Can’t even hardly remember how to operate my camera, let alone blog, but it’s time to get back on the bicycle.
Why don’t we catch up with the last official client shoot I did before we were confined to barracks again?
No great philosophical message here, just ‘it’s gonna be great to get outdoors again’, and enjoy the pix.
A family photo shoot always starts with the same conversation. We’re not photogenic. We hate having pictures taken. Dad is very self-conscious. Etc. Etc.
So let me reassure you - we’re going for a walk. Nothing more, nothing less. We will chat and the kids will play. And whilst all this is happening, the photographs will magically appear without anybody realising it.
On this occasion, RHS Harlow Carr was enormously helpful, with her abundant colour and endless choice of routes. The Japanese Acers were in the full flush of vibrancy, and the family had helpfully coordinated their garments to match. Not much room for black and white here.
Siblings, instead of offering hesitancy or shyness, were in full energetic and rivalry mode. All good for me.
Three can be the magic number. And sometimes not. The trick is patience, and finding a location that offers so many opportunities that the kids’ interest is retained, and no-one feels they have to out-do the others for the best shot.
I don’t think mums and dads usually anticipate that this occasion will have anything to do with their own relationship. It’s about the kids and, at a push, the family unit. But this is a story which began with a romance, so why not capture that too? It is, after all, the linch pin here.
Carry, walk, piggy-back, sit on a bench, pick up a stick, straddle a fence, hunt for pine cones, run, climb a tree, or just talk. As long as it’s natural, I can capture it.
November has been wet, so getting out and about last weekend (for the first time in a while) was fun and refreshing. There is still time to squeeze in an autumn/winter shoot this year, so get in touch - they make great Xmas presents.
So, when I met E to discuss the prospect of photographing her forthcoming wedding, she told me it would be colourful. Hands up, I completely underestimated the degree to which she would be drawing upon her own personal creativity for the event.
It didn’t take long for me to realise that artist, E and her American fiancé S are major fans of the crowd-pleasing Pixar movie, Up. The touching love story between curmudgeonly octogenarian balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen and his childhood sweetheart/wife Ellie, has a simple and heart-wrenching innocence. How could artist, E, resist tapping in to the fictitious couple’s lifelong promise of adventure? “You and me, we’re in a Club now”, says Ellie, as she pins the Grape Soda Club badge on Carl’s chest. What more poignant or appropriate talisman for this bride to replicate for her husband-to-be and to present to him on the morning of their nuptials? He rightly wore it with some degree of pride.
The theme did not stop there. Trinity church, no doubt not unfamiliar with the sight of the occasional stunning floral display, was instead utterly festooned with foil balloons, giving an air of celebration and joy that I have never before experienced in a serious building such as this. The wedding cake didn’t disappoint either.
The bride held an indiscreet bouquet as quirky and colourful as the church decor. The flowers were paper; in the brightest, most vivid colourful combinations imaginable; lush and screaming ‘Hey, over here, don’t look at her, look at me!’ All provided by Dandie Creations.
E’s wedding gown was sleeveless and lacy. Feminine and elegant without any ostentation whatsoever.
The Reception was held at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate. The large, open room was laid with round tables with simple white cloths, but the next level table trappings could only have been provided by an artist. The centrepiece for each table was a to-scale replica of Carl Fredricksen’s house. Remember, the one that he flew across two continents by attaching a gazillion balloons to the roof? Yep, that one. Utterly Upperly.
A dusk-lit stroll around the neighbouring 17 acre Grade II listed Valley Gardens sealed the deal, providing us with some quiet corners and lush autumnal backdrops for our bride and groom portraits. “We’re terrible in front of the camera”, they told me. Thirsty minutes of locked eyes and locked lips later, I’m not even sure they noticed I’d been photographing the entire time. And who can blame the groom, when his bride looked so ravishing, thanks in part to the handiwork of Chrys Chapman, hair & make up artist.
This marriage was made all the more tender and emotive due the fact that it signified a second union; that of two separate families, since both E and S each have a child from previous relationships. These four humans are so close and emotionally entwined that it would be impossible for an objective observer to recognise that they were not, up to the point of repeating their vows, already one single unit.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings, of all sizes, budgets and themes, but none have been more joyous than this.
E’s wedding gown was supplied by JJ’s House, whilst the fabulous boots were from Schuh.
The Up house table centrepieces were from Etsy and hand painted by the bride.
The photo booth and giant games were supplied by Sunshine Events.
The Grape Soda pin can be purchased from eBay.
Congratulations E, S & family. To quote Dug the dog, “I have just met you and I love you.”
This is the most popular time of year for family photo shoots. It’s the perfect setting, all that leafy colour, and the perfect timing to create something worthy of Grandma’s festive stocking.
It’s also my favourite time of year for Mini Shoots with kids. Helpful for me because I can fit several shoots in to one day, and helpful for the families who only have to afford the £99 shoot cost in order to have the raw material for some awesome Christmas presents. It’s also only half an hour to hold your breath and hope the kids behave in front of the nice lady with the camera.
E arrived on a pastel pink and blue scooter. I didn’t get the memo, but she decided to let me be her friend anyway. Gorgeous AND forgiving.
Harrogate’s Valley Gardens was our meeting place, and its multitudinous nooks and crannies provided us with lots of opportunities to mix it up.
When the low autumn sun refuses to play ball, and the late afternoon throws you only dingy shade, the mood of a shoot changes. No bad thing, though.
Frankly, E and I had a rather lovely time hiding in dark corners and exploring the park whilst mum and dad looked on.
