Maya - Newborn Photoshoot

Kate 

You're confident in your business, dealing with your clients, smashing it on social media and you know how important it is to show your face in photos (your customers love it) but the very thought😱!! ........ You go clammy, want to hide in a corner and find a million excuses not to step in front of the camera (oops sorry, that business idea I had back in 2013 is now a priority and I'm not available for photos).

If any of this rings true then I'm right there with you (hiding behind the camera is my safe space - don't tell anyone🤫)

Me - but this time hiding behind a notepad

I love getting to know the awesome ladies that I work with. understanding what makes them tick, what they are comfortable with and slowly watching them come out of their shell is such a buzz.  We often find ladies really getting into it and comments like 'You made me feel so comfortable' and 'I actually really enjoyed that' and common and music to my ears. 

The build-up to a personal brand photo shoot can be the worst bit. So here are my tips to help you feel prepared and ready to enjoy taking photos that tell the sorry of your business. 

Find Your Best Angle: Experiment with different angles and poses in front of a mirror to discover what makes you feel most comfortable and confident (it's a bit cringy at first but stick with it). Knowing your best angles can help you feel more at ease when someone else is taking your photo. We all have different body shapes and sizes and one pose doesn't suit all. @TheChristineBuzan on Instagram wants us all to feel confident in photos - watch Christine's simple posing tip - Christine Buzan Posing Tips

Feel Good In What You Wear: Choose outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable (and of course are on brand). When you feel good about what you're wearing, it can boost your confidence and make you more relaxed in front of the camera. Consider an appointment with a stylist - high street stores like John Lewis offer the service for FREE (I'm in) and it will make you feel a million dollars (an excuse to go shopping, you're welcome) - John Lewis Styling Service. If getting your hair and makeup done is what will make you beam, then have a look at local MUAs and see if they can help, or book your shoot the same day that you have your next hair appointment. 

@satomikeely

Practise Relaxation Techniques: If you feel nervous or self-conscious before a photo shoot, try practising relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualisation to calm your nerves. Just a few deep breaths can really help.

Emily Kirk - Vanquility - Personal Branding Photoshoot

@vanquility

Focus on the Moment: Instead of worrying about how you'll look in the photo, focus on enjoying the moment and having fun. This shift in focus can help you feel more relaxed and you see it in your photos.

Communicate With Your Photographer: Don't be afraid to tell your photographer about your preferences and any insecurities you may have. A good photographer will understand and work with you to make you feel comfortable and confident during the shoot. You have a great opportunity to do this during your consultation (with coffee of course)  and this in itself, will help you feel a little more in control and comfortable.

@campbellsphotographybranding

Celebrate Your Quirks & Show Your Personality: Embrace the unique features and quirks that make you who you are!! Remember that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and there is nothing more beautiful than a person full of personality - let that side of yourself shine through❤️

@geraldinecrane_serene

Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Surround yourself with friends who uplift and support you. Having a supportive network can boost your confidence and remind you of your worth beyond your appearance. @connectwomeninbiz is a supportive community of Women in business that celebrates community and collaboration. Dip your toe into the photoshoot world with a personal brand mini photoshoot. In collaboration with @connectwomeninbiz these shoots in beautiful venues take place with a group of supportive women all supporting each other and making connections.  Join the community on Instagram - Connect Women In Biz and watch out for future mini-brand photoshoot events. 

@connect_womeninbiz

Ready to take the next step and join me for a consultation over coffee☕️? Get in touch and we'll chat about you, your business and how we can work together to tell the story of your business. You can see more details of our packages and example photos (inc. a photo of me😝) here. 

Kate x

Including Family & Sibling Photos In Your Newborn Photoshoot

You might be thinking of booking a photoshoot for your gorgeous newborn baby, but understandably, you're not sure if you can be bothered with the family or sibling photos with everything else you have going on. It's worth making the effort and in this blog, we'll explain why you'll be glad that you did and how we can make it easier for you. 

Why family photos are important

Newborn photography isn't just about the baby—it's about the entire family. Including parents and siblings in the photoshoot allows you to capture the unique bonds and relationships that make each family special. These photos are cherished memories that families will treasure for years to come, offering a glimpse into a time when the new baby joined the family.

Why sibling photos are important

Including older siblings in the photoshoot helps to establish a bond between the siblings. Having a photo taken on their own with the new baby brother/sister is a big responsibility and gives them a sense of belonging and achievement. At a time when the new baby is getting a lot of focus and attention, it's an opportunity to shine the light on the older sibling and what an amazing big brother / sister they are. 

Winnie - Newborn Photoshoot

What to wear

Considering what to wear ahead of your shoot is important so your family photos are all about your gorgeous smiles and you're not distracted by the person who turned up in the bright green football shirt 🙈. Our What To Wear Blog - gives lots of hints and tips to help you choose timeless outfits and make the photo all about your gorgeous smiles and  your new baby. 

Winnie - Newborn Photoshoot

Taking the family and sibling photos first

Ultimately we want your baby to be safe, warm, and comfortable - to make it perfect for them the studio is heated to a steady 25 degrees. This is lovely and cosy for the new baby who will be undressed at times or lightly wrapped. However.... it can be very warm for us adults so come dressed in layers so you can take them off as you need to and keep cool. This is also the reason for taking family and sibling photos first. While everyone is looking their best we get those all-important photos then you can sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the session while we photograph your gorgeous baby.

Keeping it simple

Typically, older siblings are 2, 3 years in age. At this age a photoshoot would normally be full of energy and fun, but with a newborn, we need to keep it calm and relaxed. We take the sibling photos really quickly, first demonstrating what's going to happen and even have a go at posing with a teddy in place of the new baby. This helps siblings to understand their role, gives us confidence that they will be comfortable and safe with the baby, and also puts the older sibling in the spotlight - best poser, best smile, best big brother/sister - then with just a few beautiful photos captured they're done and want to be on to the next more exciting thing,  but we've got the shots we wanted - phew!!

Keeping big brother/sister occupied

Once the family and sibling photos are done, you are free to relax and enjoy some of the snacks and drinks we've provided for you. A lovely chance for parents to take a much-deserved rest, but as a 2 or 3 year old it's about to get very boring. We'd recommend that you bring books or toys, something to keep them occupied for the rest of the session. Not always possible but what always works well is if grandparents or a favourite Auntie comes and takes the older sibling for a fun play date - a nice reward for being so great during their part of the photoshoot.  Looking for somewhere new for them to burn off some energy? Try Churwell Urban Woodland here in Morley, Leeds - just around the corner from our studio it's got fun things to climb on, secret corners to explore, a dipping pond and bird watching - hours of fun. 

Drop me an email and ask me about capturing these memories for you and your family to treasure for years to come. Or, have a look at our package details and even more very cute baby photos. 

Kate x 

You've had a Personal Brand Photoshoot and you've got a full library of images for your social media and website, but should you be considering refreshing your headshots?

For a solopreneur, who often serves as the face of their business, regularly updating your headshots is essential for several reasons.

Geraldine Crane - Spiritual Empowerment Guide

Geraldine and I have worked together several times and she now has a healthy library of on-brand images for her business. We recently got together to update her headshots.

Firstly, headshots serve as the initial point of contact between you and your potential clients/customers. In today's digital world, where first impressions are often made online, having an up-to-date, professional headshot can significantly impact how you are perceived. The images convey a sense of professionalism, reliability, and trustworthiness, all essential qualities for building a strong brand image.
 

With photos taken in her therapy room/office we were able to get a selection of different headshots for Geraldine to use. 

Secondly, updating headshots allows you to keep up to date with any changes to your appearance or branding (hello brave new haircut). By regularly updating your headshots, you can make sure that your images are visually aligned with your current identity - this can be reassuring for clients when they meet you face to face, this is especially important for those who work with clients who may be a little nervous or unsure.
 

This 'welcome' shot shows Geraldine's clients what they can expect when they arrange a face-to-face, removing the mystery and setting expectations. 

Thirdly, regularly updating headshots can also contribute to your personal branding efforts. A collection of headshots that showcase different aspects of your personality, expertise, and values can help you connect with your ideal client on a deeper level. 

We've always got time for a silly photo - showing Geraldine's fun side perfectly

Regularly updating your headshots is essential for maintaining a professional image, reflecting changes in your appearance or branding, staying relevant in your industry, and enhancing your personal brand. By investing in professional, up-to-date headshots, you can effectively communicate your value, build trust with your audience, and connect with your ideal client.
 

If you are interested in connecting with Geraldine or finding more out about her fascinating business, hop on over to her website - https://geraldinecrane.com/

Or find her on social media :

• Facebook
• Instagram

If you'd like to speak to me about building a library of on-brand images or refreshing your headshots drop me an email, I'd love to hear from you.

Kate x

Not all baby photoshoots are for newborn babies. Newborn photoshoots usually take place when babies are between 5 and 14 days new. At this age, they still like to curl up into those super cute poses and like to be tightly wrapped just like in Mummy's tummy. 

As they get a little older, up to around 12 weeks old they are more alert, (cue very cute awake photos) and you are likely to get a nice mix of awake and asleep photos.

But a newborn photoshoot isn't for everyone, and waiting until your baby is a little older might be what's right for you. Older babies (13 weeks old to sitting), love to show their gorgeous smiles and personality. There is likely to be more interaction with the photographer and the parents which makes for the most gorgeous photos. 

Baby Scarlett's parents decided to wait and with our Older Babies package, we captured some beautiful family and baby photos. 

First official family portrait

With a little help from our 'what to wear for a family photoshoot' guide, they co-ordinated their outfits for a timeless look. 

We usually take the family photos first. This helps older babies to settle, find their confidence while we find their smiles. 

Once we've got the family photos then it's all about baby,

With all our baby photoshoots the sessions are baby-led, if we need to take a break for feeding and soothing we can before getting back to more gorgeous photos. 

I just love baby toes!!!

We make sure we get close-ups to show their gorgeous little face, and beautiful eyes and of course, who doesn't love baby toes?!
 

Oh that smile

As babies get older and they start to get all squishy, of course, you'll need photos of all that deliciousness too.  Gorgeous memories of this precious time as a new family.

Edited to maintain the natural look and feel of the photos and remove any distractions (by by dribbles), the photos are then added to a gallery on our website for parents to view and coo over their gorgeous photos. Just imagine what it will be like for them to look through these images again when their baby is all grown up, sharing memories of the experience of when they had their first photoshoot.

Ask us about capturing family memories for you and your little ones.

Kate x

What Do Your Personal Brand Photos Say About You & Your Business?

93% of consumers consider visual content to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision! 😲 I'll just leave that fact with you for a moment. 

Of course, I strongly believe that you should have a personal brand photoshoot with a professional photographer. Together you can create your brand imagery guidelines by taking into consideration:

• Ideal client
• Brand colours
• Brand personality
• Campaign messages

But what about when you need instant photos to engage your audience on social media for example? It's not practical to have a photographer by your side throughout the working day, so you need to take photos yourself using the camera on your phone.

The trick is to take photos with a similar look and feel as your professional photos, that represent your brand and the quality of the service or products you offer. So rather than just take a snap ask yourself -" what do my phone photos say about me/my business?"

Have a look at both of these photos from the point of view of a customer looking to buy a photo frame.

Sometimes we reject or accept an option without really understanding why -  What gut feeling do you get with each? What do you notice?

Perhaps... 

• lack of attention to detail (hello washing day), 
• poor quality photo = poor quality product
• feels like a side hussle business - no time to take decent photos so no time to deal with my query
• expected low price for this risky purchase
• feeling like this purchase could be a headache - avoid!!

Perhaps...

• I want this in my room!
• professional photo = high-quality product
• professional business I can trust with my purchases and queries
• High-quality product, I expect and will pay a premium for it
• I'm excited to see what else they have

Secret - I took both photos on my phone (yes that's my washing 🙈). After taking the first photo in the window, I turned 90 degrees to my left, popped the frame on top of a white cabinet, and introduced the toy camera to represent children's photography and our brand colours. Same product, photographed at the same time of day using just a mobile phone - two very different messages!

So, what do your images say to your customers?

Serious businesswoman with a high-quality product/service?

Or....

Lady with a side hustle selling product/service of questionable quality 🙈

Harsh - but we now know that's the power of a photo!

Brand Imagery Challenge

Download our free Brand Imagery Challenge and understand where you are with your photos now. 

Want to up your phone photography game and represent your business properly?

In our Personal Brand Phone Photography Masterclass, we'll teach you all about brand imagery, how to take on-brand images, composition, lighting (no fancy kit required), posing, product photography, editing for consistency as well as sending you a handout so you can take photos on your phone with confidence. 

Phone Photography Masterclass - 22nd February 2024 - TICKETS

Can't make the live event? - The Masterclass will be recorded and all ticket holders will be sent a link to the recording so you can watch and rewatch for the following two weeks. 

Alternatively, add your name to our mailing list and be the first to find out about our next Masterclass date and receive useful tips about personal brand photography - mailing list  

Hope to see you at the Masterclass!

Kate x

A what? Shypreneur - I'm patting myself on the back for making up a brand-new word - we'll I couldn't find it on Google so it must be new!

I'm referring to entrepreneurs who are shy on the inside, introverted extroverts and those of us who find putting our faces out there, a real struggle. 

I'm firmly in this camp myself and the thought of appearing in a photo, reel, selfie, has my heart racing and my palms sweating (perhaps why I hide behind the camera, don't tell anyone)

Feeling the pain of a shy-preneur but also recognising that it's essential for your brand to put yourself out there - here's how you can make a Personal Brand photoshoot easier and even, dare I say, enjoyable. 

This is me - a true shy-preneur

Choose a familiar location

Choosing somewhere that is familiar to you (as well as suits your brand). the familiarity will help reduce the anxiety and you may be able to recommend quieter spots or areas to your photographer giving you a little control and confidence. 

Emily Kirk - Vanquility - Personal Branding Photoshoot

Emily Kirk - https://www.facebook.com/VanquilityWellbeing/

Select a supportive photographer

Working with a photographer who understands your feelings will make it a much better experience. Choose someone who will be your cheerleader, create a positive atmosphere and adapt to your needs. 

Have a 'get to know you' session

Having a planning meeting or consultation is essential ahead of any Branding shoot but even more important for those of us feeling a little unsure. These sessions are so the photographer can understand your brand, your brand personality, and your ideal client and design a photoshoot with these in mind. It's also a get-to-know-you session and your opportunity to express your reservations and design a working partnership

Start with Candid Shots

Begin the photoshoot with candid shots to capture more natural and unposed moments to ease you into the session gently

Amanda Truman - https://trumanbooks.co.uk/

Bring props or activities

Bringing props or setting up a demonstration of you doing your thing can make the shoot more natural and less intimidating. These shots also give your customer an idea of what it's like to work with you.

Nicola Hayward - https://nicolahaywoodaesthetics.co.uk/

Be authentic

You are you, and you are fabulous and this is what your ideal client will be drawn to. Your photos and poses (I use that term loosely) should feel comfortable to you and not stiff and out of place. 

Geraldine Crane - https://geraldinecrane.com/

Bring a friend along to join the fun

We all have that friend or family member who is cheering us on - why not take them along to the shoot for support, bag holding and reassurance?! When they make you laugh it will make a great natural photo. 

Zoe Thompson - https://builditbrilliant.co.uk/

Our personal brand photoshoots are built around you - drop me a message and let's meet for coffee to chat about your business, your brand and a shoot that will suit any shy-preneur.

Tell the story of your band with a personal brand photoshoot

In today's crowded digital jungle, having an awesome personal brand is your golden ticket to getting noticed. Yes, a professional headshot is a must, but did you know there's a whole story waiting to be told beyond that one photo? In this blog post, we're gonna dive deep into "Beyond the Headshot" and explain why a personal brand photoshoot can seriously elevate your brand game.

