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
Toddler Photography South Wales
South Wales Toddler Photography with Gemma Griffiths!
I love visiting local toddler groups and seeing all those cheeky little faces! I recently paid a visit to Colwinston Baby & Toddler Group to take some Spring portraits. Take a look at the gorgeous little munchkins below. There's a gorgeous little garden just behind the village hall. It's filled with wild flowers. There's a carpet of forget-me-nots and some massive tractor tyres to play with too.
We played peek-a-boo, found flowers and chased the kids around trees. It's total mayhem but that's the fun of toddler photography!
I'm looking forward to visiting Penllyn Toddler Group and Fun Foundations Nursery in Cowbridge in the next few weeks as well.
If you run a playgroup and would like to book a pop-up portrait session then drop me a line! There's no session fee and image prices start at £15.
If you'd like to get the rest of the family involved then why not think about an family location shoot? I offer outdoor photo shoots in a variety of gorgeous locations all over South Wales. You can find out more by visiting my family portfolio page and pricing page. Don't forget to check out my FAQ's page if you have some questions too.
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see my latest work.
Gem x
How to boost your child's self esteem
Boosting Self Esteem
Did you know that displaying images of your children at home can increase their self esteem and well-being?
“When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.”
Judy Weiser, Psychologist.
Show how much you love them
In this digital age, with social media taking up a large part of our children's lives there's a tendency forget the importance of printing family photos. I have a teenage daughter and I can tell you that a 5 minute scroll through her Instagram feed does worry me. As a photographer, I want to use images in a positive way - to promote happiness and security, not insecurity.
When I take photos of her with her family and friends and put them on the walls, in a photo book or in our annual family calendar, images take on a magical quality. They become a prompt to all of us to remember the fantastic times we've had a family. The images of her walking with her brother, hugging him or laughing with him make us all feel wonderful. Family selfies whilst out on a walk let us remember the day we had (and how we all have to bend down so my son's head is not cut off). The family images give my kids a sense of belonging, a secure feeling of knowing that they are loved.
A family bond
We had our own family photo shoot a couple of years ago (and I have another one planned soon too!) and we have the images all over the house. We have a multi-aperture frame in hall, which I look at every day. I have pictures in my office and the kids have them in their bedrooms too, along with other pictures that make them feel good about themselves. My daughter has images from a surf photo shoot with her friends on her wall and my son has some from his gymnastics competitions and ballet classes.
Building self esteem
As a photographer, exploring the psychology of displaying images is really interesting. I've been reading about it online and I've come across some interesting research.
Psychologist Dr David Krauss says, “My bias is very simple. I think family photographs should be on the wall. I am very conservative about self-esteem and I think placing a family photo someplace in the home where the child can see it every day without having to turn on a device or click around on a computer to find it really hits home for that child this sense of reassurance and comfort. They have a certainty about them and a protecting quality that nurtures a child. It let’s them know where they are in the pecking order and that they are loved and cared for.”
Get in the frame
I've been a family photographer for 13 years now and it's very common for parents to ask about a photo shoot for their kids but not be so keen to get in the images themselves. Anyone that has ever had a shoot with me will know that I actively encourage parents to get in the frame. There's always a million excuses - not having the right hair, clothes, make-up, wanting to lose a few pounds, but I try to explain that nothing is more important that existing in images with your children.
Dr Krauss also says, ”I think it's really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit. A photographer’s job is to make and create the image to look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.”
The pure emotional connection with your kids becomes the only thing that you'll feel when looking back at the photos. Not your flyaway hair or double chin.
They will cherish the images when they are older
My kids are only 10 and 13, so not really old enough to look back on their childhood with nostalgia just yet, but they LOVE looking through old photo albums. A while back we had some friends over, friends that we met when we moved to Wales, through our local NCT group. I've been photographing my kids and their kids for the last 13 years and it was so lovely to look through all the memories together. Trips to the beach, potty training, BBQ's, days out, sleepovers - they are all documented and looking at the images increases our sense of belonging and well-being.
“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced,“ says Cathy Lander-Goldberg a licensed clinical social worker and a professional photographer and director of Photo Explorations.
Print your photos
We all have images on our phones, in fact, my son always asks to look at my phone so he can scroll through images of past holidays, but having the images printed and displayed has a much bigger impact.
Dr. Krauss believes that images should be displayed around the home. "What it says to a child is, 'I'm important in this family,'"
I understand that in this day and age people like having digital copies of images. That is why I include digital images in all of my packages. But, I also encourage families to print and frame images from their family photo sessions. It could be a large photo wall, or a multi-aperture frame or a few smaller prints displayed around the house on window sills. The important thing is that you and your children see them every day. It will promote a feeling of togetherness and a family bond full of memories.
Get snapping and printing!
So, go off and increase the feel good factor in your families. Make your kids feel secure and loved. Display the images of your family that you have, instead of leaving them on your phone.
If you want to update your family photos - you can always book a family photo session with me!
Find out more about family shoots and have a look at my family portfolio.
