So you have just been through the trauma of childbirth and within a few days you are going to have that gorgeous bundle professionally photographed; well done and congratulations!

Baby is far smaller than the teeny looking outfits you have got ready and even then, which ones will look best?  Oh dear!

Relax, new momma!  It is all in hand.  Babies always look best with special newborn wraps and as nature intended. 

I have had lots of mums come along and at first want to have a little outfit on baby and I am happy to comply even though it isn’t my style, but very rarely do they want the images when all you can see of your gorgeous new baby is their head, then the rest is a baggy outfit. (Albeit one that grandma has bought and is oh so special).

Save the special outfits for when they go out to visit family , spend your newborn shoot time having them photographed with  something really special.  

Choose your colours to compliment your decor too, then when it is time to order your portraits they will fit beautifully into your colour scheme at home.  If in doubt, choose classical black and white images and have your baby posed with super textures and layers.

There is often no need to gild the lily and often less is more. –  after all your beautiful child is the most precious thing in the image.  Images that stand the test of time and will remain on your walls for years to come will be the most simple and classical.

If you are planning your next photo shoot, or have one coming up, have you ever thought about adding props to the session?

Props can add interest, depth and an extra flair to your pictures. Get your children to hold coordinating flowers for a spring or summer shoot.

Love sports? Then use cricket bats or footballs in your next family photo to bring out your passion. Here are a few tips for ways to incorporate props in your next photo session.

1. Avoid current trends. While you might have recently seen a few photos that incorporate a specific prop, try not to use something that will look really dated in a few years’ time. Classic is definitely better and there are many fun options to choose from.
2. Be realistic. It’s easy to go wild when thinking of a theme for your photo session. You should decide on one that you can actually find props for. For example, if you want to use seasonal props, try and source them in that season as they’ll be easier to find and before you decide to remake your favourite movie scene, think twice about whether you’ll be able to find suitable outfits for everyone in the photo. 
3. Size matters. There are some larger props that work really well in photo sessions such as using your grandpa’s farm tractor as a background piece. However, there are some larger props that can take away from the beauty of the photograph altogether. Make sure that your prop enhances the photo and doesn’t detract from it.
4. Make it meaningful. If your child has a favourite stuffed animal or if you have a musical instrument that you treasure, try and incorporate it into your photos. This way your pictures will have more meaning to you and your family.
5. Use what you have. Make the current season work to your advantage by using what’s available. Leaves in the autumn make for amazing props in photos and don’t cost a thing.

Remember, using props can be the perfect addition to your photos but make sure that they don’t become the main focus.

If you’re preparing for a photo shoot with your children, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why these tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming photo session.

1. Don’t make a huge deal out of it.

If you’re stressed out and cranky, your kids will usually pick up on it and act accordingly. Their behaviour will usually be better if you are relaxed and having fun. You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace. Like letting them bring that special grubby teddy that they love so much.    Focus on the big picture and don’t sweat the small stuff.   

2. Make it fun.

Let the kids have a couple of “fun pictures” where they get to pick their own pose or props. You get to keep the more structured classical photos while they get to see their silly photos, you never know you just might fall in love with those ones too!  This way everyone wins.  If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm.

3. Be prepared. 

If you’re going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea.  Just make sure that these are given to them in time-out breaks.   If you are having your own photos taken too, then you might want to bring a babysitter or family member along to watch the kids.  If you happen to be having your shoot in a remote location, you never know when you might need something like insect repellent, tissues or a first aid kit so bring that along too.

4. Be patient.

 Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing.  Work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic.

5. Have a chat.

 Get your children talking to both you and the photographer about topics such as school or their favorite songs. This allows them to feel more comfortable around your photographer and will also give your photographer a chance to capture a few candid and cute expressions.

The last thing on your mind when bringing your gorgeous new baby to be photographed is style, colour and design. But investing in portraiture is just that, An investment in memories that will stand the test of time.

Bear with me for a moment and all will become clear. Imagine you go into a furniture shop and buy a sofa just because you like the colour, you get it home and it just doesn’t work with the rest of your sitting room. The sage green sofa looks out of place with the red blinds and blue wallpaper. You wouldn’t do it would you ?

So what has this got to do with portrait photography?

If you have fabulous professional photographs then you will most likely want to be looking at them on your walls for years to come. Making the right colour choices and spending time to discuss your style and colours before your shoot will ensure that your investment will be well spent.

Black and white photographs are timeless, so yes you can make those work within any home design as long as you choose simple understated frames or frameless wall art. styles.

Working with colour can be as simple or as complicated as you allow it to be. Choose warm tones or cool tones, decide on a palette that will fit in or contrast with your home style, traditional or contemporary. Then we can follow the scheme and palette throughout your shoot to make it personal and bespoke to you.

A consultation before your session will allow me to find out all we need to know to design your shoot.

Working with shades of grey.

Snug as a bug, Nelly came to the studio with her own gorgeous elephant blanket knitted by grandma.

With today’s colour of choice being grey it was important to tone and texture the background so that the wall art chosen will fit in and compliment home decor without being too bland. It was a natural choice to blend all the fabrics together in shades of grey, so as not to overwhelm this beautiful baby girl . A delicate dusky pink shade in the roses adds a little warmth and punch to the photograph. The softness of the roses also confirms that Nellie is indeed a little girl.