Letting Your Story Shine

Your personal brand isn't just some logo or snazzy tagline (though these are essential) – it's the story you're shouting from the rooftops about yourself or your business. Forget the one-size-fits-all headshot; a personal brand photoshoot lets you flaunt all the different sides of your business and your personality. Each picture is like a page in your business storybook, creating a real connection with your ideal client.

Sharon Angela Yoga - Dru yoga instructor 

Showing Off Your Brand's True Colours

Every brand has its own vibe, and a personal brand photoshoot is where you can let your unique flag fly. Whether you're hustling as an entrepreneur, showing off your art, or smashing the influencer game, this is your chance to put your brand's heart and soul on display. From what you wear to the environment around you, every detail contributes to your brand's unique story.

Karen Pullen - Therapeutic yoga and holistic wellness

Breaking the Mold

Say goodbye to boring, stiff headshots; it's all about keeping it real now. Beyond the Headshot lets you ditch the old-school rules and show off a more authentic side of you and your business. Think candid shots, behind-the-scenes, and images that show your brand's values – that's the good stuff that your ideal client wants to see. (I mean who doesn't want to work with Geraldine and Rufus)

Geraldine Crane - Serene, spiritual, empowerment guide

Getting Up Close and Personal

In a sea of content, making a real connection with your audience is key. Personal brand photoshoots put a face to your brand, making it relatable and friendly. When people can see the human behind the logo and understand the story behind the hustle, that's when the magic happens!!

Ready to Rock Your Own Shoot?

.. but not convinced it will benefit your business? Our blog (complete with example pics) explains how the photos will help you grow your awesome business.

...Or, are you ready to take the next step, go beyond the headshot and unleash the full power of your brand with a personal brand photoshoot? Drop me a message and let's arrange to meet for coffee and share awesome ideas☕️

join me for coffee and chats about your personal brand photoshoot

Kate x

 

'Tis the season to be jolly and joyous fa la la'  - A line from one of our favourite Christmas movies A Muppets Christmas Carol and this song will certainly be playing in the background of our Christmas mini photoshoots this year. We're bringing all the fun and Christmas magic to the studio again this year, read on to discover why booking a session with us will be the best gift you give yourself and your loved ones this festive season.

Embrace the Festive Spirit: Step into a magical Christmas scene with a Christmas tree, cosy mini bed, Christmas train, traditional sledge and, of course, stockings and gifts. Our carefully created set is designed to transport your children to a world where every photo tells a story of Christmas. With sessions for Children and separate sessions for babies (10 weeks old to sitting).

Freddie - Christmas babies mini photoshoot

A Gift From Santa: So far all the visitors to the studio have been on Santa's 'Good List'. He pops by the night before to make sure there is a sweet treat for the older children and a teddy for the Christmas babies.

Jamie & Sophie - Christmas mini photoshoot

Festive Outfits: The big question is always 'what to wear?' You can co-ordinate your children's outfits with the colour scheme red, green and white, choose a party outfit, festive PJ's, Christmas jumpers or fancy dress - they are your memories so it's totally up to you.

Lara - Christmas Mini Photoshoot

Timeless Keepsakes: Your photos won't just be images; they'll be cherished keepsakes that you'll revisit year after year. Imagine flipping through an album filled with Christmas smiles.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Not only are these precious memories for you to treasure but you can also use your digital images to create gifts your friends and family will love. Think calendar for Auntie Flo, framed print for Grandma or a jigsaw for Grandpa - that's your Christmas shopping done (you're welcome). Have a look at Photobox - they have some great photo gift ideas and usually have an offer just before Christmas too.

Nayan and Elian - Christmas mini photoshoot 2024

Easy Booking Process: Booking a session is super simple. Have a look at the package details and dates on our website make a note of the dates you'd like to come and drop us an email - we'll get back to you with the available slots and get you booked in. We only have limited availability so don't miss out and book your session today!

La'Reya - Christmas Mini Photoshoot
 

Merry Christmas

Kate & Pete

Pregnancy is such a magical time, you're seeing your beautiful bump grow and are excited to meet your new baby (and a little anxious too I'm sure). Your baby will be here before you know it and what a beautiful way to capture this brief moment than with a photoshoot. And within a few weeks have a newborn photoshoot and marvel at how the gorgeous little bundle was curled up in your tummy only a few days ago!

Capture your journey

Booking both a maternity and newborn photoshoot allows you to capture your journey from pregnancy to the early days of your baby's life. Choosing the same photographer for both shoots will give you consistency in the look and feel making sure your photos flow seamlessly.

Discount for booking the double

Some photographers will offer a discount when you book both shoots at the same time, and who doesn't love a discount. We offer 10% off our full newborn and mini-wrapped photoshoot to anyone who joins us for a maternity. We know that bringing a baby into the world can be an expensive affair, so every little helps.

When is the best time to book?

Our beautiful Maternity sessions are best held between 33-37 weeks where possible so that you have a lovely visible bump, but that you are not so uncomfortable managing the session. If we leave it too late then the baby might put in an early appearance and we miss it altogether! We'd recommend making your enquiries as early as you can and booking your maternity and newborn sessions at the same time to guarantee availability. 

Including Siblings and Family 

Maternity and newborn photoshoots can also include siblings and other family members. What a gorgeous way to capture your growing family and the excitement of meeting the new arrival. With older siblings, the shoot can help them feel extra special and part of the journey. 
 

Preserving Memories

 Both maternity and newborn phases pass by so quickly. The photos you have taken towards the end of your pregnancy and in the early days of your baby's life, will help preserve those memories for you and your family in the future. Imagine showing your child your maternity photos when they are older - 'that's you in there'.

It's all about the experience

It's not just about the photos it's about the memories attached to the photos. Enjoy being fussed over during your maternity shoot, and embrace how beautiful you are and how magical this time is. Your newborn shoot should also be a time for you to put your feet up (you deserve it) and relax while your photographer captures beautiful tiny baby memories for you. The memories of this experience will be remembered when you look back through your photos and form part of your story.

Shout it from the rooftops

When your baby arrives you'll want to tell THE WORLD. Use your newborn photos to make a card and announce the arrival of your baby. Not only does this proudly introduce your new baby, but the card is also a little photo gift for all your loved ones. Photobox have some lovely cards and photo gifts that you can look at.

Ultimately, choosing to book both a maternity and newborn photoshoot is a personal decision. Whether you take the time to find a photographer that is right for you and your family or capture your own memories at home - take the pictures and keep those memories safe.

Kate x
 

How To Get More From Your Personal Brand Portrait Image.

You've got a selection of fabulous, on-brand portrait images but did you know you can get even more from your images?

All you have to do is..... REMOVE THE BACKGROUND FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY

"What the heck Kate, but don't you need fancy and expensive software for this?" 

Absolutely not, no! As a Yorkshire Woman (and proud), I'm typically quite tight with my money and always looking for ways of doing things cheaper or for free (it's a Yorkshire thing).

You are right in thinking there are many 'paid for' options out there. The 'paid for' version of Canva is one of the easiest, so if you already pay for Canva this should be your first stop, but if you are on the free version here's how you can cut out your images. 

(Click here to jump to Canva ‘paid for’ BG Removal example)
 

1 - Go online and search for https://www.remove.bg/upload

You don't need to create an account, just upload your image and watch the magic happen.

2- Once the image has been processed and the background has been removed, you will notice a checkerboard background - your image is now ready for you to download! The free version will give you a low-resolution download. This is perfect if you are adding your cut-out as a small part of a larger image (see photo of me in the corner). If you want a better quality image you can upgrade.

3- You can now upload your cut-out image to Canva and add it to any background you like (of course I chose coffee).

Bonus Tips

Did you know you can flip your image?

Just make sure everything in your image is reversible...

...unlike a book title or logo on your clothes

Canva - Paid For

If you already pay for Canva then you can remove the background from the image by selecting ‘Edit Photo’ and then ‘BG Remover’.

Free Download

I've put it all in a step-by-step guide, which is also FREE and ready for you to download

You can now add your cut-out headshot to different backgrounds and use it in future campaigns, social media posts or flyers for example.

One photo many opportunities!!

If you're looking for some new headshots, that you can use (and cut out) get in touch

Kate x

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BABY COOL WHEN IT'S HOT

While feeling tooooo warm and trawling the internet for tips to keep ourselves cool, we really started to feel for Mamma's-to-be and those with really young children. We've collated the best 'cool' tips from experts at babycentre, Emma's Diary and baby sound asleep in this blog for you. While it's warm you'll find us in the studio with the big fan (usually reserved for floaty maternity photos) and drinking the cold drinks we've bought in for our lovely customers - you know you are welcome to join us 😄📷.

Still waiting for your baby to arrive? Mama-To-Be it must be so uncomfortable for you when the weather is hot - read our blog Mama-To-Be How To Stay Cool When The Weather Is Hot.

• Avoid synthetic fabrics that trap heat; opt for loose natural fibres like cotton or muslin
• Give babies as much nappy-free time as possible
• Playing in a paddling pool will keep kiddies cool. Keep it in the shade and supervise their play
• Use a mini fan if you are out and about
• Use cold, wet flannels, or give them a tepid bath or shower to cool their skin. Let them air dry rather than using towels
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids

• Remove unnecessary bedding. Opt for a cool muslin sleeping bag
• If they are still hot let them sleep in a vest and nappy, or even just a nappy
• Open windows in several rooms to create a through breeze
• Give them a tepid bath, or sponge bath, before bed and let them air dry while lying on a towel so the evaporation of the water will cool their skin down
• Keep bedrooms cool throughout the day by closing blinds or curtains. Turn a room fan on before bedtime. A fan can be left on all night – but well out of reach and never pointed directly at the cot or bed
• Hanging wet towels over chairs or windows cools the air
• Remove waterproof under sheets or cover with several layers of cotton sheets to absorb perspiration

Reggie - Newborn Photo Shoot

Dress Baby For Bedtime

From Baby Sound Asleep

Stay Cool😎!

Kate & Pete

How To Stay Cool When The Weather Is Hot

Mama-to-be, we know you must be struggling more than the rest of us when it's hot hot hot outside - here are our top tips for keeping cool.

Already had your beautiful baby? Read our blog How To Keep Your Baby Cool When It's Hot for more top tips.

TAKE A LUKE WARM SHOWER

Take a lukewarm shower or bath & use mint shower gel for instant cooling.

BOWL OF COLD WATER

Pop your feet in a bowl of cold water and, if you can stand it, add some ice cubes (think ice bath but just for your feet)

ICE CREAM

Not that you need an excuse, but now's the time to indulge in your favourite ice cream or ice pop. Our favourite it mint choc chip, or keep it healthy and freeze some fresh orange juice. 

PUT YOUR FEET UP

Swollen feet and ankles are common during pregnancy. Elevating them can help reduce swelling and discomfort.

Hayley - Maternity Photoshoot

WRAP A WET TOWEL LOOSELY AROUND YOUR NICK

Wrapping a wet towel loosely around your neck will help cool the major arteries and make you feel more comfortable.  Pop it in the freezer first for an extra blast of icy freshness.

EAT LIGHT AND FREQUENT MEALS

Instead of large, heavy meals, opt for smaller, more frequent meals. This can help maintain energy levels and prevent overheating. Here's to all-day grazing.
 

LET THE WARM AIR OUT

On a night, open the loft hatch (if you have one) and let the heat rise. Put a fan in front of an open window to pull the cool evening air into the room.

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot
 

Still struggling? The Baby Centre has lots of great tips on its website too. 

Feeling inspired by these photos? Taken in our studio this is such a precious time for a Mama-To-Be, and we make sure there is a cool fan as well as drinks and snacks to make it a really special experience. Have a look at more of our Maternity Photoshoot details

How To Prepare For A 1st Birthday Photoshoot Or Cake Smash
 

Where does the time go!!! Your baby is turning one and a 1st birthday photoshoot is an exciting way to capture this precious milestone. Whether you choose a 1st birthday mini photoshoot or a cake smash,  here's a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for a fun photoshoot here at Campbell's Photography

What to wear

So this is the exciting bit and the perfect excuse to do a bit of shopping (you're welcome). You might want to choose an outfit that they will wear again, perhaps for a birthday party or family gathering.  If you are having a cake smash you might want a couple of outfits, one for 'regular' photos and another for when we introduce the cake. 

Party hats, tiaras, dickie bows and braces, tutus - there are so many ideas out there. You can see some examples on our Pinterest board and lots of suggestions on our Benable 1st birthday ideas list. 

Preparing for a cake smash

Chances are your little one won't know what to do when we put a big cake in from of them. A bit of practice time ahead of the shoot with a cheap cake/cupcake can help (be warned - it can get messy). It's not essential but something to consider.

Betsy's 1st Birthday Cake Smash

Snacks

Having your child's favourite snacks and a drink to hand can be a great idea. Sometimes they need a familiar snack to keep them going through the shoot. If you are having a cake smash we sometimes hide their favourite snacks in the cake to give them something to reach for. Having your photo taken is thirst work so we've always got time for a water break. 
 

What a mess!

As you can imagine it gets very messy, you are welcome to wipe the cake off before you leave (we have plenty of wipes), but don't worry about the mess in the studio you can leave that to us.

Rory's 1st Birthday Cake Smash

Make it a family affair

The milestone is also about the parents. You've done a great job over the past year, make sure you jump in front of the camera for a family photo to remember this moment and show your little one when they are older how you celebrated their 1st birthday. 

Relax and Be Patient

Children can be unpredictable, and the key to a successful photoshoot is to remain patient and go with the flow. Allow breaks if your child becomes fussy or needs some time to relax.

Harry's 1st birthday cake smash
 

Share and Print

Don't let your lovely images fall into a digital black hole, share the beautiful photos with friends and family, and consider creating a physical album or prints to preserve these memories for years to come.

However you choose to celebrate this precious milestone, have fun!!

Kate x

Bringing two adorable bundles of joy into the world is a truly magical experience, and I'm the lucky lady that was asked to capture these two beautiful baby girls. 

As a parent of newborn twins, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with double the love and double the excitement. The newborn phase is over in the blink of an eye and a newborn photoshoot is a gorgeous way to commemorate this precious phase. Here are some things you might want to consider

The Beauty of Newborn Twins:

Twins share an extraordinary bond, and capturing their connection through photography is a beautiful way to preserve those early moments forever. From their tiny fingers and toes to their adorable facial expressions, a newborn twins photoshoot presents endless opportunities to capture these precious moments.
 

Timing is Everything:

Ideally, a newborn photoshoot should take place within the first two weeks of their birth when babies are more likely to sleep deeply and curl up into adorable poses. For all our newborn families we recommend booking a flexible session that we can slide once the babies arrive (we know they will all turn up in their own time)

Create a Comfortable Environment:

All newborn babies need a comfortable and safe environment for their photoshoot. We keep the studio lovely and warm (a little too warm for us adults but the babies love it), we have soothing music and a 'baby shusher' playing in the background, with the studio is prepared with blankets, wraps and props. But this isn't just about the babies, we want Mummy and Daddy to have a great experience too. There are drinks and snacks to enjoy and cosy chairs for your to relax in - and if you want to take a nap - go right ahead. 

Embrace Individuality and Togetherness:

While it's wonderful to capture the twins together, we make sure we also focus on their individuality as well. 

Involve the Parents and Siblings:

A newborn twins photoshoot is a family affair and the perfect time to have your first official family portrait. If you have older siblings, introducing twins to the family can be a big change and having big brother/big sister photos can really help to cement that protective bond.  These photos will not only capture this precious time for you, but they are also beautiful images for your children to cherish as they grow and perhaps share with their own children. 

Patience is Key:

Photographing newborn babies and twins is such a rewarding experience that requires a little patience. The sessions are around 4 hours long and this is to allow time for feeding, nappy changing and as much soothing as a baby needs. I use the 5 S's to try and settle babies, but, very occasionally a baby won't settle and that's okay too. We want it to be an enjoyable experience for everyone and in these rare cases we'll reschedule. 

