Newborn photoshoot with a difference
Newborn photoshoot with a difference
September and October are always notoriously busy months for me, and this year has been no different.
It’s funny really. The Office for National Statistics last year confirmed that September is the most popular birth month throughout England and Wales. Babies are most likely to be conceived around Christmas it seems!
So, again this autumn, I’ve had the chance to meet so many gorgeous newborn babies and I’ve really been enjoying my work.
Newborn photography at the family home
One of the newborn photoshoots that I’ve done recently was quite different to the rest.
I actually photographed the baby in her family home rather than have the family visit me at my photography studio in Poole.
It was a really fun and relaxed session. I’m really proud of the photos and I’ll show you some of the highlights here.
Newborn portraits with a difference
The Griffiths family are a gorgeous bunch and are long-standing clients of mine.
I photographed their older son Theo as a newborn baby. At six months old I did a photoshoot with him outdoors. And, as a one-year-old, I photographed him surrounded by the family’s three Rottweiler’s, deep within the New Forest!
So, after the recent birth of their daughter Freya I knew that they would want newborn portraits, but with a twist.
And since I love trying out new things I was really excited about the chance to do a home-based newborn photoshoot.
I’ve recently photographed a birth at a client’s home and, of course, I love photographing outdoors too, so I know it would turn out great.
Home-based newborn photoshoot
I had the opportunity to work within the light and airy rooms of the family’s fabulous Victorian home.
The objective of the shoot was to capture natural portraits of baby Freya while she was awake.
I was also asked to take photographs of her with her older brother, and several family shots in a relaxed, un-posed style.
I’m pleased to report that Freya was an absolute delight for the entire session. It was lots of fun doing a newborn photoshoot at a client’s home, and I was thrilled with the results.
The relaxed feel that I strive to create in all my sessions really did translate across to a home-setting.
To see how calm and enjoyable my newborn photography sessions really are, take a look at my newborn photography video here
And if you’d like to receive my latest news, tips and occasional special offers by email sign up here.
Until next time,
Karen x
Smile baby! Newborn, baby and child photography
Is there anything more adorable than a smiling baby?
Lucky for me, I get to meet so many gorgeous little ones in my job in newborn, baby and child photography.
And since it was World Smile Day recently, I felt it fitting to collate a collection of some of my recent ‘smiley’ portraits for you to enjoy.
To sleep or not to sleep…
The majority of newborn babies I photograph are less than two weeks old. At that age, they typically spend up to 18 hours per day asleep.
So it’s no surprise then that they spend most of the photoshoot blissfully unaware of the flashing camera. Safely in the land of nod.
But there are always a few cheeky ones!
Sometimes the babies I photograph just refuse to play ball. They’ll be wide awake and taking it all in. This is really lovely if it happens. It gives me the opportunity to capture some great open-eyed shots, like this.
Smile, smile, smile
And if I’m REALLY lucky, they’ll flash me a super-cute smile too!
Babies don’t usually smile before the six-week mark. Anything before that is an unconscious reflex, similar to the jerky arm and leg movements that they do in their first few weeks.
But if they do smile, it’s unbelievably cute! If I can capture any smiling shots for the parents, I always will. Seeing their baby’s smiling face for the very first time is just magic!
Natural smiles are the best!
Older babies, toddlers and young children also regularly give me the most adorable grins.
Unfortunately, as kids get older they learn to give the posed “cheeeeseeee” grins whenever a camera is presented in front of them. This isn’t so great, and it’s one of my daily challenges when working with toddlers and older children.
But capturing a natural smile, when the child’s eyes and entire face light up, is fantastic at any age.
I hope you enjoy the smiles! I love baby and child photography!
If you are expecting a baby and wish to discover more about my newborn photography sessions, visit my Frequently Asked Questions page as well as my Newborn Photography Guide here.
Don’t forget to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date. Book around the time of your 20-week scan if possible. Slots do fill up fast!
Until next time,
Karen x
A day in the life of a children's photographer - Pumpkin patch
A day in the life of a Dorset children’s photographer.
