Info
IN-HOME VISIT PRIOR TO SESSION
The day before our session, I'll make a very relaxed in-house call to have a cuppa and meet the family: no time restrictions or pressure. I bring my camera to show the kids how it works and what to expect. This catch-up makes a huge difference on the day. When I show up on the morning of our session, everyone is pretty chill, and within an hour or so, everyone gets tired of worrying about the camera and moves on.
CAN WE BOOK A MINI SESSION?
My work is more artistic and creative than mainstream portraits. These images require a lot of patience and focus, and in order to achieve the final image, I stay with some scenes longer than others. I also take a lot of photographs to achieve the winning shot.Documentary portraits cannot be achieved in a short space of time. The less time we have, the more direction is needed, and unfortunately, that is not how this style of photography works.
CONVINCING YOUR PARTNER
Women find it hard to convince their partners to participate in photo shoots. However, they warm to this style far quicker and easier than staged portraits on a sandy beach during golden hour dressed in button-up Hawaiian shirts and beige shorts (I used to take them). Tell them no one has to smile, embrace, stand still, or dress for the occasion.
ROUTINES ON THE DAY
I encourage families to keep regular routines. An outing with young children is fine, but only for 1-2 hours and preferably close to home. Teenagers can be more challenging to capture in their natural habitat, so getting out and participating in a family event or exercise can help.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
Close-ups produce the best images—just something to remember when you can smell my breath.
WHAT I DO / DO NOT CAPTURE
Unless an ambulance is required, I capture the highs and the lows. Unlike mainstream lifestyle photography, no one has to conform or behave, making the session far easier and more enjoyable.
Bath / shower time always brings joy and play to the routine (or tantrums), and as long as children are comfortable and have not yet reached an age where they feel self conscious, I like to keep shooting. By this time of the day, everyone is comfortable.
There are plenty of times throughout the day when not much happens. This is perfectly normal. There is plenty of time for things to evolve naturally and steadily without impacting the final collection.
Be yourselves. Mismatched clothes, pyjamas all day, chaos, pets. It’s life, and we want all of it.
MARKETING
I like to share a small collection of my work from each session, but will always ask for permission. These are used on my website and in my blog.