From their first yawns to their tiny smiles, each moment with a newborn is precious and fleeting.  If you'd like to join us for a newborn photoshoot to capture memories your growing family will treasure for generations to come,  get in touch or have a look at the packages and super cute photos on our website. 

Kate
 

A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR SO MANY REASONS

Ask us about a Maternity Photoshoot
 

I appreciate that as your beautiful bump grows, pregnancy can bring a range of emotions, and some women may struggle with body image concerns during this time. All too often, I hear Mummies say "I wish I'd had a maternity shoot but I just didn't feel 'nice'". Consider instead, that a maternity photoshoot can help boost self-confidence by highlighting the beauty and strength of your pregnant body. It allows you to focus on the miracle of life you're carrying and embrace the unique qualities of this stage.
Pregnancy is such a short and precious moment in time, and a maternity photoshoot can be a beautiful and memorable experience for so many reasons. 

Capture a special moment:

Pregnancy is a unique and transformative time in a woman's life. A maternity photoshoot allows you to document this magical stage and the photos are a lasting reminder of the joy, excitement, and anticipation felt during pregnancy.

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

Celebrate your body:

Isn't the female body absolutely AMAZING, bringing about physical changes as your body nurtures and grows a new life! A maternity photoshoot is a chance to embrace and celebrate these changes, showcase the beauty of your baby bump and appreciate the miraculous journey your body is going through.

Memories to share with your baby when they are older:

Photos have the power to evoke emotions and transport you back to a specific moment in time. They can spark conversations, storytelling, and a sense of nostalgia - Imagine telling your little one when they are older 'That's you in there' and letting them see how beautiful and proud Mummy was waiting for them to arrive

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

Include your partner:

A maternity photoshoot is a chance to involve your partner in the process. It allows them to be a part of the celebration and creates lasting memories for them as well. The photos can capture the love, connection, and anticipation shared by both parents.

Help older siblings connect with the new family member:

Introducing a new family member can be a tricky time for older siblings. Including them in the photoshoot helps them to feel special, part of this precious time and excited about the arrival of their younger sibling. 

Make it personal:

Maternity photoshoots are an opportunity to capture YOUR pregnancy journey. Work with a photographer you are comfortable with and that has a style that suits you. Discuss outfits and locations to make sure your photos represent you and your growing family. We have loads of great advice in our blog 'what to wear for a maternity photoshoot' 

Remember, a maternity photoshoot is a personal choice, and it's entirely up to you whether or not to have one. If it aligns with your desires and brings you joy, it can be a wonderful way to celebrate this significant time in your life. You can read more about a Maternity Photoshoot with us HERE

Kate x

Grab your free prep guide download
 

A personal branding shoot can be fun and also a little intimidating if you don't like having your photo taken (I'm in that gang so fully understand how you might feel). Preparing well for your shoot can help you to feel more confident, in control and ensure you get the most from your session. With our personal branding shoots we have a consultation either online or with coffee (now you know I love a coffee). From my point of view as a photographer this helps me to better understand you, your business, what your vision is, what your brand looks and feels like and how you connect with your ideal client. 

Whether you choose us or another photographer who also specialises in personal branding photography, make sure you book a consultation to discuss your concept, goals, and timeline for the photoshoot. 

Here are our recommendations to help you prepare for your consultation and photoshoot. 

Ahead of your consultation

Considering the following will really help your photographer to understand your business and what you want from your images. You can use these points to start your conversation and agree on a plan ahead of your shoot. 

1. Define your personal brand: Before the photoshoot, take some time to clearly define your personal brand. Consider your values, personality, target audience, and the message you want to convey. This will help you align your visual presentation with your brand identity.

2. Choose a concept or theme: Decide on the concept or theme you want to portray in your photos. It could be professional, casual, creative, or any other style that resonates with your personal brand. Do you have a project/promotion coming up that would benefit from some imagery? Consider the locations, props, and outfits that will complement your chosen concept.

3. Research and gather inspiration: Look for inspiration by exploring websites, social media platforms, and magazines to find images that align with your desired brand image. Save these images and create a mood board to share when we meet for coffee.

4. Complete the brand imagery challenge: It can help to look back through your current images on your website and social media and see how 'on brand' they are. Complete our Brand Imagery Challenge and understand where your gaps are. 

Ahead of your photoshoot

You have a clear plan and the date is in the diary, now's the time to gather all your props together, book your hair appointment and look forward to your photoshoot. 

1. Plan your outfits and book your hair appointment: Select outfits that are consistent with your personal brand and the concept of the shoot. Consider your colour palette, style, and the image you want to project. You may want to bring a few outfits and choose colours in line with your brand colours or that compliment your brand colours (you can use this as an excuse to go shopping). Don't forget your nails, they will be visible in close ups, so if you like to wear polish why not treat yourself to a manicure (considering your brand colours again) and if you don't often wear polish just make sure they are clean and tidy (don't do things you wouldn't normally do - be authentic). If it feels good to you, you might want to have your hair and makeup done too. 

2. Prepare props and accessories: If you have specific props or accessories that align with your brand or concept, gather them in advance. This could include items related to your profession, hobbies, or any objects that represent your personality and brand. Props are also a great way to introduce your brand colours into an image - think:

   • Branded mug, or mug in your brand colours

   • Stationery in your brand colours

   • Cushions or thrown in your brand colours

   • Flowers, guess what?.... in your brand colours

   • Laptop

   • Tools of the trade

3. Practice poses and expressions: It may help your confidence if you spend some time in front of a mirror practising different poses and expressions that reflect your personal brand. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident during the photoshoot. Depending on your brand this may not be just smiling, think of expressions you can make to illustrate a message for example - surprise, celebration, confusion, frustration.

The Little Waxing Co.

@thelittlewaxingcompany

Most importantly...

Relax and enjoy the experience: The day before your shoot gather your props and outfits together and grab the photo list you created with your photographer. On the day of the shoot, take your time getting ready and set off to the venue/location in plenty of time so you are nice and relaxed. Remember to have fun, and let your personality shine through. The more comfortable and confident you are, the better your photos will turn out.

By following these steps you can be sure that you'll get the most from your shoot and have fun creating a library of images in line with your brand and that connect with your target audience. 

@geraldinecrane_serene

You can see more details about our personal brand photoshoot packages and some more example photos on our website.

Kate x

I love stock photos, and as a photographer, I can get lost searching through stock photos and admiring the skill and creativity that has gone into creating them. However.... while stock photos can be convenient and cost-effective, they have some potential drawbacks that may not align well with building a strong and authentic brand. 

Drawbacks to using too much stock imagery may be:-

1. Lack of Originality: Stock photos are often used by multiple businesses and individuals across various platforms. This can result in a lack of originality and uniqueness, making it difficult for your brand to stand out from the crowd. Authenticity and uniqueness are essential for creating a memorable brand identity.

2. Inconsistent Branding: Stock photos may not accurately represent your brand's specific aesthetic, values, or target audience and inconsistency in your branding can confuse your audience and dilute your brand's message and identity.

3. Unrealistic Imagery: Using images that don't reflect your audience's real-life experiences can cause them to disconnect and make it harder for them to relate to your brand and sceptical about what you acutally offer.

4. Lack of Emotional Connection: Stock photos often lack the emotional depth and connection that authentic, real-life imagery can provide. Genuine emotions and relatable moments are powerful tools for building a meaningful connection with your audience.

As much as I like this photo it isn't in line with our brand, it would be jarring to see it against our on-brand imagery and I have no reason to talk about beer crates (unfortunately)

It's important to note that stock images do have their place but should be used sparingly with certain guidelines in place to make sure they're still on-brand

Stock images should..

• have a similar look and feel to your brand -  is your brand dark and moody or bright and airy?
• include your brand colours
• include tools of the trade or items that relate to the story ie computer, notepad
• be professionally taken and royalty-free (no watermarks please) - have a look at UNSPLASH and search for on-brand stock photos

I love coffee and talk about it a lot, our brand colours include teal & white so this is a good stock image choice for a post/story that mentions meeting for coffee for a brand consultation, for example. 

Create an image library

Having a library of professional on-brand images that you can draw on at any time will help make your imagery recognisable as you, and support your brand message and uniqueness. Ask us about creating an image library for you.

Brand Imagery Challenge

Has our blog got you thinking about the imagery you're currently using? Take our FREE brand imagery challenge to see where you can improve you photos and connect with your audience. 
 

Keeping Babies And Young Children Cool When The Weather Is Hot
 

FEELING HOT HOT HOT 😎 - The sun is beautiful but keeping your babies and little ones cool can be a challenge and so important for their safety and comfort.

Here are some tips to help you keep them cool:

• Dress them appropriately: Dress your baby or young child in lightweight, breathable clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics as they can trap heat and cause discomfort.

Beautiful La'Reya chilling in her hammock during a newborn photoshoot

• Use sun hats: Protect their head and face from the sun by using wide-brimmed hats that provide shade and cover their neck.

Ronnie - Little Sitter Mini Session

Little Ronnie looks so cute in his flat cap during his photoshoot. 

• Seek shade: When outdoors, find shaded areas such as under trees, canopies, or umbrellas. Limit direct sun exposure, especially during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Stay hydrated: Ensure that your baby or child drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. For babies under 6 months old, breastfeeding or formula feeding should be sufficient. For older children, offer water or diluted fruit juices at regular intervals.

• Use sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to protect their delicate skin from harmful UV rays. Choose a sunscreen specially formulated for babies and young children.

• Cool baths or showers: Give your baby or child a lukewarm bath or shower to help lower their body temperature. Avoid using cold water as it may cause discomfort or shock.

Little Ted and his ducks during a little sitter photoshoot

• Use fans or air conditioning: Keep the indoor environment cool by using fans or air conditioning. Ensure that the room is well-ventilated and not too hot or stuffy.

• Use lightweight bedding: Choose lightweight, breathable bedding materials such as cotton or muslin for their crib or bed. Avoid heavy blankets or bedding that can trap heat.

Alex - Newborn Photoshoot

Our Mini Wrapped newborn shoot has them sleepy in no time

• Dress baby for bedtime: Use these guidelines to make sure your baby is comfortable during these warm days and nights.

You can find more baby sleep advice and support from Baby Sound Asleep

• Monitor for signs of overheating: Keep an eye out for signs of overheating, such as excessive sweating, flushed skin, rapid breathing, irritability, or lethargy. If you notice any concerning symptoms, take steps to cool them down and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.

Stay cool parents, you've got this. 

What To Wear For A Maternity Photoshoot

Having a maternity photoshoot can be a beautiful and memorable experience for so many reasons. You'll create lasting memories - imagine showing the photos to your baby when they are older 'that's you in there'. It's a chance to include your partner and any older siblings, making it special for everyone, not to mention boosting your confidence by celebrating your body,  but...... WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR?........

First of all, remember that these photos are for you. You don't have to share them with friends or on social media, they are your personal memories and if you want to keep them private then you should, and just wear what you want to!!

Showcase your bump: 

Form-fitting dresses or tops that hug your curves can create a beautiful silhouette and highlight the shape of your beautiful bump. In our studio we have a couple of outfits and beautiful lighting that really accentuate your pregnant belly. 

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

Underwear:

Speak to your photographer and ask if your underwear will be on show and what colours they recommend. If you know the gender of your baby, you might want to consider adding a splash of pink or blue to personalise it. Yes, this is an excuse to do a bit a pretty underwear shopping (you're welcome).

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

Flowing fabrics:

Flowy dresses or skirts can create a soft and ethereal look, adding a touch of elegance to your photos. These types of garments can also provide movement and create beautiful, dynamic shots.

Comfort is key:

Opt for clothing made from soft, stretchy, and breathable fabrics that will keep you comfortable throughout the photoshoot. Maternity-specific clothing or garments with an empire line can provide extra comfort and accommodate your growing belly. Why not make it more personal by wearing your partner's oversized shirt?

Include your partner and family:

If you're including your partner or siblings in the photoshoot, coordinate outfits to create a cohesive look, or consider a bare chest for Daddy and young siblings. 

Making it special

It can be hard work with all this gorgeous modelling, so we like to make sure we have snacks and drinks on hand for Mama-to-be (and kids) just to make it extra special. 

If you'd like us to capture this precious moment for you and your family you can see more details here 

Kate x

5 Must-Have Shots For Your Next Branding Photoshoot

With any Personal Branding Photoshoot it's always a good idea to have a consultation to help your photographer understand you, your business, your brand identity and your ideal client. From this, you and your photographer can create a list of images to capture during your shoot. In this Blog, we look at 5 must-have shots for any branding shoot. 

Not sure who your ideal client is - complete this simple and FREE ideal client exercise

Headshot: A professional headshot is a staple for personal branding. It captures your face and showcases your personality, making it a crucial photo for business cards, social media profiles, and professional websites. Make sure that your headshot represents your brand identity and desired image you want to project.

You Doing Your Thing: Including an action shot or photo of you doing your thing can add dynamism and energy to your personal brand. It can show your ideal client what it's like to work with you and demonstrate your expertise and passion.

Why is personal brand photography important?

Environment Shot: Including a photo that showcases your work environment or a relevant setting adds context and authenticity to your personal brand. It could be an office space, a studio, a natural backdrop, or any location that aligns with your brand message. This photo helps viewers connect with you and understand your professional background.

The Little Waxing Co.

Tools Of The Trade: Capture a close-up shot of a unique object, accessory, or element that represents your brand and personal style. It could be a laptop, an item you use in your role, or anything that reflects your brand identity. This photo can also remove some of the mystery of what it's like working with you, and help your ideal client feel more connected with you.

Lifestyle Shot: Incorporating a lifestyle photo that reflects your values, interests, or hobbies can humanise your personal brand. It could be a candid shot of you enjoying an activity outside of work, spending time with your family or simply having a laugh. This type of photo helps showcase your personality and allows your audience to connect with you on a personal level.

Remember to work closely with your photographer to make sure that these photos tell the photos of your brand. Discuss your brand's values, ideal client, brand colours, future projects, and the story you want to tell through these images to get the most from your personal branding photoshoot. 

Complete our Branding Imagery Challenge to see how your current images measure up and think about joining us for a Personal Branding Shoot. 

Kate x
 

With Father's Day just around the corner, here are our top fun and thoughtful gift ideas for the father figure in your life. Our popular Father's Day mini photoshoots are taking place this year on 17th June so, of course, these will be getting a mention.

Pop Up Father's Day Card

We just love this fun pop up card from Amazon, and popped it in our basket straight away

Personalised Mugs

Who wouldn't love a new 'favourite mug' for their morning cuppa? Upload a photo of the family, the kids or a loyal pet to Photobox- you know they'll love it. With the current father's day discount 'SAVE30', these start at just £6.99!!! You could fill it with their favourite sweets or some homemade biscuits - perfect!

Daddysauras T-Shirt

Does your little one love Dinosaurs? Well, this has got to be the perfect gift from them this father's day, and at £7.99 with free delivery on Amazon, your pockets will love it too!!

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle

A personalised jigsaw from Photobox  with between 49 and 2000 pieces, comes in a personalised box- the perfect gift for Dad and Grandad. This will keep them out of mischieve. With the current Father's day discount 'SAVE30', these start at just £14. Now you just have to decide on which photo to use!

Hiver Craft Beer

Erm....Yes Please!!! Award-winning craft beer gift set especially for Father's Day with free delivery on Amazon - we know a few Dads who would love this.

Photography workshop

We have so much fun teaching beginners and hobbyist photography with Going Digital Yorkshire - book a place on a workshop or grab a gift voucher they can redeem against one of the awesome workshops. 

Father's Day Mini Photoshoot

Did we mention our Father's Day mini photoshoots are back? Our fun mini-sessions are running on 17th June and you can see all the details and booking information on our website.

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing Father figures out there.

Kate & Pete x

This blog contains affiliated links which means we get a little bit of commission, at no cost to you, every time you place an order and we are very grateful so thank you!!
 

Your brand photos tell the story of you and your brand.  Remembering that 'people buy from people' it's important to show the face behind your awesome business, your personality and what it's like to work with you. 

