Lisa

The Importance of Family Photos

by Lisa

Newborn Sessions during lock down

Newborn Photography During Lock Down

Having a baby at any time of life can be a bit daunting, let alone right now with everything that is going on. You can't do the things you wish to do and even seeing your friends and family to show off your new arrival is painfully not allowed. Over the passed few weeks I have found a way to do a newborn shoot which is safe, not being in contact with a baby and in line with government guidelines. I have done a newborn session by doing it virtually. Sounds weird right? Not possible? Well I have done it and with Brian and Amy's photoshoot for baby Carter and I am allowed to share their images to show you how I have been able to perform the shoot and capture these images. 

As of June 15th (if what the government has said is allowed – can photography studios can open) I will be doing these virtual shoots within my studio. Having an 8 metre long studio,  I will be able to set up everything safely with me being at one end off my studio, and you at the other. I will be able to control my camera without having to physically hold it. At no time do I need to touch the baby or parents. Instead I will be there to talk you (the parent) through the session every step of the way, and you will be the one who poses your baby.

If you are interested in this it is far better to have a little chat, as the whole concept can sound a little bit scary, and even impossible. Please let me stress that only poses that can be achieved by you under my supervision shall be used. I will not ask you to perform any poses that you do not understand (as I am trained in such poses), therefor there will be not danger to your baby, nor will you feel uncomfortable.

At the moment I have been dropping off equipment to customers houses and talking them through the shoot via a zoom link. With parents trusting me and listening to what I say I have managed to capture a full gallery, even including entire family photos. The files that I have are large files and therefore no quality is lost, as I will have complete remote control over my cameras functions and settings.

Photos below were taken by Brian (Dad) to capture memories of what happened and how we did this shoot. Also to show that I was not in the same room during this session but three miles  away cross town. 

For sessions that will happen in my studio moving forwards, I have cleaning and sanitising procedures in place. Only one newborn session will be completed per day. This will give me time to clean the studio down after each shoot. I shall be wearing a face mask at all times during the sessions, even though I will not be getting close to the baby or to you. Hand sanitiser is already of high importance in my studio and this is something that will only be increased, even after this pandemic has ended. 

by Lisa

Celebrate With A Cakesmash

CAKESMASH PARTY FOR ARTHUR

A big wonderful happy birthday to Arthur, who came into the studio on his first birthday.  We couldn't have wished for a happier baby. He rocked his session from start to end. Not one to tuck into his cake at the start, he was more than happy to just sit there and smile at everyone. Once he realised that this thing, in front of him tasted nice, there was no stopping him. Author soon went from, just looking at the cake to head planting it and biting the edges. (Photos below)

Near the end of the session, his big sister jumped in for a few photos, showing him how it was done. The smiles from both of them is heart warming and the looks of excitement and fun. Towards the end of the session we got the bath out to clean up and splash around. More smiles and then a happy clean Arthur. 

For more information on what kind of photos you get throughout a session please click on the video clip below. To tell a story and show their personalties off. 

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW

Celebrate_With_A_Cake

Please get in touch on 01788 840302 or 07903733270 to have a chat about a cake splash. Or have a look here:

https://www.lisascottphotography.com/cake-smash-photographer-rugby
 

by Lisa

Twinings Home Fragrance

Product photography is not something I have blogged about before, but after this shoot I had to share the love of these products. Not only did I get to sample the beautiful scents of the candles but now I had a few in the studio that I use during my newborns sessions. Carrie Twining is a local business owner to myself and she asked me to work with her to create some images to use on her web site. She knew the vision she wanted and with a small input from myself and local florist Melanie Webb of Melanie Webb Florist, I believe we have created some lovely, fresh images to show off her beautiful products. 

A little bit about the history of Twinings Home Fragrance

Twining's Home Fragrance is a small family run business, based in Rugby, Warwickshire.  Established in 2015 by mum of two Carrie Twining.  All the candles are produced by hand in small batches, ensuring each candle is finished to the highest possible standard. To get more information of how Carrie started her business please check out her page by clicking here.
 

