What new parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer
If you’ve never hired a newborn photographer (or any kind of studio photographer before) then I completely understand that there is a lot for you to take on board when making the decision about who to choose.
Hiring a newborn photographer isn’t just a case of searching for one in Google and choosing the first one you find. (That’s not the approach I would recommend anyway).
No, there’s far more to it than that because there are many photographers out there, and not all are created equal.
So, in today’s blog, I’m sharing with you some of the key things I believe that parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer.
My hope is that you can get yourself clued up about newborn photography as far as possible in advance of your baby arriving. Then, having done your research in advance and being fully prepared, you’ll make the right decision about who to hire and will thoroughly enjoy your newborn photoshoot experience as a result.
Important things to consider when choosing a newborn photographer
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Safety
There is currently no official qualification that a newborn photographer needs to achieve which means that it’s really important that you choose yours carefully.
Do your homework into how they handle babies to achieve the photos they showcase on their website.
Some popular newborn photography poses seem to defy gravity. They show a sleeping baby supporting the weight of their own head (which is impossible!). Or, they are positioned on a shelf or hung from a height (which would be unsafe if not done properly).
Does the photographer you are considering talk about newborn safety on their website?
Do they discuss it in their blog (as I have done here) or on their social media? Have they been quoted in the media or written articles about it? Basically, do they mention it as being highly important? Or, in contrast, do they not talk about it at all?
No prominent mention of baby safety on a newborn photographer’s website should set off alarm bells in your head! This is my absolute number one priority, as it should be. Safety should always come first!
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Experience
Before hiring a newborn photographer, I’d always recommend that you aim to hire someone who has a lot of experience and who is a specialist in handling babies.
Newborn baby photography is a specialist skill. As a parent myself, I know that I’d only want to put my precious newborn in the hands of someone who knows how to handle them safely.
To see how experienced a photographer is, look on their website for examples of their work. Do they show a variety of example images which indicate that they have been established for a while?
Also, look online for reviews from happy customers. Do they have a highly-rated service on Google and Facebook? The more established newborn photographers will have many happy customers and positive reviews.
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Style
When deciding on which newborn photographer to hire, style is a big part of the decision process. Quite simply, you should hire a photographer whose work you absolutely love. And if you’ve not found that photographer yet, keep looking!
The images you see on their website galleries and shared on their social media pages should make you smile, coo and perhaps even cry! They should move you.
There should be an emotional connection to the images, and once you feel this…bingo! You’ve found the right baby photographer for you.
Honestly, once you’ve found the one, you’ll know. You’ll feel it in your gut that their work is the exact style you are after, and you’ll be excited to hire them.
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Location
Location is an important factor, but it needn’t be the deciding factor.
There is no reason why you cannot travel across the county, or even the country, to have your baby photographed by the newborn photographer you want to hire.
I say this because although I am based in Poole in Dorset, I very often have clients travelling from not only Dorset and the neighbouring county of Hampshire, but also from much further afield.
Clients regularly travel to me from London, Birmingham and even on a number of occasions, clients have travelled from abroad to be photographed by me.
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Cost of hiring a newborn photographer
While I’m not suggesting that you should max out your budget on newborn photos, you shouldn’t be looking to hire the cheapest photographer out there either.
As with everything in life, I believe that you get what you pay for. Cheap baby photos may seem a bargain but they’re not going to be the best quality. If something seems extremely cheap, ask yourself why that might be.
I’d highly recommend that you view consider price in your decision making, but that you don’t let low prices determine which photographer you choose.
As an experienced, multi-award-winning newborn photographer myself, I’m certainly not the cheapest in the area. But I believe that I offer great value photography considering my expertise (I’ve photographed over 700 newborns over the past eight years) and that my prices are a fair reflection of the quality of service and images that I provide to my photography clients.
Are you considering hiring a newborn photographer?
Please complete this contact form to get in touch with me if you think I may be the perfect newborn photographer for you!
And if you know any other parents-to-be who are also considering hiring a newborn photographer, then please do share this article with them too. Thank you!
Karen x
What to wear to your outdoor family photoshoot
Are you considering an outdoor family photoshoot but don’t have a clue what you should wear?
If so, don’t panic! This is of the most common questions that I get asked when my clients book one of my lifestyle photoshoots.
And quite rightly so. The clothes you wear on the day of your family photoshoot should be a big consideration since they dramatically impact on the overall look and feel of the photos.
