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
Gift ideas from Gemma Griffiths Photography
Looking for some great gift ideas this Christmas? Don't want to waste your hard earned cash on trinkets, socks and scarves? Well, I've got some great ideas for Christmas gifts this year that will warm hearts and bring a smile to everyone's face!
Family Photo Session Gift Vouchers
First up, we've got the ultimate in thoughtfulness - what could be better than gifting someone the opportunity to capture the love in their family? I have family photo shoot gift vouchers available that include a 1-2 hour location photo shoot in South Wales as well as a 10"x8" print and matching digital image. All for only £149!!!
You can order gift vouchers directly through my website and I'll pop the voucher in the post to you (or deliver if you're local) in a gorgeous little sparkly gift bag for you to wrap and pop under the tree. There's also the chance to add print credit vouchers to the session as well if you'd like to offer them the chance to buy extra prints or products.
Beginners Photography Training
Next up is a very special offering - the gift of learning. We all know someone who loves photography, they might have a DSLR camera but don't feel very confident with using it. Well, I've got the perfect solution. I've got two Beginners Photography Workshops coming up in 2019 - 19th January and 2nd February. The workshops are for adults who want to learn more about photography and how to use their DSLR. The groups are small and so there's plenty of opportunity for learning both theory and undertaking practical work during the session.
There's also the chance to book one to one sessions too! If you think a private session would be more beneficial, then you can book hourly sessions for bespoke training, tailored to the individuals needs. Book a one hour slot for some quick intensive learning or book two hours to include plenty of practical work.
So, that's Christmas sorted then! If you have any questions about the gift vouchers, please drop me a line and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy shopping!
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!
See more of my work on Instagram and Facebook.
First Birthday Family Shoot South Wales
It was an honour to be asked to photograph these gorgeous little twin boys on their first birthday. What a way to remember the day that you turned one! It was a chilly start down at the beach but the sun soon came out to warm us up as we had a lovely walk around the coast and on the beach. By the end of the shoot one of the boys had had too much excitement and had to have a little nap - which gave me a great opportunity to get some shots of Mum and Dad together on their own.
Instead of just one set location, I work with families by taking a walk and stopping here and there as we go. There's no set poses, just squeezing together and spending quality time. There's around 100 images to view from each session as there's more to life than looking at a camera and saying cheese - I want to capture all the love! Here's just a little selection of the images from this session.
If you fancy a family photo shoot for 2019 then drop me a line.
Want to see more of my work? Head over to my family portfolio or my business Facebook page to see my latest images and find out about upcoming events.
Gem x
Christmas Photo Shoot South Wales
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
OK, it may not have really been snowing in South Wales but we still managed to have a lot of fun on set in my garden creating some gorgeous Christmassy images.
With a couple of lovely Christmas trees and a fabulous old sledge the set was looking wonderful. Add lots of children in festive knits and we had the perfect recipe for some stunning and very personalised Christmas card images.
The day was a bit damp and windy, so I just wanted to say a big thanks to my lovely elves for helping out all day long. They really did earn that selection box! Scroll to the bottom to see the cheeky elves in action.
The Christmas minis have finished for this year. The snow as been shovelled away and the trees are decorating my drive now but if you're interested in coming along next year, then make sure you keep an eye on my Facebook page for events announcements and also sign up to my newsletter for advance warning of all pop-up mini sessions for 2019!
To add your name to the mailing list, nip on over to the homepage, scroll to the bottom and add your email address to the box. I don't email very often, only when I have got news and offers on.
Gem x