Carrie has managed to create 10 amazing scents and caters for different sizes of candles to gift boxes and amazing ideas for presents, from birthdays to a big thank you for school teachers. In fact, if anyone is stuck for a present for their child's teacher this year have a look at the stunning gift wrapped packages. They come in a beautiful presented  gift box. Still time to order and be delivered before the end of term, have a little look here for a gift set. Click here.

I have only selected a handful of images here, but each product was photographed for the whole range and is now shown beautifully on Twinings Home Fragrance site.

If you are thinking of doing something a little different and fancy holding a candle party, have a look. A great idea and if its not time right now, bare in mind for the colder months and getting close to Christmas. If you have enjoyed viewing these product, order a candle, order a large candle, find your scent and if you can… Relax… To view Carries whole shop on line you can view product here: Online Shop

For more information please check out the following:

Web: https://twiningshomefragrance.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/twiningshomefragrance

Instagram: www.instagram.com/twiningshomefragrance

If you have your own business and are in need of new photos of your products, give me a call. We can have a chat about your view and vision. This day and age everyone shops on line first, or lookout for products they like by a photo. Are your photos for your business working for you? 

by Lisa

Elvis has left the building

This is a very personal blog about the importance of photographing the important things in life, and not waiting. I believe that my life is better because of the people who are in it, what we do and what we share with others. This is your family, your husband, wife, partner, children, and if you have one your pet. No one knows really or understands how much each person or animal means to you, except you.

With great sadness I write this, while I am hurting. Hurting because I did something a few days ago that I never wanted to do. Being a parent and growing up (well, almost) I recall the words my dad said to me when I was younger about getting a dog. I always wanted one, begged him many times, but his answer was always the same. It’s a dad or a dog. Before I was born my family had a dog called Tiger who was loved so much but in the end it came down to my parents to do the kindest thing. That memory has lived with my dad all these years, he told me it’s not a pain he could go through again. Well, now I’m older I completely agree and witnessing the heartache in my children over the last few days, I know I cannot let them go through this again.

Twelve years ago we bought a very nutty chocolate lab and we named him Elvis. He has been a part of our family and showed our children to love dogs and not be afraid of them. To which I am so thankful. He brought laughter into our homes and got us outside together. He also invented a very cool dance which we named the 'Sausage dance' (see below for his moves). This dance started off when he was a puppy, eating a hot sausage so fast he had steam coming out of his nose. Ever since that day the 'Sausage Dance' was born. He would jump around the sausage until it was cold enough to eat.

When Elvis was not even one year old we found out he had hip dysplasia. This means that his hips didn’t sit in the joints and could easily pop out. We decided with advice to go ahead with giving him new hips when he was one and then again at 18months old. We always knew this would cap his life span to 10 years from that date but if we didn’t go ahead and do that he would have been taken away from us so much sooner.

In the last few years, we noticed him slowing down and problems occurring. But still, he was grateful for being outside and going to the river with me, the kids and his biggest fan. My mum.

To cut a long story short we visited the vets last week as he had slowed down so much and his movement around the house was sad to see. We were given a choice to keep spending money on drugs and prolonging his life (though he would never get better) or make the hardest decision ever to send him to a place he wouldn’t be in pain.

This was the hardest choice and even up to the final minute I wanted to shout “stop” at the vet, “don’t do it”. But that would have been selfish of me. 

The reason I decided to write this blog is to say a simple message. Take photos of your family, pet or anything you care about in your life. When I knew what was going to happen the first thing I did was call up my friend Sarah. She is a local photographer close to me, amazing at outdoor photography. I knew what I wanted to create. I told her and my god has she delivered. Don’t wait for next year, don’t wait till you are thinner or healthier. Do it now. If you have been thinking of having some photos taken, please do it. I now have some amazing photos of my whole family and I love them. I can’t even begin to say what an amazing photographer Sarah is and what she did to create these wonderful photos.

For more information about family photos I offer these or outdoor shoots give Sarah a bell. She won’t disappoint. For more details about getting in contact please click here: Photography By Sarah Jane. 