Things to consider when planning what to wear to your outdoor family photoshoot
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How and where are you planning to use the photos?
This is often something that can be forgotten, but it’s actually really important to think about how and where you will display the photos in your home.
If you are having a family photoshoot with the intention of hanging the mounted or framed photos in your living room, then think about the colour scheme in the room. What colours would work well with your décor?
Similarly, if you are having an outdoor family session so that you can get some fun photos of the children and plan to hang the pictures in their bedroom, again, what colours would work well with the room’s colours scheme?
Complementary colours will ensure that the pictures fit perfectly in the room and will enhance the colour scheme that you already have.
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Seasonality
The time of year that you are having the photoshoot is a really important consideration. Certain colours and types of clothing work best in particular seasons.
- In the spring, pastels and light fresh blues, greens and yellows are a great option.
- In summer, warm pinks, yellows look beautiful, as do cool sky blues, mints and aqua. For something glitzier, you’ve got the choice of champagne, rose gold and ivory shades.
- Browns, rusty oranges, golds and creams work really well in the Autumn.
- Warm reds and jewel colours such as emerald greens, teal and mulberry are perfect in the Winter.
My top tip would be to pick a base colour and consider the season when choosing this. Then, introduce contrast by wearing denim or either warm or cool neutrals.
For some great examples and for more inspiration on what to wear to your photoshoot, take a look at my Pinterest board where you’ll find colour combinations and suggestions for suitable clothing.
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A cohesive colour scheme for the whole family
Another really important consideration is how the family will look pictured together. What you are aiming for ideally is a cohesive, consistent colour scheme without looking too ‘matchy’.
The natural, outdoor photos that I will take of you and your family will look so much better if you have thought through in advance how you will incorporate your chosen colours into everyone’s clothing, but in a subtle way.
You don’t want to look like you tried too hard!
- If dad is wearing a casual white shirt with blue trousers and tan canvas shoes, perhaps mum could wear a white coloured dress and blue pumps
- The boys in the family could then wear either a casual blue shirt or plain white T-shirt with smart denim jeans and blue trainers
- Or, for a girl, a blue and white checked with a white cardigan and sandals or shoes.
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Wear clothes that are smart but comfortable
A final, but really important point!
During your outdoor family photoshoot, I’ll be aiming to capture natural photos. Which means that I want them to reflect who you really are.
While that doesn’t mean that you need to ‘dress up’ for the occasion, anything too far the other way means that you potentially won’t look your best on camera.
My top tip here would be to keep the overall look smart-casual.
- Anything too formal will look unnatural and will be uncomfortable for you and the kids. So please don’t force your children into shirts buttoned up to the collar if they aren’t used to wearing them or shoes that rub their feet. It’ll just mean that they’ll be fidgeting during the session which may make it a more stressful experience for you.
- And don’t wear anything that’s either too tight-fitting or too baggy. You want your clothes to be flattering, and make you look your best possible self.
You’ll be looking at the pictures for years to come so choose your clothes wisely so that you won’t regret your decision later.
- Do choose classic cut denim jeans, dresses, plain white T-shirts (no logos), unbranded trainers, plain coloured wellies (in Autumn). Basically, simple, classic clothes work best, and this is true whether you’re having your family portrait session outdoors or in the photography studio.
- Anything too bright, fussy or overly-detailed will put the focus on the clothes rather on you, which is the exact opposite of what we’re hoping to achieve.
Again, there are some great examples of the styles of clothes that work well on my Pinterest board. Take a look there for inspiration on what to wear for your family photoshoot.
What will you wear to your outdoor family photoshoot?
So, I hope that these tips I have shared about what to wear to your outdoor family photoshoot have been useful?
Feel free to let me know which colour combinations from my Pinterest board that you love in the comments below, and feel free to ask any questions about what to wear, too.
As you’ll probably already know, I love photographing families outside all year round.
In the spring and summer, we’re spoilt with beautiful flowers, lush greenery, beautiful sunsets and those amazingly long, balmy evenings. And in the autumn and winter, the days aren’t as long but we still get beautiful light and there are still lots of opportunities to get some gorgeous pictures outdoors (just wrap up warm!).
Specialist in outdoor family photography
Remember, I specialise in outdoor portraits of not just families, but also newborn babies, children of all ages, and pregnant ladies too. So, if you’d like to secure a slot for your own outdoor portrait session here in Dorset, please complete this contact form.
