Some of you may remember the lovely Kati and her mum Gail, who were the winners of my Mothers Day Competition last year. To photograph this mum of a special needs child with her mum was a true privilege.

 

I am so pleased that I was able to create these images for Kati and Gail as these images will become fabulous keep sakes and truly document their family history.

So as you can imagine, I was thrilled when Kati contacted me to photograph her family recently for a very special occasion – Gail’s birthday! While this photo session was back in August, I had to keep it so quiet so that Gail didn’t find out about it. But Gail has had her birthday celebrations and now I can share the photos with you!

Family of mum, dad and 3 boys grouped together hugging and smiling at the camera special needs kids photography Larissa Hill Photography Melbourne

black and white image of 3 young brothers hugging and smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography

I am reliably informed that when Gail saw these images, there were tears! As I said in my previous newsletter – I love making people cry!

Young boy in a play ground sitting on a swing and smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography

Young boy in a play ground sitting on a swing and smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography

Young boy in a play ground sitting on a swing and smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography

 

I would like to say “Happy Birthday Gail!” I hope you enjoyed your celebrations and that these images of your beautiful family bring you joy and a big smile to your face!

Husband and wife smiling at the camera while hugging, Larissa Hill Photography special needs kids photography

Family of mum dad and 3 boys walking in the bush Larissa Hill Photography special needs kids

 

With Christmas around the corner there is no better time to book your own family portrait sessions! I do have some availability on Cup Day (3 sessions available) and some weekend spots available up until the 10th December however these are filling fast! Call me on 0412 615 097 or email larissa@larissahill.com.au

Alternatively, come along to my Christmas Mini Session which is on the 3rd December! This is a brilliant way to capture a quick family or child portrait with a Christmas theme and includes Christmas Cards and Prints! For more information go to www.larissahill.com.au – limited spots available so book early to avoid disappointment. You can book here now!

Until next time, happy snapping!

Larissa x

Facebookpinterest

Did you know that I like to make people cry? Well its true, I like to make people cry! Does this make me mean, nasty or horrible? Well I don’t think so! The reason I like to make people cry has to do with my MISSION!!

Black and white photo of a girl and her 2 brothers running down a path holding hands. Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography, Melbourne photographer

“To me, photography is an art of observation. Its about finding something interesting in an ordinary place … I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you seem them” Elliot Erwitt

My mission is to capture the beauty, personality and the spark of special needs kids! I want every child with special needs to feel beautiful and allow their personalities to SHINE! I achieve this using my camera and my unique style of informal portraiture using natural light. Our photo sessions together are relaxed and most of all fun!

So how does this fit in with liking to make people cry?

Young boy leaning on arm and looking at camera. Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography Melbourne

“If I could give you one thing in life, I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes, only then would you realise how special you are to me” Unknown

Most mum’s (and I must say quite a few dad’s) see the stunning photographs we create together and, well, cry! I’ve had all sort of crying from a single tear running down a cheek, to full on crying and needing to get the box of tissues. While I am used to this reaction now (and I know that when I get it I have nailed the photograph’s), it wasn’t always the case! In fact the first time it happened, I was terrified!

black and white image of young twin boys sitting on parents knees and everyone laughing at the camera. Larissa Hill Photography, Special Needs Kids Photography Melbourne

“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling” Shanti

Around 2 years ago I was showing a client the photos from her family photo shoot. This client was looking at the photos and was being very quiet which is very different to what I was used to! (I was used to a few oohs and aahs and the odd laugh!). When I looked closely at my client, I noticed that she was crying, and crying rivers!

Yikes I thought! My client hates the images! I am a disaster! Oh no! This is terrible!

3 children from children gallery standing under a tree smiling at each other and at the camera

“Life should be lived as play” Plato

I took a deep breath, counted to 5, gulped and came up with the courage to ask my client if everything was OK – braced for hearing the words any photographer never wants to hear – that my client hated the photos!