Gem x
What's the best time of year for a Cardiff family photo shoot?
This happens a lot. I'll be walking around Tesco or dropping my son at school and I'll get stopped by someone - 'Ah Gemma! I've been meaning to get in touch to book a shoot with you! When is the best time for a Cardiff family photo shoot? How long does it take? Where are the best locations?' etc.
So, I thought I'd write a little blog post to answer all those questions - if you would like to know more, please drop me a line!
Let's talk about the best time of year for a Cardiff family photo shoot. Honestly, family shoots can take place all year round, but there are certain times when nature will provide some stunning backdrops. Spring is always a fantastic choice because you have so many different options - there's crops of wild bluebells, fluffy blossom trees, blooming rapeseed meadows and life bursting at the seams. I have a whole host of favourite locations for each season, so I can recommend plenty of places to choose from. Have a look at some gorgeous Spring images below and the scroll down to see how the other seasons look....
Next up is Summer. Now I'm a real beach lover, so I opted for my own family shoot take place at the beach in the Summer. It's where I feel most at home and so couldn't imagine my family photos being taken anywhere else. Summer means beaches, sandy toes, playing in the surf, long grassy meadows, picnics, flip flops - you get the idea. Each family photo session is unique and there's plenty of time for a walk and even a snack break. All of my clients will tell you that I'm pretty chilled out during the shoot and I'm in no hurry to wrap things up - most of the time I have to be gently directed my back to my car or I'd keep on shooting! If Summer is your favourite season, then maybe that's the right time of year for you?
And on to Autumn. The time of crisp mornings, log fires and chunky knits. The colours that nature provides in the Autumn are just incredible. A whole range of yellows, oranges, reds and greens can literally light up the backdrop of your family shoot. This year, I've had some of my favourite Autumn shoots ever. Check out this lot...
Finally we've reached the Winter. It is probably my quietest time as an outdoor photographer in Wales but that's not to say there aren't opportunities out there for the more hardy amongst you. I wouldn't recommend taking VERY young children out for a photo shoot at this time of year, because they need to be bundled up in coats and hats etc and it makes it harder for them to move around and for me to see them properly. Older kids and adults though can still make the most of what Winter has to offer. I love a good snow shoot but the problem then is getting out of the village!
Here's some Winter fave's from me...
So there you have it. We're really lucky in the UK to have such a variety of beautiful natural backdrops throughout the year. There isn't one particular time of year to choose or avoid (oh alright, maybe January!). It all comes down to how you feel. If you're a beach bum like me, then you're going to feel more at home in the warmer months. If Autumn makes you feel all warm and cosy, then start shopping for chunky knits and get booking for September/October. If you love the verve and joy of Spring, then it's time to drop me a line.
What are you waiting for? See you soon! Gem x
Outdoor photo shoots near Cardiff
Cardiff Family Photographer
Come for a walk with me...
Outdoor photo shoots near Cardiff
With an abundance of gorgeous locations near Cardiff in South Wales we're really spoilt for choice of places for an outdoor photo shoot. Locations are chosen for lots of reasons - it could be somewhere that's really personal to you and your family, or it could be somewhere that looks great at the time - bluebells in the Spring or stunning colours in the woods in the Autumn.
Once a location is chosen we simply go for a walk, have a chat, take some photos and walk some more. I love shooting this way because it's informal and it allows clients to relax and enjoy the session. Plus, it means we get loads of different backdrops, providing a greater variety of images.
Why should I book an outdoor photo shoot?
I started my business when my daughter was 5 months old. She's nearly 14 now. There's so much that I love remembering about her through each different stage. Her curls, the way she walked with such purpose - shoulders hunched, fists clenched, her infectious grin and when she actually let me choose her clothes. Looking at photos of her reminds me of those times - how it felt to hold her in my arms and snuggle into her warm baby skin.
Each time I go out on a shoot with a family, I'm mindful of all the memories I'm capturing for them. Sometimes, it might seem like chaos - with kids running all over the place, hair flying in the air and the inevitable time that someone falls over in a puddle - but I know that when they look back on the pictures, they will see their love shining out of them.
Get in the photo!
After my cancer diagnosis a few years ago, one of the first things I did was book a family photo shoot. I knew there were loads of images of my kids but hardly any of me. Of course, I wanted to lose weight and have nice hair but I also didn't want to waste another minute of trying to achieve perfection when all I wanted to do was to show my kids how much I loved them - and for it to be captured.
Those images mean SO MUCH to me and I treasure them. It's so important for parents to feature in family photos! Yes, we like looking at images of our kids, but in time, they will also enjoy looking at photos of us too.
I took a walk with this family in the most incredible Autumnal setting. Their little one moved so quick, she was like a rocket! This set of images is bursting with love and I hope her parents will look back on them in years to come and remember the day we spent together capturing a little of their family magic.
If you want your own outdoor photo shoot - stop waiting for the perfect time and get booking. Gift vouchers are now available for Christmas.
Book your outdoor photo shoot near Cardiff today!
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