I also have my own outdoor garden studio so you could book a studio session and also get some outdoor shots taken without us all needing to travel to a different location. Handy, right?
Karen x
How old should a baby be at their newborn baby photoshoot?
As a parent-to-be or new parent, you may be considering a newborn baby photoshoot.
You’ve seen sleeping baby portraits like these online and want similar photos of your own baby. And why wouldn’t you?
But you may have been put off slightly, simply because you’ve been told that your baby must be only days or a week or so old at the time of their newborn baby photoshoot.
And for whatever reason, your baby is already older than this.
- Perhaps you’ve only just begun considering newborn photography and your baby is already several weeks old?
- Perhaps you hadn’t realised you needed to book in advance, so in the days that have passed while you try to find a photographer, your baby is now several weeks old?
- Maybe there were complications at the birth or afterwards which has led you or the baby to have been in hospital for longer than expected, so you haven’t been able to get to a photographer’s studio in those early weeks?
- Or maybe, you‘re just finding the whole experience of having a baby exhausting and overwhelming (you wouldn’t be alone on this one!) and just haven’t been able to get out of your PJ’s let alone out of the house with the new baby?
You CAN still have a newborn baby photoshoot if your baby is older than 14 days
Whatever the reason for you not having had your newborn baby photoshoot yet, fear not!
I’m here today to tell you that there IS still time for a photographer to capture beautiful sleeping photos of your baby.
And yes, I mean, EVEN if they are more than a few weeks old.
Newborn photography for ‘older’ babies
Case in point. I had beautiful baby Piper in the studio recently who was far from a sleeping, curled up newborn. She was a chunky 13 weeks old.
She was a gorgeous girly and lovely to work with, although obviously was so much bigger and more alert than the newborn babies that I am usually photographing in my studio.
OK, it was more challenging for me perhaps.
With her not sleeping as much as a days-old newborn would, it was certainly a completely different experience for me as the photographer.
I needed to be able to position her a little differently to how I would a tiny newborn but was still able to get those super sleepy poses parents love. When I have an older newborn in the studio I love to get those giggles and smiles too for parents. As you can see, Piper was full of fun!
Photography for children of all ages
I got some gorgeous portraits of baby Piper and am thrilled with the results. And, most importantly, so are her parents!
She is not the first ‘older’ newborn baby I have photographed either.
No, in my eight years as a newborn photographer I have worked with loads of babies who are considered ‘too old’ for newborn photography.
Can you believe that most newborn photographers consider babies ‘too old’ if they are over four weeks old? Crazy!
I am proud to be able to offer my services to clients whatever the age of their baby.
Rudy here is a bonny nine weeks old. Giggling and sleeping, even after a long car journey to me.
Experienced newborn photographer
I guess that it comes down to experience.
I have eight solid years of experience working with newborns and am confident that I can work with babies of any age.
But I also think that I am not afraid of a challenge, and don’t want to always go for the easy option.
Working with an older baby might be different to a typical newborn baby photoshoot, but the satisfaction of meeting the challenge and achieving results like these is extremely satisfying!
Book your newborn baby photoshoot today
The truth is, I love photographing babies of all ages. Take a look at my newborn and baby gallery here to see just a small selection of the portraits I have taken.
I am based in Dorset but regularly have clients travelling from London and across neighbouring counties, and even from abroad, to have their photos with me. So, if you haven’t found a photographer willing to do your newborn baby photoshoot, if your baby is more than a few weeks old, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
To book your session contact me on 07749 270431, email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete the contact form on my website.
Karen x
Five things to do before baby arrives: Tips for mums-to-be
If you’re expecting a baby, huge congratulations! Having a baby is life-changing, wonderful and a thrilling adventure! I’m really excited for you!
So now, with the news of your pregnancy having been announced to friends and family, you may be wondering…what’s next? What should you do first?
Well, here’s a list of five things to do before baby arrives.
Hands up, I didn’t do all of these when I was pregnant. But with the benefit of hindsight, I should have done! I highly suggest that you do at least some of these while you have the chance.
As a mum of two myself, I know how quickly those nine months do go. Even if at several points in your pregnancy you’ll probably feel like you’ve been pregnant FOREVER, it really isn’t long. And you’ll have lots to organise before your baby is born.
I’d highly recommend that try to avoid getting so lost in the excitement that you forget to take some time out for yourself during your pregnancy! Decide now what would you like to do before baby arrives. And be sure to get it scheduled in your diary.