So, the sun is shining but there’s a little chill in the air. This can only mean one thing. That summer has passed and autumn is in full swing.
I love those late summer evenings with the golden glow of sunset, but I have to confess I really love autumn too. The colours and bright crisp days are great for a little location photography. Just wrap the kids up warm, hats, scarves and gloves, chunky jumpers, and wellies. It’s a kid’s dream! They love running in the leaves and splashing in puddles (I mean, who doesn’t? If only us grown-ups could get away with it) and generally being kids!
Today I headed off in search of a slightly different type of location. After a quick search on the internet, I found a great “Pick your own” pumpkin farm on the edge of the New Forest in Sopley.
What a great backdrop for a photoshoot and with half term and Halloween just around the corner, it seemed like a great opportunity to get some fun seasonal photos. We followed the pumpkin signs and found it fairly easily, pulled into the carpark, and Wow! Row upon row of pumpkins. It was a photographer’s dream. A photo opportunity around every pumpkin.
The boys had an absolute blast choosing the biggest and best pumpkin. The farm even supply little sledges for you fill with your finds.
Not content with just pumpkin picking, the boys decided to test out their wellies. This meant things were going to get very messy! Well, boys will be boys and I loved the fact that they had so much fun out in the fresh air on their photoshoot. We had plenty of lovely clean shots before the splashing started so mum was pretty relaxed about the mess.
Things quickly got even messier with all three boys enjoying the splashing fun.
We finished off the trip a lovely photo on the farm tractor. The boys had a fantastic photoshoot doing exactly what boys love doing, getting messy!
If you’d like a lovely Autumnal location photoshoot then please get in touch (I promise puddle jumping doesn’t have to be included). What a great way to spend the day making memories with Dorset children’s photographer!
Bye for now
Karen x
Amazing Birth photography
Birth photography: A birth story in photographs.
Photography for me has always been about capturing the moment; that special smile, the cutest look, or the best pout ever. I get plenty of opportunities with all the babies, toddlers, and children that pass through my photography studio in Poole.
Once in a while, you get the chance to be a witness to something truly magical and special. On Friday 30th September, I was asked to photograph a birth.
Now, this was not really how I’d planned to spend my Friday. In fact, I was due to photograph a beautiful seven-day-old baby girl in the studio. However, I was a stand-in photographer for another local photographer who was due to cover a birth. Yup, you guessed it, I got lucky and the call came to me!
So I got the first message the night before. Labour was starting so I jumped into action, packed my camera, made sure my batteries were charged, and formatted my memory cards. I was so excited I could barely sleep! I kept waiting for the text to arrive during the night, but the baby was having other ideas and keeping us waiting.
Morning arrived and, with it, all the usual rush to get the kids to school, bags packed, school lunches made and rush hour traffic. So the imminent birth was pushed to the back of my mind.
Perfect timing, 9.30 I was called into action; “Come now, the baby is on its way.”
I dashed to Lilliput, near Sandbanks in Poole, found the house and let myself in.
The scene was so calm, candles flickering and gentle music playing. I slipped quietly in, set my camera to silent and got to work.
My aim was to document this amazing day for the parents, not get in the way nor intrude their intimate, precious time. As a Mum myself, I know how “in the zone” you are giving birth. The mix of emotions is immense. From total panic and fear to a sense of calm and, finally, elation when your baby is born.
The labour progressed pretty quickly and I was sure delivery was going to happen soon. This was the second birth I’ve photographed and both have been at home with no pain relief; what amazing strong mothers they are!
At 13.11pm on Friday 30th September Carrie gave birth. I’m in total awe of her will and strength of character managing to give birth exactly how she had planned, at home in the birthing pool.
I couldn’t wait to see if it was a boy or girl. Daddy announced a healthy baby boy!
Congratulations Carrie and Patrick on the birth of your gorgeous new baby boy! I really enjoyed the opportunity to try out birth photography again and I can’t wait to see you all in the studio for a newborn session soon.
