I recently went to a celebration of life, for a friend of mine. She was far too young to have been taken from this world. She lived life to the full it and it showed…
When I walked through the doors where her celebration took place, it hit me…
Every single wall was covered with photos of her. It was a wonderful picture to see and we spent so long looking through those memories. All the adventures she had been on, all the moments that she had lived! Her legacy will live on!
I’m not so sure my family cound do the same. Being on the other side of the lens is not a place I like to be!
But, these photos reminded me that its not about me, it’s about the people I leave behind.
Will my children be able to look back and see me in our adventures? We’ve done so many things together but I’m always the one to take the photos.
My friend had so many memories and there were so many of them together having fun as a family! Living life!
It breaks my heart that her children are going through something, that no child should but it warmed my heart that they could look back at these amazing memories, that will live on forever!
MOTHERS DAY PHOTOS
How many of your photos include you? OR your parents? What photos will your children have to look back on?
I run both in studio and outdoor sessions.
Everyone should have photos of you in them! We are getting older every day and don’t know whats around the corner. If you prefer a calm indoor session, look at my Mothers Day Photo Sessions and Fathers Day Sessions . If you like a more crazy, potentially chaotic session, then have a look at my Autumn Sessions. Bluebell Mini Sessions are outside but they are calmer because we cannot have children running through the bluebells.
Its your session, so it’s up to you. We need to celebrate whoever is special to you. A mini session is 20 minutes, a family session is an hour. You can also book a double session, if you fancy a walk or a mixture of set ups.
The questionnaire
If you decide to book with me, I will send you a questionnaire to gather information about your family and what you would like to out of your session. This enables me to ensure I meet you needs and that you get the most out of the session.
I also ask for information such as children’s names, ages, hobbies etc, as it’s allows me to chat with them, when we meet and put them at ease.
I have my own children, so I am not expecting yours to be little angels. Don’t worry if it takes them a while to get used to me. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is for the children.
As well as photography, I also work in a school for children with special needs, so please do let me know if your child has any additional needs. I will ensure that the session is adapted to their needs.
How does the session work?
Prior to the session, we arrange a date to meet up, which will only be cancelled if the session is heavily raining. A little bit of rain just makes for a fun session!
The session will last an hour but you can book a double session if you prefer a bit longer. I also offer indoor/outdoor sessions where you can have a studio style session and then head out for a walk. Click HERE for more details.
We will discuss who is attending your session because you can bring pets or other family members. The more the merrier.
I will also email over some clothing ideas. This includes information about ideal colours and using as few patterns as possible, to ensure you have timeless photos. Ultimately though, as long as you are comfortable, anything goes.
These sessions are about you and your family, so it’s important that you wear something that represents who you are.
If you have any questions please do visit my family page by clicking HERE and complete the contact form or email me at clairewildersphotography.co.uk
I hope you like my photos, I would love to have the opportunity of creating some fabulous memories for your family.
What to wear for a bluebell photo session doesn’t have to be stressful. It is about choosing one outfit and linking all of the rest.
I love neautral colours with one main colour. For example:
Blues, whites and tans.
Yellow, blues and whites.
Burgendy and neautral colours etc
patterns or no patterns
It is also important to not have lots of different patterns. Ideally choose one small pattern and work the other outifts around this. For example, if dad wears a check shirt, pick colours from that to dress everyone else.
textures & accsesories
Textures also look fantastic when mixing outifts. Chunky knitwear and scarves can be a great addition.
Below I have chosen some outfits which will give you a few ideas…
Shein has a wide range of outfits so I wanted to find something that would look great but would also link with the rest of the family.
Lots of teenage girls currently like to show off some skin, so I decided to included some chunky over sized cardigans, to give an elegant look. These can also be paired up with crop tops or shorter skirts.
whereas for younger girls i went to h&m
and the boys, i also stayed at h&m
For the males, their outifts are pretty similar as linen trousers or chinos look great on them both. Paired with a linen shirt or jumper and they look gorgeous. Younger boys can even be in a smart pair of shorts with braces.