Things to do before having a baby
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Plan a Baby Moon
Without doubt your life will never be the same again once your baby has been born. Of course, I mean that in the best possible way. But it does mean that there won’t be much time for you and your partner initially.
Travelling across the country or to other corners of the world is unlikely to be at the top of your priority list with a baby in the family. So, plan a holiday or mini break.
Travel to a far-flung location or go on that city break that you’ve always wanted to. With a baby in tow, travel will be more complicated in the future. So, use the time you have now to tick off those travel destinations that have forever been on your wish list.
I recommend planning these ‘baby-moon’ trips for the first and second trimesters of your pregnancy rather than the third as you’ll probably be more comfortable and have a smaller baby bump to lug around.
You may also find that some airlines don’t let you travel close to your due date. Always check their policies before you book flights.
2. Treat yourself to a pampering session or spa break
Of course, you should ensure to eat well, drink plenty of water and rest regularly during your pregnancy. But you also could indulge in a spot of relaxation and pampering time too! After all, you’re growing a little person in there. You need to look after yourself.
A home pampering session could involve a relaxing soak in a hot bath, listening to your favourite music. Why not invest in some soft fluffy towels and luxury toiletries to enhance the experience, hey? Or you could enjoy a regular night in alone. Watching your favourite TV show or reading your favourite book or magazine uninterrupted is pure bliss!
Or, take it up a notch and enjoy a spa day with your partner or girlfriends. Spa days are a popular way to rejuvenate as you get to spend quality time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and come out with glowing skin and feeling like a chilled-out goddess!
A pregnancy massage could also really help with aches and pains in your back, ease sore muscles and reduce tension. Luckily, here in Dorset and neighbouring Hampshire, we have some amazing hotels with fantastic spa facilities such as Chewton Glen and Rhinefield House. Both highly recommended!
3. Book a maternity photoshoot
If maternity photography was popular around the time I was pregnant with my own children, I would have loved to have had some photos taken. And this is something that I hear from a lot of mums who come into my photography studio with their babies.
The thing is, unless you have another child, you may not ever get the chance again to capture your pregnancy in photographs. What a shame to potentially miss out on this opportunity!
Both you and your child will love to look back on photographs of your beautiful body in those final stages of your pregnancy, in years to come!
Related reading: What to expect from a pregnancy photoshoot
I recommend that if you would like me to capture your growing baby bump in photos, to book in as soon as possible after your 20-week scan when you know your expected due date. Do also book in for a newborn photoshoot at that time as well.
That way, we can confirm the slot in my diary, and you won’t run the risk of being too late to book. As your due day approaches, you’ll be glad you sorted it early as it’ll be one less thing to think about.
The beautiful maternity pictures I will create will make you look and feel fabulous. Did you know that I’m an award-winning maternity photographer?
I have a stunning collection of designer maternity gowns for you to choose from, or we can opt for simple photos – the session is completely bespoke to you.
Your maternity photoshoot can also be done in my studio here in Poole, near Bournemouth, Dorset. Or, we can venture outdoors to your favourite local location, whatever the season.
4. Host a Baby Shower
Baby showers are really popular these days as a way of celebrating your unborn baby, so I couldn’t leave this off my list of things to do before baby arrives, could I?
Friends and family of the mum-to-be get together to share gifts and well-wishes, and it’s a great excuse to have some quality time with your besties before your baby arrives.
Usually, a friend will organise a baby shower for you, sometimes as a surprise. But if you definitely would like one, be sure to let them know. A baby shower is a fun occasion which usually includes baby-themed games and party food, so will take some organising. Ideally, don’t hold it too close to your due date – babies can sometimes arrive weeks early!
5. Get lots of sleep if you can
A final suggestion in my list of things to do before baby arrives is to sleep! I know it’s easier said than done as having a big baby bump towards the end of your pregnancy can make sleep more difficult. But, once you are on your maternity leave especially, try to resist the urge to keep busy or clean the house!
The urge to ‘nest’ can become overwhelming in the final stages of your pregnancy but leave the housework if you can. Rest your body and take the chance now to get as much shut-eye as possible. Sleep in the daytime if you can and get early nights.
I hate to break it to you, but you won’t be getting much sleep in the initial days and weeks after your baby is born. Believe me, a tired, burnt-out new mum will find it so much harder when the little one arrives than a mum who’s rested, relaxed and in tip-top shape on the big day.
Which of these will you find time for?
