzz driving on the track under the signs from the race. I've photographed my client's eldest son 4 years ago at 2 1/2 and since they've added another little boy to the family. It just so happened he's now 2 1/2 as well.
Just chillin' with my teddies!
Happiness......is remembering times like these.....
It's a hot one......
It's a hot one today....keep cool!
Little, weenie, purple bow tie!
Dressed up for the occasion....the cutest little purple bow tie on the cutest little button!
My Boy!
These days it's really hard to get photos of my son! Between the "do I have too" and bribing him this shot was taken when he least expected it, which is usually when you get the best, natural photos.
"Backlight"
A photographer's dream is beautiful lighting especially back light! It makes a photo look magical! The best time to photograph is late afternoon light or early morning light as it's soft and dreamy. Photograph the subject with their back to the sun, this produces an almost halo effect around the subject!
Family Park Play
Ooooh there's a chill out there but still a great time for photos as the light is soft especially late afternoon. Had a gorgeous family shoot down at the park. What the kids didn't know was that the trucks they were standing and playing on were originally there's. Mum had donated them to the sandpit at the park. They had a great time!!
Project 52 "Bounce"
Cool birthday party at "Bounce"!
Melbourne Child Photography
Precious!
Project 52 "New Best Friends"
Well Winter is certainly here, showers for most of the day today but the sun managed to just poke through the clouds this arvo so we decided to go to the park with some friends. Our dog Tilly just loves children and they fall in love with her as well.
Thrilled to be.....
Truly honoured to be picked as one of the featured photographers at Child Photography Inspiring Monday | Week 24. You can view other wonderful child photographers at: http://childphotocompetition.com/inspiring-monday-week-24/
