No two families are the same, so I truly believe that no two photo shoots should be be same either. Your family is truly unique and so you deserve a collection of images that are as special as you. I want you to look back at your gallery of images and see them as a reflection of your family with all your quirks and personality.
As you may have noticed, there is nowhere on my website where you can book your photo shoot directly online. There’s a reason for that. I want to get to know you a little bit first, so we can plan the best time and place to hold the photo shoot that reflects your family.
Location
The focal point of your images is obviously the people, but the backdrop adds so much to every picture.
Do you love the beach and head there at every opportunity? Then let’s get some photos of you all on the beach.
Are you fortunate enough to have some beautiful countryside right on your doorstep, or a garden that you enjoy spending time in? Perfect! You won’t even need to travel.
Anywhere you choose that means something to you can add personality to your images and make them look unique to your family.
I know hundreds of locations throughout Devon so I can recommend some great spots but even I have been happily surprised by some of the locations clients have suggested to me. Most of my shoots are in different places, but even if I do go to the same place twice, the time of year, light and weather can all make the images look different and totally unique to that family.
Same Location (Dawlish Warren), two very different images
Meaningful Interactions
When you book your shoot, I will take some time to get to know you as a family; who you all are and what you like to do, so that I can be sure to capture something of you as people. There will be no awkward posing (I hate that ‘stand there’, ‘smile!’ kind of look!) so you can be yourselves. The smiles and laughter in the images will be from funny things not instructions. A kiss will be spontaneous and heartfelt. A grump will be a grump (and gone as quickly as it arrived).
Natural family photography, capturing real, meaningful interactions not just directed smiles
Nature’s Classroom and Playground
I don't follow a set script so I can be led by you as a family. This doesn’t mean I expect you to come to a shoot with all the ideas! Rather, that I stay in the background a bit and let you behave as you normally would. Depending on the age of the children, this would mean exploring close by or going for a wander and seeing what captures everyone’s attention.
Once the kids are distracted and engrossed in something, then it’s far easier to capture their true personalities and the interactions between everyone. This makes a shoot with me authentic and the subsequent gallery unique to you.
In most cases, I look for the interest in the things around us to act as props to distract the kids, be that flowers, sticks or - if they are so inclined - mud. Kids are naturally curious and this curiosity can quickly distract even the most nervous (or grumpy!) of children (did someone say parents?!).
Getting out and about in nature provides so many interesting and varied locations for your family photo shoot that the last thing anyone will worry about is the camera.
If mud’s your thing, let’s find mud!
Comfy Clothes not Sunday Best
All this being out and about in nature requires practical clothes and whilst I will give your some guidance about what works and doesn’t work when it comes to dressing for your family photo shoot, practicality is the watchword. This means that you will be wearing clothes that reflect your true personalities rather than studio-ready Sunday best. (Of course, if you want an excuse to go shopping beforehand, who am i to get in your way?!)
“Oh Fiona!!!!! Theres are more incredible than I could’ve imagined! Beautiful! Thank you so much”
The family doesn’t need to be restricted to the human members. Family members of all shapes and sizes are welcome too
All these elements mean that your finished gallery really will reflect you and your family’s personality, spontaneity and authenticity rather than looking like an identikit gallery that could be any family in any part of the country.
If you are interested in finding out more or just having a chat about how a photo shoot could work for your family then get in touch. I’d be delighted to talk you through the options.