I hope this list of things to do before baby arrives has been useful? Let me know which ones you hope to do in the comments section below.
Good luck with your pregnancy and I hope to see you in my photography studio soon! If you’re interested in booking in with me for maternity photos or newborn photos, please get in touch by completing this form.
Karen x
Why professional photographers edit their photographs
If you haven’t hired a professional photographer before, you could be forgiven for wondering why professional photographers edit their photographs.
Common questions I have been asked by clients before include:
- Why do the images need editing – surely a skilled professional photographer creates the image in the camera itself, not on the computer?
- Why can’t I just be sent the digital images, on the day of my photoshoot?
- And, why must I wait up to several weeks to view my images?
The thing is, I realise that when you’ve had your photoshoot, you’re so excited. I know that you just cant wait to see the results!
But I don’t make you wait for your images just to tease you, I promise!
There is a valid reason why, and that is that there is a final stage in the process after the photoshoot itself. And that process is editing.
Almost all professional photographers (some may not, but certainly most do) edit their photographs. It’s a critical step in the process. And in today’s blog I’ll explain that in a little more detail.
What’s involved in a professional photoshoot
Despite what you might think, there is much more to a photographer’s work than setting up a shot and then clicking the buttons on the camera.
- Lots of planning goes into it before you even turn up for your photoshoot
- And after the session, many more hours are spent finalising the pictures so that they are ready for you to print.
Which also explains why professional photography comes at a considerable cost.
You aren’t just paying for the time I spend during your phootshoot – which is up to an hour for most portrait sessions, or several hours for a newborn session.
Behind the scenes of a professional photography shoot
Each and every photoshoot I do involves many hours of work behind the scenes too!
But since you typically only see the final images when I share them on Facebook or in your online photo gallery, you’ve perhaps not realised that there is such a lot of work involved.
Before the photoshoot
Yep, creative styling is a huge part of the work in advance of any photoshoot. Whether that’s a maternity or newborn session, a baby ‘sitter session’ or group portraits with older children, or a family studio shoot.
After all, those coloured backdrops, props, dresses, headbands, newborn outfits and wraps, don’t buy themselves! And I need to setup the photography studio so I am ready for you, with everything I’m likely to need to be at hand.
I have to create and pre-plan my shoots and then editing is a fundamental part of the creative process after the shoot in order to get the image just right.
After the photoshoot
While I will always aim to get the portrait as good as I can in camera, there is always some editing to be done afterwards. I use digital editing techniques to finish each and every image that I include in your gallery.
I do this so that each image is consistent with my KW Photography brand style; something that I’ve developed over the years and which sets me apart from other photographers.
Without that editing, which is the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle so to speak, they simply aren’t finished KW Photography images.
Plus, as in the example below, there may be a need to do some editing to digitally remove parts of the image.
During my newborn photoshoots, I make sure that I always pose babies safely. When I’m trying to achieve portraits like this one, I ask parents to support their child’s head while I take the photos. Then, once the image is edited afterwards, all signs of the parent’s hand or arm are removed. Like magic!
Editing out blemishes
There’s also another reason why editing is important. Often newborn babies have blotchy, uneven coloured skin for the first few weeks. And marks or blemishes on their bodies that parents would prefer to be removed on the computer.
Also, older children may have chickenpox scars or snotty noses (I’ve certainly edited out plenty of snot in my six years as a baby and child photographer!). I can edit the images that I take in my camera to whisk these away!
If a portrait of your newborn baby or child is going to be hung on the walls at home, it’s usually the parent’s preference to have me edit the image so that these things are removed. But let me assure you, I won’t edit to the extreme! I have limits on what I will do.
Why professional photographers edit their photographs
So, I hope that helps to explain why professional photographers edit their photographs? And why there is a small delay in getting the images to you for viewing and ordering.
If you have any questions or concerns about the editing process, do always ask me your questions either in advance or during your photoshoot.
To book your session please contact me today. I’m available on 07749 270431 or email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete this contact form.
Karen x
A milk dress maternity photoshoot!
Milk Dress Photoshoot
I’m often coming up with ideas for creative portraits; some I don’t do anything about, others I get a little bit obsessed with and decide to give it a go. This milk dress photoshoot was one of those obsessions!
The ‘Milk dress’
Case in point. Last year I saw the most amazing ‘milk dress photoshoot’ “pinup” style photos from a great photographer called Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz.
Wow! His work is just inspirational and brilliantly done.
