Why to book an extended family shoot

FAMILY GATHERING, WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE

A family gathering is a perfect occasion to book a photographer because it’s not every day that you manage to get everyone in the same place, at the same time. It’s a great way to capture multiple generations together, with images that are cherished forever.

The photoshoots are always different and can be tailored to you. I know how busy you are likely to be during that time, I want to make the process of capturing those priceless moments as easy and stress-free as possible.

If you're staying at different locations and would prefer a local scenic space for your photos, I can recommend various places to best your family. The outdoor photo shoot is excellent for all ages, with many images to choose from.

What not to do during your family photoshoot

If you're investing in family photography to capture and remember these wonderful years… You need to be beyond delighted with your images!

I'm always giving advice about outfits, posing, preparing and locations but what about what you shouldn't do?

That's pretty important too so let me tell you what you need to avoid doing if you want the best family photography possible.

DON'T: Time watch

I'm happy to spend half an hour with you or 90 mintues with you…. It doesn't matter to me in the least. What matters to me is that you and your family enjoy the experience and we get some great photographs. If some members of your family need a little more time – so be it. I only book one family session on any day…. Purely because I don't want to be in a hurry.

DON'T: Nag the kids

I know, I know… You're worried that the investment will be wasted if your kids don't behave. PLEASE don't worry. I've got you! I took my first professional photograph of a child when I was 18 years old. And much as I look young (ha!), I can tell you that's a LOT of years ago. I can literally count on one hand the number of kids who I've not been able to get a great photo of in those 10 years.

DON'T: Stress about how you look

This is a big one. If you look stressed and uncomfortable, then it will show in your photos. I get it, I'm a recovering photo-avoider myself, but I do it now because I want those gorgeous family images too and whenever we have a family portrait I always love the images after because I just relax and go with it.

Once you get to your session try your best to relax into the fun of playing and loving your family. Forget all your hang-ups, once you're in front of the camera, leave it to me to get all your best angles. 

DON'T: Always look at the camera

The BEST photos, the ones that make my clients cry, are always the unposed photos. Those moments in between setups when everyone is interacting with each other, having fun and showing love. Your family photography session is not about standing, posing and looking at the camera. It's about celebrating you as a family! It's about me capturing the special connections you have with each other! So laugh, giggle, hug, kiss, make loving eyes at your partner, chase each other, muck about... This is where the magic is. 

DON'T: Worry that the clothes will get dirty

The number one thing I need to do (even before taking a single picture) is to make sure everyone is calm, confident and relaxed. While I know that you likely bought new clothes for the occasion if any of us stresses about them getting dirty, then that's just going to interrupt the atmosphere. Try if you can to release all worry about messiness (bring a spare change if you need it), and also trust me that I can edit out most scuffs and scrapes! 

DON'T: Practice the kid's smiles

And while we're here... This one drives me nuts!! Your kids don't need to 'practice' their smiles before the session… The smiles they already have are beautiful! Perhaps not their regular 'photo' smiles, sometimes they can be a little forced and weird kind of smiles I get out of children are real and joyous. These are smiles of kids having fun! I do this day in day out so don’t panic I have ways of getting them to relax and do their natural smiles without us having to remind them about it.

DON'T: Stress... Before, during or after

The number one aim for me as a family photographer is to make the experience stress free and easy.  I will help you all the way through preparation, on the day and after. From booking through to hanging your pictures on your wall – I’ve got your back.

Whilst you're here, why not drop me a message  so we can start chatting about YOUR family photography session.

5 reasons you'll love an outdoor family portrait session

My favourite photos as an Bedfordshire family photographer 

My favourite photos of my blended family are the ones that make me smile whenever I look at them. Shots of my boys giggling with each other at the park, splashing each other in the sea, or shrieking at their Daddy chases them around a field. I love the photos because I loved the moments. And as an Bedfordshire family photographer, these are the photos I want to give you. 

And this is why you’ll love an outdoor family photo shoot. Because you’re not just driving the kids to a studio so you can have their photo taken. You’re taking them on an outdoor adventure where they can be themselves and have fun. You’re giving them lifelong memories of a wonderful experience you shared as a family. And when it’s all over, you’ll have artistic photos of the people you love most, with the beauty of nature as a backdrop.