Much love, and bye for now,
Karen x
Two little boys: Dorset location photo shoot
Location Photoshoot
Wow, the summer holidays have been filled with fields of flowers and girls in pretty dresses which got me thinking about a location photoshoot for boys.
What could I offer for the boys?
Well, we are blessed with some fantastic locations here in Dorset. Gorgeous open countryside and, of course, a fantastic coastline with the infamous Sandbanks just down the road from my studio here in Poole.
The beach is super busy here in the summer so is not the best place to try to get some great photos unless you go later in the day. But that’s not always the best time with little one’s bedtime to think about.
I was wracking my brain when it occurred to me that literally five minutes from the studio, in Broadstone, is a beautiful patch of woodland with a stream. It’s perfect for splashing in. With the stream being only a few inches deep, it’s great for tots to splash in too!
So, late one afternoon we set off with two excited boys a tin bath and some yellow wellies to try out the location. Wow! It worked a treat!
Off the boys went into the water. Trouble is that I hadn’t thought through the location, and guess where I needed to be to get the best shot?
Yup, you guessed it… in the water with them! (This photography malarky isn’t for the faint-hearted and my Birkenstock sandals will never be quite the same again!)
But to get the shots I was after, it was the only place to be. So there I was, kneeling in the water. But it was worth the soggy trousers!
The boys absolutely loved it. They ran and splashed and had the best time, just being boys.
I’d brought along a few props – the tin tub and a super little vintage pond boat I’d been itching to use since finding it in a junk store. The boys were delighted. The boat was officially a hit.
The tin tub, on the other hand, needed a bit of steadying to stop it from floating off down the stream. But Arthur’s big brother was on hand to help him and they loved “sailing” the tub.
What a fantastic location! Everything a little boy needs; a woodland to run in and a stream to splash in. I loved this pair’s lifestyle location photoshoot. I think they did too.
I’d even packed a towel for the boys. So after splashing it was a quick towel dry, change of clothes and they were happy again, charging around the woods!
So if you are on the lookout for some lovely playful, natural photos of your children then why not book a outdoors photoshoot with me?
You get to have a giggle if I end up in the stream again too – always an added bonus!
Bye for now (drying out my sandals still)
Karen x
How far would you travel for a baby photography session?
Today I thought I’d ask you the question – how far would you travel to have a baby photography session?
The reason I ask is that I’ve noticed that my clients are travelling to me from increasing distances, and I wondered what the general consensus was about ‘how far is too far’.
At one time the majority of my clients were local to Dorset. Or they would travel up to an hour to visit me at my Poole-based photography studio.
Now they are travelling from much further afield.
From places such as Swindon, Reading, Bognor Regis, London, and other locations across the counties of Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, and Berkshire.
I’m very flattered, or course!
It seems that I am being chosen to photograph newborn babies despite the distance families need to travel, which is fantastic!
If you are one of these clients then I’d like to use this opportunity to say thank you!
I’m very grateful and honoured that you chose me as your newborn photographer and came to visit me, here in Poole.
Baby photography clients from other continents!
Recently one family had even travelled from India to have their Cake Smash photographed by me, during a visit to their extended family in the UK!
Plus I have just taken a booking from a family living in Qatar!
Although clients travelling from another continent for my baby photography services is more an anomaly than the norm, there is a definite trend for people to be travelling greater distances to have me photograph their families.
KW Photography: A newborn photography specialist
So, why the change? Well, I imagine it’s a result of the increased visibility of the KW Photography brand online.
During the five years I have been in business I have established a reputation as a newborn photography specialist, and have won many awards for my work.
I’m sure social media is also playing a part.
I currently have more than 50,000 followers of my KW Photography Facebook page, and I recently gained a lot of new national and international followers when my first birthday cake smash video that went viral!
(If you missed that, do check out the video here).
When I ask them, families also tell me that they are discovering my baby photography session after having seen an article about me in the media.
How far did you travel to visit me for your newborn baby’s portraits?
And if you are local to me, would you have been prepared to come from further afield?