If a family shoot is not on your cards then just take photos of all of you together. iPhone photos, selfie, anything that captures that moment in time that will last a lifetime.

I need to add a massive thank you to our vet, Jamie at Animal House in Rugby. His manner, knowledge and the fact that he listened to us without judging meant so much. His tender and calming voice to Elvis meant that there was no anxiety felt.

All the photos outside in the woods are created by Photography by Sarah-Jane. An amazing photographer and an even better friend. Xxx

by Lisa

Photographing a newborn baby and their siblings

Photographing Sibings Can Be Hard? Hummm no… But can be a challenge

So you have a newborn baby and you have a lovely idea of the photos that you want. You also have the idea of a beautiful photo of both of your children together. This is ideal, to get at any newborn session and when you have an older sibling this can be a easy photo to get. But when you have a little toddler or a 2 – 3 year old who dont fully understand what is happening, it can be hard. Its always nice to have them being held by their older sister or brother but realistically its not always possible.

Why? You may ask. Well to get them close together its usually the case of the older sibing holding their baby sister or brother and of course holding their head. Some little people dont want to hold them for longer than 2 seconds or to look at the camera at this time. If this is the case when they are in the studio with me, I cheat! I always want to get a sibling shot and if the only way I can do it, is by mixing a few photos together, so be. 

Have a little look at the video below and see how I get around getting the sibling photo done.

Click below to play

This amazing little boy was lovely with his sister, however he wasnt too sure about holding her. So what I did was photograph him on his own with the chair that his sister was going to be in. I then photographed her a few times when I was sat at the side holding her body and head. At no point did I leave her on her own. You will see in the video how much editing can go into a newborn photo. The most important thing for me is baby safety, if the baby is not happy they will let you know and I wont carry on. I work very close with newborns and use a cable released to capture the image I want when Im not behind the camera. 

This session was great, and we managed to get a few different options with them both being in the photo together. There is usually a way to get round these things and if it means I have to sit at the other end of the studio photographing a little person as they really dont want a photo, so be it. As I think, there is always a way…

To find out more information about a newbonr session with your family please get in touch with your due date. I start pre-bookings from 25 weeks of pregnancy. Then when baby arrives we can confirm a date. For any sessions thats are pre-booked I will 100% make sure we can get a session fitted in. 

Thanks for reading and looking at the video clip. 

by Lisa

It's not just families that need a photoshoot!

Getting together with your family is usually a must, a family photo shoot, a family get together. But what about people that aren't your family by blood, but family in your heart. This is my best friend and her family and now she now lives on the other side of the world, getting together is a little harder. It was 2 and a half years since we had seen each other in person (not including facetime, facebook, Skype and any other way we stay in touch)  Our families have always been closed, and before they started their new life in the sun our kids grew up knowing each other very well. At the start of this year, we all got to meet up and make some new memories. Before they moved away we managed to get a photo shoot and so this time when they were home I, of course, dragged them in the studio again.

Now I have an up to date photo of this amazing family on my wall and my children have new photos of their friends in their bedrooms. Keeping friends close even though they live miles away.

For Claire and Martyn.  

A friend of life x 

by Lisa

Black & White Newborn Photography

Black and white newborn photography 

I’ve been photographing newborn babies for almost 6 years now, but more recently I’ve been doing more black and white newborn photography and I love the results!

For me, newborn portraits should be simple and timeless, and there is nothing more timeless than classic black and white photography. 

Read on to see examples of my black and white newborn photography and let me know in the comments below what you think – are you also a fan?

Black and white newborn photography: A new trend?

Since I started out as a wedding photographer in 2008, black and white images have been really popular with clients, and they still are. Even now, I find that most wedding couples like to have a mix of black and white and full-colour images for their wedding albums, so the appeal of black and white doesn’t seem to fade. 

But that’s weddings. In the newborn photography industry, I don’t see much black and white being done here in the UK at the moment, although I do think it will get more and more popular. It’s really popular in the USA which usually means it’s on its way here in a big way! 