Choose a photographer who is comfortable and experienced with children. A mini shoot rarely lasts more than 20-30 minutes, and as such there is little time to waste on acclimatising or gently growing a child’s comfort in front of the lens.
My 30 minute Mini Shoots are available now and include 5 free high resolution digital images and a half-size online password-protected gallery.
Contact me at eyesomephoto@gmail.com or on 07957627217
It's been a busy one! Always the most popular time of year, the British autumn wove its magic once again, tempting plenty of families outdoors to make the most of the colour and late sunshine of October and November.
Here are a few of my favourites from this season.
Glorious ladies, of all ages and nationalities, making life behind the lens much easier.
Families took to the woods, often with their pooches, for either a 30 minute walk and a relaxed mini-shoot, or for the full experience.
It's not too late to book a full or mini session, this time with a Christmas tone. 30 minute Mini Sessions are just £99 and include 5 digital image files, and Full Sessions start from £150.
Since writing this blog post, the adorable but rather sad Lottie, above, has passed away. Whilst I am grateful to have had a final late chance to capture her in pictures for her family, I am devastated for them in their loss.
This is always a popular time of year for family shoots, which usually involves me following you around on a nice walk, and 2017 has introduced me to more fab families and, more importantly adorable mutts.
I thought I'd introduce you to a few of the four-pawed family members that I've met on recent shoots, since they are easily the most gorgeous (no offence to my human clients obv.) and least camera-shy of the bunch.
I should take this opportunity to point out that Lottie, the Bassett, always has a sad face. It wasn't my fault.
How fabulous are these pooches?
Thanks to all my customers who have brought their doggies along with them on their walkies, and yes, if you're thinking of booking a family shoot in future, your dog will ALWAYS be welcome.
OK, so before I start I have two things to say here. One - this is a funny story about a REALLY bad day. Two - I am both clumsy and unlucky - a combination which rarely ends well. As you will see.
That said, I would like you to keep in mind my commitment and determination to plough on through the face of adversity during this family photo shoot. Thank you for not laughing yet.
Meet the Carr family. They requested a shoot to capture their family 'as is'. The children are growing and as for most of families, they are finding that time is romping away lickety split. So, it being slap-bang in the middle of autumn, we headed for some local woodland where a pretty lake nestles amongst the trees, providing lovely bronze and ochre lusciousness as our backdrop.
Now, I'd been to this location before for a shoot, no more than a couple of weeks before this day, so I was familiar with the lay of the land. Or so I thought.
Less than 5 minutes after our arrival, we headed for the little 'beach' beside the lake. I, taking charge of the situation, walked confidently ahead of the group to 'scout' the location. Here is where it all went amiss. A slight miscalculation on my part resulted in my third (bold and self-assured) stride not ending when my foot touched the floor. The floor, in fact, disappeared beneath my wellington boot and I found myself knee-deep in a stinking, fetid, swamp. Thick, oozing goop was flowing over the tops of my boots and I was entirely and comprehensively stuck.
As I contemplated that I would have to SIT into the swamp (largely because I could not move my feet) I suddenly remembered that I had TWO expensive camera bodies strapped to my person, which were currently dangling beside both of my hips and heading straight for the quagmire. In a sudden moment of panic I hoisted them aloft like a falling drunk saving his beer, hoping that my (slightly aghast) clients could rescue them.
Several sticky, incommodious and frankly, awkward minutes later, I was released from the goop with a veritable splat.
Now, when you emerge from a swamp looking like Wile E. Coyote (having just suffered another humiliating defeat by RoadRunner), you have to make a choice. To go home and put yourself in the washing machine, or to stick at it, persevere, advance and endure? Well I'm supposed to be a professional, so I dragged my sorry ass around the lake for a full hour and a quarter, trailing my mud-drenched coat-tails behind me, endeavouring to ensure that the quality of my work was not compromised.
The cameras were fine, by the way. A few baby wipes later, normality was restored in the technical department. The egg on my face, on the other hand, may never come clean.
This last image was kindly taken by my client. Do with it what you will. Consider it my treat to you.
This is the most popular time of year for family photo shoots. And I can see why. The foliage, the clean air, the low sunshine and the enticing countryside all make for the most alluring images.
Add in to the mix two enchanting children and a not-too-shabby-in-the-looks-department set of parents, and the perfect autumn image ingredients are complete.
Freddie, aged 7 was impressive in Tweed, missing only a brace of pheasant to complete the country gentleman's attire for this shoot (pardon the pun), whilst baby sister Amelie, like a snuggly winter fairy in layers of tulle and fur, was fighting off a chest infection with grit and determination.
Our location was tree heaven. Birk Crag nestles unobtrusively alongside the RHS's Harlow Carr Gardens, concealing a wondrous 27 acres of deciduous woodland, ripe for a photographer's picking at this time of year. Steep slopes lead visitors down to the waters of Oak Beck, where the shallow lapping stream is benign enough to allow children to wade in their wellies whilst parents can drink in the colourful surroundings.
Fallen trees and giant rocks provide excellent climbing opportunities for a betweeded boy, and the procurement of a crocheted blanket gave little Amelie's bottom a dry, warm resting place for a few snaps.
This was a Mini Shoot. Approximately 30 minutes long, it provides families a low budget way to capture some lasting memories which can be utilised as Christmas presents for loved ones, or simply as a way to capture a moment of this impeccable season, in all its glory.
As you can see, you don't have to dress as an elf for a Christmas Mini Shoot, so if this £99 budget option appeals to your needs, get in touch before the moment is gone. The shoot includes 6 digital image files of your choice.
