Photographing Action in Family Photography
We are on lockdown at the momenet but life still goes on. Like many other families, me and my family are spending more time together, pottering around the house, enjoying our garden and exploring local walks. We are so blessed to be living in the countryside with so many walking paths and wooded areas on our doorstep. I realise this is a privilage and that many people in cities including my own family are finding lockdown much harder and more challenging than we are.
Like many freelancers, my work has been drastically reduced but I am using this time to practice different aspects of photography and take my camera with me during my daily exercise. Sometimes I photograph landscapes, sometimes nature details but probably most often my 3 and half year old, who is still (most of the time) a complient model!
We have been doing lots of running around and jumping on our local field so I thought I’d share some tips on photographing children in action, in case you are feeling inspired to practice photography while spending (more) time with your children.
Whether it is my child or I am photographing my client’s children, I try to get the children to play a game they like, to jump their biggest jump, go on a trampoline or spin around. This really engages the child and sets a scene for some genuine, fun action photos.
Make sure you focus the camera on your subject, and if you own a dSLR consider setting your focus to AI Servo (Canon) or AF-C (Nikon). This focusing option is useful when tracking moving objects, and keeping the focus on the little ones when they are running around.
Another point I try to consider before I take an action shot is whether I would like to freeze or blur motion. Freezing action, like in the two photographs above is great for focusing on detail. Photographing on slow shutter speed can introduce a sense of motion and fun into an image. It is also a great option when you are photographing children in a busy environment; it puts the focus only on your subject and removes distracting objects in the background. I took the photo below at the very end of the photoshoot when I was experimenting and trying out new things. I nearly threw up from being so incredibly dizzy but I love the resulting image. It shows movement, excitement, fun and absolute joy that this girl was experiencing on this merry go round.
The photo below was also taken on slow shutter speed to show movement but this time I turned my objective as the kids were running towards me. It makes me feel like they are both running straight at me!
Finally, don’t be afraid to move around and experiment with different angles. Try photographing straight on, from the side, low down, from above. We are used to seeing things one way, so moving around and finding new angles to show a familiar view will make your photograph stand out.
In the image below, I photographed action from a low angle to emphasize the jump. During this particular practice session with my daughter, I tried photographing her jump from the front and from a side angle, both of which didn’t really work. It was only when I went down low inside the ditch which you can see in the bottom third of the photograph, that it all came together. I love her motion in this photo - it looks like she’s flying!
In the following photograph, I photographed from a high angle to capture the setting of where the action was taking place. This was a family photoshoot in Sussex and after spending a couple of hours outside in the garden, we went inside for a few infoor shots. I noticed the staircase and thought it would be nice to include it somehow in the picture. The girl I was photographing loved ballet and was really interested in showing me her dance moves. It really love like how the staircase acts as a leading line to lead the viewer to the girl dancing at the bottom of the staircase, and is one of my favourite action shots.
If you would like to find out more about my family photo sessions, please visit my Family Photography page. To see more photos of children in action, visit my Children Portraits page. If you would like to book a family photo session, or would like to enquire about my sessions, feel free to get in touch - I would love to hear from you!
Surrey Family Photographer | Professional Family Photoshoot
December is wizzing past and Christmas is just round the corner. I have had a busy year with lots of wonderful photoshoots. Some of these have been with my existing, loyal clients who have supported me from the very beginning. Others have been with new clients who I hope to see again and again in years to come.
Relaxed Family Photo Sessions
My year has been marked by a variety of different commissions - a post-wedding photoshoot, newborn photo sessions, pet photography, christening event photography, wax figure photography. However, the majority of photoshoots have been family photo sessions. I absolutely love photographing families - I enjoy meeting and getting to know a family. The kids always bring fun and games to a photoshoot - there is never a dull moment! I like to keep things as natural as possible when I work, this keeps the whole family relaxed which in turn makes photos and people in them look natural. I occasionally give a suggestion for a game or activity but I often find that kids are the ones who beat me to it, and spontaneously come up with a new creative game.
Indoor and Outdoor Family Photography
The two photographs below were taken at a photoshoot a couple of months ago (I am a bit behind with my blog posts!), where I was commissioned to take photos at a big family get together. After a couple of hours taking photos of everyone outside in the garden, I came inside to pack up and take a few last shots of the kids. They started dancing and playing, and I managed to capture a few of these candid moments. These ended up to be some of my favourite photos from this session. Completely unposed, just kids playing, showing me their moves and toys, having the best time!
If you are having a family get together, or you would like some photos of your immediate family, please get in touch to discuss your requirements. If you would like to find out more information about my family photoshoots, head over to my family photography page.
London Family Photographer / Peckahm Rye Park Family Photoshoot
London Family Photography
I have probably said this before, but I’ll say it again - I love photographing families year after year! I first photographed this family when their eldest daughter was only a few months old. This was four and a half years ago! It is lovely to see the family grow, and the girls change with each passing year, and with each family photoshoot. We have in the past taken photos at home, in a local park, and in Ruskin park. We arranged to do this outdoor family photoshoot at Peckham Rye Park, a place I visited and photographed in on several occasions.
Location Family Photography
It was a lovely sunny day back in April, perfect for spring family portraits! I wanted to portray a sense of place and season in the photographs. Therefore, when we arrived in the park, I quickly scouted a few potential sites for photos - the formal Sexby Gardens with beautiful spring blooms, a steam with a picturesque bridge going over it, cherry blossoms, colourful shrubs, even a playground. I was really spoilt for choice. With all this on offer, I tried to use leading lines, symmetries, reflections and colours and incorporate some of these elements in my family and children portraits. Here is a selection of a few of my favourites!
Children’s photography that portrays childhood
I was also interested in capturing the girls in action, as they were so full of energy! For this, I used slow shutter speed (once again!) to capture them running, on the swings and roundabouts in the playground. This is something I recently tried while photographing my daughter on a swing, and I really liked the look of. Some of my new favourite photos are from this photo session, using this technique - I nearly got sick from spending what felt like an eternity on a roundabout, but the resulting images are worth every spin! To me, they portray a sense of movement, fun, excitement and happiness - a childhood captured in a photo!
London Family Photo Sessions
My family photography sessions are relaxed and fun. I work hard to produce a set of photographs you and your family will cherish in years to come. If you are thinking of booking a family photoshoot, or would like to discuss an idea, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you! I work all over London, but also Surrey and the South East.