With a website and probably several social media platforms to manage, you'll need to refresh your images regularly. We're going to show you have you can create a library of images that you can draw from by either having a professional shoot or taking the photos yourself!!

DIY Brand Portraits,

Sometimes you just want to take a quick photo - perhaps you're at a location that represents your brand, on holiday or at an event and you want a photo of you to show your customers and potential customers where you are. Taking a selfie can be tricky to get right  and any images you take should always have your brand identity in mind - our top tips can be found in our FREE download Introduction To DIY Brand Portrait Photography , or you could dive straight into our online course DIY BRAND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Mini Brand Photoshoot

As someone who is a little camera shy, I appreciate that it can be so much easier when you have someone (as well as me) to cheer you on and give you confidence. We've teamed up with Connect Wakefield (networking and support for women in business) and regularly organise Mini Branding shoots. An opportunity to meet other awesome women in business, we choose a venue and work in groups to create a series of images that show you and your personality. Join our mailing list and find out by email when we arrange our next session, or join Connect Wakefield on Facebook or Instagram and watch out for the announcements. 

Professional Headshots

Sometimes though you want it to be all about you. In our studio in Morley, Leeds, we offer professional headshots. A simple white background helps to put all the focus on you and we create a series of images that are just about you and your lovely smile. These photos are great for LinkedIn, Bio's and newsletters where it's best to keep it simple with an image that's recognisable. 

Personal Brand Photoshoot

The above are all great options for updating your headshots but when you're in business you need more than lovely photos of yourself to show your ideal client.  With a personal brand photoshoot, you'll be working with your photographer to create photos that tell the story of your brand and give your customers, and potential customers, an idea of what it's like to work with you. These will include photos of you but not always your face, it's important to show you doing your thing, whether that's making something, working at a computer or working with a customer. You might want to show tools of the trade to remove some of the mystery for your customers and show your personality to help connect with your ideal client. 

Why is personal brand photography important?

Join us on Facebook and Instagram for Top Tips or get in touch to find out more about our personal branding photoshoots.

Kate x

One of the important decisions to make when planning a personal brand shoot is an appropriate location. Your place, our photography studio, an urban setting or a rural setting?  With so many different options which personal brand photoshoot location is the best one for you?

We all have our favourite locations,  but these aren't necessarily the right place for your shoot - It all depends on your business and your brand. For example, my favourite location is Disney World Florida - as utterly awesome as this place is, it doesn't help to tell the story of our brand or tell our customers what it's like to work with us. 

To begin with, you might want to read our blog How Personal Brand Photography Can Grow Your Business and then consider the location options below and which ones represent your brand the most.

Your Place

Your photos should tell the story of your brand, so if you have business premises (salon, shop etc), or run classes from a certain location,  this should be included in the images. Using your premises will give your customers/potential customers an idea of what it's like to work with you. 

The Little Waxing Co.

Our Studio

Many of us have a home office, and these aren't always the inspiring, modern, minimal settings we'd like our customers to think we work from (typing this, I'm looking at a couple of teddies and a heap of props waiting for me to be bothered to put them back in the loft). So, in the spirit of your images being on brand, we often use our studio as a mock office! Our studio is white, and gives us the perfect blank canvas that you can make 'on-brand' by bringing accessories in your brand colours. Think cushions, throws, stationery, books, flowers - simple but very effective.  

Urban Setting

If you meet your clients in coffee shops or often work from Starbucks (my favourite, away from home, office), then this may be a great location for some of your photos, setting the scene of what it's like when meeting you. 

Rural setting

You may work outside or as part of your message to your clients, you may recommend being in nature, exercising outside, or meditating. Showing an example of you practising what you preach will help to get your message across.  

With a well-planned and full Personal Brand Photoshoot, you may be able to include two locations in your shoot so that you have a full library of images that represent you, your business and your brand. Drop me an email and let's arrange to have a chat about your personal brand photoshoot.

Kate x

Our Glitter mini photoshoots have got to be the most magical of all the photoshoots that we offer in our studio in Morley, West Yorkshire. Imagine, as a kid, throwing glitter, twirling around and lying on the floor and making glitter angels - in fact, imagine that as an adult!!

Isla's Glitter Mini Session

Is it real glitter?

No, it's not real Glitter. Real Glitter, the kind you get on a sparkly Christmas card, would get in eyes and mouths and be quite uncomfortable (and dangerous). We use gold confetti that is easy to pick up and throw, floats through the air and is safe and fun to use.

Is it just for girls?

Absolutely not!! These sessions are for young humans who want to have fun, throw glitter and create fab photos.

Tilly - Glitter Mini Session, Morley, Leeds

What to wear

Our backdrop is black so clothes that are lighter or brighter in colour will stand out and look great in the photos. Something that floats when you twirl will only add to the fun!!

Imogen - Glitter mini photoshoot

How about shoes?

We recommend bare feet. It's easier to move around and feels lovely between your toes. 

Take a little home with you (unintentionally)

All the twirling, throwing and jumping around makes us all very warm and as a result, our models are likely to get some of the glitter stuck to their legs and feet (at the end of the day I look like C3PO). We have some towels available so you can rub the glitter off before you leave but, should you end up taking some home with you, you can pop it in a frame along with a photo from the session and create a lovely reminder. 

Amelie's Glitter Mini Session, Morley, Leeds

Why is it only available on selected days?

As you can imagine the set-up takes quite a long time but it's the clearing up that takes ages🙈. The glitter gets EVERYWHERE and can be quite a challenge at the end of the day. Limiting it to selected days means we can go all out with loads of glitter and makes it extra special.

Grace - Glitter Mini Photoshoot,

After your photoshoot

You've received your gallery, chosen and downloaded your favourite images, but don't just leave them in the digital black hole, print them out! Create a framed print (adding the glitter that you took home) or a large canvas. We can arrange beautiful professional prints and wall art or we can also recommend Photobox as a more budget-friendly alternative.

See the details of the package details here and join our mailing list for priority booking!!

Sparkle and Shine!

But Kate, what is a stock photo? Stock photos are existing images, created and made available for use by licence (either free or paid for). These high-quality images taken by professional photographers can be used to spruce up your social media and website or to support your latest campaign.  Stock photography websites like Shutterstock have thousands if not millions of images for you to trawl through, and it's easy to fall down a photo wormhole (you have been warned). BUT!.... with all the brilliant and sparkly photos it's easy to choose images that don't support your brand or message.

Here are our tips for choosing images that are on-brand and on-message, helping you to stand out online and connect with your customer.  

Know Your Ideal Client

Knowing your ideal client, who she is, what she does and what gets her pumped up will help you choose an image that will appeal to her. 

See, I know you all love coffee like me

Consider Your Brand Colours

As with all your photos, including your brand colours will help your customers to recognise your posts on social media by colour alone and stop the scroll. Using these images on your website will give a consistent look and feel to your site and give the impression of professionalism and quality. 

Turquoise (in various shades) is our brand colour - leading by example and all that

Define Your Style

Your brand should have a clear aesthetic that is recognisable in all your stock images. Whether your brand style is relaxed or formal, your chosen images should be in line with this. 

Always searching for the positive vibes

Tell The Story

Your chosen image, as well as being on-brand, should support your story or message and draw people in to then read your content. 

This image is in our brand colours and with props that support the message in this blog

Brand imagery challenge

Still not sure if your images are hitting the mark? Take part in our FREE Brand Imagery Challenge. We've put together 5 actionable strategies to help you bring your imagery in line with your brand.  With an explanation of why it's important for your business and actions for you to follow, completing this challenge will help you stand out and make creating content easier.  

Get started with our free stock images

We've created a small collection of stock images that you can download for FREE - take a look and consider the guidelines above when selecting an image to use. 

Free stock images
 

Kate x

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

She's an incredible woman and has influenced your life in so many ways. This Mother's Day, create a personalised gift with your own photos to remind her of all the memories you've shared that she can keep close to her heart, or create new memories with a photoshoot in our studio in Morley, Leeds. 

Here are our top gift ideas:

Mother's Day Mini Photoshoot
 

Of course, our No 1 recommendation is a Mother's Day mini-photoshoot with us! Taking place on Sunday 19th March in our Morley studio, these sessions are fun and create memories to last a lifetime.

Photo Mug

Mum and Grandma can have their favourite cup of tea looking at their favourite smiles on Mother's Day with this Photo Mug

Jigsaw

Who doesn't love a Jigsaw!! Put the puzzle together to reveal those precious smiles with the personalised Jigsaw

Photobook

Tell your story in pictures with a photobook you can all look through together and treasure for years to come.

Canvas Wall Art

Create beautiful wall art for that special lady with a Canvas print.

Traditional Prints

Print off your favourite photos and put them in a frame of your choice. Why not get the kids to decorate the frame- who doesn't love a macaroni-embellished photo frame.

Photoshoot Gift Voucher

Whether it's a shoot for the kids or the full family, a photoshoot gift voucher from us creates precious memories for years and generations to come. Drop us an email and we'll start the ball rolling.

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome women who have supported us through the years!

Kate & Pete

xxx

This blog contains affiliated links which means we get a little bit of commission every time you place an order and we are very grateful so thank you!!

A question new parents, grandparents and newborn photographers have asked many many times. We all just want the babies to feel settled and content but sometimes we try EVERYTHING and nothing seems to work. In a recent article in The Guardian they write about how scientists have found, what they feel is, the best way to soothe a crying baby. 

The new strategy follows research on animals whose babies are helpless at birth, such as cats, dogs, mice and humans. The research showed that, when carried by their mothers, the babies became docile. After being carried around for five minutes, all of the wailing babies had stopped crying and nearly half had fallen asleep. The parents weren't out of the woods yet though - with around a third of the babies waking as soon as they were put back to bed. Even laying them down gently didn't work. What did work was sitting with the sleeping baby for five to eight minutes after walking around so they fell into a deeper stage of sleep. 

Try this...

• pick up your crying baby,
• walk around with them for five minutes – without any abrupt stops or sudden changes in direction –
• then sit down and hold them for five to eight minutes
• before laying them back down again.

Of course, the scientists are not claiming that this is a magic wand,  Dr Betty Hutchon from the Brazelton Centre UK reiterated that “Crying is an important and normal communication method for babies – crying gives your baby a voice. Babies have different cries for different needs such as tiredness, discomfort, hunger or wanting to be held and played with. Over time parents learn through trial and error and experience what each cry means. There is no one answer or strategy that suits all crying babies’ needs at all times – different responses will be appropriate at different times.”

During a Newborn Photoshoot we use techniques known as the 5 S's to help soothe our tiny visitors, and we'll be adding this new technique to our list. The 5 S's include Swaddling, Shushing, Swinging, Sucking and Side -  you can read more about the 5's in our blog. Sometimes these techniques will work and sometimes they won't but they are worth a try. It can be hard as new parents, and distressing when you can't figure out what your baby needs, but you've got this.

Kate x

The first week of your baby's life will be a whirlwind of joy and new experiences. Before you know it, it will be over. It helps to think ahead about what pictures you would like to capture. Here are a few ideas to get you started.....

You can see all the details below or click HERE to automatically download your handy guide to those 9 essential photos, and take it to the hospital with you. When you download our guide we'll also give you 10% off any of our full Newborn Photoshoot packages

Popular photos

1. Proud Parents - First moments with Mummy and Daddy are must-have pictures.
 

2. Sleeping: You'll have an abundance of these pictures but I know you will treasure everyone!

Ella, Newborn Photoshoot, Morley, Leeds

Photos you may not have thought about

3. First looks: Seeing your baby for the very first time is the most surreal, incredible experience possible.  If you have someone capture a photo, a series of photographs, or even a video of this special moment I promise you will treasure it forever.  Not because it’s glamorous, but because it’s raw and full of meaning. Whether you want to share these moments with the world or treasure them privately, they will allow you to re-live this special experience over and over. Ask a family member or friend to take them, or even ask a nurse (I really don’t think they’d mind– some even offer).

4. Detail shots: Newborn babies change so quickly.  Make sure to capture all their sweet little features before they go changing on you.

• Hands
• Feet
• Ears
• Facial features
• Leg rolls
• Hair (many times they will lose their hair in the weeks following the birth so it’s fun to remember how much they were born with).

5. With Siblings: If you have more than one child, get some of when they first meet and some at home when they are a little more comfortable with one another.  

Maya - Newborn Photoshoot

6. First family photo: These will be by far some of your favourite pictures; all of you together for the first time.

7. Awake: Good luck getting any of these pictures but if you can, it’s wonderful to have some pictures of their eyes because they will most likely change.

  Cole - Newborn Mini Photoshoot

8. VIP's: Friends and family alike may visit you at the hospital and you will want to remember some of the first people that met your bundle of joy.  Be sure to snap some of those pictures as well!

9. Funny faces: Each baby will have a few signature faces that you’ll want to capture.  They will make some memorable ones, especially during all the poking and prodding in the hospital; their first bath will certainly get a reaction.  And if you see a little smile, well we know it's not a real smile but capture it anyway :)

Alex - Newborn Photoshoot

The photos don't have to be perfect, leave the professional pics to us. This is all about capturing memories and moments in their first, fresh, 48 hours.

When you are home and settled into a routine (or not) that's the time to have their first professional newborn photoshoot. Their first professional family photoshoot, photos with their siblings, and those beautiful and natural photos of them curled up that you can print, share and keep forever.  A newborn photoshoot in our Morley studio is a chance for Mummy and Daddy to rest, enjoy some snacks, sit back and watch as we photograph their beautiful newborn baby.

Email us and book your session before your baby arrives and your whirlwind of joy begins.

Kate x

5 PORTRAIT POSES FOR CAMERA-SHY BUSINESS OWNERS.

Hands up if you don't like being in front of the camera? 🙋‍, Me too! That’s why I stay behind the camera 🤣. Being camera-shy myself, I think that puts me in a great position to help those of you who feel the same - camera-shy kindred spirits if you like.

When I’m working with awesome women in business on their personal brand photoshoots, they must look and feel confident and comfortable. Images like this will help their customers engage and connect, building that know, like and trust factor. 

I have a whole list of poses that send the right message to your customer while making you feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Here are my favourites 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners:

Being Silly - grab yourself a pink bull, have some fun and show your personality 🤣. This is a great way to start the shoot, break the ice and realise it’s all just a bit of fun.

Personal branding photoshoot - 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners

Drinking coffee – Sometimes not knowing what to do with your hands can make you feel super awkward.  Having something as simple as a cup of coffee in your hands can help you to relax. Yes, I know that wine would have the same effect but perhaps not the right message for your customer.

Personal branding photoshoot - 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners

Working on your laptop - Customers like to see behind the scenes, and sitting at your laptop gives the customer an idea of what goes on behind the scenes.

Personal branding photoshoot - 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners

Over your shoulder - We can still tell that it's you, and this feels even more relaxed. With all the space next to you in the picture, it’s the perfect image to use and add text in Canva.  

Personal branding photoshoot - 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners

Blurred in the background - With the focus in the foreground, we can still see you but the viewer's eye is drawn to the foreground. This is an excellent opportunity to show off some of your products or a tool of the trade.

Personal branding photoshoot - 5 portrait poses for camera-shy business owners

Not ready to jump in front of my camera yet? Have a go at taking your own on-brand portraits using your phone (no pouty selfies, please) with our FREE download – Introduction to DIY brand portrait photography.

With any of the images you use on your website, social media etc, your images must be on-brand whether working with a professional photographer, having a go yourself or using stock images. If you're not sure whether your images are hitting the mark, you might want to take a look at our Brand Imagery Challenge. It's FREE and a great way to make sure you are on-brand and standing out from the crowd. 

Kate x

If you own a business relying heavily on your online presence, then investing in personal branding photography is an essential part of your marketing. Especially if you want your photos to show your personality and tell a story.