My creative mind started working. I wondered if I could produce a milk dress maternity image without wrecking the whole photography studio too much!
Luckily, it wasn’t too hard to find a willing victim (I mean model, ha ha) who was happy for me to give it a go.
So armed with eight litres of milk and a big roll of plastic sheeting, I decided to give try out a milk dress photoshoot with the help of my photographer friend Jacky.
Preparing the photography studio
I really didn’t want to let any of the milk I was going to be using during the photoshoot to hit the floor.
That would have been a nightmare to clean up afterwards, and the smell would have been just horrible! So, as you can see, we covered everything!
I did warm the milk but only a tad, as I’d been told that warm milk is a little more translucent than cold milk. And I really needed the milk to cover my model Lindsay’s body to achieve the effect I was after.
Milk throwing!
We tried a few milk throwing/pouring techniques. But, to be honest, for the milk skirt splashes (which you can see below), it really was a case of just chucking it! No finesse was needed. The goal was simply to hit the target (poor Lindsay!).
The top half was more tricky. In order to create the final ‘dress’, we needed the milk to run in a certain way and not spread too much as it ran down the body.
In the end, it took roughly 500 photos to have enough to piece together the dress bit by bit. The splash skirt ones were my personal fave!
Huge thanks to Lindsay
Jacky and I worked as quickly as possible but it soon got a bit cold for my poor model despite the central heating being on.
I think Lindsay deserved a medal for braving the cold milk at 30 weeks pregnant (yes, doesn’t she look amazing for 30 weeks!)
We all had a lot of fun trying out the milk dress technique. Lindsay was a great sport for putting up with us and all the milk being thrown at her naked body.
It probably wasn’t the most enjoyable experience she has ever had. And I think her face in this photo says it all really!
Creating the milk dress
After the studio cleanup, and armed with my 500 photos of a milk-covered model, I set about the task of piecing it all together in my photo editing software, Photoshop.
Boy, how I had underestimated this part of the process!
It’s safe to say that my photoshop skills were tested to the limit with this portrait.
I normally use Photoshop to enhance a photo, not completely manipulate it. And being self-taught, it took a little research into areas of Photoshop that I don’t normally use. But after several hours I got there.
I had lots of fun throwing milk and a few hair-pulling moments in Photoshop, but I’m pleased with the end result and hope Lindsay loves it too.
What do you think? Do please let me know in the comment below.
I’m hoping to do a few more creative photoshoots over the coming months so look out for those on the blog soon.
Maternity photoshoots at KW Photography
I just love doing maternity photo sessions. So if you’re expecting then please take a look at my maternity photo gallery and get in touch to book a session.
There won’t be any need for you to be subjected to the milk throwing, like Lindsay was. My normal maternity photoshoots are far more conventional!
But they do make you feel and look amazing and are a great way to celebrate this special time in your life before your new baby arrives.
Karen x
Perfect portraits captured in unlikely locations
Perfect portraits
Hey, everyone!
If like me, you have been enjoying the great outdoors this summer, then you can’t have failed to notice the grass getting long and that patches of wildflowers have appeared. The council has also been leaving it longer between grass cuts.
This is great for the wild bee population, and the butterflies have been in abundance this summer.
The long grass and wildflowers are not only great for the insects though – I love it too! (Except on the A31, where it’s really dangerous coming to the roundabouts!)
Through the lens: What I see
Every day I drive past a small but perfectly formed patch of wildflowers on the way to school. To me, they are just crying out to but used in a photoshoot!
I’m sure most people would think I am slightly nuts getting excited about this. After all, it’s just a small patch – a couple of meters long – at the side of the road! But what I see through the camera lens is different to what others see.
Despite what you might think, as a portrait photographer, I don’t need a sweeping meadow or an amazing vista as a backdrop. I can see the potential in even the most unlikely locations.
I know how to make a perfect portrait in the most unexpected of places and even in very small spaces.
Trying out an unlikely location
So, armed with one of my many new dresses from the studio, and a willing small person off I ventured.
Safety is really important to me – as you can see from the video below, we were at a safe distance from the road. And mum, of my model Betsy, is right there too, keeping an eye on the children while I take the portraits.
Another thing to point out is that it is hugely important to me that we don’t damage the flowers at all. We don’t wade through the patch, reeking havoc! Instead, we stand on the edge and I can use clever camera angles to make it appear as though the child is actually in among the flowers in the final photo.
