As a photographer, family photography has become a newfound love for me. What I love most about it is getting to know the clients on the day of the shoot. It's always interesting to learn about the family dynamic and hear their unique stories.
One of the biggest challenges with family photography is making the family feel calm and relaxed during the shoot. From experience, I've found that making small talk about anything in the house or surroundings is a great way to get everyone to loosen up.
When it comes to locations, most people prefer to have their photos taken in their own homes or gardens. However, I've had some incredible family photo shoots on beaches and other venues. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a family at the Donegal Winery, Victoria Heights in George, Western Cape, and it turned out to be an excellent venue for a family shoot.
During the photo session, I try to get the group photos done first before moving on to more spontaneous shots. This ensures that everyone is relaxed and comfortable before getting into more candid shots. And speaking of candid shots, those are my favourite part of family photography. There's something special about capturing those unplanned moments of genuine happiness and love.
One family that I had the pleasure of photographing was celebrating their 80th birthday. Despite their age, there was a lot of teasing going on, causing loads of fun and laughter. It's moments like those that make family photography so special.
My claim to fame when it comes to family photography is my ability to capture spontaneous shots without much posing. However, I always make sure the ladies look their very best. And when it comes to photographing families with small children, I try to get the group photos done as soon as possible to prevent them from losing interest.
Overall, family photography has become a passion of mine. It's a joy to capture those moments of love and happiness between family members, and I look forward to many more photo shoots in the future.