My client very quietly whispered to me “Its the photo’s (yikes I think to myself again!), you can’t tell my son is disabled. Look at him, you have captured who he is, not his disability”. So those of you who are wondering if I cried too (as I tend to cry a lot!), oh yes I did! I have tears in my eyes recounting this story.

Young girl dressed up as a fairy looking at the camera smiling, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography

“Enjoy the little things in life… for one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things” Unknown

This brings us back to my MISSION!

I want every parent of a special needs kid to feel like my client felt. I want every special needs kid to feel awesome, beautiful and valued and for everyone to see beyond any disability!

And I know that if mum cries, I’ve nailed it!

So yes, I like making people cry.

Facebookpinterest

Winter is such an underrated time of year for photography, especially if you can find some puddles to jump in or have an adventure in the snow! I was lucky to have a week at Mt Buller last week with my parents, my brother and his family and my son (my husband isn’t a fan of the snow so stayed home and looked after our animals!). While many of the “rules” for photography don’t change, there are a few things to consider if heading out to play in the snow! Here are my 10 tops tips for Snow Photography!

10 Top Tips for Snow Photography!

1 Dress Appropriately!

This may sound obvious but being in the snow can be really cold and conditions can change very quickly! You may first step outside to blue skies and a balmy 5 degrees only to find yourself in the middle of a blizzard 10 minutes later. So, for snow photography, check the weather for where you are before you head out so you know what to expect and don’t get caught out.

  • Warm shoes are a must!
    • Don’t skimp on wearing warm shoes with a good grip! There is nothing worse than freezing toes and feet while slipping and stumbling in the snow. Usually where there is snow there is ice making for a slippery environment and a good pair of snow shoes (there are lots of different sorts around from hiking boots and shoes, moon boots, lined boots etc). I wear a cross between a hiking boot and moon boot that I purchased from Anaconda for around $60 on special – so you don’t need to spend a fortune to be comfortable.
  • Layering works a treat!
    • Layering your clothing is a great way to stay comfortable when in the snow. As we know, if we are walking around and exercising, we warm up. We are better off being comfortable while moving around and not overheating. Layering allows you the opportunity to add or remove layers depending on the whether. For walking around I usually have thermal underwear (top and “sexy” long johns), a skivvy +/- a thin jumper or hoodie and my jipara (which is wind and water proof). If it is a bit cooler (but dry) I will replace my jipara with my wooden coat. Dressing like this allows me to remove layers if I get too hot, and put layers back on if I get too cold.
  • Gloves
    • I never leave home without gloves when I’m in the snow for many reasons! Obviously we wear gloves to keep our hands warm, but gloves also protect our hands from scratches and lacerations if we fall over (falling over in the snow can really cut up our skin!). I don’t like the bulkiness of ski gloves when I am taking photographs so I use a thin close fitting pair of leather gloves which work perfectly. On clear blue sky days, I use a pair of fingerless gloves.

2 young boys in ski gear smiling at the camera larissa Hill Photography, Snow photography

2 Batteries

It is amazing how quickly batteries drain in cold weather!! Always bring extra batteries for your camera when going out for a photo shoot and it is a good idea to keep them in a water proof bag (zip lock bags work well) and keep them next to your body while out and about to keep them warm. Be careful when changing the batteries over that water (snow!) does not get into the battery compartment of your camera.

3 Avoid Condensation!

Don’t try and keep your camera warm while you are outside! The constant changes in temperature will cause condensation on the lens and may cause damage, plus you are at risk of missing that amazing photograph if your lens is fogged up (think fogged up sunglasses and car windscreens!). Your camera is better off staying cold until you go inside. Once inside, just let your camera return to room temperature naturally. Don’t place it in front of a heater or vent, or stick it in your doona. Allowing your camera to return to room temperature naturally will significantly reduce condensation risk.

