A Cherished Day at Coldingham Sands: A very trendy Granny and an Overcast Adventure!
Imagine this: a fashionable granny, her adorable granddaughter, and an adorable dog, coming together for a memorable day of shenanigans and giggles at Coldingham Sands. Oh, did I mention the charming overcast weather that added an extra touch of magic to our photos?
From the moment these guys set foot on the sandy shore, the air was filled with laughter and excitement. Together, we created unforgettable moments running around on the sand and indulging in ‘contraband’ Wham bars! Because what's a beach outing without a little sweet mischief, right?
The overcast weather added beautiful soft lighting which enhanced the vibrant colors of their outfits, and gentle shadows added depth and nostalgia to the photographs.
As a family photographer, it's moments like these that remind me of the magic my lens can capture. Witnessing the joy, love, and laughter between this trendy granny, her granddaughter, and thier lovable joog warms my heart. Coldingham Sands provided the perfect backdrop for the day.
Hazel chose a portfolio box of high-quality prints, a keepsake to proudly display at home. The pride and joy in her eyes was unmistakable as she imagined reliving those wonderful moments with a glance at those stunning prints on her walls.
You might imagine a bright, sunny day is ideal for outdoor photography, but that's not actually true. The intense light makes highlights too bright and shadows incredibly deep. Overcast days when the sun's light is diffused by the clouds can be much better, the entire sky turns into a big, soft light source which means that you get much more even lighting that casts softer shadows. It's much more forgiving to photograph with and is especially flattering for portraits.
4 Easy Steps to a Stress Free Children’s Photo Shoot
Outfit planning
Coordinate colours and patterns for siblings as if you were choosing one outfit
Make changing easy. Changing a full outfit is sometimes not possible and can upset a child; however, quickly changing a top is usually fine
Avoid logos and busy colourful patterns. Simple is timeless!
Set the mood
Make sure you and your child/children get plenty of rest the night before. A good night’s sleep works wonders
Ensure everyone is fed and hydrated beforehand
Avoid screen time before your session; it can affect your child’s behaviour and mood (and seem like a punishment when it's taken away)
Try to arrive on time (not early) to your session to save little ones from becoming bored and restless
Pack a bag
Arrive with your child/children dressed but pre-pack any changes of clothing and cherished teddies or favourite toys the day before
Don't worry about matching shoes! Bare feet are super cute in mini shoots
If you feel that treats are necessary, we advise white chocolate buttons (which don't make much mess and won't take a lot of chewing)
Relax
Talk to your child/children in a positive way about the shoot in the days beforehand
It can be helpful to discuss a treat that will happen after the session
Even after following these tips you may still experience tantrums, shyness and hiding behind mummy’s legs but we know every trick in the book to get a giggle and a few shots that will make your heart sing. So just sit back and relax!
In summary
Plan outfits in advance
Prep for good moods
Have everything ready
Relax and let us do our thing
It always takes a little time to ‘warm up’ but we have all the tricks of the trade to get your little one happy and confidently smiling within minutes!
6 Unique Ways to Improve your Festive Family Photos, Without Any Tears!
6 Unique Ways to Improve your Festive Family Photos, Without Any Tears!
The festive season is an incredibly important time of year so here are a few quick ideas with tips on taking better festive photos that will give you a set of unique and heart warming family memories for you to treasure.
1) Timing
Whether you are out and about at a fair or at home celebrating with close or extended family, group photos are usually taken at the end of the day when everyone is looking their worst. For a more polished shot, take it earlier in the day, when everyone has arrived and is looking their best! Be sure to make there is enough daylight in the room too.
Think about special family relationships; the bond grandparents have with their grandchildren can be such a special thing but can be quite tricky to photograph. Catch them naturally rather than posing them.
2) Continuous shots
One of the best ways to avoid the problem of everyone moving in a shot is to take multiple photos quickly. If you have an iPhone, use ’burst mode’ when taking photos of people and take short bursts of shots. The first shot is often no good but the one or two directly after it often give a group that looks a little less posed and more relaxed.
To use burst mode on an iPhone:
Launch the camera app from your iPhone or iPad's Home screen.
Hold down the Shutter button or Volume button to take a burst of pictures.
iOS will automatically choose the best photos from the burst. If you don't like the photos it chooses, you can choose your own.
Just keep your finger on the white 'shutter' button
3) Go outdoors
If you don't feel that your house has the space for everyone, take your camera or phone outdoors for a lovely, wrapped-up family walk; but remember the sun goes down before 4pm in December in the UK so make sure you go out before sunset!
4) Smile
Yes, you should smile! There’s nothing worse than a grumpy stressed person taking your photos. Have fun and enjoy the process of getting shots and you’ll find everyone else will too.
5) Be present in photos
Make sure you hand the camera or phone over to someone else and encourage them to take some shots, especially the natural ones, make sure you are in some of the photos with your children too!
6) Celebrate key moments
Celebrate moments like the first time your children help by decorating. Use simple prompts like “How high can you reach?” or “Point me to your favourite decoration?” This will make the photos look much more natural and less ‘posed’ as they have their focus on something new or interesting. Ask them to tell a festive story and capture the joy on their face!
And from Pictorial Photography, have a very Happy Holiday season!