Traditionally, newborn photographers use soft, neutral colours – and I still do that too! But I’m trying out new things and am really happy with the results, so plan to do more of this if I can.  

Why do I love black and white newborn photography?

What is it that I and my clients are loving about black and white newborn photography? 

Well, I think it’s that these black and white newborn portraits are really striking. They’re bold and really make a statement. They’re perhaps a little bit unexpected too?

Plus, I like the fact that black and white images are really stylish and contemporary. They’d not look out of place in any room of the house. They’re ideal for hanging as framed images in the kitchen, lounge or your baby’s nursery, and would look amazing against grey or neutral coloured walls. 

And what’s not to love about these super-cute babies? The black and white treatment is so different to full colour but doesn’t take away any of the cuteness factor. 

Check out this adorable pea in a pod!

And how about this little one sleeping peacefully in this basket? 

These images should give you a flavour of the style of black and white newborn photography I’ve been creating recently. And, did you realise that the pod and the baskets are magically added into the image in the final stages? Clever, right?

Would you like black and white newborn portraits for your home? 

I’d love to do more black and white newborn photography – it’s my favourite thing right now, however Im not giving up light and airy newborn photography, its just a little extra. 

If you’re expecting a baby and would like me to photograph your little one, whether in this black and white style or in my more traditional style, please get in touchfor a no-obligation chat. 

I love babies and I absolutely love my work as a professional newborn photographer. It’s years since my own children were so little, and I certainly consider it a privilege to photograph your special little bundle in their first few weeks of life.  If you’re local to Rugby or the surrounding areas, I look forward to hearing from you!

Lisa x

To have a look at my fill newborn gallery click here:

by Lisa

Craftmans Of Photography

Where do I even begin with what has happened over the last few days? I really don't know where to start but here goes… Bare with me. 

This weekend I gain a qualification from The Guild of Photographers (www.photoguild.co.uk) at craftsman's level. If you are unsure what this is – here is what is involved. 

• Our 'Craftsman' title is, as one would imagine, aligned to the exacting standards of a true 'Craftsman'. Therefore to attain this level we add an increasing level of professional critique to evaluate our members work. In other words, we get increasingly 'fussy' and look in minutiae at all the elements of photographic understanding. Those that achieve this accolade have demonstrated the finest technical skills and an exceptional creative and artistic 'eye'.

I decided to pick a theme to which I had a passion for and that would be dance. Many years ago now I used to dance and had the most amazing childhood by dancing and met life long friends through, so to now capture dance through photography is my dream project. For the last 7 months, I have worked with 7 very different dancers to try and create the movement of dance and capture that second in an image. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone involved as without them I wouldn't have been able to complete this. Grace, Sophie, Amy, Garth, Ella, Jas & Kai. They kept going when the shot was not perfectly timed, I made them jump and run over and over again. But when you see that shot in the back of the camera you know straight away, that is the one. A massive thank you for your patience.

Before I even started this I knew what I had in mind and what I wanted to create but first I had to talk to someone who has been behind me with ideas and helped me get this off the ground. That was my dance teacher Christine Anderson. I left the dance school over 15 years ago however she still can't get rid of me now… Thank you for your time on this Christine. 

A big shout out goes to a special lady who saw my vision and without her, I don't think I could have created these images. That is to Jenny Blair the amazing lady behind all the dresses that she made for me. We had colours in mind but in regards to the material used and the design that was Jenny's. I now have some amazing dresses that I can use for future dance session moving forwards. Thank you for your support and messages they kept me going. 

Now I'm nearly there but there are two people who I want to thank from the bottom of my heart for getting me passed. And that is my husband Paul. Who had to put up with me and hiding images so I couldn't keep changing things at the last me. And lastly, Kevin Pengelly who has been my mentor throughout this process. I've said thank you so many times but I do really mean it. The advice and direction I have received have made me stop and listen and do things a different way to get them right in camera instead of going 100 miles an hour. 

So all that is left for me to do now is share my panel of craftsman's image. I hope you like them as much as I did taking them.

by Lisa