Grandma, Grandpa and 3 grandsons standing in the snow at Mt Buller, Larissa Hill Photography, Snow Photography

4 Careful Changing Lenses

I would never change a lens out in the snow due to the risk of condensation from the differences in temperature of the camera and the lens, plus the risk of moisture getting into my camera if it is snowing, or if I have moisture on any of my clothing. The best time to change a lens is just before you head out, when the camera and the lens are the same temperature (yep, to avoid the pesky condensation again!). If you are wanting to use more than one lens during the one shoot, its better to bring an extra camera body with you and carry around both camera’s with different lenses attached. Once back at home, don’t change the lens over until the camera has returned to room temperature.

5 Which Camera to Take?

I don’t ski with my DSLR, it is too bulky for one and gets in the way, even in a back pack (I like to ski with as little as possible extra baggage!). Plus I don’t want it getting damaged if I crash! When I’m skiing on the slopes, I take my smart phone! Most of us have smart phones these days and they are easy to whip out to take awesome photo’s of your kids, friends or family out and about! Sure, you won’t necessarily get the same images that using a DSLR affords, but the camera’s in smart phones are pretty good these days and you won’t be disappointed! Just be aware however, that as mentioned in point #2, battery life can drain very quickly!

2 women and 2 children wearing snow gear sitting on a chair lift smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, snow photography tips

One of my favourite iPhone photos taken on a chairlift while having a ski with my son, nephew and sister in law

2 women and 2 men sitting on a chairlift wearing ski gear smiling at the camera, Larissa Hill Photography, snow photography tips

I love this photo of me with my dad, mum and brother on a chair lift at Mt Buller! My parents are in their 70’s and still skiing strongly!

6 Shoot in RAW

If you can, shoot in RAW (no, not in the raw!). RAW format photography gives us the greatest flexibility in post production to develop and create stunning images. Shooting in jpeg format, the camera develops the image for us and the result is not always what we would like. RAW files are larger, so not as many photos will fit onto your memory card. So bring along some spare memory cards to accomodate for the extra file sizes. Also, with so much white around, it can play havoc with our exposure, so use your histogram and this is also a good opportunity to practise using your manual settings on your camera.

7 Adventure Out at Night!

Night photography in the snow is one of my favourite times for snow photography! The way the lights reflect on the snow make for stunning images!

Mum, dad and 2 young sons standing under fairy lights at night in the snow, Larissa Hill Photography, Snow Photography

8 The Colour Red!

There is a very good reason that my son and I wear red jackets in the snow! Red really stands out and looks fantastic in snow photography!

Young boy standing in the snow holding ski's, Larissa Hill Photography, Snow Photography

9 Go for an early morning walk!

Magpie perched on a snow covered branch of a gum tree at Mt Buller, Larissa Hill Photography, special needs kids photography, Snow Photography

Magpie taking flight from snow covered gum tree Larissa Hill Photography, snow photography

I love looking for the pristine untouched snow to photograph! These make for beautiful images and to be walking around in this environment early in the morning is invigorating! If you are lucky, and the weather is on your side, you may be able to capture a stunning sunrise! Unfortunately on this trip, we did not have clear enough skies to capture a sunrise or sunset. I did enjoy watching this magpie though and managed to catch these images

10 Have Fun!!

It is more important to have fun with your photography thank anything else! Enjoy your time up at the snow, experiment with your snow photography and come home with some wonderful images of your time mucking about in the cold, white, fluffy stuff we call snow!

me and my son mucking about in the snow at Mt Buller Larissa Hill Photography, snow photography

I would love to see some of your winter photo’s, especially if you have had an opportunity for Snow Photography! Please comment below or share them to my FB page!

Happy Snapping!

Larissa x

 

Facebookpinterest

Welcome to my May Newsletter!

Firstly I would like to say a BIG WELCOME to all of my new subscribers from the Melbourne Autism Expo! Thanks for coming by to say hello! While I did get to meet some of you, most of you would have met my wonderful sister in law, Sharon, or my beautiful mum, Jocelyn who were both helping me out on the day. I look forward to sharing my photography with you!

In this issue:
Larissa Hill Award Recipient
Exclusive Special Offer!
Congratulations to my Photo Shoot and Print Voucher Winners!

