family photographer Archives - Photographic Synergy

As a professional photography studio, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing and capturing countless special moments in people’s lives. One such moment that holds immense significance is a maternity photoshoot with a growing family. In this blog post, we want to share our experience and perspective on a recent professional maternity photoshoot that left a lasting impression on us.

From the moment we met this wonderful family, we could sense the love and excitement. As we discussed their vision for the photoshoot, their enthusiasm was contagious. Their desire to document this precious chapter of their lives and create lasting memories was evident, and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

Building a connection

Establishing a rapport with the family was crucial to capturing authentic and emotive photographs. We took the time to get to know them, to understand their story, and to create an atmosphere where they could be themselves. This connection allowed them to relax, be comfortable in front of the camera, and let their love and joy shine through.

The magic unfolds

As we started shooting, we observed the tenderness between the expectant mother and her partner, the excitement and curiosity of the older child, and the undeniable bond that made this family truly special.

Capturing the moments

Our goal was to capture both the small, intimate moments and the sweeping expressions of love. From the gentle touches and warm embraces, to the laughter and playful interactions. We sought to freeze these fleeting moments in time. Each click of the shutter felt like a brushstroke, painting a picture of anticipation and joy.

Working with children

One of the highlights of this maternity photoshoot was the involvement of the older child. His vibrant energy and genuine excitement added an extra layer of charm to the photographs. From his wide-eyed wonder at his mother’s belly, to his playful interactions. His innocence and love for his unborn sibling was beautifully portrayed.

Preserving memories

As photographers, our mission is to capture emotions and tell stories through images. During this maternity photoshoot, we focused on capturing the essence of this family’s love, connection, and anticipation. We aimed to create photographs that would serve as timeless reminders of this special chapter in their lives, preserving these memories for generations to come.

A professional maternity photoshoot with a growing family is a remarkable experience for both the photographer and the family involved. Through a combination of building connections, capturing authentic moments, and preserving memories, we were able to create a series of photographs that tell the beautiful story of this family’s journey. It is moments like these that reminds us why we are passionate about our craft, and the power of photography to encapsulate the depth of human emotions.

If you would like enquire about a maternity photoshoot or any of our family shoots, please contact us on 01727 809140 or email on info@photographicsynergy.com We’d be delighted to discuss the options with you.

Your photo session is an investment and a special event. It’s not just an appointment booked to take a couple of photos, but a day when you will create vivid memories for you and your family to look back at in years to come. Making sure that everyone is happy and relaxed allows the unique personalities of your family to shine through so that your portraits capture the magic between you.

We hope this Guide will help you through all the major steps to get well prepared to your session, so that you can enjoy your experience at Photographic Synergy, and create some truly special photos for your family.

Clothing

Your photographs will be unique to you, reflecting your personality, moods & connection, and your clothing is one of the things that helps expressing it all to capture in photographs. Try to coordinate colours as much as possible, and avoid anything too patterned or any large logos. If one person is wearing something exceptionally bold it can be distracting, or throw off the balance of the finished photograph. Given that these photographs will live in your family album and adorn the walls of your house, you may also want to give some thought to whether the clothing choice is timeless and if the colour of the clothing would work well in your home, generally speaking the simpler the better.

However these are only rough suggestions, and depending on your personality and preferences you may wish to choose something more expressive giving a better statement to your family’s character.

Maternity

If you are getting ready for a maternity session then rest assured we will have a variety of beautiful maternity dresses prepared for your arrival at our St Albans studio. The only thing we ask is to make sure you have two sets of underwear with you. One set in nude shades and strapless bra, and one in black. This way we will be able to match the dresses perfectly creating a perfectly balanced composition. And if you’ve already prepared something special for your maternity session, please bring it along! It will make for a wonderful keepsake adding a personal touch to your gallery.

Newborn

We have to say newborn outfits and accessories are our absolute favourite to collect and after several years of photographing newborn babies, we now have an impressive stash of props! So when preparing to your newborn session, please don’t stress too much, we will discuss all the details regarding your preferred colour palette and we will work around your baby’s needs, choosing poses and props comfortable for our little model, to create some truly stunning compositions!

Family

When preparing to a family session we always recommend to bring at least one extra outfit for each family member. Having an extra outfit at hand means we can be so much more creative with the number of set ups and capture some truly special photographs for your family.

We have a changing room that opens straight up into the studio for your convenience. And note our studio is air conditioned so we’ll always get it at the right temperature for you, whether you wear shorts and football tops, karate kits, ballet costumes, smart casual or go fully dressed up.

Your family photos will stay with you for many years to come. Some will be displayed on your walls and some will create pages of your family album. Don’t rush with your decisions and give yourself plenty of time to plan the colour palette of your gallery.

Morning of the Shoot

Before heading to the studio, make sure everyone is well-rested and fed to avoid crankiness (this goes for adult members as well as the littles!)

