Storytelling focusing on connection
Hampshire Family Photography – Everything you need to know!
- What is Lifestyle Family Photography?
- The Benefits Of Lifestyle Family Photography
- Why invest in a Hampshire family photography session?
- How to choose your Hampshire family photographer?
- Posed or candid?
- Where do you do your Hampshire family photography sessions?
- What are my favourite outdoor family photoshoot locations in Hampshire?
- What is the best time of year for outdoor family photoshoot sessions?
- Who can be involved in your Hampshire family photography session?
- How long does a family photography session last? Is there a time limit?
- What happens if it rains?
- Are there any hidden fees?
- Do you photograph in colour or black/white?
- What if I feel awkward in front of the camera? Will you help us pose?
Is it better to do in the studio, at home or outdoors with children?
Moments spent with your family are some of the most precious and memorable times you will experience in your life. You want to soak in every second because you know how quickly time goes by!
Hampshire family photography with me is a fun, relaxed and authentic experience that not only the family enjoy but I, as a Hampshire family photographer absolutely love. Getting to capture all of the special family bonds is something I will never get bored of.
What is Lifestyle Family Photography?
When you hear the words “family photography”, what comes to mind? You may think of a studio setting with everyone dressed in matching outfits and posed for awkward photos.
Well, that was family photography in the past. Today’s family photography is all about capturing real-life moments and memories of your family in an organic way. Lifestyle family photography is one of the most popular types of photography due to its ability to capture those real-life moments without being too staged or posed.
Lifestyle family photography is a type of documentary-style portraiture that focuses on capturing natural moments between families of all ages. It captures real-life emotions and expressions, which are often more candid and meaningful than posed shots.
Rather than having everyone stand in front of a backdrop with fake smiles plastered on their faces, lifestyle photographers encourage families to interact naturally – whether it’s playing a game together, cuddling on the couch, or telling jokes over dinner – while they document these moments as they unfold.
The Benefits Of Lifestyle Family Photography in Hampshire
One major benefit of lifestyle family photography in Hampshire is that it creates relaxed, authentic photos that you can look back on fondly for years to come. It also makes for great keepsakes or gifts for grandparents or other relatives who live far away since it captures so much more detail than traditional portrait shots do.
In addition, lifestyle sessions often take place outdoors in natural settings such as parks or beaches instead of a studio setting; not only does this give you beautiful background scenery but it also allows your kids (and yourselves!) to explore and have fun during the session!
Why invest in a Hampshire family photography session?
Family photography is about more than just taking pictures – it’s about creating lasting memories that you can look back on for years to come. You don’t want to leave any of your special moments up to chance; having a professional photographer take pictures ensures that every moment is captured perfectly and will last for years to come. Not only will you have beautiful photos of your family, but you’ll also have memories that you can share with friends and family for years to come.
When you hire a professional photographer, the quality of your photos will be unmatched compared to what you could get with an iPhone selfie. Professional photographers know how to capture the perfect light, angle and use higher quality cameras which makes all the difference when it comes to preserving memories.
Professional photos are taken with higher resolution cameras with longer lenses so they won’t get grainy over time like regular digital images do. Plus, professional photographers have experience working with different types of lighting, backgrounds and poses so they know exactly how to capture each moment perfectly! They are artists!
As time passes and your children grow older and move away from home, having these photographs as a reminder of their childhood will be invaluable. These photos will become treasured mementos throughout your family’s life together – something that can be shared among generations and cherished forever!
Plus, when it comes time for milestone celebrations like birthdays or graduations, having beautiful family photos from previous years makes planning events much easier!
How to choose your Hampshire family photographer?
Choosing the right Hampshire family photographer is an important decision. After all, your photos will be treasured for years to come and it’s important that you select someone who can capture your family’s unique story.
With so many talented photographers out there, how can you make sure you find the perfect one? Here are some tips for finding the best fit for your family photography needs.
When searching for a Hampshire family photographer, it’s helpful to know what kind of photography style you prefer. Do you like more traditional posed shots or do you prefer more candid moments? Do you want vibrant colours or a muted palette? Take some time to research different photographers and determine what kind of style best aligns with your vision.
Once you have narrowed down potential photographers, ask if they have any additional galleries or portfolios of past work that demonstrate their range and capabilities. Checking out their Instagram page can be extremely helpful to view their best work and catch a glimpse of their personality.
The most important factor in selecting a photographer is personality! It is essential that both parents and children feel comfortable with their photographer in order to get the best possible results. When interviewing potential photographers, ask questions about their approach, whether they specialise in working with children, how long they have been shooting families etc.
It’s also important to understand the technical side of things when looking for a family photographer. Ask about the type of camera gear they use and if they shoot in RAW format (which allows for better editing).
You should also ask about their lighting setup – do they use natural light or flash? Do they professionally edit their images? How much editing do they do? Finally, make sure that your photographer has an adequate backup gear in case something goes wrong during the shoot.
In addition to being experienced, look at reviews online from past clients – these testimonials can help give insight into their experience working with this particular photographer.
Posed or candid?
Lifestyle family photography has a more natural candid approach so most of my images are of the family interacting with each other! The goal is to capture memories of family playing, cuddling and joking together and not just smiling frozen at the camera.
It is about emotion and the lifestyle family photographer witnessing your beautiful family story like a fly on the wall. I always make sure to take a few traditional smiling at-the-camera images as they make great presents for grandparents but I love recording those natural moments like sweet kisses, tickles and holding your newborn close to your face so you can smell that amazing baby smell!
That’s why lifestyle photography works so well in your home as it provides a beautiful backdrop for recording all your memories like your baby’s first nursery, making cookies in the kitchen or snuggling on the sofa with your family dog.
Where do you do your Hampshire family photography sessions?
