Snap Happy Tuesday - Kids

Hey there lovely people!

Today is another post about some of my previous photo-shoots. It's a big deal to me for there to be a dedicated spot on my blog to showcase my love of photography and therefore my job. I don't think many people can say honestly, that they love their job... but I am certainly one of them. I believe that photographs are the the proof of our lives and the connection to our past. I know that in this day and age of technology, there are so many ways to connect and communicate, but I genuinely believe that nothing does that better than a photograph. 

Anyway, enough of the rambling and more of the sharing. 

ISO 400 - 50mm (50mm lens) - f/1.8 - 1/125 sec

This is little Mikael. He is 2 years old, so is technically still a baby and therefore should have been included in last weeks post. I for one, think that it's quite difficult to tell exactly what age little Mikael is in this picture, which is therefore why I included it. Shooting him was a very different experience from any other 2 year old I've had in front of the camera. He was very stubborn in terms of giving me a smile... but ended up being one of the shoots I'm most proud of. I think a lot of mum's and dad's, get really stressed out about getting their children to smile for the camera in order to get that smiley, happy photo. However, I firmly believe that these types of photographs can often end up the most beautiful and vulnerable. There's so much more of a story in these images than that of a run-of-the-mill smiley one.

ISO 400 - 37mm (18-55mm lens) - f/4.5 - 1/30 sec

Let me introduce you to my cousins children, Leon (top) and Brendan (bottom). I had to include this photo simply because it makes me smile. Brendan, the older of the 2 is such a laid back and quiet little soul, whereas Leon is just absolutely wild. So when I suggested this pose to Brendan he was quite embarrassed and hesitant about the idea and I think that shows in his little face. Whereas as soon as he lay down, Leon just jumped on top, no prompts, just jumped onto of his brother and started making horsey noises. It was just soooo funny that every time I look at this photo I relive the entire moment. This is a perfect example of my believe that photography is a way of "capturing precious, funny & irreplaceable moments". This certainly fits the bill. 

ISO 200 - 32mm (18-55mm lens) - f/4.5 - 1/30 sec

This is little Emma. She and her mum came along for a shoot, together with Emma's friend and her mum. She was quite the little character - a typical girly girl giving me all her poses. It was an absolute joy to photograph her. Not to mention how adorable she is... especially in that denim dungarees! It's so fun for me, when I get a client who just loves to be in front of the camera, because the joy in their face is just so evident. They are always super enthusiastic to pose and get into any position you suggest that any level of stress I might feel, just slips away and it becomes just an absolute pleasurable job to do.

ISO 200 - 28mm (18-55mm lens) - f/4 - 1/60 sec

Meet Zain and Isaah. They are the adorable boys of Diya, one of my lovely clients who came to me wanting some good family photographs after having been let down with photographers in the past. They were a lovely family and were very smiley and enthusiastic clients throughout, even Diya's husband (which is very unusual for the men I normally shoot). So the reason I chose to show you this image is because I just wanted to show that even though both of the boys aren't facing the lens, it's still a lovely image. Like I said before, parents tend to get very stressed out behind the scenes trying to get their children to look as good as possible on camera and this includes trying to get them to look the right way. Often this is just out of the question. Kids are so easily distracted, so it can be quite a chore to get their little eyes looking the right way. However, I think you'll agree, this is still a very cute picture and the boys look utterly adorable, despite little Isaah's eyes trailing off to the right of the lens.

Ok so there were a few reasons for selecting these images to show you today. Obviously they are super cute kids and they deserve to be showcased, but I just wanted to get the message across that sometimes the imperfect pictures turn out to be the ones you love the most. Kids aren't robots. They don't march to anybody else's drum but their own and often expecting them to do exactly as they are asked in such a pressured environment is too much. Photographers will always do their best to snap the best possible image of your children and deliver the best quality they possibly can, but it doesn't always mean it will be a standard smiley shot - these images are my best examples of how great, a less than perfect scenario, can turn out in a photograph. 

Hope you enjoyed looking at these ones as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Take care lovelies. x

SnapHappy Tuesday - Babies

Hey lovely people!

So today I thought I would start a little Tuesday tradition by showcasing some of my favourite shots from photo-shoots I've had. I think it's important to have a part of my blog dedicated entirely to my love of photography... It is, after all, the reason I started writing it in the 1st place. I will share the camera settings and lens choices with you all too in case you'd like to replicate the image yourself.

I will separate each post into different categories, rather than bombarding you all with a cluster of images that have no consistency and flow. 