How Personal Brand Photography Can Grow Your Business

Purchases are often made based on emotions attached to first impressions. Personal branding can help influence what your customer thinks and feels about your business or products and hugely affect the success of your business (well, I'm up for that).

How Personal Brand Photography Can Grow Your Business

Professional photography is a huge asset to any business and having a library of images to draw from can save you time and money not to mention what the images say about your fabulous business. Read our handy blog and start creating your own Image Library

Make the most of your investment by:

• Placing your photos throughout your website to help tell the story of your brand. People buy from People and personalising your website helps to create trust.

• Using them on all your social media accounts to increase visibility and engagement. Think about the images that stop you from scrolling, that inspire you, what impression did those images create for you.

• Using them in newsletters - to 'show' your customers, it's more effective than telling them.

• Using them in press releases - got an event to shout about or a new product/service? It's free marketing! Use your awesome new Personal Branding photos to attract press and attention.

• Placing them in your sales and landing pages - did you know this could lead to better conversion rates.

• Showing people who you are - add a photo to your email signature and if you get the chance to speak at an event, send them a photo along with your bio to personalise it.

• Use them in your print marketing - using your personal branding photography in brochures, leaflets etc will help people remember who you are.

Why is personal brand photography important?

Once you have your library full of on-brand image. it's important to share images of yourself regularly (I know this makes most of us cringe). Regularly sharing images of you or you doing your think help to build the 'know, like and trust' factor and encourages people to buy from you. Our FREE DOWNLOAD will help you take better on-brand self-portraits ( the selfie you took on a night out 5 years ago isn't going to cut it - sorry), so you can create fresh images that will remind your customers who you are. 

I love meeting up with awesome women in business to get a better understanding of their business and brand identity. This always helps me to get the photos that represent them and their business. Get in touch and ask me to create brand images that tell your story and inspire your customers. 

Personal Branding With Campbell's Photography

Kate x

How To Take Baby Photos With Your Phone

Capturing those precious moments of your baby throughout their first month will create lasting family memories for generations. And more often than not, we only have the camera on our phones handy during those beautiful, spontaneous moments. Photographing those first cries only happens once. This is their beautiful beginning, their very first life experiences. And you need to capture it. I love nothing more than posing a brand new baby and photographing them in my studio. But, some of your most treasured images may be captured on your phone. Images that show their personality, the mess that they make and the everyday craziness you won't want to forget.

We share our top tips for photographing your baby's first month in our FREE DOWNLOAD - with tips like...

• Take photos in the morning as I find babies are usually happier at the beginning of the day.
• Get down nice and low to view the world at their level.

The tips in our FREE DOWNLOAD will set you on your way to taking better baby photos. But, if you'd like to take it to the next level, you might want to consider our online course and with a 25% discount code, this is the ideal time to hone your phone photography skills and capture beautiful photos of your baby.

Buy now and get 25% off

£35 - just £26.25 with your discount

 How To Take Beautiful Baby Photos With Your Phone - Online Course  - Code - 2T87MDMDC1

With 8 videos, in this course, we share the tips and techniques we use as professional photographers, to help you take beautiful photos of babies using just a smartphone. Watch the videos from start to finish and then dip in and out as you need to.

How To Take Baby Photos With Your Phone

So, what's included?

Videos

Each video has a tutorial and exercise for you to complete to put what you've learnt into practise, covering:

• Phone camera basics
• Setting the scene - backdrops, props & outfits
• Lighting and composition - sometimes the angle can make all the difference
• Soothing and settling - we share our top 5 tips
• Poses and swaddling
• Editing and printing
• Planning your session

Downloads

• The 5's pdf - with a more in-depth explanation of the soothing technique
• Course download document - with a summary of each video, details of each exercise, and a planning section for you to make notes and plan your photoshoot.

This is for you if. . .

• You want to move away from taking millions of 'snaps', to capture beautiful baby images.
• You want to take time to consider and plan your own mini photoshoots.
• You want to take 'print-worthy' images that you'll be proud to display and give as gifts.

Buy now and get 25% off

£35 - just £26.25 with your discount

 How To Take Beautiful Baby Photos With Your Phone - Online Course  - Code - 2T87MDMDC1
 

Or, give the course as a gift to new parents or grandparents that you know, with a voucher from Campbell's Photography

  How To Take Baby Photos With Your Phone

Creating Wall Art With A Professional Photoshoot

This course can be the perfect addition to a newborn photoshoot with us (well, we had to just squeeze this in). Let us capture those beautiful newborn memories and your very first official family photo, and then take your own beautiful photos as your baby grows - Newborn Photoshoot Packages.

Creating wall art with your images has been scientifically proven to boost children's self-esteem. According to psychologists, photography has a positive benefit for children's self-esteem and helps them develop stronger confidence. So, however you capture the photos, don't leave them as digital create something tangible for everyone to enjoy.

So, what will your next steps be?...
 

Take me to the FREE download

Teach me how to take better baby photos on my phone

I'm leaving it to the pro's - take me to your newborn photoshoot packages.

Kate & Pete

The photos you use give your customers the first impression of you and your business - Good or Bad!! With the help of a very delicious scenario, we're going to look at why personal brand photography is important for your business. 

Why is personal brand photography important?

@nordwoodthemes

Cue the scenario - Ok, so Imagine this.... 

You’ve had a busy day, you are hungry but on a mission to stay healthy, so you head, as planned, to the healthy food café.

With a quick scroll through Instagram on the way, you spot a photo posted by the new café in town and STOP THE SCROLL!! There, staring right back at you, a photo of the most delicious, freshly baked cake being taken out of the oven. So fresh, you can imagine the smell and….. all of a sudden YOU WANT ONE!! GOT TO HAVE ONE, after all, it won’t be oven-fresh for long.

I’m willing to bet your next move is to change direction and get one of those cakes fresh from the oven (anyone else now feeling hungry? Sorry).

Notice what just happened in your decision-making process (and willpower)? You see a photo and you want what’s in the photo, it’s that simple!

Why is personal brand photography important?

@cottercrunch

As humans, we are visually orientated and we shop with our eyes (note to self, unfollow all local bakeries).

Now put this situation in your personal brand and business and think about it! What do your images say about you and your business, would they stop the scroll and draw the customer in?

A great place to start is by taking our free brand imagery challenge to see if your imagery is hitting the mark.

Why is personal brand photography important?

While you post occasional headshots, product photos or random stock images found on the internet -  you are missing a massive opportunity to connect with your audience.

Through your brand photography, you’re giving your customer the opportunity to get to know you, what you stand for and what it would be like to work with you. 

Why is personal brand photography important?

If people feel as though they know like and trust you, they’re 10 times more likely to buy into what you’re offering and choose you over anyone else (choosing cake over the intended salad). and I think we'll all take those odds.

Professional personal brand photography can help you build this trust with your audience and of course, I want to help you achieve this. I love to work collaboratively to create a library of on-brand images for my clients, that tell their story.  So if you'd like to join me for a consultation (and of course cake) drop me a message and we'll arrange to chat about your brand imagery.  You can see more information about personal brand photography with me, including our packages, on our website.

In the meantime, you can learn how to take your own on-brand portraits using just your smartphone with our online course, and let your customers see who you are,  and sign up to receive our weekly Top Tips to help bring your imagery on-brand.

Kate 

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year (along with Christmas) perhaps because I’m a Halloween baby! With all the parties, events and of course Trick or Treating, I like to think that everyone is just celebrating my birthday with me. One thing is for sure, this is the time to grab a camera (or smartphone) and capture memories that you can look back on with your family for years to come. As experts in the field of Halloween and Photography, we’re sharing our fun and not-so-spooky Halloween photoshoot ideas with you.

Halloween is also the perfect excuse to go over the top with decorations. With a few trips to the US over Halloween where they REALLY know how to do Halloween, we’ve started to decorate our house for my birthday…. Erm,.. I mean Halloween, and also our photography studio, creating lots of photo opportunities inside and out.

Halloween photoshoot ideas

What’s everyone going to wear?

First things first, what is everyone going to wear? Of course, there are loads of costumes at the supermarket, but have you thought about making your own? Or supporting an independent business? Take a look at Bella’s Baby Boutique for cute My 1^st Halloween outfits – this a convenient online business run by a local lady.  

My 1st Halloween outfit, Bella's Boutique

Now on to the bit we love….Getting creative with your photos

You’ve carefully chosen or better still, made an outfit for your kids for Halloween, and you want to take photos with something more creative that the kitchen cupboards as a backdrop. Here are our top tips for a more authentic Halloween pic.

Take your photos during the day

Nighttime is spooky, but so much more difficult from a photography point of view. Take advantage of the autumn colours and get outside for your shoot amongst the autumn leaves.

Halloween photoshoot ideas

Make a scene in your garden with lots of pumpkins

Pick pumpkins of various sizes from large to mini, and sit your kids on them or in front of them.  When you’re done put them (the pumpkins, not the kids) on your front step for decoration before chopping them up for pumpkin soup (yum!), or leaving them in the garden – the bugs love them!

Halloween photoshoot ideas

Give the kids something to do

Using old cardboard boxes and pencils/crayons/coloured paper/paint, they can create their own spooky background – the perfect personal backdrop for your photo and it will keep them out of mischief for a while (you're welcome).

Halloween photoshoot ideas

Pumpkin patch

Going to the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkin is soooo exciting!! Take the kids with their outfits on and take some snaps while you are there - two birds, one stone, done!

Halloween photoshoot ideas

My 1^st Halloween

If it’s your little ones 1^st Halloween, why not join us in the studio for a not-so-spooky My 1st Halloween photoshoot? We do all the decorating, you just need a very cute outfit and a baby who can sit independently and older. We will capture the first of many fun Halloween photos for you to treasure and share with your family (beware - the cuteness may be too much for some) - Send us an email for details or to book.

Charlie - My first Halloween Mini Session

If you want to do it all yourself and take your phone photography to the next level try our online course – 'How to take beautiful baby photos on your smartphone'. A series of training videos to help you capture beautiful photos and memories for Halloween, Christmas and every day in between.

We hope this has been useful and that you enjoy a fun-filled and HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

Kate & Pete

Arrange a consultation

Sign up for top brand Imagery tips

In a nutshell, It’s the creation of a selection of images that tell the story of you and your personal brand, taking your brand message, your mission, your colours and your awesome personality and bringing it all together in a photo shoot.

Your personal brand is what sets you apart from the crowd, it’s what makes you unique and interesting. With your personal branding photos you want to show the experience only you can create for your clients and followers, showing them what it would be like to work with you.  It is what catches their attention when they are scrolling through social media.

Why is personal brand photography important?

Your shoot will of course include headshots, your customers, potential and current, need to know who you are and we all know people by from people.  But it’s so much more than just headshots, the images created will show what it’s like to work with you and elicit thoughts and emotions from customers when they look at your images. Your images are the first impression you make on your clients, they should be high quality and convey the message you want your clients to see when they think of your brand.

Carefully styled in line with your brand the photos will show people your personality, behind the scenes of your business and the services/products you offer.  Your photos should be authentically you, giving them an idea of what it would be like to work with you.

Your images can go on everything from your business cards to your website. They can be curated into your social media and used in ads and banners. If you are a personal brand in today’s market, your image is your reputation and the first impression your clients will see. It should be first-class. 

Your personal branding photoshoot is an important investment for your business, and a major part of your marketing strategy. Your shoot should be carefully planned with your photographer so you have a selection of images that you can use across social media, your website, for press releases and in print. 

Of course, I'd love to be the photographer to help you create on-brand images - get in touch for a consultation and let's create some on-brand images that make you stand out from the crowd. You can also get Top Tips for keeping your imagery On-brand by joining our mailing list (only good stuff - never any spam. 

Kate x

You’ve just invested in a beautiful photoshoot and you’ve got some gorgeous photos that you just can’t wait to show off. But WAIT! Don’t just pop them in a frame - considering the way you display your images from your photoshoot can turn your image from a framed print to a swoon-worthy piece of wall art. Here are our tips for choosing the right wall art for your home

Colour

Ideally, you’d have an idea of where you’re wall art will go before your photoshoot. You can then consider the colour and tones of that room when deciding on the outfits for your photoshoot. Your photos will then fit seamlessly into your room.

Size

Find a place where you want your photo to be displayed then think about the size of the wall art. Too small and it will be lost, too big and it will dominate the room. We’ve been known to create a template from paper, Blue Peter style, and stick it on the wall to get an idea of scale. The 33”x50” frameless acrylic on our office wall looks amazing!!

Material

Decide on a style of wall art to compliment your room, in the same way that you would consider furniture or accessories for your room. If a frame is what you are looking for, consider whether a traditional or modern style would suit your home better. Then choose a colour for the frame that, again, compliments the room. Or maybe a more contemporary product like acrylic or canvas would suit your home better.

Multiples

Sometimes you may want to display a series of images to tell a story – for example, photos from your baby's first 12 months, showing those precious milestones from their newborn photoshoot, little sitter photoshoot and 1^st birthday photoshoot.

These would look great in a single-frame collage or as a cluster of wall portraits. This cluster is perfect for filling that long narrow space above a sofa in your and using acrylic ensures that your images stand out which creates an interesting, sleek contemporary wall display.

Have a look at our Wall Art products here - how will you display yours?

Kate & Pete x

Personal Branding Mini Shoot Waiting List

I love being the photographer for Connect Wakefield, a monthly networking event for awesome women in business. With great guest speakers to learn from, I've made lots of new friends who support and encourage each other. As you can see from the photos below, it's fairly informal and loads of fun - come and join us, you can find details on facebook and Instagram 

In collaboration with Connect Wakefield, we've been running Personal Branding Mini Photoshoots. These are a great way to get up-to-date, professional headshots for your social media and website.  We change the venue each time to give variety in the images, and it's always another great way to meet new people or speak to someone you haven't had a chance to catch up with at Connect. 

The photos you show to your customers give a 1st impression - good or bad - so make sure you're sending the right message.

It's always a good idea to bring a few props to help personalise your photos and make them more 'on-brand'. This might be a 'tool of the trade', something with your logo on, or simply stationery in your brand colours. 
 

We hold these sessions several times a year at different locations, add your name to the mailing list to be the first to find out about the next one - I promise you won't be spammed.
 

Looking for something more than headshots?

If you're looking for more than headshots, you might want to consider a personal branding photoshoot. We'll work together to create a library of images that show your customer what it's like to work with you. You can see more details here 

Kate x

Priority Booking Waiting List

Just imagine.... throwing glitter in the air and twirling around as it falls around you. As a kid, I would have loved this - to be honest, I would love it as an adult, just don't tell anyone. 

Tilly - Glitter Mini Session, Morley, Leeds

I know Tilly, It's just so exciting!

Our little glitter girls and boys can be a little hesitant to start with - after all, as adults we spend our time telling them not to throw things and to stop making a mess. Those rules don't apply here, and we capture all these gorgeous and fun memories in a photoshoot in our studio! 

Isla's Glitter Mini Session

Let's make glitter angels!

For safety we don't use actual glitter, I'm sure it would get into eyes and be really quite dangerous. The gold confetti we use is fun, floaty and most importantly, safe to throw around. 

Sophie's Glitter Mini Session

Jumping up and down and throwing glitter - so much fun!

Make it part of their memories

Be warned ........ glitter can get caught in outfits, hair and stick to skin if we get a bit warm, so you will be taking some home with you even if you don't want to - that's all part of the glitter photoshoot magic! I'm sure you will want to print your photos out, why not put some of the glitter in the frame with the photo - it's all part of the photoshoot memories. 

Grace - Glitter Mini Photoshoot,

Just imagine a giant print or canvas like this of your little one, on their wall!

We run these Glitter days just a couple of times a year, in spring and autumn. As you can imagine the Glitter photoshoots are popular, with priority going to those on our mailing list - join our list, and be the first to find out about these and other seasonal photoshoots (no spamming we promise).