I’d love to know your thoughts!
Karen x
Maternity portraits: Exciting collaboration with European maternity fashion designer
Maternity Portraits
I don’t get a lot of spare time, particularly during the summer holidays when I have been juggling the care of my two children with a busy photography business, but last week I did get a day off!
I used it wisely. I escaped the studio and got out and about to do some experimental maternity portraits, along with my friend and fellow photographer, Gary Hill.
As you may know, maternity portrait photography is one of my core services and I love taking photos of gorgeous mummies-to-be.
Photographing a woman in her final stages of pregnancy is truly special.
The pregnancy ‘glow’ and the fully rounded tummy make for stunning portraits.
My maternity clients tell me that they love looking back on their pregnancy photos, long after their babies have been born.
Developing my portfolio of maternity portraits
So, in a bid to continue developing my portfolio of maternity portraits I took a day out recently with some beautiful pregnant ladies.
I recently collaborated with the amazing European maternity fashion designer, Mii-Estilo, and I had some of her gorgeous gowns for my maternity models to wear.
Designer maternity dresses
Based in the Netherlands, Ingrid of Mii-Estilo creates the most stunning maternity dresses. They accentuate every gorgeous baby bump and curve and come in the most flattering colours and designs.
I literally have fallen in love with her dresses, and so was thrilled to be able to use a number of them for my test shoots. I even got to use some of the dresses from her latest collection!
The gowns I used came in the most striking colours, for example, this rich red wine hue of this ‘Bordeaux Red Bellis’ Dress. It had an extra-long train – which I just loved too!
Experimenting with light and working in all weathers!
I took photos of my models in the forest and at the beach, to get a variety of shots.
The weather and the lighting were certainly a challenge! I battled strong winds and bright sunshine to get these great maternity portraits.
But that was the whole point of the day really. I had wanted to try photographing the ladies in difficult circumstances; at the times of the day when the natural light was harsh and therefore most challenging to work with, and in all weathers.
In this lovely beach shot, it was dark and spitting with rain so I think Beth did an amazing job!
In this one, this beautiful lady braved the gorse which was super prickly too!
And in this one, the sun was really bright but this portrait worked out brilliantly.
I’m thrilled to share the results of those test shoots with you here. I thoroughly enjoyed the day (big thanks to my lovely models Lindsey, Sarah, Beth and Kimberley), and I am absolutely delighted with the maternity portraits I took.
Which is your favourite? Do let me know in the comments!
My top tips for photographing reluctant children
Have you ever tried to photograph a child who does NOT want to be photographed? (I presume you are nodding your head right now.)
Yes, it can be very difficult, for sure!
Photographing reluctant children
I have literally photographed thousands of children over the years and, believe me, not all of those have wanted to have their photo taken.
Delaying and avoidance tactics? You name it, I’ve seen it!
You could say that photographing reluctant children is a day to day occurrence for me.
Over the years I’ve developed lots of coping strategies for handling even the most resistant children.
I often see parents getting stressed when their child doesn’t cooperate during a photoshoot. But there really is no point.
I always get the shot I am after eventually. If you heed my tips below you will too!
My three top tips
1. Be prepared to wait
While it can take time to get reluctant children to cooperate, you’ll usually be rewarded for your perseverance and persistence.
Don’t rush the child or make them feel under pressure to perform to the camera.
As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait!
2. Let them explore the environment
Whether I’m photographing on location or in my photography studio, the setting is usually new to the child.
So I let the child get comfortable in the surroundings first, before attempting to take their portrait.
I also often pull out props for younger children to climb on – chairs, a rocking horse, or a toy car for example.
Toys such as teddies and softballs are also good to distract a reluctant child.
If outdoors, encourage them to find sticks or leaves, and run around for a while to burn off some energy before you attempt to take their portrait.
3. Make them laugh
If a young child is refusing to look at the camera or, worse, is crying or having a tantrum, I sing!
A quick rendition of ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ or ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ usually induces a smile. Or at least a cursory glance.