Betsy loved the flowers and the dresses and we had a great time getting some lovely location portraits for her mummy.
On another occasion, I took my daughter and her friend back to the same spot for a few more.
And on that day, we also found a patch of long grass which I didn’t even know was there. Although this all took place so close to home, it’s not something I had noticed before. It goes to show what beautiful things we could all be missing out on, right on our doorstep!
Perfect portraits captured in unlikely locations
So what do you think?
Would you have known that these portraits were taken next to such a small patch of flowers alongside a main road?! I suspect, not.
I love creating perfect portraits in unlikely locations like this!
Do get in touch with me if you would like something similar. Contact me on 07749 270431 or you can email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete this contact form.
And let me know in the comments if you know of any little patches of flowers locally that might be suitable for your very own location shoot!
In the age of the iPhone, do you need a professional photographer?
Hey, everyone!
May is almost here. The sun is starting to shine a little longer each day. And the beautiful flowers are starting to bloom, enticing us all outside for some well-earned family time.
When I log into Facebook my newsfeed at the moment, it is positively bursting with my friends’ lovely snaps of their children. It’s great to see so many of you out and about among the spring flowers.
Since we all have smartphones with pretty sophisticated cameras these days, it is certainly possible to take some great shots simply with your phone.
So, this got me thinking.
In the age of the iPhone, do you need a professional photographer?
Playing devils advocate for a minute, why would you want to book a professional photographer, like me?
When you can potentially capture great outdoor portraits on your phone, is the investment into a pro photographer worth the money?
Is it really worth spending a couple of hundred pounds on professional portraits when you can take your own for free?
So, with this in mind, last week I did a bit of an experiment.
Comparing the iPhone with a professional camera
When I was out in the bluebell woods myself, photographing the beautiful Amira , I grabbed my phone (a shiny new iPhone ) and handed it to Amira’s mummy.
I asked her to get some photos of me photographing Amira, and some shots of Amira on her own.
Putting the iPhone to the test
Now my iPhone is great. Being the latest model, it has an excellent quality integrated camera. So, I was actually amazed at how badly the shots turned out.
I expected vibrant bluebells, a gorgeous warm glow and a creamy background with Amira looking amazing in the foreground.
But this is the shot from my iPhone. You can see for yourself, it isn’t very impressive!
In fact, it’s hard to see Amira at all!
The background is way too clear and messy, the colours are flat and where has that gorgeous warm glow gone?
I was pretty disappointed with the iPhone’s performance to be honest.
Why you need a professional photographer
In contrast to the poor quality iPhone picture that Amira’s mummy took, this is the portrait I captured on my professional camera.
I took this photo while I was stood next to Amira’s mummy. So I was in the same location at the same time, working with the exact same lighting conditions.
I use a professional quality Canon camera and, an essential piece of my kit for this kind of shot, a really long lens.
The advantage of a long lens over the iPhone is that it it allows me to do a tighter crop of the subject. And it does an amazing job of blurring out that messy background and bringing Amira to the forefront of the photo, since I am in control of the apeture of the lens.
The result is a carpet of gorgeous bluebells (deliberately, not all in focus), the child in sharp focus (drawing your eye immediately to her) and the gorgeous golden light falling on her skin.
Wow! Isn’t this a major improvement to the iPhone snap!
Amateur vs. pro photography
You could be forgiven for thinking that these two pictures weren’t taken on the same day, let alone the same time! There is such a huge difference between the two images!
The professional portraits I took were a hit with Amira’s mummy and I’m told that this one is going to be printed and mounted onto the walls at Amira’s home.
The iPhone snap will be deleted!
Heres a few more of the stunning Amira
Proof you need a professional photographer
So, that’s why (in my opinion anyway), in the age of the iPhone you still need a professional photographer!
Even with the very latest smartphones and iPhone cameras at our disposal, the results are so inferior to the quality that a professional photographer can produce.
Now I know this, of course, but I wonder if the thought has ever crossed your mind before? Whether you need a professional photographer? Or whether you could save yourself some money and do a D.I.Y portrait session.
Well, if you’re after the kind of portraits that I can produce, I hope that this may have helped you to answer that question!
If you’re now convinced and would like to book a spring flowers outdoor photoshoot, please contact me as soon as possible to book your slot. I’m on 07749 270431 or email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete the contact form on my website.
The bluebells are only around for a few more weeks and I only have limited bluebell sessions left.
Karen x
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
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.