See our sparkly Glitter page for package details and future dates (if available) 

Brand Imagery Challenge

Congratulations - you've taken the first step to improve your brand imagery by joining our challenge. We've put together 5 actionable strategies to help you bring your imagery in line with your brand.  With an explanation of why it's important for your business and actions for you to follow, completing this challenge will help you stand out and make creating content easier. We've also got some free stock images for you to get you started - your reward for completing the challenge. 

1. Brand Imagery Guidelines
2. Images - Back To Basics
3. Extend Your Visual Branding
4. Create Your Image Library.
5. Keep Moving In The Right Direction

Brand Imagery Guidelines

When it comes to the imagery the aim is to ensure that ALL imagery is recognisable as YOU!. You need to make sure you have a consistent photo style, logo and colour palette across all social media and your website. The easiest way to keep track of this is to create Brand Imagery Guidelines and stick to them - Over time, your customers will see the consistency in posts and begin to recognise when a post is from you without seeing your brand’s logo or social media handle. 
 

Actions - Create your brand imagery guidelines

• Have you got a logo? This is a must - If you don't have one you can create your own or ask someone to create one for you using fiverr
• What are your brand colours? Consider these colours in the clothes you wear on a shoot and in the background of your images. Just a pop of colour tells your audience it's you. (You'll see our logo colours all over our social media - even bought a couple of new tops & stationery to match). 
• Is your brand style - formal or informal? Light and airy or with bold colours? This style should be reflected in your images. Getting this wrong can be very confusing for your audience. Imagine a stuffy old boys boardroom photo for quirky young female sports clothing company 'Roxy' - it makes no sense. 
• Are you going to use a filter - if so which one represents your brand style? 

Images - Back To Basics

Now you've created your guidelines it's useful to perform an audit of your imagery.  There are lots of stock images out there, and we often use them for a 'quick post'.  But with so many different styles, you have to be careful that the images are not confusing for your audience. Remember people connect with people - it's good to show people who is behind the business too. 

Actions

• Perform an audit across all of your social media accounts and website - Ensure logos, banners and images are consistent with your brand guidelines,  and audit regularly.
• Make sure you’re posting on a schedule consistently and that your content aligns with the look and feel of the branding you’ve established.
• When choosing new images always ask the questions, 'is it in line with my guidelines', 'will my customer recognise it as me'

Extend Your Visual Branding

So now that you have a consistent visual brand across social media and your website accounts, it’s time to enhance that even further. What does that mean? It means ensuring you have the same colours, style and font reflected in your images, graphics and videos. When a photo/graphic is published on social media or your website, are the overlay text fonts consistent with your brand guidelines? 

Actions

• Create templates for the same type of announcement (e.g. new product announcement, quotes, special offers) considering the font, colour and image design agreed in your Brand Imagery Guidelines.
• Create photos and videos that keep your brand’s aesthetic and colour choices in mind. The posts should flow seamlessly into each other. Use carefully chosen stock images, when taking your own images consider your guidelines or ask a branding photographer to take a whole series of images that you can use confident that they meet your guidelines. - Of course, we're not going to miss the opportunity to promote our photography services here. Drop me a message I'm always happy to meet for coffee and chat about branding photography that tells your story.

Create Your Image Library

The, sometimes, overwhelming demand for continuous and fresh social media content can be eased by having everything prepared in advance and accessible anywhere, any time. A carefully created library will ensure you have on-brand imagery and templates to hand. 
 

For a more in-depth look at Image Libraries pop on over to our Image Library blog   

Actions

• Brainstorm ideas of what resources you might need. Think about the articles you will write, blogs, social media posts etc and the resources you will need to complete them. These might be brand photography like portrait photos, products or stock images as well as logos and templates.
• Create an online storage space for your library so you can access your image library anywhere in the world and allow shared access - we love Google Drive.
• Organise your storage space, add your resources and keep it up to date!

Keep moving in the right direction

Thank you for completing our Brand Imagery Challenge, why not get your image library off the ground with a series of photos that are so much more than just headshots - they tell the story of your business. You can see more of the details on our website, or drop me an email and we'll arrange to meet for a no-obligation chat (any excuse to meet for coffee). Not ready to jump in front of the camera yet? Have a look at our Stock PhotoShop. and see if there is a collection in line with your brand colours. 

CONGRATULATIONS - You've completed the challenge, and we think YOU DESERVE A REWARD - here are some FREE STOCK IMAGES to download and get you started!!! We hope you are now feeling more confident with brand imagery that is clearly YOU! 

Kate x

[email protected]

&

How To Create One

Brands and colours are inevitably linked – think Golden Arches, Tiffany Blue or breast cancer’s Pink Ribbon. After all, colours create a vibrant visual experience. They make things more attractive, affect our mood and can even subconsciously shape action. As a result, brands put a lot of thought into the colours they use because it is where the first impressions of your customers are based. 
 

Let's dig a little deeper, understand why colour is important, what the different colours mean and how to create a palette perfect for your brand. 

Did you know - According to the Institute for Color Research (CCICOLOR), the average person makes a subconscious judgment about a product, person or the environment within 90 seconds. More than 2/3 of that judgment is based on colour! 
 

Brand Colour Psychology

Colours are more than just a visual aid, they convey emotions, feelings and experiences.

Have a look at the colour board below, and the meaning linked to each. Which colours are best suited to your brand?

What To Consider Before Choosing Your Colour Palette

As well as the meaning of the colours there are other things to consider. 
 

Match the colour to the message.

Think about what you want to say and match your message to the right colour shade. For example, imagine a Tropical Island Carnival company using black and grey as their brand colours - it doesn't quite fill you full of sunshine, fun or celebration does it?

Connect with your customers

Knowing and speaking to your ideal client is essential in all your marketing. When choosing your brand colours you should also consider your ideal client, what would appeal to them and encourage them to engage. Also, consider your brand's personality and whether the colour represents how formal or informal your brand is.

Did you know - MacDonald’s famous red and yellow are probably the two most difficult colours to combine. The jury is out on whether the founders conducted deep analytical research, or whether it was simply because they used Ketchup & Mustard in the original cheeseburger.

Choosing Your Colour Palette

We know why colour is important and which colours are going to appeal to your customer, now it's time to nail that colour palette. 

There are some great websites to help you.

A whole new colour palette

You can have hours of fun with Coolors colour palette generation website. You might want to set yourself a time limit - we got totally lost in all the pretty colour combinations. 

Create a palette around an existing colour

If you already have a base colour and know the colour number (#00000), you can use Colourspace to create a palette around your existing brand colour. Giving you different colour/shade options while maintaining a recognisable colour scheme.

Using Your Colour Palette

Now you've got your colour palette sorted, you need to make sure you are using it. Consistency in the use of your brand colours will only strengthen your identity in the market. It also helps you and your brand to stand out, eventually gaining the trust, loyalty and familiarity of customers.

• When having a brand photoshoot (by the way, we can help you with that), use props and outfits in your brand colours to tie it all together.
• Make a note of the colour number (#00000) for each of your colours, use these to make sure you get the colour spot on.
• Use templates in your brand colours. Canva is a great tool for creating and branding post templates - you can use your colour numbers (#00000) for accuracy.
• Make sure you use the same colours in your logo, on your website and across social media. 

Building A Strong Brand

You're now ready to start creating a strong visual brand and we have some resources available to help you on your way.  

Stock photo colour bundles - A whole stack of stock images in your brand colours to download and use across social media and your website

Social media planner - Success is in the planning and our handy planner will help you get ahead of the game. But more than that, it will help you recognise your ideal client, brand personality and tone of voice, helping you engage with your customer.

To get you started we have some FREE FLATLAY STOCK IMAGES (and let's face it, who doesn't love a freebie!!) - join our mailing list and we'll send you a link so you can download your favourites.  -   SEND ME SOME FREE STOCK IMAGES 

Have fun and enjoy getting creative 

Kate x

Sign up for our Free - Newborn Essential Checklist

& get 10% off our Full Newborn sessions

What an absolute pleasure it has been to capture this family's next big milestone with the arrival of little Isla. At just 9 days new,  she obviously felt safe with big brother Isaac.

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

I love to start a session with a sibling photo, it helps them to bond and makes the older sibling feel important at a time when the focus is more towards the newest member of the family. It also means that older siblings are then free to leave and spend some fun time with a parent/grandparent - the full newborn session is up to four hours long and a great chance for the new parents to relax - but for the older siblings.... it's just boring.

Once the gorgeous sibling photos were finished it was time to put all our attention on baby Isla. With a full tummy, she slept, well...., like a baby. So sweet and just look at all that hair - beautiful!

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

With our soft and light backdrops, all the focus is on little Isla, and with a similar colour pallet throughout, they will look great as a collection of images printed out around their home.

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

Do I see a little smile there?

Stopping for feeding and soothing when Isla needed to, she quickly went back to sleep and even had a moment to chill in her hammock.

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

Imagine this as a framed print on a wall

I love our new moon and stars prop, and Isla just looks gorgeous safely positioned on the supersoft cushion. I didn't want to disturb her and we all just stood looking at her and all her cuteness. 

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

Of course, with every newborn photoshoot, it is important to capture all their fresh and tiny newborn features - hands, feet, lips etc 

Isla - Newborn Photoshoot

All our full newborn photoshoots include a free Little Sitter photoshoot - I don't want to wish time away, but I'm already looking forward to seeing the whole family again to capture Isla's next big milestone when she can sit independently. 

We are really passionate about capturing those precious early days of a new family and their newborn baby, and we have something to help every family capture beautiful memories. Whether that's a newborn photoshoot or an online course so you can capture beautiful memories on your phone - have a look at the links below or drop me an email. 

Full Newborn Photoshoot

Newborn Mini Wrapped Photoshoot

How to take beautiful baby photos on your smartphone - online course

Top Tips for photographing your babies 1st month

Kate x

Are you left a little disappointed by impersonal school photos? A moment in time and tradition we feel obliged to buy, just like our parents did for us?

I've been looking back through my old school photos with fondness (and a little horror) and also a little sadness. If it wasn't for my Mum lovingly writing the year on the back of the photos, I wouldn't have a clue when it was taken. And I'm still left wondering which school year I was in and who my teacher was. Who were my best friends at this time? What did I want to be when I was older, I wonder if I wanted to be a photographer? In contrast, our Back To School photo shoots are full of fun, capturing their gorgeous personality and personal memories of this stage in their life.

The chance to capture your little one looking cute and smart in their uniform without any school dinner down their front. With a little more time to capture their personality and with the addition of a personalised chalkboard background to perfectly capture memories for you all to treasure. 

So you decide.....

These sessions are run on selected dates only - sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out and get priority booking for this and other seasonal mini sessions.

Kate x

** Photo has been shared with parents permission, though personal details have been changed.

What To Wear For A Newborn Photoshoot

Your Newborn Portrait session isn't just a chance to capture those beautiful newborn memories, it's also an opportunity for your first official family photo.

I often get asked 'what shall we wear?' Here are my top tips on what to wear for your family portrait and how to stay cool for the whole session, whether you have opted for a family photo or not.

Family portraits

This is your first official family photoshoot and it's important that your tiny newborn baby doesn't get lost in the photos. Wearing complimenting colours is a great way to make sure the focus is all on your family. Bright colour, busy patterns and logos can be really distracting and take the attention away from your new baby, so keep it soft and simple with a matching colour palette.  

Jude - newborn photoshoot

It's going to get very warm

We keep the photography studio temperature around 22 degrees which is perfect for a newborn baby, who may be unclothed for some photos, but a little warm for us adults. Wear layers that you can remove as you get warmer.

But I don't want to look sweaty in photos!

Don't worry you won't. We take sibling and family photos first when we are all fresh-faced and not too warm. 

Charlie - Newborn Photoshoot

A change of clothes

Little accidents happen and, with a naked baby, I think it's safe to assume that we're all at risk of getting a little wee or poop on us. You may want to bring a change of clothes for your selves just in case. 

See you for gorgeous newborn memories in our studio.

Kate x

Something Special For New Parents

Baby season will soon be upon us - yes 'baby season' is actually a thing - with couples having a happy Christmas and New Year, September and October are busy months for those of us in the baby industry. To make it extra special for those of you joining us for a newborn photoshoot at this time,  we've put together a lovely gift set with help from some awesome local businesses. 

I have sampled the tea and biscuits and can confirm they are delicious!
 

From July '22 to October '22 we'll be giving new parents this lovely gift set when they book Newborn Photoshoot packages One or Two in our studio in Morley, Leeds. Make your booking from July '22 to October '22 for a shoot in July '22  or for the following 9 months, and we'll give you your lovely gift set when you come for your photoshoot. 

Including

• Hello Baby, newborn journal - to capture all those precious 1st-year memories
• Welda organic baby essentials - all-natural nappy cream and body wash/soap - recommended by midwives, this will be kind to your babies skin, courtesy of Vanquility in Morley  (facebook - @VanquilityWellbeing )
• Baby massage class with Mama Tree baby massage- this gorgeous class is the perfect way for you to spend time with your baby.
• Organic Tea - Calm Me & Happy Me - just choose the one that suits your mood.
• Luxury biscuits - because we all need (and deserve) a little sugar treat.  

Newborn photoshoot - a cherished experience

A newborn photoshoot with us is not just about the photos, it's about the whole experience. We want you to look at your photos and have really happy memories of the time you spent in our studio - all part of our campaign to Cherish. Every. Moment. 

Full newborn sessions are baby-lead and last up to 4 hours, this is to allow plenty of time for feeding and soothing your baby.  During your session you’ll also get chance to relax with some drinks and snacks while I settle your baby and create incredible images of their first days, and of you too if you wish.

Ideally, newborn photographs are taken when your baby is between 5 and 14 days old. Of course, we can photograph older babies up to around 10 weeks old - they don't like to curl up like newborns but we will still capture plenty of beautiful moments as they start to show their personality.
 

You can read more details about our beautiful sessions here and of course, there are more super cute baby photos to see. 

The lovely gift set, is for packages one or two and you can email to book or ask any questions you might have.

[email protected]

Kate x

'OUTSTANDING'

I recently had a newborn photoshoot with Kate for my son and in one word it was 'OUTSTANDING!' Kate was amazing with him. She was very aware of his cues and when the right time was to get the perfect pictures without disturbing him. She was very patient to his needs and working around his routine. And was VERY understanding when "little accidents" happened on her bedding and materials that he kindly left behind!! The photos I received at the end were perfect and just what we wanted and more. They brought tears to my eyes (happy tears of course) I would have no doubt in recommending Kate to anyone and already have!! I expect I will in the future use Campbell's photography for further special occasions and moments in our lives as I know they would capture those memories perfectly. Thank you Kate for capturing our first memories of our beautiful son, these will be treasured forever xxx

Rachel Galbraith

Photography Studio - Refer A Friend Scheme

We are always over the moon when our lovely clients give us glowing feedback about their experience with us in our photography studio. Many have recommended us to their friends and members of their family too.

So, as a thank you to those of you who are kind enough to spread the word about our services, we have introduced a new referral scheme - It’s our way of showing you that we really appreciate your support and trust.

What's the scheme all about?

As an existing customer - for every client you send our way and we receive a booking, we will give you £25 studio credit as a sign of our appreciation. This can go towards a session or wall art, it's totally up to you. There is no limit to the amount of referral credit you can earn. So refer, refer, refer.

But what about your friends?

There is something in it for your friend too. When you refer them they will also receive a £25 credit towards their session, which I'm sure they will thank you for.

You can see more details, rules, and exclusions here

So what are you waiting for? Go out and tell your friends and we'll all have fun capturing beautiful family memories to treasure forever. 

It was such a special day when La'Reya came to visit. We had to postpone her original date so she could have a little check-up, and when she was given the all-clear we rebooked her Newborn Photoshoot, and at 12 days new she was an absolute dream. 

Postponing sessions is a comment occurrence for Newborn portraits, we might have to move the date depending on when the baby arrives, because the baby has to stay in hospital a little while or because Mum has been unwell. Newborn babies are best photographed between 5 and 14 days new when they still like to curl up into those super cute poses - but what is more important is that both Mummy and baby are healthy and able to enjoy the session, we'll capture beautiful photos and memories whatever age they are. 