So anyway, here goes:

ISO 200 - 37mm (18-55mm lens) - f/4.5 - 1/6 sec

This is little Edith and she and her brother were the subjects of my very first photo-shoot. Believe it or not, this is still one of my favourite images. She was such a delicate little flower and didn't really like the big stupid camera in front of her face so it quickly became clear that it would be difficult to get that "winning smile" shot. I'm so glad! This shot is better than any smiley snap I could have got of her. Those big deep dark eyes pop like nothing else and her perfect little "deer in the headlights" expression is just utterly adorable. 

ISO 100 - 18mm (18-55mm lens) - f/3.5 - 1/100 sec

Meet little Darcie. She was 5 weeks old at the time of this shoot and was more alert than any 5 year old I have ever photographed, never mind 5 week old. She was so curious firstly about who I was and secondly about what the hell my big clunky camera was, so she had this serious "brows down" expression on her face throughout the whole shoot. I just loved that. Even at 5 weeks old, her little inquisitive personality was shining through and I'm ever so glad that I had the opportunity to capture it. 

ISO 400 - 35mm (18-55mm lens) - f/4.5 - 1/30 sec

Let me introduce you to Leon. This cheeky little monkey is the most rambunctious little baby I have ever photographed. He just so happens to belong to my cousin and best friend Alison, and I was absolutely desperate to get him in front of my lens. Most of the shots I got of him were action shots because he quite literally DOESN'T STOP MOVING!!! This snap came from me loudly shouting his name (camera at the ready) and capturing his face as soon as he looked up. It was the only way! 

ISO 200 - 50mm (50mm lens) - f/1.8 - 1/200 sec

And last but not least - this is Riley! And I'm sorry but LOOK AT THAT FACE! Is he not the cutest little cherub you have ever seen??? He was super fun to shoot and was by far the funniest 2 year old I've ever had in my studio. He was soooo clever and co-operative, he posed like a pro and even checked after EVERY snap, that the photo I had taken was up to scratch. I honestly could have photographed him all day. He was the epitome of the perfect client. 

I wanted to stick with the muted tones and black and white images this week because, quite simply, they are my favourites. I do love colour images too... and will be showing you several of those over the coming weeks but for the 1st post I wanted to showcase my absolute faves. 

I hope that this kind of post isn't too boring to you all. It's my job and there is nothing more interesting to me that talking about my photos and photography in general - but I understand that it might not necessarily be everybody's thing. This is why I kept all the technical jargon and ins and outs of lighting etc. out of this post. But by all means, if you would like to me to talk about all that stuff then let me know. :)

Take care lovelies. x

Joshua & his Doggies

Let me introduce you to the precious little Joshua! 

He is the lovely blonde haired & blue eyed nephew of my friend Lesley!

He's adorable eh??? 

Well not only was this a great shoot because of the adorable subject... but it was a chance to meet and play with 2 gorgeous German Shepherds... Sky & Storm. Did I mention I'm a dog person???

These 2 hairballs were the furriest, most obedient and darn cutest dogs I have ever laid my eyes on (except of course for my own 2 pooches). 

Having the pleasure of shooting an adorable wee baby as well as getting a cuddle from these 2 gorgeous doggies was an absolute joy... and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity!

The Kent Kids

Now how cute are these little cherubs! These are the adorable kids of my friend Karen... Ruby, Harrison & Laila Kent! :D They are 3 of the most well mannered and polite kids and this was a fun-filled little shoot!

Ruby is a proper little princess... who took charge of making sure her younger siblings knew their role within the photo-shoot. Harrison is full of fun and giggles and is absolutely hilarious and adorable little Laila is so sweet and just adores her big brother and sister, copying every move they made!

This was a super fun shoot. Working with 3 gorgeous kiddie winkles is obviously a perk of the job, but the main reason I loved this shoot so much was because of the candid feel of it. Nothing too posey... just adorable kids being themselves and getting snapped in the act. My absolute favourite kind of photography!!!

The Lovely Crosbie Family

This was my first outdoor shoot with a family... and what a lovely wee family it was!

Mandi got in touch with me after my friend Nicola (my old school friend who I shot a family portrait for) recommended me.

When I suggested the outdoor shoot, she was more than happy to give it a wee go... and when I suggested Chatelherault Country Park, it seemed to be the perfect location for her and the family! :D

She and her husband were newly weds, with a sweet little girl Aaliyah and not that it was in any way obvious... except for the fact that she was holding her tummy in the pictures, Mandi was expecting another little cherub!

Gorgeous scenery & a gorgeous family... I just love my job!!!

Little Darcie

Let me introduce little Miss Darcie! She is the absolutely perfect and the excruciatingly cute baby daughter of my old school friend Danielle.

