This was a dream session for me. Not only did I have 3 beautiful young ladies, but they also brought with them a fantastic wardrobe and their very own hair stylist too (mum owns her own salon). So all the elements for beautiful portraits were there. And I was thrilled to get this opportunity.
Its easy to think of having portraits when you have a new baby or when you get married or have a special family occasion where you get the entire family portrait done. But its less often that people think of having their growing children photographed. After all I suppose, they are photographed at school. I even do some of those school photographs. However, those portraits are made in less than a minute per child and they are assembly line style portraits while they are wearing their school uniform. They are never going to be as special as what can be created with unlimited time and outfit changes in the comfort of a private studio.
Its in this environment that I can take the time to talk to the children, get to know them a little and work with them in a way that brings out something special. Children are not at their most comfortable with strangers. Why would they be when we spend their lives telling them to be wary of strangers. So in here I can take my time with them. Not only that but they are invited in along with the parents for a consultation prior to their session where we have a chat and discuss clothing and prop choices so that the session can be planned in advance in order so that I can create images my clients will love.
In this case this client had already lots of beautiful clothes. I have plenty available also but I felt theirs worked better. I only contributed one dress this time (the one above). Since this shoot I have managed to acquire some of my own black dresses also as I loved them so much. I had never imagined putting young girls in black but it really does work so beautifully.
In the end we had so many to choose from. The older child was such a natural in front of the camera. I could have worked with her all day. I suspect the younger one will be too when she gets older. In those moments we got the wee one to co-operate her connection with the camera was quite strong too.
I can only imagine what these portraits are going to mean to this family over the coming years. When these girls are their mother's age looking back at this time in their lives is going to be incredible. I think its easy to forget that our parents were ever as young as we are and hopefully this will give them a wonderful reminder of what it was like growing up and a reminder of just how young and beautiful Mum was when they were little. I really wish I had something like this of me with my daughter. But I was always too afraid of the camera, something I will forever regret.
So if you, like me are putting this off just because you are afraid, please don't wait any longer. You will be so thankful once you get it done and its something your children will cherish for years to come.
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