Socially distanced family photo shoot
Your socially distanced family photo shoot
As a family photographer, based near Cardiff, I'm officially allowed to return to work. I'm allowed to meet up with one other family and so, is it time to pick up my camera bag and start shooting families again? Well, sort of. I've been thinking long and hard about how I can offer clients a socially distanced family photo shoot during these strange times.
I'm a stickler for the rules and so I want to make sure that it's as safe as possible to go back to working with family clients. I would not feel comfortable meeting families in a public place for a shoot. There are too many variables that I can't control (other people!).
So, I'm going to make some tentative steps towards going back to work in a safe and measured way.
I know that with my long lens, I can take photos at a distance of 2 metres, or further. I took the pictures below of my children, in my garden, at 2m away to illustrate the point.
With that in mind, as of this week, I'm offering very limited edition Front Garden Mini Sessions for the residents of Colwinston. There are 5 slots available initially. If there's interest in socially distanced family photo shoots, I may add more. I'll be giving 20% of the fee to the charity, 2 Wish Upon a Star, who provide bereavement support for families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.
I don't want to rush into a shooting frenzy and shoot multiple families in one day. It may take me longer but I only want to offer ONE mini shoot per day, to ensure maximum safety.
See below for all the details.
How much is a Front Garden Mini Session?
I'm offering these mini sessions at a special introductory price of £60. This price may change in the future. The £60, includes a £12 donation to charity, your session and 3 digital images.
Can I buy more images?
Yes. You'll be sent a password protected online gallery of all your images. You can choose the three digital images included in your package and then add additional images, prints or products if you wish.
How do I book a Front Garden Mini Session?
If you're a resident of Colwinston and you'd like to book a socially distanced family photo shoot, please contact me via my website or email directly at gemma@gemmagriffithsphotography.co.uk. I will get in touch to let you know if there are spaces available and we can choose a date together.
Can I book a session if I don't live in Colwinston?
Initially, I'd like to start offering shoots in my village only. If the shoots are a success, I may roll them out to other villages too. Interested in a session? Please drop me a line and I'll add your name onto a waiting list. If I decide to extend the sessions, I'll be in touch and let you know.
What time will the session take place?
The best place for your shoot will be in an area of open shade. Once you've made a booking, we can chat over the phone to discuss the best time for the shoot to take place, depending on the chosen spot in your garden. It's likely to be early in the morning or later in the evening.
What safety measures will be in place?
I am only offering one shoot per day, so I'll come straight from my house (most likely on foot), with clean hands. I do own a mask but I won't be using one during the session as I'll need to direct you. I'll also bring a tape measure with me, to ensure that we're all aware of the 2 metre distance during the session. I will bring anti bacterial gel with me too. If you have young children, it's important to have a think about whether they are able to understand the 2 metre rule. If you don't think that they will be able to stay in a directed area, we'll need to discuss other options (holding them in your arms etc).
What shall we wear?
Don't worry about outfits, I will send advice once your session is booked.
Are you donating any of the money to charity?
Yes, I'll be donating 20% of the fee to the charity 2 Wish Upon a Star, who provide bereavement support for families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.
Follow me on Instagram to see what I've been up to during lockdown, or read my lockdown blogs - How to shoot your own lockdown images and Lockdown photos at home.
I'm looking forward to seeing you, from a safe distance soon!
Gemma Griffiths is a family photographer based near Cardiff. She works with families outdoors to create fresh natural images.
JUNO Magazine Feature - Stop criticising yourself!
JUNO Magazine Feature Article
I've been a family photographer for over 14 years. I understand that it can sometimes be uncomfortable to put yourself in front of the camera. But, clients book shoots with me because they understand the importance of capturing a moment in time. Of freezing the fleeting moments of childhood, so that when life becomes less frantic, they can look back and remember. I want to capture the love in each family that I work with. Read my JUNO Magazine feature in the latest edition (out now!), to hear what I have to say to my hesitant or self critical clients...
"...freezing the fleeting moments of childhood, so that when life becomes less frantic, they can look back and remember."
You can buy copies of JUNO Magazine from WHSmiths, independent retailers and in their online shop.
Read my 'You are loved' feature on page 35!
"JUNO is a print and digital bi-monthly magazine which promotes a natural approach to family life and inspires and supports parents as they journey through the challenges of parenting. We have an ethos based on conscious parenting, sustainability, social justice, non-violence and a commitment to personal growth and spiritual awareness and share fresh perspectives in this fast-paced technological world, creating a non-judgemental community for those who are keen to follow “a natural approach to family life”."
If you'd like to see more of my work, you can visit my portfolio pages and follow me on Instagram.
Cardiff Family Photography - Telling your story
As a Cardiff family photographer, I want to tell the story of your family.
A family is more than the sum of it's parts. I don't just want to take a photo of you all together and then dust my hands off and go home. Oh no. I want to spend some time with you. Take a walk. Have a chat. I want to try and capture the unique bonds and relationships that make up your family. How do the kids interact? Are they adventurous or playful? Are they shy and thoughtful? Do they talk non-stop or take time to get to know people? How do you hold them and snuggle them? Do you play with them in the sea or give them shoulder rides? Each family is totally unique and that is why I like to spend time getting to know you and planning the perfect session.
"I want to try and capture the unique bonds and relationships that make up your family."
Before the session, we'll have a chat and decide on a location together. It might be the gorgeous Welsh coastline, or a park, or forest. Wherever you feel happy. Next, is planning outfits. I always suggest something comfortable and in keeping with the chosen location.
