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Here are some of my favourite and most useful tips for making the most of your mini photo shoot* and getting the most natural autumn family portraits of you and your gang!
(Ready To Book A Mini Shoot??
Join The Waitlist for autumn mini shoots to get first dibs on booking dates when they’re released next Friday 22nd October! Sign up and then keep an eye on your inbox – emails go out at 9am on the 22nd. Various locations available in London and Kent.
Join The Autumn Mini Shoot Waitlist Here)
1). Ditch the matching outfits..
Of course there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make some effort with your appearance if you’re having an autumn mini photo shoot; especially if you’re planning a new wall display with your photos, or want to capture you all looking fabulous for that all-important Christmas card photo!
But the photos you and your children will treasure in the future are going to be those that evoke the most significant memories of this moment in your lives right now – the photos that show you and your kids exactly as you really are. For me, looking back on childhood photos, it’s often the clothes I am wearing in them that spark a really strong sense of nostalgia. Those rainbow leggings I insisted on wearing every day throughout 1991, and the Doc Martens boots that still to this day might be the best thing that Father Christmas has ever brought me (I actually got some for Christmas last year too, such is the cyclical nature of fashion..!).
The best photos of your family are always those that take you right back to a moment of connection, happiness and comfort. Not so much those awkward posed shots, where all you remember is how uncomfortable those shoes or itchy jumper were that you were forced to wear..
ALSO…
Remember the popular studio photos from the ’90s where everyone’s wearing top to toe denim, or matching ‘jazzy’ t-shirts? As funny as they are to look back on, no-one wants to be featured in the Awkward Family Photos hall of fame in years to come (if you are yet to discover this website, all I will say is you’re welcome).
2). Don’t say “CHEEEESE!”
Ask a child from around age 3 and up to “say cheese” and they’ll likely produce an especially fake and well.. “cheesy” grin reserved especially for when they’re asked to smile on cue! I always want to capture natural smiles and giggles over fake grins – it might mean I have to work a bit harder, but after photographing 300+ families over the last 9 years I’ve got pretty good at connecting with even the shyest and most reluctant of children.
I also love capturing a child’s more serious side (if they have one!). These can be the most natural-looking and just, “most like them“, photos of all and are often parents’ surprise favourite photos.
So try to resist encouraging your kid(s) to say “cheese” when they’re being photographed (whether that’s by me, you or anyone else.!).
3). Trust your photographer and go with the flow..
Your photographer knows what to look for in terms of the best light and background for your natural autumn family portraits. Sometimes this might seem like an odd choice, but it’s all about the direction and quality of the light – something your photographer should have an eye for! – so just relax and go with it.
Your photographer should also try to capture as much variety in your photos as possible, something that can be trickier to achieve in just a 20 minute mini photo shoot in one location. I love to host my autumn mini photo shoots in the same locations every year, meaning I know the spots really well that results in fantastic natural autumn family portraits and can concentrate on connecting with you all and capturing genuine moments instead!
Parents (particularly mums, myself included!) are usually guilty of spending all their time behind the camera and none in front of it. I know, you hate having your photo taken. Pretty much everyone does.. but don’t you cherish those old snaps of you as a child with your parents? Just remember that when they’re older your children will love to look back on old photographs of you, double chin and all! You’re perfect in their eyes.
Having said all that, make sure you get a good look at some of your photographer’s work before booking. It’s worth asking to see a full gallery of images from just one family photo shoot too (rather than just a gallery of their best shots from lots of different shoots). This way you’ll know what you can expect from your own photo shoot. To see some full galleries from my family photo shoots or mini photo shoots just get in touch and ask! I’d be happy to share.
Ready To Book A Mini Shoot??
Join The Waitlist for autumn mini shoots to get first dibs on booking dates when they’re released next Friday 22nd October! Sign up and then keep an eye on your inbox – emails go out at 9am on the 22nd. Various locations available in London and Kent.
Join The Autumn Mini Shoot Waitlist Here
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