If you’re getting a haircut or any beauty treatments before your shoot, it’s best to do those at least a few days before your scheduled portrait session to make sure you’ve got to grips with styling the new cut and that your skin isn’t blotchy from a facial.

If you choose to wear makeup, it’s often best to go with a pretty natural look. The camera will enhance the contrasts on your face, so avoid anything too heavy. And if you’re not used to it now is not the time to go experimental with makeup as you want to feel and look like you. Remember that small blemishes can be easily edited out with Photoshop, so don’t stress too much if you have a rogue pimple or two, or the kids have a bruise from the latest playground fall.

Make sure you arrive at the studio on time or even a little bit early so that no one feels rushed since this doesn’t lend itself well to natural, relaxed photos. To make sure you’re not in a rush, give yourselves some extra prep time before heading out.

How to Prepare the Kids

With young kids, the key to a good family photo session is getting them excited for it. Kids usually prefer knowing what lies ahead, so best not to surprise them with the studio visit as you’ll want to avoid any tantrums when you arrive at the studio. Tell them about the photography session well in advance and remember that an excited, enthusiastic attitude is often contagious!

It’s important kids feel relaxed and not under pressure to perform when they’re in the studio. Being able to be a little silly means their real personalities shine through in the resulting shots and they’ll be something you’ll all love to look back on in the future.

Packing some yummy snacks and drinks is also a good idea. Favourite treats also make for excellent bribes and rewards to get them to stay in zone for just a wee bit longer. Avoid anything messy like chocolate that could end up down their shirts or smudged all over their little faces. For adults, we’re always happy to provide copious amounts of tea and coffee to help chill it all down.

Finally, planning something fun for after the shoot, like a visit to Willows Activity Farm next door or to get some ice cream gives the kids something fun to look forward to the entire day so that they don’t look at the photo session as an annoying chore or something to be nervous about. In fact it becomes part of the perfect family day out.

For further details, please do get in touch! We are always happy to help!

It’s a girl! After years of heartbreak and loss, Greg and Josie welcomed their beautiful rainbow baby girl in March 2022.

Welcoming any baby into the world brings promise and hope, but rainbow babies have a particular poignancy for new parents and families. The joy and excitement can be viciously turned into the exact opposite for some families when they get hit by the heart-breaking news of miscarriage, stillbirth or an early loss of the bundle of joy they so passionately awaited.

In March this year a ray of sunshine shone over Photographic Synergy as our very own Studio Manager Greg along with his wife Josie, welcomed into the world their beautiful rainbow baby – Emily Hope Cusick.

Like so many couples, their journey to become parents hasn’t been an easy one. Over the past few years, Greg and Josie have suffered excruciating heartbreak and loss. When Josie first fell pregnant in 2000, it was identified at a 20-week scan that their precious little boy had a serious heart defect and was diagnosed with a rare condition called Kabuki syndrome. Utterly devastated, Greg and Josie sadly lost him.

More heartbreak followed when a second pregnancy also ended in sadness when Josie miscarried. So, when the couple were blessed with a third pregnancy last year, it was such an incredible moment. A pregnancy which was understandably fraught with conflicting emotions, and even more so during a global pandemic!

Having taken beautiful images of babies for lots of families over the years and having seen the joy on the faces of parents, Greg knew first-hand how important it is to celebrate the birth of a long-awaited baby after the crippling loss, it was only natural that Josie and bump were photographed every step of the way.

A maternity (or baby bump) shoot is a fantastic way of recording your pregnancy journey, and we often get couples coming back once the little one has arrived for a ‘before and after’ style shoot. We take special attention in perfecting your maternity photos for you to cherish this precious memory of the days when you held your little miracle so close to your heart.

So on the 26^th March 2022, a rather frantic call into the Studio sent Greg into a panic (who was in the middle of a viewing at the time) – Josie was in labour!!! The wait was finally over, their precious baby girl was on the way, and a week early! Emily Hope Cusick arrived safely into the world weighing a healthy 6lbs 7oz. Her name given to symbolise ‘hope’ that a rainbow baby brings after the storm has passed.

A rainbow baby doesn’t mean your loss should be forgotten. It is actually quite the opposite – your rainbow baby will carry the torch of the love you will always have for the child or children you lost. The team at Photographic Synergy are absolutely thrilled for Greg and Josie, and Emily has already made an appearance in the studio – check out these adorable Easter bunny shots.

If you’re expecting If you want to find out more about our maternity photography to capture those magical 9 months, please give us a call on 01727 809 140 and we’d be happy to chat. Alternatively, you can book a maternity shoot online at https://photographicsynergy.com/portfolio/maternity

WHAT IS A RAINBOW BABY?

Rainbow babies are those born to couples who have experienced a previous loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.

It is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravage of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn’t mean that the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds.

‘Rainbow babies’…a ray of light after the storm!