And that’s despite my terrible singing voice!
Noisy toys – things that squeak, rattle or jingle – also work well to get them, at least, looking in the right direction.
The Great Outdoors!
Embrace the summer with an on location photoshoot
By Karen Wiltshire of KW Photography (www.kw-photography.co.uk)
I’m really enjoying getting out of the studio and discovering gorgeous locations for my on location photography! If you follow my page on Facebook you will have perhaps seen some of my recent work?
So, today I wanted to share some of my latest outdoor portraits not too far from my studio in Poole, Dorset. I hope that these natural relaxed portraits may inspire you to consider an on location photoshoot of your own, and to get booked in while you can!
Summer has arrived!
Summer is now officially here (yes, really)!
So there is no time like the present to embrace the long, light evenings and get out and about for some child or family portraits.
On location photoshoot in Dorset
Here in Dorset we are totally spoilt with the great outdoors. There are so many beautiful local landscapes – a photographer’s dream!
Much to my daughter Lizzie’s annoyance, I love spending my evenings seeking out locations well off the beaten path.
I’m amazed after all these years that I still manage to find wonderful, relatively undiscovered places each and every year!
Stunning floral backdrops
Last month I shared some of my favourite images among the bluebells. Since then I have been loving the local poppy fields. They have been particularly amazing this year, although they are, sadly, just past their best now.
I’ve been loving the vibrant colours and have taken any chance I could to keep going back for more. Clients have loved them too!
The daisy fields are also so pretty right now. Here’s a couple of portraits from a shoot this week.
Both my clients and I have been really enjoying getting out among the great outdoors here in Dorset. If you’d like an on location photoshoot, contact me to book your session today!
Grab your chance while you can!
Karen x
Location Photography: Portraits among the beautiful bluebells
Once again, bluebell season has now come and gone. I’m really sad as i love bluebells for location photography.
Since the end of April I have had weeks of fun visiting my local bluebell woods, taking portraits of my clients and their families.
So today I wanted to share some of the portraits that I have taken recently, among the beautiful bluebells.
These include an extra special image of a gorgeous newborn sleeping peacefully among the bluebells – not something that you see every day!
Hopefully these give you inspiration for what’s possible in these lovely spring and summer months. If you fancy something similar do get in touch to find out more about my outdoor photography service.
Bluebells at Pamphill
There is a wonderful bluebell copse in nearby Wimborne Minster, here in Dorset, and it’s a favourite haunt of mine in the springtime.
It’s one of the many stunning locations throughout Dorset and Hampshire that I use regularly when doing my outdoor lifestyle photography.
The blanket of colour created by the swathes of delicate bluebells is absolutely gorgeous. Every year I look forward to visiting.
There’s a window of around six weeks when the bluebells are in full bloom. Sadly the season has just finished for another year, but I’m delighted with the portraits I’ve taken and my clients have been too.
If you go down to the woods today…
This portrait of a gorgeous newborn baby sleeping among the bluebells wasn’t a private commission; more of a personal project.
When I have some free time, I like to try out new things and this year I thought it would be wonderful to develop my location photography portfolio by taking some outdoor photos of a newborn. This time, in the local bluebell woods.
So I went along to Pamphill with a good friend of mine, Samira. She’s also a newborn photographer.
It was a fairly warm day but we ensured that the baby was nice and cosy with the help of a heat pad hidden from view, and plenty of blankets. She slept the whole time, bless her, so was clearly oblivious to her starring role in this rather unusual photoshoot!
I took the image from low down, shooting through the leaves to create a misty effect at the front. Then, just a few tweaks in Photoshop were needed to sort out the wonky headband and some stray bluebells. And, voila!
We were delighted with how the images turned out, and they were even included in the Daily Echo!
Enduring appeal
Seems the bluebells never lose their appeal! They are gorgeous, dawn or dusk.
I, for one, can’t wait for next spring so I can take more lifestyle portraits out in the bluebell woods.
Where are your favourite places to view bluebells? Do let me know in the comments.
Karen x