In all my years as an Bedfordshire family photographer, I’ve never had an outdoor family photoshoot that the family didn’t absolutely love. And without exception, the photos always make it onto the walls! But just in case you’re still thinking about sitting your kids on barstools under a light umbrella, here’s 5 reasons why you’ll love having an outdoor family photoshoot. 

1. They’re not just photos, they’re memories

The best thing about an outdoor family photoshoot is that it’s a wonderful family experience in their own right. You’ll get dressed up, go exploring, joke around, and spend some quality time together as a family surrounded by nature. You can switch off ‘parent mode’ for a while, leave behind homework, housework and bedtime routines and just enjoy each other’s company. It won’t be about taking photos for the sake of photos, it’ll be a fun family adventure you just happen to have photos of. 

And it takes the images far beyond just snapshots of what your family looked like on a certain date. You’ll look at them together and say, ‘oh my God, do you remember…?’ or ‘I can’t believe you did that…’. And the bond of that shared experience will bring your family closer together. Of course the photos will be beautiful and artistic. But you won’t love them just because of that. You’ll love them because of all the memories they keep safe.

2. The kids will actually enjoy an outdoor family photoshoot

OK, so let me ask you this. Have you ever seen a child having fun posing for a photo? ‘Say cheese’ smiles and awkward poses should be reserved for school photo day. Kids are happiest when they’re being silly, exploring the world and…well, just being kids.

When you have an outdoor family photoshoot, your children are free to be their fun-loving, inquisitive, adorably mischievous selves. They’re not having their energy-restricted or their imagination tampered. They’re relaxed, happy, and completely free to get swept up in the adventure of it all. 

And let me tell you, in photography, there’s no substitute for genuine emotions. You can ask a child to smile or give you a hug for the camera. But nothing compares to real happiness, real laughter, or moments of real love. If you want to capture all the traits you love so much in your child, take them outside and give them space to be themselves.

3. The photos make beautiful natural art for your home

As an Bedfordshire family photographer, I must confess a little bias on this one. But family photos are awesome! They’ll capture a chapter of your family’s journey and bring back waves of nostalgia for years to come. They’ll make you smile whenever you pass them in the hallway. And framed family photos have even been clinically proven to boost your family’s oxytocin levels and make your children more confident! I mean, professional bias aside, that’s all got to count for something, right?

Having an outdoor family photoshoot gives you professional, artistic family photos with the beauty of nature as a backdrop. And the great thing about having an outdoor shoot is you can even choose your clothes and location to match the decor of your home.

4. An outdoor family photoshoot is more personal than a studio

While we can still create beautiful images within the studio, we are very limited on space and poses. And let’s be honest, no scandi-chic studio could ever compare to an autumn woodland. 

An outdoor family photoshoot can be literally anywhere. So you can choose somewhere that captures your personalities and feels completely you. It could even be somewhere that’s become part of your life that you’ll always want to remember. Maybe your local woods, a favourite park or a much-loved beach. 

Or you can choose somewhere based on the kind of experience you want. Whether it’s bouncing down sand dunes and walking along a beach together, running through woodland paths or just cuddling up in a field at sunset, wherever you choose will give you a totally different experience, and completely different photos. All you have to do is decide what experience would make you happiest, and what kind of photos you’ll want on your walls.

5. They capture the essence of family life

As a step-mum to two boys, I know crisp, ironed shirts, pristine clothes and statue-still children are akin to unicorns. Family life is messy, loud, bursting with energy and filled with laughter. Whether it’s the kids teasing each other, eyes rolling at dad’s silly jokes, a wet raspberry on a bare belly or your family walking along a beach hand-in-hand, these are the moments that make your family life so special. 

And with outdoor family photoshoots, these are the moments I want to capture for you. So when you look at photos in years to come, they’ll capture all those little pockets of love and joy that make your family so perfectly imperfect, and so uniquely yours.

Looking for an Bedfordshire family photographer for your outdoor family photoshoot?

If you’re looking for a family photographer in Bedfordshire and would like to book yourself in for an outdoor family photoshoot, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch today to check my availability. 