The shoot itself can take anywhere between 1-2 hours (sometimes longer!). I'm not in any hurry and there's no strict time limit. Usually little ones let you know when the have had enough! During the shoot, I'll aim to capture a mixture of posed and unposed images. It's great to a variety of images to choose from, including ones looking at the camera and a more documentary style.
"I want it to display the essence of your family love."
After the shoot, you'll come to my home office for a viewing session. You will see all your images in a slideshow. I create a nine image collage after every shoot, so that you can see your story, through my eyes. I try to include a real variety of images in the collage - I want it to display the essence of your family love. Seeing the images in the collage also really helps you to see what they will look like when they are displayed together at home. You can choose to order a collage print or a multi-aperture frame with a selection of your favourite images.
Have a look below and see a small selection of family stories from lots of different locations around South Wales. If you're looking for a Cardiff family photographer - then get in touch to find out more about booking your family photo shoot.
See more of my work on my blog and Instagram account. If you don't like having your photo taken then have a read of my article - featured in the latest edition of JUNO Magazine!
This little one was a pocket rocket. She thoroughly enjoyed her forest adventure and playing amongst the gorgeous Autumn leaves.
This shoot took place on one of the hottest days last year. We were all roasting! The kids absolutely loved playing in the water at the end of the session. In fact, Mum and Dad couldn't get them to leave. I would have stayed there too if it wasn't for my two cameras and massive (unnecessary) coat.
Cardiff Family Photography
A walk in the forest at the end of Summer for this family maternity session. This little guy was making the most of having the full attention of both parents before little brother arrived on the scene.
These two have a strong connection with the ocean and so a maternity beach shoot was the best choice for them. The sunset was a spectacular pink colour. It matched her dress perfectly! It's such a special time to spend as couple - waiting for the birth of your first child together.
This family looked awesome on their Autumn family shoot. They chose a blue and pink palette which worked really well with the green backgrounds. I love it when siblings are so close and love hugging each other and playing together.
Lots of adventure on this shoot! There was tree climbing, a walk along the cliffs and exploring the secret gardens too.
Big brother was off to University and so it was time to get some family photos taken to remember him by! It was so much fun hanging out with this lot.
Love the shades of burgundy and navy in this shoot. Another fabulous sunset on my favourite beach! We had a gorgeous hazy pink sunset and the beach to ourselves, which meant lots of running and jumping around. Making the most of the wide open space.
Cardiff Family Photography
You can't tell from the pictures but this was a super gloomy day with plenty of rain. We managed to dodge the showers and play among the flowers before the rain set in. It was really lovely to have Grandparents and the pet dog on this shoot too!
Summer at the beach. There's no more perfect setting for a family shoot! This family love the beach and love exploring so I wanted to capture their adventurous spirit.
Sunset is the perfect time to take a silhouette picture! We had great fun playing in the waves at the end of this shoot. There was a gorgeous sunset too, which provided the stunning golden light.
Another shoot with the Grandparents and this time, they'd come all the way from Africa! The big sister and little brother relationship was soooo sweet too. They didn't stop smiling!
This was a really special shoot with James and his family for the Wouldn't Change a Thing charity book (blog post coming soon!).
Who knew a beach shoot in April could be so much fun (and so wet!)? Three sisters with three totally different personalities. They all loved the water though!
This shoot was a surprise for Dad's birthday. He loved his birthday canvas!
Gemma Griffiths Photography. Cardiff family photography based in South Wales. Available for outdoor family photo shoots.
View family portfolio and pricing page for further information.
Beach photo shoot
Beach photo shoot.
Back in the depths of Winter I started to think about how I could incorporate my love of the beach into my client work. I've always had family shoots at the beach and wanted to encourage more families to enjoy spending time there as much as I do. So, I decided to offer 'Mini Beach Shoots'. I was totally overwhelmed with the response and all the slots sold out really quickly. This shoot was the first one and took place in April. We had such fun playing around on the beach and splashing in the waves.
There were three sisters and Mum and Dad too. We twirled around, threw rocks in the sea and jumped over the crashing waves. Wild hair was the order of the day - the best look for the beach in my opinion! I love the connection between the sisters. They had such different personalities but a great bond between them.
The beach is so different each time I go there. It's such an epic background for a family session and I love the wildness of the sea. The best thing is watching kids playing in the water - you can see the pure joy on their faces as the waves come in.
If you're interested in booking a family photo shoot - get in touch to find out more. You can see my price list on the pricing page. Check out more shoots on my blog and in my family portfolio.
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram too to see my latest work.
Gem x
Family Beach Shoot
Family Beach Shoot
Back in 2006, I'd just started my photography business and I was booked by a family that lived in the same road as me in Cowbridge. I photographed them as a family with their newborn son. A few years later, they had a second son and they booked another family shoot at home. Since then I've photographed the family every few years and watched the children grow up.
We've had family shoots at home and family beach shoots over the years. This one was pretty special with a glorious sunset at the end. The boys are the same age as my children so it's always lovely to see how they've grown and hear about what they are up to. We chatted about previous shoots and the youngest said that he could remember me coming to their house when he was a toddler. Pretty impressive!
It's a real honour to have repeat clients like this. It's such a great experience to watched families grow together.
If you'd like to book a family beach shoot then have a look at my family portfolio and pricing page and drop me a line to find out more.
You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my latest work.
Gem x