I really hope this has given you a few ideas about what to wear for a bluebell photo session but please do get in touch if you have any more questions. You can even visit my Pinterestpage for a few more ideas.
For more information on a family photo session please head over to my family sessions page by clicking HERE
Lockdown for photographers has meant we’ve had a crazy year with very little work. Being a non essential business we had to close down early and still aren’t open.
lockdown life..
In amongst home-schooling, providing snacks, entertaining my children, walking the dog, updating my website and keeping the house from turning into a complete bomb sight, I decided to enter some of my photos to a very prestigious photography competition.
what is the portrait masters award?
.
Sue Bryce is one of the worlds biggest names in portrait photography and her work is AMAZING! As a photographer trainer, The Portrait Masters Award was created to allow photographers to submit their work to be judged by a panel of international expert judges. Enabling them the chance to win prizes, accreditation points, and awards. The accreditation program, is for portrait photographers of all genres and is recognition of ‘high professional standard.’To find out more about this award please click HERE to visit Sue Bryce Education website.
why enter?
Entering competitions is a great way to help us grow and rather than competing against other photographers. It is about improving your own ability.
Photographing a family is about capturing a feeling. To me, it’s more about the love between a family and spending time together. Recording a precious moment in time. It’s not about getting the perfect pose, it’s about your family connection. Capturing YOU together and creating a memory for you, to look back on with happiness!
Whereas, for a competition all the details need to be perfect, right down to the smallest part.
Because I was in lockdown, I chose to include 2 photos from newborn sessions and 2 photos of my children. Not everything is perfect but I do love these photos. (For example my sons socks definitely did not match the rest of his outfit).
the results
Choosing these four images meant it showed a variety of work that I do. Each photo is judge by 5 different photographers from around the world and the result is an average of these scores. To be awarded a Bronze you must score over 70 points.
Waiting for the scores to come out was very tense. But I couldn’t believe it, I was SO excited! I had been given a Bronze in all four images. I was expecting to be given a score under 70 but really hoped I’d get at least one bronze. So I was completely shocked to get four! And even more surprised that one of them was only one point away from a Bronze distinction!
This means that my photographs have been recognised to be of a professional standard by some of the worlds top photographers.
I am so proud of myself and my two amazing children, who are always there to support me. They are often dragged out to help me and rarely complain!
Next time, I will definitely set out to capture some “competition specific” photos to see if I can improve my score, so feel free to watch this space…
If you would like to book a photography session, when we come out of lockdown please head over HERE to my main website where you can find more information.
Things to do in West Sussex with children – Tilgate Lake
During lockdown, it is so hard to come up with things to do in West Sussex with your children, that
a; aren’t full of other people and
b; don’t cost a fortune.
Tilgate Park and Lake, in Crawley, is fantastic. It is the perfect place to go to, especially for the evening, after a hot day in the sun. It was away from the crowds and a wonderful place for the children to relax and enjoy.
Tilgate Park also has so much to offer . It has a a couple of lakes, large green to play games or picnic, wooded areas, play parks, trim trails, golf course, cycle trails and nature centre. It also has a cafe, restaurant and a Go Ape high ropes course. In the summer it has some fantastic inflatable games plus boating on the lake and in the winter Father Christmas comes to visit. There is so much to see and do, it really is a must if you haven’t been before.
About Tilgate Park.
The address for Tilgate Park is: Tilgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 5PQ
There is one free car park near K2 and the rest are paying but procedes from the car parks do go back into the park!
Dogs are allowed in the park but not in the walled garden or nature reserve.
Our evening
This jetty was perfect for chilling out on but as we arrived a couple of teenage girls, also thought the same.
