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.

extended family shoot
bedfordshire family portrait session
biggleswade family photographer
portrait photographer bedfordshire
family session bedfordshire

What not to do during your family photoshoot

bedfordshire family photographer

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. 

bedfordshire family portrait photographer
biggleswade family portrait photographer
outdoor family session bedfordshire
red telephone box family session bedfordshire