Click here to read on!

 

Facebookpinterest

Winter Warmer Special Offer!

I am so excited to bring you my Winter Warmer Special Offer!

Book a photo session in June for June, July or August and receive a $50 print voucher* to use towards prints from your photo session! Yes that’s right – a $50 print voucher!

Winter is a fantastic time for photography with beautiful crisp mornings and clouds offering stunning natural filtered light! Rug up, bring your sense of fun and adventure and together we can create stunning images of your children and family that you will be proud to display in your home!

The possibilities are endless!

  • Outdoor photography
    • Park
    • Beach
    • Snow!
    • Playground
    • Bushland
  • Indoor photography
    • In your home
    • In my Studio

I would love to discuss how together we can create stunning prints for your home!

small boy smiling at the camera through branches of a tree Larissa Hill Photography Winter Warmer Special Offer! special needs kids photography

Places are limited, so contact me today to book your Winter Warmer Special!

*Conditions apply. For child and family photo sessions only. Travel and accomodation charges may apply for some locations.

fbShaz and Stews14092014_0247_ fbShaz and Stews13092014_0193 copy

Facebookpinterest

Hello!

Finally after a long cold and wet winter in Melbourne, Spring has finally arrived! This weekend is going to be absolutely gorgeous with 24 degrees here in the worlds most liveable city on Sunday! Yay! 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is my busiest time of year and with good reason! The lighting in Spring is stunning and nature is at its best! Weekend bookings are starting to fill up so contact me as soon as you can to secure your preferred date and time. I can be contacted via phone on 0412 615 097 and via email at larissa@larissahill.com.au. 

I’m thrilled to have been featured in My Special Child Online which tells my story of how I have become a photographer of Special Needs Kids! To read my storyclick here!

Melbourne Autism Expo – Save the Date!

Melbourne Autism Expo 2016 logo and wording

 

 

 

Working with Children and Families with special needs is an area that I am passionate about. I’m proud to say that I am a Gold Sponsor and organiser of the Melbourne Autism Expo (MAE) being held on the 30th April 2016!

The MAE 2016 will bring together a diverse range of products and services that support children, families and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The theme of MAE 2016 is Celebrating Difference and will be a fabulous family day out!

Exhibitors will include therapists, clinicians, support agencies, early intervention, cafes and other businesses that are disability and ASD friendly, photographers (yes me!) and heaps more! The MAE 2016 website has all the information – go to www.melbourneautismexpo.com.au or contact me directly for any queries.

Business Branding

Woman looking at the camera smiling Larissa Hill Photography Business Branding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter is normally a quite time for Portrait Photographers but I am happy to say I have been busier than ever! I took the opportunity to build my Business Branding Photography and this side of my business has really taken off!

Larissa Hill Photography’s Business Branding includes Head Shots but also photography to support your business. These images can be used on your website, Blog Post, Facebook Page, Webinar etc!

The Business Branding package gives you a stock of photos that you can use for your business! Contact me via email larissa@larissahill.com.au or by phone 0412 615 097 or go to my website www.larissahill.com.au for more information. Here are some examples below!

Meet Scott Lawrence!

Image of a man with folded arms smiling at the camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to stop smoking? Scott is your key to success! Scott has proven success to help people quit smoking with hypnotherapy! I had the pleasure of updating Scott’s business branding images and heard all about the process – its fascinating and certainly worth a try! You can find out more about Lawrence Hypnotherapy at his websitewww.lawrencehypnotherapy.com

Man with thumbs up smiling at the camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mmmm Lollies!

Fast Confectionery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love seeing my images out and about and I’m very proud of the work I have been doing with Fast Confectionery

Screen Shot 2015-08-26 at 10.19.48 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catalogue Changes

I am reviewing my catalogue at the moment to bring you the best possible quality prints and other products. Some of the smaller print sizes will no longer be available and credit card payments will attract a 3% surcharge. It was a tough decision regarding the credit card fees but rather than increase prices for all clients to cover these costs, I thought it was a better decision for only those who paid by credit card to cover the fees. These changes will come into effect on the 1st October 2015. For more information go to www.larissahill.com.au.