The West/Clayton family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

I first met the West/Clayton family in 2015 when I first opened my studio, I was looking for newborn models. I have build such an amazing relationship with Charlotte that they have continued to return to Phoebe Berridge Photography almost every year since sometimes even more than once a year. The boy have always be a pleasure to photography, hopefully next will be an up to date family portrait session with all four of you. Thank you for all your support over the years x

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Having professional photos was important because they’re always better than what we can get at home and they’re always such lovely shots from phoebe. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography?

 We’ve had many sessions with Phoebe from family shoots, newborn shoots, sitter sessions , sibling sessions. Every time has been amazing, every time has resulted in my favourite pictures of our family. 

What do you love about your images?

To have the memories forever is so important, these are the pictures we keep around our house too.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

 I love them all, the different aspects of the shoots, we’ve had amazing pictures of both our boys. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

We trusted Phoebe to do a family shoot with us and our son, this is not something myself and my partner would usually feel comfortable doing. We felt at ease and really happy with being around Phoebe for this. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe is professional, warm and welcoming. We have been seeing her since she first started with our first borns newborn photos, she’s great and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

That they won’t be disappointed and should go to Phoebe for any pictures they would like of events, family, weddings etc. Her work is lovely.

The Jeeves experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Since our son was born we have taken many photos but we do not profess to being experts at it and having seen some of Phoebe’s previous work we wanted some professional images that we could use both in our home and for gifts for others. We’ve also not had many photos of us as a family and really wanted some good images of the whole family.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe was wonderful, her studio is the perfect setting and allows for both baby and parents to relax throughout the session. The pre-information prior to our shoot was really helpful. Phoebe was so patient in ensuring the photos were taken at the right time and there was no feeling of being rushed. Phoebe strikes the perfect balance of professionalism in her work whilst creating a real rapport with her customers.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Everything, we were blown away at our viewing session by the beauty of the shots and the photos we have had taken will allow us to carry these memories for the rest of our lives.

What do you love about your images?

The images show off our perfect little baby boy and make him look so peaceful and content. Thanks to Phoebe’s imagination and forward planning we have images of our son that we never would have dreamed of creating ourselves.

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Hugely important. Phoebe created an instant rapport with the whole family and her communications with us prior to our session put us at ease and answered any questions we had before we arrived.

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Having seen some of Phoebe’s previous work on Facebook we were confident that the images Phoebe would take of our son would be of the highest quality and we were proved right.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

If you were thinking of a booking a newborn shoot for your child then look no further than Phoebe Berridge Photography, you will not regret it! The whole experience from start to finish was an absolute pleasure and we are thrilled with the images we have of our baby boy. Thanks so much Phoebe!

Why existing in photographs is important?

I recently did a survey asking a series of questions related to taking photographs, being in photographs and why they are important. Below are some of the questions and results I received..

Just take a minute and think what you’ve answers would be to the questions, it’s so important to create these beautiful memories, capture them and print them. This doesn’t have to be with a photographer either even just phone photographers, make sure you are existing in images.

As a child I can remember lots of occasions at my grandparents where we would sit with the photo albums out, looking back on old photographs which were from many years ago, before I was a baby. Learning who the family members were and hearing about all the old stories from when my grandparents were younger and listening to stories of my mum growing up as child too. I feel this generation is loosing that beauty, people aren’t printing photographs anymore and if we don’t print them did those moments ever exist? How will further generations hear and see your beautiful stories.

Here are a few of the survey results -

Question:How many pictures do you take of the people you love on your phone?

Results: Lots: 78% Some:18% Hardy Any: 4%

Question: Do you print your photographs?

Results: Yes: 55% No: 45%

Question: Are you in enough pictures with your loved ones?

Results: No 100%

Question: What stops you from being in the pictures?

Results: Never anyone else there to take the picture so I can be in it 59%

Don't feel comfortable in pictures 18%

Never know what to do and feel silly 5%

Don't like being photographed 9%

Other 9%

Question: What is the consequence of you NOT being in your family portraits?

This for me was the most important question, I feel this would have gone a lot of people thinking and I definitely think the results show this too..

Results: It looks like I was never there, Everyone who answered my survey in their own words put that their family, friends and children would think they were never there as they don’t exist in any photographs.

