Family shoots
I have no preconceived idea of what I'm going to shoot when doing a family shoot as you never know what mood everyone will be in when you get there! This is, after all, families we are talking about - the reality is nothing is ever picture perfect - too many personalities in the mix! An hour is a good amount of time for a family shoot as it gives enough time for everyone to relax into me being in their space and also not too much time for attention span’s to wane.
I find using the family home as a location (especially during the winter months) is perfect as it’s not weather dependent. Added to that the fact that I'm nosey and I enjoy seeking out the good light in new locations. I see your house with fresh eyes so it’s easy for me to find good compositions which you probably wouldn’t see. 20 years down the line, documenting the family home will mean a lot to you and your family too as it’s the everyday moments that really pull at our heartstrings, rather than orchestrated images.
After doing a quick recce of the house and finding the best spots to shoot, I then generally follow the lead of the children and the collective mood. I prefer natural, authentic portraits. Forcing children to perform never works and just leaves everyone feeling stressed - I like to go with the flow. My favourite image from this shoot is the one of the youngest daughter with her finger up her nose. It perfectly sums up her mini punk personality! Too cute. Maybe not a framer in their house, but it would be in mine!
If you prefer to get out of the house though, I have lots of locations I like to shoot in and around Brighton. A Lot of families prefer to be out in nature and the elements, making it more of a collective family experience and mini adventure. If you have somewhere that is special to you all, we can shoot there or else I can always suggest some locations. If we need to reschedule due to the weather I am always happy to do that.
After the shoot, I will send you draft images to your inbox. You then select the images that you would like, I work on them slightly and send them back to you via an online gallery where you can download both high and low res JPEGS. There is also a print shop attached for your convenience. Aswell as a full hour’s shoot, i also offer a half hour ‘shoot for families too if this better suits your budget. Prices start from £150. Gift vouchers are available if you would like to gift a shoot to family or friends.
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