A relaxed woodland family shoot and puppy came too!
Yesterday I met up with my buddy Anne and her family for a long overdue family shoot. We decided a woodland setting would be perfect as Honey, the family Labrador puppy, would be coming too.
I’ve know Anne for over 10 years, and we met whilst both expecting. In the past I’ve photographed son Alex’s Christening, as well headshots for Anne, but we’ve wanted to get together for a family shoot for ages and yesterday was perfect.
Our children have never had as many photos taken of them as they do now. We all carry mobiles with excellent cameras and document everything from first steps, school performances, family weddings, to documenting little moments in everyday life that in the past went unrecorded. Most of the photos I have of my kids in the last few years have been taken with my phone. It’s accessible, it’s great quality, and of course it’s ready to upload and share with family.
There is just one problem. Someone either needs to be behind the camera, or holding the selfie stick! Nothing can replace beautiful photographs of you and your family relaxed and just being together. Not worrying about the angle of the camera, the distortion that comes with selfie’s (fat arm/big hand syndrome), or the fails where a great moment was spoilt by an out of focus shot.
Of course I understand that asking another person to take photos of you can feel a bit awkward, even staged. Family lifestyle photography for me is all about making everyone feel relaxed, in their comfort zone, and focusing on real emotions. The session has been set up, yes, but it’s still an experience you’ll share together. I’m all about the experience just as much as the end results!
Anne, Simon and Alex were absolutely lovely to photograph, but I have to say the real star (and my secret weapon) was Labrador puppy Honey. She did a far better job at making everyone relax than I could ever do. I need a Honey in my kit bag!
Anne, thank you for coming back to me. It was so lovely to catch up with you all, and Honey was a very very good girl! Dog biscuits all round. 🙂 J x
I think Honey enjoyed her photoshoot ( with a little bit of bribery). She was also kind enough to let her humans have some photographs taken as well!
The woodland setting for our shoot is a short distance from my house and a real favourite for both family and couples photo shoots. On this particular afternoon, the light was beautiful and gives the photographs a really light and beautiful feel to them.
If you book a Summer early evening shoot, and the weather is good, you’ll find the light is gorgeous. However we can meet at any time of the year and bring seasonal elements to the shoot.
One of the biggest advantages of a location setting, is being able to bring the family dog along. Or perhaps it will be your horse. Or alternatively I can come to your house and any of your family pets can be included in the shoot – apart from spiders. I don’t do spiders!! 🙂
If you would like to see more photography do go and take a browse through my blog, as well as my wedding gallery. You can use the search facility if you are looking for a particular thing, or alternatively use the side bar menu on my blog to navigate to various venues and style of wedding.
I am based in Camberley Surrey, but cover all the South East of England for family photography.
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