With Daddy at work, Mummy wasn't sure about joining La'Reya for a photo, but with a little gentle encouragement, we got Mummy in front of the camera and got some beautiful photos. Mummies, you have to remember these photos are for your baby not just for you - imagine how they will treasure these photos when they are older, and they will always think you are beautiful. 

For a short while, La'Reya was awake and looking at me as if to say 'what are you doing?' as I wrapped her up all snug in my favourite wrap. This was the perfect opportunity to photograph those beautiful eyes. 

With time to feed and lots of soothing from Mummy, La'Reya slept..well..like a baby, and we got the most beautiful photos.

Including La'Reya just chillin' in her hammock.

 Taking advantage of our new Newborn packages, Mummy & Daddy have all the gorgeous digital images to keep and a presentation box with lots of their favourite images in professional print to display in their home - just beautiful.

You can see more about our packages here or drop me an email to book your session. 

Thank you for coming to see me LaReya, and I'll see you again when you can sit independently and we can capture your gorgeous smile with the next big milestone. 

Kate x

Wall Art From Campbell's Photography

All our beautiful wall art has been selected by us and comes from a high-quality, UK-based, photography printing labs. They are not

available on the high street making your investment even more special.

Framed prints

Why printing your images is important

With the abundance of digital images we all have, creating wall art with your precious family memories is even more valuable.

• Photo printing brings those moments back into our lives and they are tangible and easily accessible.
• They give children a sense of security and belonging when the photos are displayed throughout their own home
• The portraits you hang can remind you of who is important in life.
• Because your prints are for today, tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that.
• Photographs have the greatest impact when they are visible! Like any work of art, a photograph adds beauty, meaning and memory to your environment
   

We are now including a wall art voucher with our all-new Newborn Portrait Packages. To celebrate the launch we're offering you a massive 25% off the new packages (1&2) - that's a saving of up to £112.50!*

See all the details here 

(* offer run's until 10/3/22 and cannot be used with any other offer)

Alumini Cluster

Choosing the right piece of wall art for you

First things first; wall art should be personal. You should never have to compromise on your personal preferences according to someone else's opinion. After all, you're the one who will have to look at your wall art every day! Your chosen prints should evoke some kind of emotion and make you think, feel and connect with the piece.

It can be difficult to choose wall art sizes. Large wall art can really make or break your décor, as it demands attention and leaves a lasting impression. It's perfect for areas such as behind your couch, above your bed or can look particularly impressive in a large hallway or dining room.

The same goes for sets of pictures. A set of three pieces can make a strong impression. You could create a set from photos from one shoot or from a series - for example, newborn, little sitter, 1st birthday photoshoots. 

Smaller pieces are obviously great for smaller, more intimate areas, where you can see up close in more detail, this might be the bedroom or staircase. 

Canvas Wraps

We hope this guide helps you to choose the wall art that is perfect for your home and your family. With images from your Newborn or Family photoshoot displayed proudly on your wall

Kate & Pete

xx 

Why Printing Your Images Is So Important

The portrait packages in our photography studio in Morley, Leeds, all include digital images, and we strongly believe that having printed copies of your photos is so much better. Let's have a look at all the reasons why printing your images is so important. 

In short, because......

• your prints are for today, tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that
• prints remind us of what love really feels like
• prints bring back those moments into our lives and they are tangible and easily accessible.
• they give children a sense of security and belonging when the photos are displayed throughout their own home
   

To celebrate the launch of our all-new Newborn Portrait packages (with wall art voucher included), we're offering you a massive 25% off the new packages (1&2) - that's a saving of up to £112.50!*

See all the details here 

(* offer run's until 10/3/22 and cannot be used with any other offer)

The photos aren't just for you

Harsh but true. The wall art and prints that you invest in are for your children and their children. They'll be able to hold it in their hands knowing you did as well. Looking through photos that used to belong to my grandma makes me all warm inside. Knowing I'm holding and looking at the same photos she held and loved, remembering the stories attached to each one keeps those family memories alive. That connection through the photos to her legacy is more real than a digital file could ever be. 

You've already invested your time

You've spent time researching and choosing a photographer that's right for you and your family. You've prepared for your newborn or family photoshoot paying close attention to outfits, hair and making sure your session is perfectly timed so the kids can squeeze in a nap just before. You have fun, create gorgeous memories and the photos are beautiful - so why hide them on a computer where they are out of sight and out of mind? Photographs have the greatest impact when they are visible! Like any work of art, a photograph adds meaning and memory to your environment. The best way to do this is to leave your photos in a place where they can become a part of your environment, whether that’s on a wall, an album, or a box on a coffee table.

Digital images can get lost

With the abundance of digital images that we all have, whether taken ourselves on our phones or camera, or by a professional, it's difficult to keep track of all the photos with precious ones becoming part of the digital pile. Phones can be lost and hard drives can fail and the memories they hold will also be lost. Printing your favourite images will take some time and there will be a cost involved but this doesn't compare to losing those memories.

Wall Art

We offer the option of beautiful wall art with all our photoshoot packages, selected by us from a high-quality, UK-based, photography printing labs. They are not available on the high street making your investment even more special. You can have a look at our Wall Art Guide and think about how great these pieces will look in your home. 

Whether you ask us to create bespoke wall art for you, or you decide to organise your own printing - make sure your memories are placed where you can see them, and where they can raise a smile.

Kate x

January & February 1st Birthday Photoshoot Offer

I just love birthday celebrations (especially my own 😁), and when it comes to 1st birthday milestone it really is an extra special birthday. With friends and family members having birthdays in January and February I can appreciate that sometimes these birthdays are forgotten while we all recover from Christmas. To celebrate those babies with birthdays in January and February we run an annual offer with 10% off our 1st birthday cake smash and 1st birthday mini photoshoot. 

Just as their personality really begins to shine, our 1st birthday mini portrait session is all about their smiles. With decorations and O.N.E. letters these mini sessions are just adorable.  

Or go all out with a Cake Smash where we start with a portrait session and then introduce the cake and wait...... wait for the sugar to hit and chaos to begin.

We aim to capture the stage they are at whether walking or crawling, showing their gorgeous personality and most importantly having fun - what gorgeous memories that will last a lifetime.

Have you ever thought about using your images as thank you cards and gifts? Imagine receiving an official 1st birthday photo through the post as a thank you for a gift you bought - now that's so precious!

See more details and pricing for these sessions here or drop us an email to find out more or book your session.

Kate x

Those of you who have visited us before will know that autumn and winter are our favourite times of the year. It's an excuse to go over the top with Halloween and Christmas decorations and pretend it's for the families that come to the photography studio. 

The transition between the two has to be the most exciting. The little monsters have been for their My 1st Halloween mini sessions, some of who joined us earlier in the year for a Newborn photoshoot - what a treat (no trick) to see how much they have grown.
 

Charlie - My first Halloween Mini Session

And as we're putting away the pumpkins we're digging out all the Christmas decorations, as ahead of us are ...Christmas mini sessions!!!

Seraphine - Christmas Mini Session (our excitement is on the same level as this)

Santa's little helpers will pop by.....

the best Christmas outfits will be worn...

and the excitement will build....

Sophie & Jamie - Christmas mini photoshoot 2021

while we snap away and capture memories to last a lifetime.

(I know, I know - just too cute)

Did you know Santa likes to leave a sweet treat for our little visitors? - Well those on the Nice list of course.

With many of the photos used to create Christmas presents for family, you know it will be a gift that they will treasure. 

Want to know more? You can see full details on our Christmas Mini Session page, register for priority booking by adding your name to our mailing list or watching out for updates on Facebook and Instagram

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas

Kate & Pete

Jude's new Mummy & Daddy brought him to the studio for his newborn photoshoot at just 11 days new, and what a gorgeous morning we spent together. Beautiful photos, lots and lots of baby cuddles, snacks for Mum & Dad, and photos and memories to treasure forever.  

Choosing complimenting colours made the photos all about their gorgeous smiles and kept the focus on the family. 

You can find out more tips on 'what to wear' in our blog.

Jude - newborn photoshoot

Jude was starting to wriggle a little bit and I just love this moment captured as they settle their baby.  You can just see that these proud parents are so in love with their new baby boy.

Jude - newborn photoshoot

As we moved on the take photos of Jude on his own he was a little curious, looking around and taking it all in. 

Jude - newborn photoshoot

But eventually, with a full tummy and a cosy warm photography studio, sleep came and so did all the gorgeous poses and photos. 

Jude - newborn photoshoot

I had a lovely time creating memories, photos, and an experience that I hope this new family will treasure for years to come. You can read more about our Newborn portrait options here or drop me a message. 

Kate x

Along with Christmas, Halloween is our favourite time of year, and there is nothing cuter than a little one in their 1st Halloween outfit. 

Is this an excuse for us to go mad with the Halloween decorations?  Probably, but with Orange lights, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, handmade bunting it's a sensory adventure for the little ones and a cuteness overload for us. 

Charlie - My first Halloween Mini Session

With so many outfits for little ones, we ask parents to bring their own and we do the rest. It's such a treat for us to see all the different outfits, I just love the orange tutu and striped leggings for Olivia's 1st Halloween.

Little Rio giggled the whole time, well when he wasn't trying to eat the pumpkins ha ha!!

So what happens to all those pumpkins? After the Halloween shootS are over and all the little monsters have gone home, we use the pumpkins to decorate the front of our house, along with EVEN MORE decorations ready for trick or treat!!

Please excuse the poor-quality phone pic, but our garden is just full of decorations. If you're in the area you are welcome to bring your little one's trick or treating ....... IF YOU DARE👻

Keep an eye on our My First Halloween booking page for package details and dates for the next not-so-scary photoshoot!

Kate x

5 Reasons Why You Should Have A Maternity Photoshoot

Pregnancy is beautiful, but it doesn’t always feel that way. While you may be lucky enough to enjoy some of the perks, like glowing skin, and the cutest baby bump, you’re also going to see the downsides of pregnancy – swollen ankles, newfound tiger stripes, and a rollercoaster of mood swings.  Sounds fun, right? Since some expectant Mums often aren’t looking or feeling their best, especially towards the end, you may question whether you should take maternity photos at all.

If you don’t feel like you’re rocking this whole pregnancy thing, you should still have maternity photos taken. Even though pregnancy can have its less-than-enjoyable moments, your body is doing an incredibly beautiful thing. You’ll never regret documenting this change with maternity photos.  Here are five good reasons why every mama-to-be should schedule a maternity photo session.

Believe it or not, you are going to miss your bump!

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

The truth is, while pregnancy is hard, there is something simultaneously magical about it. You’re growing a new life, and you’re the only one your child is depending on. You feel their every hiccup, every kick, and every headbutt to your ribs. You’re completely connected.

Once it’s over and done with, you’ll find yourself wandering down nostalgia lane and remembering all those baby kicks (and the ability to eat whatever you wanted guilt-free). So, it’s especially important to capture these moments because you won’t be pregnant forever, and your pregnancy will fly by quicker than you anticipated.

Having maternity photos to look back on will be a standing reminder of that magical time when new life was gestating inside your belly. When you see those beautiful pictures of yourself, you will always smile.

You may be shocked at how beautiful you feel.

Most women experience a decline in self-confidence as their pregnancy progresses.  Your ever-expanding tummy may seem like the perfect excuse to avoid taking photos for a solid nine months, but it’s just the opposite!

You see, at the end of the day you come to realize the beautiful truth – you’re growing a human being – and that is enough of a reason to celebrate!  Dressing up in a way that accentuates your bump, putting on some makeup, and pampering yourself (hello, pedicure!) for a photography session may be just what the doctor ordered for a case of the pregnancy blues.

Maternity photos may strengthen the bond between you and your partner.

Taking maternity photos together with your partner is a great way to strengthen your bond and celebrate the new life you’re bringing into this world. It’s that final chance to document how your is at the moment before morphing from a couple into a family.

Taking maternity photos can also help partners develop a strong emotional bond with their growing baby. Helping your spouse bond with your infant will also help you both re-establish your connection.

If this isn’t your first baby, you can bring along your older child to the maternity shoot as well.  Many older siblings find it challenging at first to adjust to a new baby in the family. Taking pictures with their pregnant Mummy can help them understand that a new person is coming and even get them excited about the baby’s arrival!

You can show as much (or as little) as you like.

Hannah - Maternity SessionHannah - Maternity Photoshoot

While many women choose to celebrate the changes their body undergoes during pregnancy and document them in photographs; other women are more conservative.  I will work with you to understand your needs and your level of comfort. One of the popular trends these days in maternity photography involves flowing fabrics that tastefully cover parts of your body while revealing the rest.  

Your child will love looking at the photos as they get older.

As your child grows, you will probably find yourself reminiscing about your pregnancy days and how quiet the house was. You’ll love reflecting on how you had such a tiny human growing inside you, and your maternity photos will be a wonderful reminder of a time long gone.

Your children will enjoy seeing these pictures when they’re older, too. They’ll absolutely love seeing how gorgeous their mama was when you were pregnant with them.

They won’t notice those few extra pounds and the bags under your eyes from your lack of sleep. They’ll focus on something more important than that – their amazing Mama!

These photos will be treasured.

Scheduling a maternity photoshoot should be on every mama-to-be’s checklist.

By having maternity photos taken, you’re giving your child a glimpse of a world they’ll never be able to see for themselves – the time their parents spent as a couple before they entered the picture. They’ll have physical proof of how excited you were to meet them.

As hard as it might be to envision now, time passes quickly. It won’t be long before your child may be showing these pictures to their own child. Your grandchild, who might only know you as the gray-haired grandma who is always quick to offer a hug and a biscuit, will have the opportunity to see you in another light.

That’s a tremendous gift to give your child and the children who come into your family after them. And it’s a great present to yourself and your spouse as well. It’s something the whole family will cherish forever.

Get in touch - I'd love to capture these memories for you.

Kate x 

5 Must-Take Photos Of Your Newborn Baby

In a flash, your beautiful newborn baby is here and you are caring for them at home. I'm sure you are snapping away, just desperate to capture every moment and memory of your precious bundle. While you are snapping away be sure to capture these top 5 photos in the first couple of weeks, while they are still so tiny.

Sleeping baby

They'll be doing a lot of this for a while (hopefully through the night) and these moments are just so precious. I bet you just can't take your eyes off of them. 

Eyes open

It's so easy to forget what your baby's eyes were like when they were born, and these are one of the first things to change. Make sure you capture those gorgeous peepers. 

Tiny baby detail

Not all your photos have to be of all of your beautiful baby. Their tiny features are just amazing, their tiny lips that pout when they are sleeping deeply, beautiful long eyelashes to make us all jealous and I don't think there is anything more adorable than tiny fingers and toes.

Get in the photo

You may be feeling tired, exhausted, overwhelmed, and not photo-ready, but you must take time to get in the photo.  The photos of your baby are precious to you but photos of you holding your baby are the ones that will be precious to your child as they get older. The photos aren't just for your memory box, they are for you to share with your child and possibly grandchildren - make sure you are part of the visual story.

Charlie - Newborn Photoshoot

The moment family members meet

There will be tears, lots of happy tears. Older siblings bringing their baby brother/sister a carefully chosen gift, grandparents utter joy at the first sight of their new grandchild - these are moments to capture and treasure. 

Thea - Newborn Photoshoot

Posing your baby for the photos.

Keep it natural and photograph them as they are. Newborn photographers have been professionally trained to safely position and photograph babies in those super cute poses, please do not try this yourself - drop me an email if you'd like me to capture these moments for you. 

What can you do with all those photos?

Scrapbook

We all have hundreds if not thousands of photos on our phones or in a cloud somewhere. Make sure you create something special with the precious ones. Why not create a scrapbook including the photos above and newborn momentoes like hospital bands, 

Album

Create a photo album with your favourite photos so you have something to show friends and family, and to pass on to your children. Some of our studio families create albums annually with their favourite photos and memories for the year - what an awesome idea. 

