How to Prepare for your Autumn Family Session!

7 Tips for Preparing for Your Autumn Session

Autumn is one of the most popular months of the year for portrait sessions. After all, nature is doing its thing with all those vibrant colors, plus you get a chance to really play up your wardrobe with accessories in the crisp weather.

1. Make use of accessories and clothing that play up the "autumn" feeling. For example, opt for leather boots, cable knit scarves and comfy cardigans look amazing on the whole family and can really bring a picture to life. Tip: neutrals do really well in the fall against all that foliage.

2. Timing is everything. Start paying attention to that shift in weather as summer melts into fall. Once the leaves start changing book a session. I know that I like to plan fall sessions, so chances are I've got a session ready for you.

3. Location is everything. If it's Autumn, you better believe we're playing outside in the gorgeous weather. I have a lot of locations to choose from that have particularly pretty backdrops. I'm also open to your suggestions.

4. Plan for a mid-afternoon to early-evening session, when the light is just gorgeous. The days are shorter in the fall, so we need to plan accordingly to get that golden hour light.

5. Play in the environment. Chances are there are leaves on the ground or a few buds lingering around. I may have you throw leaves up into the air or something similar. Remember, this shoot is all about capturing your family bond and having fun, so let loose and get into the season!

6. Pack the necessities. It can get chilly in Autumn, so you may want to bring some necessities on hand.  Snacks and drinks for the kids and jackets on standby for when the sun goes in.

7. Wear comfortable shoes and accessories. Since we're going to be outside, we'll probably do lots of walking. If those boots look amazing but kill your feet, scratch them. If the scarf looks adorable on Tim but it's scratches his face and makes him unhappy, it's better left at all.

Family Bonfire!!

What better way to spend a chilly Autumn evening during the school holidays than toasting marshmallows in the fire pit in the backyard.  Children love to do this (and get's them off the video games without too much hassle)!! 

Beautiful Location, Gorgeous Model!

Well she thought she wasn't photogenic and tried to tell me I'd never get a decent photo of her....but I think we proved her wrong!!!!

Natural Lifestyle Newborn Photography - What is it?

There's blurred lines when it comes to explaining what Lifestyle photography is.  Some would say it is Documentary where the photographer becomes a fly on the wall and photographs your normal day.  To me Lifestyle is natural and real, with occasional prompts to help the clients know what to do.  

For me, it is so beautiful and personal to photograph your newborn in their brand new home, to capture your baby photographed in their own nursery, to remember forever what that very first bedroom looked like. Those first wraps, hand knitted blankets and booties, their first teddy, all the things that you'll want to remember in years to come.  To have them cuddled by you on your bed, a place where they'll never be quite this small again.  Lifestyle to me is documenting you, your new family forever changed!   It's emotions and love that you could never have imagined before. 

Here's one adorable little guy and his parents!

Those sweet little baby details!

I absolutely adored this lifestyle newborn session!  The sweetest little baby details...these are what you want to remember!!

It's a Children's Wonderland!

Welcome to Bella's, such a magical place to be when you're a child...
you can even walk with the ducks!  What an amazing make believe wonderland when you're visiting your grandparent's house!

My Boy!

“May your love for me be like the scent of the evening sea drifting in through a quiet window so I do not have to run or chase or fall....to feel you all I have to do is breathe.”

― Sanober Khan

Memories are made of the family down the beach on a Summer's evening.  My son is growing up so quickly and soon those trips down the beach will be a memory but for now I'm making the most of it!

New Little Bundle of Joy!

A little bundle of joy has arrived, it's a girl!  Such a pleasure to photograph this little angel and her parents, she's beautiful!

Brother & Sister Play Time!

It always begins and ends with family!  These two love each other to pieces and big sister is so protective of her little brother, the sweetest thing!

Merry Christmas!

Family Fun at the Park!

One of the perks of my job is meeting wonderful people and this family is one of those!  This was my second time capturing this beautiful bunch.  We had lot's of fun at the park with snuggles, laughs and giggles.  Here's a few of my favourites from the day.  Hope you enjoy your preview.... 

Her Dolly!

I will always remember my doll's names when I was a child.  The hours that I'd play with my pram and dolls was something I'll always look back on and treasure.  Dolls seemed so real and gave us a glimpse of who we wanted to be in our adult lives. 

Summer Photo Opportunities!

Summer is almost here, well officially and I thought I'd suggest some different activities for your family photo sessions.  When you think of having a family shoot you picture slightly more posed shots and everyone looking their best.  To really capture the essence of who your family is, it's great to organise a few activities not only to keep the children entertained but give a more relaxed feel to your photos and really bring out those natural smiles.  Some ideas are:

Photograph your family playing in the Sprinkler

Yep, you guessed it, bathers, water, plastic toys, wet hair, chasing each other with the hose, all out fun!  The children will be having so much fun (and so will you) that they won't even notice the camera. 

Head to the beach

We can take photos of your kids building sandcastles, jumping waves, giggling, burying themselves in the sand, etc.  The list is endless!

Picnic at your local park

Load up the kids with a picnic lunch, throw in your picnic blanket and have a play date at your nearby park.  There's so many great parks around that also have lakes with ducks and play equipment to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Don't worry about if the kids getting wet, as long as they don't get a chill, let them have a ball jumping in puddles and even playing in some mud.  I love these photo opportunities.  These are the memories that they and you will cherish from their childhood. 

Favourite Things!

One way I get to know children and to help them feel relaxed with me is to ask them what their favourite things are.  It's a great idea to have photos of their favourite things at a specific age to look back on as of course they change as they grow.  Little 'L' couldn't wait to show me her favourite bracelets and the special necklace that her Mum gave her. 

Family Get Together!

"When you look at your life, the greatest happiness is family happiness."  Dr Joyce Brothers

Oh I love it when previous clients welcome me back to photograph their growing family.  This is the most beautiful family....hope you enjoy the preview!

My Koala Bear!

Toby fell in love with this Koala Bear hat that he found on a recent trip to Adelaide.  That inner child still shines through when you least expect it!   

A Toddler's Delight at the Park!

It's scary when your old enough to be a great Aunt....yep my older brother's son had his first child who's now a little toddler.....the cutest little button, makes me so clucky I can't stand it!!!!

Toddler Fun!

One trampoline, one ball.......so much fun!

Mum and Dad to be!

Hello!

These maternity photos turned out so beautifully. As I was editing all the preview photos for this blog post, I kept getting more and more excited with how they all turned out.

I met up with Kristie & Simon at their home and the poor things are in the process of moving house!  Good on you Simon for your patience with me asking you to move furniture.  I bet you didn't expect to break up the couch this soon before the actual move.  It's amazing how you can photograph in minimal space, just give me a blank, painted wall. 

Kristie was just glowing.  This little bub is so much anticipated!    I can't wait to meet this little angel in December.

Wet Feet!

One happy little toddler who just experienced his first rain shower!   Everything is so amazeballs when you experience it for the first time... never to be replicated again!