Maternity: White Studio Session
I’ve been photographing pregnant ladies for over 12 years now and this has got to be one of my favourite sessions to date. I’m absolutely loving the white (fake) studio window, the light it gives is so flattering, it feels like we are in a posh hotel room with bright Mediterranean sunshine streaming through, even on a gloomy rainy day in Berwick!
Rachel brought in her husband’s favourite white shirt and wore some simple white lingerie, this was a very quick session to document her baby bump.
Photographs published with express written permission.
Written by Sarah
White Studio Sessions: Timeless Beauty and Emotion
The studio has been adapted for our White Studio Sessions. A simple and timeless look featuring a soft and flattering false window light (which means that these sessions are available regardless of the weather or time of day).
The White Studio Sessions are ideal for capturing milestones between pregnancy to around age 4. I use delicate muted textures in the set and advise you to dress simply in white or cream clothing to ensure all the focus is on baby and you, not on your outfit choices.
These sessions are made to tell a story and capture the beauty and emotion between the baby and you. I can also capture siblings together or the family in the White Studio.
Outfit planning
White Studio outfit planning is really easy, we recommend a combination of whites, creams and beiges as colours can be distracting.
Coordinate everything as if you were choosing one outfit.
Textures are sooooo goood.
Make changing easy. Changing a child’s full outfit is not recommended; however, quickly changing a top is fine.
Make sure nail-coloured varnish is removed before the shoot (toes and fingers), a fresh french polish or similar for mum is fine.
Simple is timeless.
Restoring Treasured Memories
Last week Susan came into the studio to ask if we could do anything with a treasured photograph of her children from when they were little, she had had the portrait taken of them and at the time had only been able to afford to purchase one framed print which had had to go to her in-laws where it had hung in pride of place on the wall for over 30 years.
Susan had, at last, got the photograph back to hang up in her home but unfortunately, the grandparents were smokers and over time the image, which was not under glass had become stained yellow and was also badly marked.
As you can see, there was quite a lot of colour work to do, removal of the staining and the marks and splatters, all in it took me about 4 hours to restore whilst retaining the detail, all the work was worth it to see the tears of happiness when she came to see the finished thing.
As a mum, Susan's story really resonated with me and I enjoyed the challenge of doing something quite different from my usual work.
Sarah
Before..
After!
Princesses For a Day: Sarah and Emily, Winners of 'Cash for Kids' Auction Prize
It’s every little girl’s dream to be a princess and for Sarah and Emily Macleod (aged 5 and 3) it became a reality last week when they were treated like royalty at Wedderburn Castle. A day of pampering and being treated like a princess was their prize in the Radio Borders Cash for Kids charity auction. The winning bidder was their dad Ross, who bought it for his 5-year-old daughter Sarah.
Radio Borders Cash for Kids manager, Candy Rafferty, said: “One of the radio presenters happened to know Ross and told me that he had two daughters and tragically his wife had died, so they didn’t have a mum. I phoned the owners of Wedderburn who immediately said they would be very happy to have an extra princess. I phoned the dressmaker who immediately said she would design two dresses. I phoned the hairdresser and it was the same.
“It’s just such a lovely example of the generosity of Borders people, and as the charity manager at Radio borders Cash for Kids, I am blown away by it every single day.”
On arriving at the castle for a day, Sarah and Emily were greeted in regal style and escorted to the Wedderburn’s grandest chamber, where they had their hair styled and were fitted out with tiaras and princess outfits from ‘A Perfect Fit’ in Coldstream.
Attending the princesses were Brian Rafferty, Royal Warrant holder and hairdresser to HRH the Queen when she is in Scotland, and a dressmaker, lady-in-waiting, and courtiers from Radio Borders and Wedderburn Castle.
Amongst the princesses’ royal duties was the official opening of Wedderburn Barns, a new rustic party and wedding venue in the former Georgian stables at Wedderburn Castle. The princesses cut the ribbon on the barns, toured the premises and had official photographs taken at the castle and barns by Pictorial Photography.
Other official engagements included sealing documents and letters at the grand dining room table at Wedderburn and inspecting the castle and grounds to ensure that all is in order. Lunch for the princesses included a selection of special cupcakes designed especially for the day by Borders Cakes and Cupcakes.
A horse-drawn carriage ride around the ground of the castle finished off their day, courtesy of the Cornhill Carriage Company. Then after spending the day being treated like royalty in the castle, it was back to reality for the two girls.
Cash for Kids is the official charity of Radio Borders and provides a helping hand to children around the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland. They are currently running their Christmas Mission to help the thousands of children in poverty who would otherwise wake up to a Christmas without presents this year. They’re asking you to buy just one extra present this year - new and unwrapped gifts suitable for children and young people or make a cash donation online, in person or over the phone.
Read more at: http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/the-cash-for-kids-charity-1-3197082
Home Visit to Baby Wren and Mum at 11 Days Old, New-born Photography
Baby Wren is 11 days old today, she has the most beautiful eyes and a cheeky little smirk, I can see that she is going to have a lot of personality already, and with two older brothers, she's going to need it!
Wren was wide awake for the shoot (which was a very quick shoot) but I think it worked well for her.
Those first few days go so quickly, and you seem to walk around in such a daze, it's hard to remember now but I'm so glad to have those early photographs of my babies to look back on.