She was 5 weeks old at the time of this shoot and look at that head of hair. Unbelievable!!!

Now I may be bias because of my friendship with Darcie's mummy, but how cute is she??? It was so much fun taking snaps of this little one, not only because it was my first baby shoot, but what better excuse do you have for getting a wee hold and a cuddle or 2 from a gorgeous little cherub like this!

Nicola's Extended Family Portrait

Welcome to my first super challenging shoot - shooting a group of 11 people!!!

This might not seem a lot, but it was way out of my comfort zone... different ages... different heights... Oooft!

However, the advantage I had was that it was the family of an old school friend, so that made it slightly more relaxed! 
Nicola (the aforementioned old school friend) wanted to get a family shot to gift her grandmother with and so on that basis, she organised all the family together in her aunt & uncles (beautiful) home and we got some shots!

Nicola & Stephens adorable little cherub Logan was an absolute pro. He yelled "Cheese!!!" before every snap of the shutter and had the biggest smile for every single shot... an absolute dab hand at this photography malarkey... and he kept everybody laughing and relaxed throughout the whole thing!!! :)

The rest of the shots were an absolute breeze... 

And finally... the big one... The entire family!!!

I also thought it was worth noting folks... that Nicola is a superb baker!!! She has her own Cake business and makes some of the most delicious and fabulous looking celebratory cakes I've ever seen!!! She is super talented with fantastic prices... Keep her in mind for your next big celebration... 

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-about-Cakes/321767381184557?fref=ts

Paula, Marc & Callum - Saturday 20th July 2013

This was a lovely little shoot, and my first Family Shoot!

Paula and I know each other through mutual friends and she is a lovely girl and a fab little hairdresser! She has a lovely fiance Marc and they have an adorable little boy Callum! :D

When I first arrived, little Callum was volunteered to be my assistant and helped me set up all my gear and equipment (backdrop, Lighting etc). He was so funny... a little character and a half... and it was evident there and then that he was going to make this a fun shoot! :)

Callum of course wanted to get a few snaps of him taken first... Seriously, how cute is he...

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Then the family shots were under way! Paula opted for a pretty little black dress (hair and mak-eup obviously flawless), Marc had on a white polo shirt & 3/4 length jeans & cutie pie Callum had a stripey T-shirt and navy cargo shorts! :) It was a casual affair - perfect for the adorable, and laid back family they are! :D

We managed a few nice family shots before the predictable happened... Callum got bored! Lol! :)    

           
                                                    

It's a lot to expect little ones to sit patiently during a photo-shoot, so it was inevitable that Callum would get fed up and start marching to his own beat!

Funnily enough though, the candid and silly shots always make for a much better and more memorable photograph... and although it was obvious that mum and dad were getting a bit anxious and stressed out, there really was no need for them to feel that way!

The rest of the shots by far my faves of the day! Silly & playful and just hilarious really... All down to Callum!

I believe it was the great comedian W.C Fields who once said...

"Never work with children or animals"

... Well the jokes on him, because some of the most memorable and brilliant shots I have ever taken have been of my beautiful dogs Oscar & Bonnie... and cute little characters like Callum!!!

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I just wanted to add an additional little note at the bottom of this to say that the lovely Paula (pictured above) is expecting her 2nd child this coming April... a little princess this time... and as well as this, she is getting married in Ibiza in July to her lovely other half Marc and has asked me to be the official photographer for the reception back home! To say I'm delighted is an understatement!!! Sending all my love and luck to this little family for the exciting year they have ahead of them!!! :)

My Very First Shoot - Sam & Edith's 1st Birthday Cake Smash - Saturday 20th July 2013

The delicious "Home-made" (by mummy) Smashing Cake!!!

Ok, please bear with me cause I'm very new to this whole blogging thing! The reason I'm even doing it in the first place is because I think it's important that my photographs have a back story! As well as capturing these moments on camera, I'd also like to capture them in words! :D So here goes...

My very first shoot was a Cake Smash with TWINS!!! It was their 1st birthday and their lovely mum Joanna wanted to commemorate the occasion with this special type of shoot!

So, the morning of the shoot came and I packed all my equipment (Camera, Tripod,  Backdrop & Stand,  Reflectors, Props, Flooring) and headed up to meet my first clients!!! 

Cuteness personified is the best way to describe these 2 babies!!! :D Sam was smiley and boisterous and really interested in finding out who the strange lady with all the scary equipment was... whereas Edith, his sister, was delicate and sweet and shy! They were the perfect little set of people and I couldn't have hoped for a better scenario for my first photo-shoot!