I love this image from a teenage family photoshoot in Berkshire last summer. I started with the more predictable angle, capturing his profile, and his hands on the piano keys. In fact, one of my favourite photographs I took as a student was of a jazz pianist’s hands moving swiftly along the keys. With a few lovely shots under my belt from the side, I moved around the piano, I spotted his reflections through the lid. All the elements came together to make a striking, balanced fine art portrait.
Over the last twenty years, I’d like to think that I’ve grown as a portrait photographer. Whereas to begin with I settled for classic portraits, usually eyes to camera, in lovely natural light, genuine expression etc. Now I want so much more. Rather like painting a picture, I seek creative light and backdrops, interesting ways to compose and frame the subject, story telling props. A painting says 1000 words. Well, so can a portrait photograph. This image will remind the teenage boy of endless hours tinkering on the piano. The good times, the bad times. The peace and tranquility in his home. The freedom to be himself, to compose his thoughts into notes, to grow. This is not just a beautiful boy smiling at the camera. It’s a whole decade of memories presented in an array of reflections, light and shape. I would like to think that this images says 1000 words to this pianist in the making.
Please do visit my portraiture page on my website to get a feeling for the variety of ways I like to capture portraits. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss in more detail.
This image from a teenage portrait photography shoot in Berkshire is one of my favourites from last summer. Children portraiture isn’t always about capturing a smile. Indeed many of my favourite portraits are the more serious shots. They eyes are the windows to our souls. It is a portrait photographer’s role to capture the essence of their models. And no better way to do this than a striking portrait where there is a real connection visible in their expression. This portrait stops me in my tracks every time I look at it.
As with all my children and family photoshoots, I provide a variety of images: striking portraits or them individually and together with their siblings, as well as a range of more candid, fun and spontaneous images which are more story telling images. Many photographers struggle with teenage portrait photography, providing rather static staged and soulless images. But as my children have grown up into teenagers themselves, I have found I enjoy photographing older children and teenagers as much as I do young children. They may not be as spontaneous and unpredictable as the latter, but I have found my connection with them, they are so rewarding to photograph.
Please do explore my website to see more examples of my children,teenage and family photography. If you are interested in booking a family or children photoshoot, please do get in touch. I’m based in Dorset but travel all over the country. And I’m also regularly in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
Although many of my photoshoots involve activities indoors and outdoors, there are times when my clients have a specific location in mind. Somewhere that encapsulates an era in their children’s life. On this occasion, the family were moving house and school. So it seemed fitting to have an outdoor children photography shoot in the grounds of Cheam Prep school, Newbury, Berkshire, where the girls had both been at school.
We started the shoot by playing lots of games in the main grounds, using the beautiful avenue and stunning gardens as backdrops. And then headed to the fabulous outdoor play area, which offers an abundance of entertainment. We had so much fun. Playgrounds are perfect locations for outdoor children photography. I love to capture the children’s adventurous spirit whilst they explore, climb, slide and swing. Indeed we explored every nook and cranny, climbed every ladder, slid down every slide, and swung high into the skies. I find static swing shots can look as void of emotion as motion and prefer to capture them moving. This is obviously more challenging photographically but nothing beats that feeling of wind through your hair as you swing high and low.
This shot was one of my favourites. I absolutely love it. There is so much joy, energy and movement. You can feel her excitement at reaching high into the sky. It’s an image that is full of emotion and spirit. It can’t help but make you smile when you look at and remind you of those exhilarating feelings of ‘flying high’ when you were little. This is what I strive to provide in my children photography sessions.
For more examples of my children photography, please do visit my children, teenage and family galleries. Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss the possibility of me coming to your home and photographing your children and family.