What have you been up to?

Boy holding a cuttle fish skeleton on the beach and smiling at the camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While it has been a long wet and cold Winter we managed a weekend away at Apollo Bay recently. Despite the cold and wet weather we managed a couple of walks along the beach – and yes – it was freezing (but wonderfully invigorating!) and yes – the kids ended up in the water with the dogs!!!

3 boys standing on the beach smiling at the camera larissa hill photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also managed a long weekend away up on the Gold Coast which was great fun! We took full advantage of the Theme Parks!

 

 

 

 

 

What did you get up to over Winter? I would love to hear about anything special you may have been up to!

Have a great day and enjoy the wonderful Spring weekend coming up for those of us in Melbourne! I look forward to sharing my images from this weekend full of family portraits! I do have some limited availability still for this weekend – contact me today to book in – 0412 615 097 or larissa@larissahill.com.au!

Until next time – happy snapping!

Larissa x

 

 

Facebookpinterest

Families. What does this word mean to you? For me it means my husband, my son, and animals and all of my extended family – my parents, brother, inlaws etc. Family also means a whole lot more than just the physical beings that make up a family – Family means love, support, friendship, teaching, discipline, sharing, laughing, crying, relationships …. the list goes on!

Mum, dad and twin boy and girl walking along a path holding hands

Photographing families for me is wonderful! I love meeting families and discovering the diversity that makes up each family! I love discovering the personalities and the relationships and hearing amazing stories that make each family so unique!

Let me introduce you to Master and Miss – twin boy and girl and their mum and dad! I had the pleasure of photographing this family in stunning Autumn light! I loved that we laughed and played to create some beautiful images of this family! Autumn light is so warm and makes for some gorgeous photography!

Twins certainly creates a unique family and this family is no exception! We had so much fun playing and laughing during our photography session – double the fun – definitely – never double the trouble!

Twins boy and girl sitting in a tree smiling at the camera

Mum dad and twins girl and boy sitting under a tree looking at the camera and smiling

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Autumn draws to a close, and with the approaching Winter – I am looking forward to some Winter Photography! The weather in Melbourne provides fantastic opportunities to create stunning images!

Twins girl throwing autumn leaves in the air

Twins boy balancing on one leg on the side of a wooden bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m making a point of photographing my family this winter – cosy by the fire toasting marshmallows, jumping in puddles, playing in mud, singing in the rain, all rugged up and warm with coats, beanies and scarves, ruddy cheeks and a big smile! The possibilities are endless! What would be your family’s favourite Winter photo?  I’d love to know! When you want to create your favourite Winter photo of your family, call me! Lets create it!

Until next time … happy snapping!

Larissa x

 

Facebookpinterest

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHello!

I hope you have all had a fabulous Easter break and managed to get away and enjoy some time out! My Easter was very busy seeing family and friends and included an impromptu trip to Brisbane to see an unwell friend.

Just before Easter, I had an opportunity to volunteer at the Irabina Superhero Funrun event that was held in Melbourne around “The Tan”. It was a fabulous day and I had the pleasure of photographing many superheroes that took part in the run or walk. The event is designed to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and also raise money for Irabina, a provider of services for children and families living with ASD. As a photographer providing services for children and families living with special needs, especially ASD, I was thrilled to be able to offer my skills as a photographer for this special event! I have included some of my favourite images from the day but you can see many more by following this link!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A white flower in the background with information about Mothers Day Competition in the foreground

Mothers Day Competition is HUGE! Enter Now!

Have you entered our Mothers Day Competition yet? There is still time to enter but be quick!! Entries close on the #rd May 2015! There is a $1200 prize package which includes a photo session with me up for grabs for 2 lucky Mums!! If you haven’t entered, you won’t have a chance! So get your entries in soon! For more information on how to enter and full terms and conditions head on over to www.larissahill.com.au It’s a fantastic prize and well worth entering! Just tell us why you would like to win the prize package and how it would make a difference to your lives!