We live in a generation where we are all on our phones these day, make sure you are using that time to also capture those all important moments. Grab a friend ask them to capture that moment with your family. Make sure you exist in your photographs just as much as your family. I know we’re not all lovers of being in front of the camera, but set yourself a challenge to exist in at least one photograph for every month of 2020, print it and pop it into a photo album.

#BE KIND

The Lovetts - returning clients

I cannot express how grateful I am for all my returning clients. But their’s a family who really have helped my business grow and form the shape it has today. My first paid wedding was with the love’s and from here our connection grew and grew. I’m now known as their family photographer and also know everyone when I turn up to an event which is a lovely feeling. The Lovett family who I have now done 6 weddings for 1 maternity session, 2 newborn sessions, 1 christening, 2 cake smash sessions, and lots of family session too.

It’s safe to say we really have connected well over the years and I have had lots of lovely reviews from them all and friends recommended to me also. Having returning clients like this make my job so worth it, knowing that they all trust and love what I do so much to continue to use me year in and out. For every occasion and every new milestone moment they want to capture.

Being able to connect with clients like this is also amazing as it helps me create those beautiful memories for you and they put their full trust into me and leave me to come up with the creative ideas and just follow my lead which is a lovely thing to watch. It makes each shoot easier too as they know me so well they already know what iI;m likely to ask them to do next.

Why book a family shoot?

Do you exist in photographs with your children and family? Are you always the one behind the camera?

It’s so important to exist in print to cherish those beautiful moments with your loved ones. Show them off to your family and friends.

We all grow and change each year and before you know it they are off to uni. How many images do you have in your house with your family? How many of them do you love?

Booking a professional family photo-shoot is so important, it lets you create new memories together. It gives you beautiful images to cherish for a life time whilst being able to look at them every day and think wow I love that. As a mum especially it gives you the opportunity to be in the photographs too. 

I hear from too many mums how they are always behind the camera, or dad doesn’t take a look image. Be involved, have photographers with your children and your partner. Exist in print and create those beautiful memories to treasure for a life time. 

Top 10 questions I get asked by prospective clients?

1.I don’t know when to book my session as my baby isn’t here yet?

A.That’s absolutely fine, we recommend booking you’ve newborn session in after your 20-week scan due to the availability we have available every month. But of course you can book later than this too. We book you in on a floating date so that if baby arrives early or a little late we can move you’ve session accordingly.

2.Can we have sibling/ parent shots too?

A.Absolutely! I love getting the whole family involved in session and I feel it’s so important to get as many family images as you can when you have the opportunity to do so.

3.What should we bring with us to the session?

A.I will send you a detailed email once you’ve session is booked in depending on the type of session you have gone for will depend on what you’ve required to bring but we will make sure you have all the details within plenty of time.

4.Am I too late to have photographs of my baby, he/she is over 3 weeks old?

A.No of course not, we now offer a baby’s first photo shoot which is ideally for babies 5 weeks+. Because we know how full on it can be within those first few weeks and you forget to book in a newborn session. The baby’s first photo-shoot is more awake shots and baby as they are but they are still absolutely beautiful.

5.How much do you charge?

A.This depends on the session type you can find the information and session cost for each individual session we offer on the pages. All our product pricing in over on the product page.

6.Can we have a mixture of studio and location for our session?

A.If you’ve having a family session they absolutely yes! We do not offer mixed for newborn and baby photograph. However the location will be within Ickwell due to the length of your session.

7.Where are you based?

A.A beautiful little village called Ickwell in Bedfordshire.

8.My baby doesn’t sleep; will you still be able to get nice photographs?

A.Yes, it can sometimes make the session a little trickier but don’t worry we have it covered. With lots of other beautiful ideas and things we can do if baby will not settle and sleep. If baby is too unsettled, we will rearrange you’ve session free of charge. As we want you to go away with the most beautiful images.

9.Are you trained in posing and safety?

A.Yes, I am, I attend training every year and hold my certification for newborn health and safety. You can find my certificates on the website if you wish to view these.

10.How early should I book my session in?

A.As early as you possibly can if you have a set date in mind the sooner the better but we will always do our best to accommodate you’ve needs.