| Family photography has changed since the days of | | | | you have seen the family photographs where they |
| dark studios and uncomfortable posing stools... more | | | | are sitting or standing on a white background, these |
| and more people want a freer approach to their | | | | types of photographs look much more fun than the |
| sessions. | | | | traditional family photographs of years gone by. |
| With the advent of cheap digital cameras, people are | | | | This trend in all white background photographs is |
| starting to believe that there is no need for a | | | | pretty popular at the moment and is a good, |
| professional photographer - for holidays and day to | | | | economical solution for families on a budget, (beware, |
| day photographs of the kids covered in ice cream or | | | | however, that these pictures will look dated very |
| the youngest coming down the stairs with make-up | | | | quickly, as they are a trend) the sessions tend to |
| all over their face saying, "Look mummy, I'm pretty!" | | | | cost no more than £30 and usually include a |
| a digital camera is perfect and you will be the best | | | | free print as part of the deal. Some studios now |
| person to capture these moments. I recommend you | | | | offer free sessions and you only pay for the print |
| buy the best you can afford! These moments are to | | | | itself which can be as little as £10! |
| be treasured and they shall be, just remember to get | | | | If you are on a limited budget and don't mind a |
| them printed! Don't leave the pictures on the | | | | photograph that will look dated in about a year's |
| computer or camera, these things can lose your | | | | time, then this solution is perfect. Have a look around |
| pictures if something goes wrong with them. | | | | your town or city for these studios, there is usually |
| These moments are precious and I'm in favour of | | | | at least one where you live. |
| the growing consumer digital market, on the other | | | | For families who have more disposable income, hiring |
| hand I can also see and understand the need for | | | | an independent photographer is a much better idea if |
| professionally taken photographs, the relationships | | | | you want long lasting family portraits that will still look |
| between the whole family can be shown in a | | | | good on your walls in ten years time. (Independent |
| professional portrait, it can be difficult to get | | | | family photographers are sometimes known as |
| everyone in front of the camera when you are | | | | freelance photographers.) |
| taking the picture! | | | | Independents are not restricted to a studio, they |
| Professionals know how to make you look good in a | | | | tend to work from home and can offer a better |
| picture and kids tend to behave better for someone | | | | session experience. The session usually takes place |
| they don't know - hiring a professional family and | | | | out side in a park, garden or in the woods. This is a |
| children's photographer will bring that element of | | | | more natural backdrop for both family portraits and |
| behaviour into the session. | | | | individual portraits and the classic nature of this type |
| I've heard parents from all walks of life say that their | | | | of photography will surely last the test of time and |
| child just won't look at the camera, no matter how | | | | will not go out of fashion in a year or two. |
| hard they try. A professional child & family | | | | When you call to book with your independent family |
| photographer, apart from being a 'new person' also | | | | photographer, discuss the available options for |
| has had a lot of experience with children and knows | | | | location and let them know if you have a particular |
| the best way to encourage them to participate fully | | | | favourite place or anywhere special that you would |
| in the session, from great big smiles to cute grumpy | | | | like the photographs taken. |
| frowns. | | | | A good freelance/independent family photographer |
| Another advantage with hiring a professional portrait | | | | will cost more than a high street studio but in terms |
| photographer is all of the work they do 'behind the | | | | of long lasting satisfaction and fun, they are well |
| scenes.' | | | | worth it. Expect to pay from £60 to |
| Professionals have bought the best processing | | | | £150 for a session and print prices will vary |
| software available (Photoshop, Lightroom/Aperture) | | | | depending on who you book and the sizes you want. |
| along with a host of various upgrades and plug-ins. | | | | Some photographers will offer packages and some |
| The programs that they use to process your images | | | | will offer per item/a lacarte pricing. |
| not only cost quite a bit of money but a lot of skill to | | | | Research your photographer on the Internet and by |
| use well, enabling the photographer to give your | | | | word of mouth before you book, take a look at their |
| family a portrait with that 'oooh' factor which will | | | | images and make doubly sure that what you see is |
| make you proud to display the finished print on the | | | | exactly what you want, if you can't imagine keeping |
| walls of your home. | | | | one of their pictures on your wall then it's probably a |
| So you have decided on getting a family portrait | | | | better idea to keep saving up until you can afford a |
| taken by a professional photographer... | | | | better photographer. |
| Most studios are now bright and cheerful, I'm sure | | | | All prices are approximate to the time of publishing. |