Unfortunately, for one, she managed to drop her phone through the slats of the jetty, into the water below. As we had fishing nets, we offered to help, also because she was panicking her mum would be really mad at her. We managed to locate the phone and helped to guide her underneath the jetty to pick it out.
I have to say, if this was my daughter, even if the phone had broken, I would’ve been so proud of her! She didn’t hesitate to get down to her swimmer, to enter the water to retrieve the phone. She even went under the jetty where there were all sorts of things lurking.
Having left, to give mum the bad news, we then had the jetty to ourselves. To enjoy the evening. From across the lake we could even hear music, from someones stereo, and the air was so warm, as the sun started to set. It was so peaceful!
Whether you want to walk, cycle or take your scooters Tilgate Park is great for burning of energy with your children. It is also perfect for picnics and playing games on the large green.
THE OUTTAKES
All photo sessions are meant to be fun!
A little bit of photobombing while taking some photos.
Family Photo Sessions
If you are interesting in booking a fun, relaxed outdoor photo session, capturing the true personality of your family please visit my Home page by clickingHERE
Did you have a long list of things you want to do in the 2018 and suddenly a year has gone by and the list is still long??
Is “Get updated photos of the family” on there?
Do you want photos with your parents before times passes and they’ve gone?
If so, I can help!
This February I have decided to help everyone to tick that one OFF their To DO list and finally get those family photos done.
MINI SESSIONS
I will be holding 2 sets of family mini photo sessions in February. One will be outside and the other session will be indoors, in Southwater. (only torrential rain will cancel the session)
How does it work?
it’s a 20 minute sessions
Posed or fun..it’s up to you
Indoors or outdoors, you decide
What are the dates?
Indoor Family Photo Session in Southwater
Saturday 9th February 2019
9 – 9.20 am
9.30 – 9.50 am
10 – 10.20 am
10.30 – 10.50 am
11 – 11.20 am
11.30 – 11.50 am
12 – 12.20 pm
2 – 2.20 pm
2.30 – 2.50 pm
3 – 3.20 pm
3.30 – 3.50 pm
4 – 4.20 pm
4.30 – 4.50 pm
Outdoor Family Photo Session
Venue to be confirmed (Horsham Area)
Sunday 10th February 2019
9 – 9.20 am
9.30 – 9.50 am
10 – 10.20 am
10.30 – 10.50 am
11 – 11.20 am
11.30 – 11.50 am
12 – 12.20 pm
2 – 2.20 pm
2.30 – 2.50 pm
3 – 3.20 pm
3.30 – 3.50 pm
4 – 4.20 pm
4.30 – 4.50 pm
How much?
There are various prices and you can upgrade after the session once you have viewed your photos.
a £95.. includes the session 3 digital prints
b £135.. includes the session and 5 digital prints
c £155.. includes the session and ALL digital prints
d £135.. includes the session, 3 digital prints plus 3x 10×8 inch prints
Wall Art can be purchased in addition to the packages.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION?
Complete the form below with details about who will be attending the session along with the date and time you wish to book.
I will then send you an invoice which needs to be paid in order to secure your session. (without payment someone else can have your slot)
Once I’ve booked
I will then email you extra details about the session, address of venue, clothing ideas, welcome information etc.
For more details about a family photo session in Southwater please click here to head to the main website. If you wish to keep up to date with future offers and information you can also like my Facebook page by clicking Claire Wilders Photography
I love the spring and after living away from Sussex for the last 20 years it doesn’t stop surprising me with its beauty!
Whilst driving home from another of the children’s clubs last night we drove past this field. A quick U turn and a screeching halt in a lay by I bundled the children out of the car to enjoy the moment.
This was at the edge of the lay by with the sun setting in the background, while my daughter was in the field watching it set.
They then decided they wanted to hide along the path before we jumped back in the car and headed home.
I think writing this blog and technology going wrong actually took longer to do than capturing a lovely moment with my children…
So, put down your tablet, grab a camera and go capture a moment.. happy snapping this spring x
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