There are so many things parents apologise to me for during a family photoshoot.
“Sorry, they're covered in mud.”
“Sorry, they won't sit still.”
“Sorry, she's being really shy.”
“Sorry, they're arguing.”
And honestly? You really don't need to apologise!
I'm a natural family photographer, and I don't expect your children to sit perfectly, smile on cue and behave themselves for an hour. That's not real life and it's definitely not how I want your family photographs to feel.
I want to capture your family as you actually are. The fun, the chaos, the cuddles, the silliness and all those little moments in between.
So here are 5 things parents apologise for during a family photoshoot that I actually LOVE.
1.“Sorry, they won't sit still.”
GOOD!
I don't want them to sit still. I want them to run, jump, climb, explore and be silly.
Children don't naturally sit perfectly still for photographs, so instead of trying to make them, I'll work with their energy.
We'll play games, go for walks, throw leaves around and have a bit of fun.
Because those photographs of your child running towards you with the biggest grin on their face? I'd choose that over a forced smile at the camera every single time.
2. “Sorry, he keeps running away.”
I'm quite happy to chase him!
Actually, running away can make for some brilliant photographs.
I'll often turn it into a game. Run to Mum, run to Dad, race each other, see who can get to the tree first.
Suddenly, we're not trying to get a child to stand still for a photograph. We're just having fun and that's when the magic happens.
3.“Sorry, they're being silly.”
Please let them be silly! I LOVE silly.
Pull faces. Make ridiculous noises. Dance. Chase each other. Tell terrible jokes.
I'll probably join in too because I'm not particularly good at being serious when I'm photographing families!
The silliness is often when children's personalities really come out and that's something I want your photographs to show.
4. “Sorry, they won't do what we're asking.”
This is usually the point where I tell parents to stop asking.
The more we try to make children perform for the camera, the more aware they become of the camera.
Instead, I want you to forget about getting the “perfect photo” and concentrate on your children.
Talk to them, cuddle them, play with them, chase them, tickle them and I'll take care of the photos.
5. “Sorry, we're a bit chaotic.”
This one might be my favourite.
Because families ARE chaotic.
There are forgotten shoes, snack negotiations, arguments about who gets to hold the stick and someone inevitably needing a wee five minutes into the session.
That's family life!
And I don't want you worrying that you need to have everything together before you step in front of my camera.
So please, stop apologising!
You don't need to arrive at your family photoshoot with perfectly behaved children, immaculate clothes and everyone ready to smile at the camera.
Come as you are. Let your children be themselves. Get involved. Have fun. And let me photograph the connection between you all.
Because years from now, I don't think you'll look at a photograph and think, “I'm so glad everyone sat perfectly still.”
You'll remember how your little one used to laugh, how much they loved being thrown in the air, how they used to collect every single conker they could find, how tiny they were when they still fitted perfectly into your arms.
Give me the muddy, giggly, chaotic version of your family. That's the bit you'll want to remember.