My  Redbubble site is proving very popular! Thanks to everyone who has been purchasing cards from the site with my images on the front! A selection of my images are available for purchase as greeting cards, prints and other bits and pieces. The site is updating frequently with new images for you to use. I went to the Begonia Festival in Ballarat over Easter  – lets just say I came away with a swag of flower images! As I finish processing them, they will be available for purchase! Here is a sample of some of my images that I have processed so far.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

For all of you businesses out there wanting to update your branding head shots, keep an eye out over the next week or so – I have a fantastic opportunity for some lucky businesses owners to receive a FREE branding head shot photo session! If you would like me to let you know about this exciting opportunity, email me at larissa@larissahill.com.au and I will be sure that you receive an email about this exclusive offer!

Until next time – happy snapping!

Larissa x

Facebookpinterest

Hello! 

Exciting things have been happening here at Larissa Hill Photography!

New Website Launched!

My new website is now launched! I love how it looks and the site really showcases my photography! You will find lots of information here about my photography, about me (including a video on my about me page!), galleries of images, photography packages, latest news and more! I would love it if you could check it out and let me know what you think! www.larissahill.com.au!

Larissa Hill Photography Logo

 Mothers Day!

Are you an awesome mum? Do you know another awesome mum? Would you both like to be in the running to win a $1200.00 prize pack this Mothers Day?

Mothers Day Competition image of a white flower with information about Mothers Day competition

If you have answered “yes” you need to enter this competition now!!

By entering you may win – 

  • 1 month of FREE Personal Training each valued at $200 each with Step into Life Ringwood
  • A wash and blow wave/style each valued at $50 each with Hairdressing by Emily Rose after your 1 month of Free Personal Training
  • A makeup session with Mira Makeup Artistry when you have your hair styled by Emily Rose valued at $160
  • $50 voucher each to spend in store at Flower Pot Florist in Ringwood North
  • A portrait and print package for you and your nominated mum after your hair and makeup valued at $250 with Larissa Hill Photography
  • A 30 minutes Reflexology Treatment voucher each valued at $50 each with Body Mind Heart and Soul Harmony
  • $50 voucher each to spend with Mira Natural Skin Care

This is a fantastic prize package with very generous donations from these wonderful small businesses run and owned by women!

To enter all you need to do is tell us why you would like to win this fantastic prize pack and how winning this prize pack would change your lives! 

Go to www.larissahill.com.au now to enter and for full terms and conditions!

Mothers Day Comp FB post with white flower from latest news larissa hill photography

Special Needs Kids and Families

Many of you would know that I am a passionate photographer and love photographing children! Many of you may not know however that I specialise in photographing children and families living with special needs! I am very passionate about this area of photography and love love love working with special needs children and families. Parents of special needs children especially enjoy my photography sessions as they are relaxed, safe and most of all fun! All families, special needs or not, come away with beautiful prints of their children and family. I protect your privacy and confidentiality – I do not identify any clients as being special needs or not in any marketing material (including my website) – all the images are just beautiful photos of gorgeous children and families! If you know any families that would love to have beautiful prints for their homes – please let them know about me!

Until next time – happy snapping!

Larissa x

LHP_HIRES_LOGO Logo_large

images-2

banner1_5

11001795_958973484114662_1109030513397880470_n

1237943_654028794617003_1019008420_n

Facebookpinterest

Hello!

Taking photos of your kids is so much fun and are great to look back on in years to come! The photos are sure to bring a laugh and a nostalgic tear! So here are 9 top tips for taking photos of your kids!

Tip #1 Have your camera out and ready to go!

While this may sound obvious, there is nothing worse than desperately wanting to photograph something but finding that your camera or smart phone has a flat battery or the camera card is full or your smart phone is out of memory!

