Introducing Bethany, Max and baby Sophia, a lovely family from Brixworth, Northamptonshire.
Sophia was the winner of our recent baby photo contest that we ran from our Facebook page throughout November. We actually should have met 4 months earlier to capture some newborn photography but for many reasons (one of which involves a certain 8 year old, a 50p coin plus a trip to hospital) we never got to do her newborn shoot. So we was delighted when she won.
On the day of the shoot we had planned to photograph Sophia first, although when the family arrived at our studio she was fast asleep. Having had two babies of our own, we fully understand that you should never wake a sleeping baby, not unless you want a very grumpy and un-photogenic child!
We decided to photograph Sophia’s older Brother and Sister first, whilst she napped in her pram. 13 year old Bethany was first up, shattering any preconceptions you might have of awkward teenagers, with a lovely natural and confident sitting. We sometimes find that as children get older, especially girls, they can become a little more awkward and self-conscious in front of the camera. Normally they can take a bit more time to relax into the sitting, almost forgetting they’ve got a camera pointing at their face, but Bethany and her 8 year old Brother Max had no problems.
Max was a natural too, although we did need to wait until his “Say Cheese” face relaxed a little and we started to see his naturally cheeky character. You know the face we mean, the mildly manic forced grin that we all display when confronted with a camera wielding photographer!
(Please click on an image to see it bigger)
Having photographed Bethany and Max we was know ready to capture their little Sister. Luckily, with a little help from Max, Sophia was beginning to stir anyway. After a quick strip down to the waist, as we personally think babies should be photographed as nature intended, Mum sat Sophia in our Bumbo.
At first, Sophia was more interested in the soft fluffy blanket that we’d draped over the Bumbo than she was in us. After a quick blanket change we was off and she rewarded us with her beautiful little personality. After she tired of sitting upright we then moved her onto her back and she rewarded us further with the cheekiest grins and chuckles!
Finally, after a quick studio change round, we shot the whole family together. A lovely memory captured for Mum and Dad’s as we all know how fast children grow and change!
A big thanks to Mum, Dad and of course the children, for such a lovely relaxed shoot. It was fab to meet you all at last and we very much hope you enjoy your portraits.