When I arrive at a real family home, I’m not seeing any of the devastation caused by storm newborn, I’m looking at the natural light and how this can help me with the flow of the ‘at home family photoshoot’. My cameras and any other photography bits n bobs are left in my car, I’m all about you and what’s going on in your world, STOP STOP STOP… OK this was going to be a blog post all about me and my family photography approach, then I send a sneak peek from a recent session to a new mum who’s been on mum duty at least 3 times before sunrise and she replies that she’s crying happy tears. With permission I’ve posted the image and what a very contented mum can see…
To begin with I was nervous about the shoot at home rather than a studio or location, wanting everything to be ‘perfect’, after our initial catch up with you we relaxed into the chaos of family life, having a toddler, a dog and a newborn, nothing is going to be perfect, and that’s how we like it, the chaos is where we are comfortable. My toddler had been up since 3.30am and was full of trouble, playing up to having you in the house. He did so well considering! All of his toys came out, all the dog toys came out. I think he’d lost something under the sofa when this was taken, and my newborn who’s feeding on demand…demanded feeding just as we were about to start shooting. And Willow, so used to the mayhem, assumed her position on her sofa and had a snooze amidst it all. To me this picture represents “the good old days”, in the thick of being parents learning to navigate 2 children. My beautiful babies comfortable in their home. How lucky we are!
Back to me… I love all the elements in this image and during our chat once my cameras were packed away we spoke about the crib. I’m going to let new mum Taya tell you. Oh that was bought by my grandma from Romford Market in 1967 for 12 shillings and 6 pence (about 60p in today’s money). Its held my mum, me, all my brothers, my babies, friends of the families children. Its held many a babe!
I love the magic of the everyday, the moments that will mean so much more as time moves on. If you like what you see and feel that I could observe your world with my camera, please get in touch and we can chat…
If time were made of colour you’d be my golden hour, if love was just a seed you’d be each and every flower. (Jess Urlichs, Beautiful Chaos book)