This happened to me Christmas Day! We have a tradition every Christmas morning that we video our son opening his Christmas presents – about 1 minute in – my iPhone was full!! Luckily my husband was able to take over on his phone! I’m pretty good at making sure that my camera is always ready to go but now I will also make sure my phone is ready too!

With a little forward planning it does not take much to make sure all is good to go. With my camera, I always down load the images and back them up as soon as possible after taking the photos (usually the same day). That way I know the images are safe and I can remove them from camera card. I also recharge the battery after every session, then I know my camera is good to go at any moment! I’m going to make sure I back up and download my iPhone images regularly so that I don’t run out of memory again!

Tip #2 Capture Moments not Poses

Capturing moments is by far my favourite type of photography. Capturing moments allows the photographer to let personalities shine through and really tell a story about what is going on, the relationships between the people being photographed and the feelings and emotions behind each image. The images below are “moment captures” and both images tell very different stories!

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-37Swim @ Nicoles 030115-57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #3 Click Before and After Set Poses

While Tip #2 is all about capturing moments not poses, there are times when you will want to take posed images. I really enjoy taking photos immediately before and immediately after the posed image as I find that these images are more relaxed and again show personality!

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posed Photo

 

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immediately after the Posed Photo

The examples above demonstrate how taking another photo immediately after the posed photo can make a real difference. While the top image is OK with everyone looking at the camera and smiling, I prefer the second image as more personality is coming through the images – much more fun!!

Tip #4 Fill the Frame

Get in close! It is so important to fill the frame of your photos with your subject. Images of your subject in the distance (unless of course this is deliberate – but that’s another Blog post!) just won’t give you great images. Frame your images nice and close in camera for the best results!

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-49 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-60

The above images would not have had nearly the same impact if his face was way back in the background.

Tip #5 Don’t Hesitate, Press the Shutter!

Hesitate and you’ll miss the shot! Capturing the best images means you have to be ready to click the shutter without hesitation! While the age of digital photography allows us to take many images without the worry about wasting a roll of film, taking hundreds of photo’s in the hope of getting a couple of good shots is a waste of time – you have to go through them all to find them! A much better way to take photo’s is to be deliberate in your approach and be ready to click the shutter! A moments hesitation is a moment gone and an inferior image is the result. Capturing these images of the kids jumping in meant that I had to click the shutter at that decisive moment!!

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-29 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-31 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-33

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #6 Work With Kids, Not Against Them

By far the best way to photograph kids is by working with them! Kids love to have fun and I promise if they are having fun, they will work with you! The images below were the first images I took that day and my son let out a big groan and told me to put the camera away!! Within a minute they were eating out of my hand as I encouraged them to jump into the water and I’d take their photo and show them!! They loved it!!

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-16 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-18

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-19Swim @ Nicoles 030115-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #7 Tell a Story

Tell a story with your images – let viewers know what was happening. The images will also remind you of what was happening! Here’s a great story from our swim …..
The kids thought it was fantastic every time River joined us in the pool – my son spent considerable time coaxing him in for a swim! I probably would have forgotten if it weren’t for these images.

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-66 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-64 Swim @ Nicoles 030115-65

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-67

Tip #8 Make Sure You Are In Some!

I am most guilty of this – I tend to feel much more comfortable behind the camera, not in front of it! But I want my son to remember that I was there with him having fun not just taking photos all the time! With selfies all the rage right now, this is my preferred method of getting myself in images! Other methods include using a timer or asking someone to take the photo for you.

Swim @ Nicoles 030115-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very rare photo of me! Complete with photo bomber in the background! Love it!

Tip # 9 Put Your Camera Down

Yes I know this is a post about tips for taking photos! I think this is an important tip though! I can be guilty of having the camera out a bit too much and I need to remember to put it away! So while I may have my camera out nearly every day, I have taken the pressure off myself to capture everything all the time and have allowed myself to capture some of the time.

I hope you have enjoyed my tips! I would love to hear some of your tips for taking great photographs of kids – please comment below. I would love to see some of your favourite images too! Please post them below!

Until next time – happy snapping!

Larissa x

Facebookpinterest