There are unlimited options when it comes to choosing a location for a family photography session in Hampshire. For outdoor photography, Hampshire has some of the most variety of terrain in England from quaint villages, modern cities, ancient forest lands and beautiful beaches. There are so many quirky unique spots to take family images – like amongst the horses in the New Forest or in front of the harbour at Lymington.
Another option is your home in Hampshire, I love home lifestyle photography sessions as they really suit my aesthetic as I can get beautiful, romantic and heartfelt images indoors with moody window light. Home sessions are truly some of my favourite work. I also love home sessions because they showcase your family’s personality.
Every picture on your walls, your child’s artwork on the fridge, and your mementoes on your shelves tell your family’s story. Showcasing your family’s personality in your home is a beautiful way to leave clues to what your life was like for your ancestors to come.
Do you feel your home is too small or cluttered and you don’t want to brave the outdoors? I adore my boho lifestyle studio situated in Southampton for family sessions of all ages.
It adds a simple style to your photos and captures your family cuddled on the bed, in a chair and against rustic backdrops. It puts the focus on the most important aspect of my lifestyle family photography – you!
What are my favourite outdoor family photoshoot locations in Hampshire?
Bolton’s Bench– I adore the sprawling fields of Bolton’s Bench and we have spent many days walking with our toddler amongst the beautiful horses and cows. The rustic fields and greenery have such a beautiful vibe and make for lovely golden-hour images.
I love the area that has sand dunes as the kids have so much fun and it makes for such candid family images!
Lepe Beach– Oh how I love the seaside and it is truly my favourite spot to do outdoor family photoshoot sessions. The beach is a great spot for children who don’t like having their pictures taken as there is so much to explore and see.
While they are hunting for seashells, I am able to get some great images without making them awkwardly pose, resulting in no temper tantrums!
New Forest Northern Commons- A beautiful spot to walk amongst the heather and such a lovely place to photograph families. This spot is so beautiful in the autumn with the beautiful browns and oranges of the New Forest.
Rhinefield Ornamental Drive– A gorgeous spot amongst ancient huge trees and a great place to photograph your family amongst the trails. I once witnessed an entire herd of New Forest ponies run across the forest! It was breathtaking!
Eyeworth Pond– I adore images by any type of water and what better way to catch your children’s real personalities in a family session than feeding the ducks by the pond?
The trees around the pond look so stunning in autumn and I love sessions where the families pile on their knitwear and look so cosy in the crisp air!
What is the best time of year for outdoor family photoshoot sessions?
Honestly, the beauty of English weather is that it never gets so blistering cold that you can’t have an outdoor family photoshoot session year-round (the rain is a different story however).
While summer is great for its warmth, I adore the gorgeous reds, oranges and browns of Autumn in Hampshire and love the muted tones and soft light in winter. They make for such beautiful painterly images.
Who can be involved in your Hampshire family photography session?
Anyone in your family! I don’t charge extra per family member as I think it’s so important to photograph everyone who is important to your family. I love incorporating grandparents, family pets, parents and all siblings in sessions as they are all important puzzle pieces to your family.
I love having dogs at a session as they add such an element of humour that really lightens the atmosphere for those nervous in front of the camera and we get such genuine smiles and laughs while your dog steals the show.
How long does a family photography session last? Is there a time limit?
I don’t set a time limit for my sessions as I know children can be incredibly unpredictable! Sometimes it takes them longer to warm up in front of the camera so I always allow a bit of extra time for snacks, cuddles and play! Usually family sessions take anywhere from 1-3 hours.
What happens if it rains?
If we have an outdoor family photoshoot session scheduled I always check the weather for the week in Hampshire and the day before the session we decide to reschedule if it is scheduled to rain.
What ages are best for a family session?
I find so many people put the focus on photographing their children when they are under two years old because they change so much when they are little but truly all ages are so important to capture.
No age is too old for a family session and whenever I’m home in Canada I make my entire family do a session and my siblings and I are all in our thirties! Memories do not have an age limit and I cherish our images together.
Nope, all my pricing is transparent and on my price list. There are no hidden fees!
Do you photograph in colour or black/white?
In your galleries I do include some black and white images with the images that work best. I find not all colour images look great in black and white so I just select the images where black and white improves the mood of the image. I love the romantic, moody touch that a black and white image can have!
What if I feel awkward in front of the camera? Will you help us pose?
This was my greatest fear when getting my own wedding pictures done, while I love the look of candid images- I wasn’t sure how to be natural and get beautiful poses at the same time.
I wanted to be told what to do! For my sessions I make sure to give you gentle guidance and allow you room to move in these subtle poses and interact as a family. I encourage you to play, goof around and be super cuddly.
Is it better to do in the studio, at home or outdoors with children?
You know your children best and know how they will behave in front of the camera. Are they energetic and very active? A beach session at Lepe Beach might help them burn some of that energy by running up and down the shores and dipping their toes in the water.
We can get amazing candid images while you play on the beach as a family. When everyone is tired out then we can do cuddly pictures as you sit in the sand. If your child is very shy, a session in your home for your Hampshire family photography session might help them feel safer in their own environment where they can show me their toys or get the support of their pets.
What if my children don’t cooperate?
This is every parent’s fear and honestly, there is no need to worry! I’m so used to all types of children and for those that are more energetic, I just allow you all to play as a family and get playful candid images. I don’t set a time limit for sessions so your child is allowed to be themselves and have a chance to get used to me and my camera. I have a very shy child myself (and was also a shy child) so I know how scary new people can be for some children!
Are you ready to book your Hampshire family photography session?
Now you know everything that you need to know before you have your Hampshire family photography session, you should feel much more at ease and be ready to capture special family memories that you can look back on for a lifetime!
I am a Hampshire family photographer and I would love to chat with you!
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