Shortlisted for ‘Child Photographer of the Year’ Award
I have received some extremely exciting news today. I have been shortlisted for the Child Photographer of the Year award with the largest photographic society in the UK, the SWPP (the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers)!
I’m just one of three professional photographers across the UK and Europe who are now in the running for the title of Child Photographer of the Year.
I’m actually in shock if I’m honest, but thrilled too! Oh, wouldn’t it be brilliant if I was to win?!
Gold standard portrait
This portrait was awarded a ‘Gold’ in the SWPP’s latest monthly photography competition and has played a large part in my award nomination.
I don’t actually think winning awards is the be-all and end-all. Happy clients are most important to me. Yet, it certainly feels good to have been selected!
Especially when the standard of work from the other thousands of UK and international photographers who have entered the competition is so high!
Accomplished Studio and On-Location Photographer
This nomination is particularly special to me because I have been submitting images to the SWPP this year that have been a mixture of studio photography (my first love) and outdoor, on-location photography.
Although I began doing more outdoor photography in the summer of 2015, it is only in 2016 that I feel that I have become just as competent in on-location photography, using natural light, as I am in the studio.
Lifestyle Photography in Dorset
I’ve worked hard, invested in professional training and got out and about around Dorset at every possible opportunity, usually taking my long-suffering daughter Lizzie with me to model (as you can see from all the portraits I’ve included here).
I feel that I have come a long way this year and this award nomination is a real boost and acknowledgement of that.
Making Memories
These portraits are special in another way too; because they are all of Lizzie, my own daughter.
I often talk about the importance of capturing important family moments in photographs.
Being a mum as well as a photographer, I’m in the lucky position of being able to take professional-standard portraits of Lizzie, and in doing so I’m making memories of my own. I love that!
Child Photographer of the Year announced in January
So wish me luck!
The winner will be revealed next month at the SWPP’s annual awards ceremony. It would be amazing to become Child Photographer of the Year so please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me and I’ll keep you posted about the result!
Karen x
Foxy Hat Give away
Hey, everyone!
Here at KW Photography, we love supporting local small businesses, just like ourselves. I often get lots of different items to photograph and sometimes the companies don’t want them back. So, I’ve decided to have a little giveaway starting with the Foxy Hat…well, it is nearly Christmas!
Christmas Giveaway
Attic Textiles are a local company, in Poole, that I work with. I photograph their fabulous hand made baby and toddler products. So, if you are looking for a pressie for your little one or a great gift then look no further.
May from Attic Textiles creates the most amazing designs and the quality is just fab! They sell all over the world and are popular with celebrities too! Please do check out their website and their store on Not on the High Street for all the lovely, up-to-date products.
How to enter
All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me why you’d like to win the hat. Then pop back to my Facebook page and comment “Love KW Photography” on the Give Away post.
I will randomly choose a winner from the comments on my blog, and will post the hat to the UK only. The Hat is aged 1-3 years and is suitable for a Boy or Girl.
Easy Peasy! The winner will be announced on Friday the 9th of Dec 2016 at 8pm on my Facebook page.
Get commenting!!!!
Bye for now
Karen xx
Christmas baby portraits: How I created these ‘Elf on the shelf’ images
Christmas baby portraits
With Christmas coming up, naturally, I have been taking lots of themed Christmas baby portraits these past few weeks. I just adore them, and every one goes crazy for the elf on the shelf!
Parents do too! And, why not?! There’s so much to love! They can be used on personalised Christmas cards. And they make great Christmas presents for family and friends when printed and framed, or used in photo gifts.
Christmas baby portraits are lovely both to give, and to receive.
Elf on the Shelf inspired portraits
I have particularly enjoyed working on a new concept this year. A creative setup, inspired by the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ craze.
Elf on the Shelf has increased in popularity, here in the UK, over the past few years. So I thought it would be fun to transform a few gorgeous newborns into little elves and capture them sleeping on their very own ‘shelf’.
I say ‘shelf’ in adverted commas since they were not perched on a shelf, of course. It’s simply a clever optical illusion. If you’d like to know how I safely created these Elf on the Shelf-inspired portraits, read on!
Newborn photography: Tricks of the trade
Now, it’s important for you to realize that I would never balance a baby on a shelf or hang them from a height.
Nor would I position them in a basket that was at risk of toppling over. Or in a way that they were required to support their own head in their hands.
That just wouldn’t be safe.
Composite newborn images
All my portraits are taken in the safe, warm environment of my photography studio and the baby’s parents are always close by as well.
‘Composite’ newborn baby portraits like the one above are actually created after the photoshoot. They are essentially one or more photographs combined together using digital editing techniques.
Although the majority of the work is done in the photography studio, editing is an essential element in the success of this kind of image.
How I created the sleeping ‘Elf on the Shelf’ portrait
For the photo above, I setup the shot of the baby resting her head on the teddy bear, while laying on the shelf. The shelf was balanced and securely positioned on a chair, and the baby was held safely in position by the parent at all times.
The final image was achieved when I combined several photographs together. I removed the parents’ hand and the chair from the photographs during the digital editing process. Clever huh?
(For more of an insight into this process, take a look at how composite newborn images are created here).
Clever Christmas baby portraits
Here’s another Elf on the Shelf portrait. This one was tricky to setup, but was worth it!
Although the baby appears to be sitting on the shelf, he was actually lying, safely and comfortably, on his back on the floor.
I deliberately chose the rustic wooden backdrop which looked like the interior wall of a winter log cabin, and then propped the shelf up against his legs and bottom.
To complete the illusion, the props were also carefully positioned alongside him, and stuck down with tape to stop them from falling to the side. Then I photographed the whole setup from above, with my camera looking directly down to the floor.
Ensuring baby’s safety at all times
Of course, I wanted it to appear as though these babies were really positioned on the shelf.
But, as with any other portraits that I create that appear to put the baby in a position of potential danger, I can assure you that these are all created 100% safely.
Book your photoshoot today!
These are just a couple of examples of creative portraits that I produce for my clients within my signature newborn photography experience.
If you’d like something similar with your newborn baby, whatever the time of year, please contact me today.
Karen x
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!