Memory box

You can get some lovely personalised memory boxes or make it extra special by making your own. Fill it full of baby memories including prints of your favourite photos, and keep it somewhere safe. You'll have so much fun looking back through it in years to come.

Gifts & Announcements

Why not use your beautiful photos to create gifts for grandparents - you know they will love them. Or create and send announcement cards welcoming your new baby to the world. 

Photobox is a great place for prints, albums, and photo gifts. The prices are reasonable (especially if you wait for a sale) and, more importantly, the print quality is great!

I hope you enjoy creating your beautiful memories

Kate x

This blog contains affiliated links which means we get a little bit of commission, at no cost to you, every time you place an order and we are very grateful so thank you!!
 

 Top tips to working smarter not harder with Zoe Thompson from Build It Brilliant

Feel like a busy fool? What an awesome title for a blog, and I think I can hold my own hand up to this question. I've had the pleasure of knowing the lovely Zoe Thompson socially and to work with for many years, and I'm delighted that she's agreed to write a blog for us.  We recently had fun together during her Personal Branding Photoshoots creating on-brand images for her website and social media.  Generously sharing her top tips below, see how Zoe can help you to take control and stop feeling like a busy fool!  - Kate

Photo by Ephraim Mayrena on Unsplash

Do you feel like you’re rushing around doing lots of things but not getting anywhere?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve worked as a solopreneur for the last 10yrs and as a supervisor supporting other solopreneurs in the helping professions for about 4yrs. As a result, I can confirm that feeling this way is very, very common.

So, in this article I’m going to share my top tips so you can stop feeling like a busy fool and finally, be able to find the space to breathe.

Your dreams can become a reality

Photo by Minkus on Unsplash

Imagine getting to the end of the day knowing you’ve done everything you need to. You close your laptop and even have time to grab a drink and sit enjoying the sun. Imagine what it would be like if your mind felt peaceful and you could have the time and space to take a breath and feel relaxed.

Unfortunately most solopreneurs don’t feel this way, instead their head is constantly in overdrive, they have a to-do list as long as their arm, which never gets done, and believe that they won’t be successful unless they have their nose at the grindstone 24/7. Sound familiar?

If so, I’m here to tell you that the former is absolutely possible, you don’t have to push yourself so hard all the time in order to achieve your dreams.

Okay so how do you make this happen........

Tip 1 - It’s not you, it’s your strategy

Most solopreneurs love what they do but spend little time working out their business strategy. They just start doing things and keep doing more things in the hope that eventually everything will work out. They end up with 24 systems doing different things, implementing 20 of their ideas at once (or procrastinating because they can’t choose which idea is best) and they end up spinning way too many plates.

To achieve the business, and life balance of your dreams you need an effective business strategy. The strategy outlines what you’re going to create and ensures you can achieve that in the hours you have available.

So many solopreneurs work way too hard because their strategy doesn’t allow them to earn the money they need to make. This was a mistake I made and learned from along the way.

About 4 years ago I was offering 1:1 services as a private therapist and I quickly realised there just weren’t enough hours in the week to market and serve enough people to earn what I needed to earn. Not to mention the huge emotional drain of this type of work which left me feeling exhausted. As you can see, it wasn’t me that was the issue, it was my strategy!!!

If you can relate, here are some questions to get you started with building an effective business strategy. If you spend some time understanding your answers to these questions it will help you to shape your business in a more achievable and sustainable way.

5 questions to get started on your business strategy

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

• How many hours a week can you realistically spend on your business?
• How much money per annum do you want to make?

It’s important that you design your business in a way that enables you to make the money you want in the hours you have available.

• What is the market missing, what’s the thing you could provide which customers would love?

So often we overcomplicate things and can’t see the wood for the trees. Stepping back and gaining a new perspective can help with creative ideas.

• What information are you constantly repeating to every client?
• Which elements of your processes could you automate?

Online technology gives us the ability to share our expertise with so many more people. The answers to these two questions give you opportunities to simplify, market and grow your business.

I find so many people in the helping professions struggle with business strategy, so I created my 4 step Blueprint and turned it into a book called the Build It Brilliant Blueprint. In the book I take you step-by-step through the process of building an effective strategy and give you more in-depth exercises to help you decide on what’s right for you and your business. If by reading this article, you realise you need help with the strategy part of your business grab yourself a copy. It’s available on Amazon.

Tip 2 - Mindset is key

What you focus on truly grows but how many of us are struggling on alone, trying to be strong whilst riddled with inner clutter which keeps us trapped in our current reality. You can’t move forwards and change your outcomes with ease without working on clearing the inner clutter. Your mind is a powerful tool but without realising it you can cultivate the worst from it rather than the best. Limiting beliefs, fear, negative inner chatter, confidence and self- esteem struggles, all get in the way of achieving your dreams.

When you start from within amazing transformations happen without having to strive and hustle. Here are some things you can do to start the process of mental decluttering and feel more energised and settled.

Photo by Dee @ Copper and Wild on Unsplash

• Have 10-15mins of mental detox every day (meditation, yoga, mindful walking etc).

Your brain needs time to process all the information you absorb from the world, if you have a busy mind, it’s usually a sign of a backlog in your mental processing department. 10-15mins a day can make all the difference. Choose something you like and make it happen every day.

• Change your inner dialogue – we can be so cruel and harsh with ourselves

Spend a day noticing what you are saying to yourself and if you are appalled by it's cruel and harshness, it’s time to make a pact to change it. Start saying nice things, catch yourself being harsh and change it. You may be surprised by the difference it makes.

• Bring fun back into your life

Laughter, fun and enjoyment lift our spirits and renew our energy. Often, we’re working so hard we become trapped in our thinking and feel exhausted. I’m a massive advocate of finding the fun. Sometimes the best thing you can do is put whatever you’re doing down and go do something fun. When was the last time you belly laughed until it hurt? Do something this week to make that happen.

If you feel like a busy fool, it’s okay, you’re definitely not alone. It’s time to step back from the day-to-day grind so you can start to see the wood for the trees. Start with your business strategy, you’re probably trying way too hard and there are ways you could work smarter not harder. Book a little time in your diary to review your mindset, you’re probably being way too harsh on yourself and are in need of an inner spring clean. The tips I’ve shared here will give you a head start and I’m sure you’ll be feeling more empowered and energised soon.

About Zoe

Zoe is passionate about helping those in the helping professions to grow their confidence in using online technology so they can reach a wider audience and build a brilliant business. Zoe has 10 years of experience building e-learning and since 2011 has built her own successful private therapy business.

Zoe set up her company with £750 and turned it into a full-time career, she built herself an office out of wooden pallets and she learned to ride a motorbike at 34 years old. Throughout her life Zoe has taken leaps of faith and learned what it’s like to feel the fear and do it anyway. Her can-do attitude, zest for life and authentic nature inspire others to do the same and her therapeutic skills enable her to nurture and support others through their journey.

If you would like help to take your business online, Zoe will help you to build exciting online solutions that your customers will love, enabling you to create a sustainable business you are proud of.

Want to know more?

YouTube - You can find even more of Zoe's knowledge shared in bite-sized videos on her YouTube Channel 

Facebook - Get regular updates with Zoe on Facebook @builditbrilliant

LinkedIn - Connect with Zoe through LinkedIn

You think you're getting a bargain then reality hits. Many years ago, before we developed our own interest in photography, my husband and I had a photoshoot with a well-known national photography company (let's not name names here). We were offered a full portrait session AND a framed print for just £25!! Well, that's Grandma's Christmas present sorted!! The shoot was so much fun and we were really looking forward to seeing our edited photos.

The Big Reveal

On to the big reveal. We arrived at reception to see a Dad picking up a HUGE framed print of his kids. Discussing the price with another customer he looked more 'rabbit in the headlights' than delighted with his purchase. We were taken to a cosy waiting room where we sat drinking lovely coffee, listening to relaxing music and admiring the amazing photos on the wall. Full excitement and anticipation it was finally our turn. We were taken to, what felt like, a private cinema room. Soft music, low lighting and our gorgeous photos slowly turning round on a big screen - to say it was emotional was an understatement. What an experience - we were feeling special, in love with our photos, lucky to have this experience, and just delighted with the whole experience. At £25 for the shoot and a small framed print, surely this is an average cost for the prints - right? Based on this we'll be able to get them all!!

Framed newborn print

Then the sales lady (yes sales lady), went through the REAL prices, and our 'awesome experience' bubble burst! The prices were well outside our budget and, even with their kind offer of a payment plan plus interest  (yep, you read that right), we still couldn't afford more than the initial deal.

What started as the most amazing experience turned round completely and we left feeling embarrassed, conned, mislead, duped, disappointed, naive, stupid and lots of other words and emotions that guaranteed we would never go there again or recommend it to friends and family members.  

Crying baby

How This Poor Experience Shaped Our Business

Now, as photographers, there are many hours of setting up, tidying up, and editing that are unseen by our clients,  as well as equipment and prop costs behind every photoshoot. I'm certainly not disputing anyone's expertise and pricing, in fact, I feel that many of my photography friends don't charge enough for sharing their talent, what I do object to are hidden costs that ruin the experience, leave a bitter taste and potentially lead the client to make a decision that, financially, isn't right for them.  

This experience helped shape the way we run our business. We want our studio families to have a fantastic experience from start to finish. With beautiful photos that they will treasure forever, linked to fond memories of the fun they had with us. 

All our packages are priced, clearly show what's included and we even show the cost of an upgrade with no pressure attached. The only surprise we want for our families is how beautiful their photos are.

First family photoshoot   
 

If cost is a consideration when booking your photoshoot then make sure you ask for a price list and make an informed decision when booking your photoshoot.

You can see all the details of our studio photography packages here, and if you'd like to create those precious memories with us drop me an email and we'll arrange a session that's right for you. 

Giveaway

If you are reading this before August 5th 2021 you could enter our Newborn Photoshoot Bundle Giveaway!! With one awesome main prize and several runner-up prizes - enter yourself or share this opportunity with a friend. 

Kate x

Celebrating Halloween 2020 Style

Choosing a spooky costume, carving a pumpkin, going to parties and of course trick or treating are all the things that make Halloween so much fun. 

To keep everyone safe, this year, some of those traditions may have to look a little different. Here are our top tips for a Safe and Spooky Halloween as well as a FREE safety poster for your door. 

Community Event - Morley Pumpkin Trail

Running right through until Halloween in Morley Town centre, there are 20 pumpkins to be found.  Grab your form in the shops and the WINNER will be announced and will receive a fantastic arts and craft prize and some TANG-TASTIC tasty Halloween treats too!! 

Pumpkin Carving

Here is one Halloween tradition that will continue and is safe and fun for everyone. The Spruce Crafts has some fantastic pumpkin carving ideas for kids

Virtual Halloween Party

Usually, it's so cold little ones have to wear a big coat and we never get to see their costume - this year stay warm and party online with friends and family.

Including :-

• A fancy dress competition 🧙‍♀️
• Musical statues (with spooky music of course)
• Pumpkin carving competition🎃
• Face painting as fast as you can -
  • Choose a referee to keep time and a judge to declare the winner.
  • Decide on one design for everyone to paint (pumpkin for example) 
  • In pairs (one pair per household), paint your partners face as fast as you can.
  • The referee can decide on the time allowed (keep it short) and when the time is up - 'PAINTS DOWN!'
  • Look at the painted faces on-screen (hilarious) and the judge can decide on the winner🎃

Trick or Treat - the 2020 way!

Neighbourhood Halloween Trail - Spot The Pumpkin🎃

What you'll need:|

• little ones will need a bag or bucket
• parents you will need a bag of spooky sweets.

Walk around your neighbourhood or areas you know love to decorate.  Challenge your little ones to SPOT THE PUMPKINS - for every pumpkin they spot they can pick a sweet from your bag🍬

This is a fun and safe way to see the decorations and still collect sweets. Remember, if you see other families doing the same to keep your distance. 

We'll be decorating as always, but we won't be encouraging trick or treaters with a polite poster on our door to wish them Happy Halloween. Drop to the bottom of this Blog to get your free poster.
 

Hunt For Halloween Treats

Hide sweets and treats in your home and in your garden. Give the little ones a bag or bucket and it will keep them busy for a while - long enough to put your feet up and grab a cuppa.

*photo credit kidtivity.com

Spooky movie night

Full of sweets and time to slow the celebrations down, snuggle up on the sofa with your Halloween sweets and watch a not so scary Halloween movie.

We love Ghostbusters, The Adams Family, Casper and The Nightmare Before Christmas but be sure to check the movies are age-appropriate for your little ones. (The original Ghostbusters still scares me - I mean the lady in the library😵🙈)

And of course, we couldn't write about Halloween and not mention our My 1st Halloween Mini Sessions. One of our favourite seasonal sessions and we're almost fully booked. Running on 24th and 28th October - drop us an email for details and availability.

Free Poster

For safety, you may prefer not to accept trick or treaters to your door this year. Let your Halloween callers know and wish them a Happy Halloween with our FREE poster - sign up to our mailing list and receive your electronic poster ready to print out straight away.

Grab your FREE POSTER here

Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Kate & Pete

TOP TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST ON VIDEO CALLS & FACEBOOK LIVE!

Zoom, Facetime, Webex, Facebook live - more and more we are using these resources to meet with our audience, join meetings and deliver live and pre-recorded tutorials. It's all very convenient until you see yourself in the window and wonder if you really look like that!! Looking great is important for your brand image as well as your confidence. Here are our top tips for looking your best!

What to wear

So this bit may give you permission to do a little shopping (you're welcome) because what you wear is important. As you would with any face to face meeting do your hair and put on your makeup, just because you're at home doesn't mean you shouldn't make an effort.  We're all guilty of wearing jogging bottoms, PJ bottoms and rabbit slippers - to be honest, if you don't see it on the video then I'm all for it and guilty as charged (sorry not sorry)! Here are a few helpful rules for the clothes you can see:

• Block colours always work well on video whereas heavy patterns can make the views eyes boggle.
• Consider wearing your brand colours on your videos - we always recommend this for Branding Photoshoots so why not do the same on video. 

Carolyn's brand colours are fire colours, so the reds and oranges in her outfit and background here are perfect!

Background

'It's behind you'! Keep your background simple and uncluttered - if your viewers are nosey like me, they'll be distracted by what's in the background. This can tell you a lot about a person so consider your background carefully. A messy room, a pile of washing up - all very distracting to the viewer and gives the impression the person running the video is very disorganised as well as diluting the message you are trying to delivery.  This is also an opportunity to create a background to represent you and your brand. Keep it simple with a plain wall with strategically placed products, appropriate quotes on the wall and objects in your brand colours. These all go towards strengthening your brand identity. 

Lighting

You've put the hard work in, got the outfit, decluttered the background but the wrong lighting can spoil it all. 

Natural Light 

To look your best you want to be lit from the front with soft lighting. Your easiest and cheapest option is natural light which looks great when you get it right.

When using natural light from a window, for example, make sure the light is in front of you so there is plenty of light on your face. Having a window behind you is likely to make you very dark and even silhouetted. If you have bright sunlight streaming through you’ll need to defuse the light with some soft while cloth.

Basic Mobile Lighting

You may have already seen these mobile ring lights. They are popular with those who like a nicely lite selfie, but also a  quick and easy option for lighting a live session on your mobile phone or laptop. With different brightness settings, these give a really even light and it just clips on your phone. You can take it with you, so is perfect if you want a quick and portable set up.

Beauty Ring Light

They are called beauty lights for a reason, they create a beautiful light that will help you look your best. Although they are portable they are quite big so great if you often create video or conduct 'lives' from the same spot. You have the option to place your phone in the middle of the ring or, if using a laptop, place the light just above your laptop in the centre. They come in various sizes so make sure you get one that works with your device as you can see here with the Spectrum Aurora.

Camera Level

So now you and your background are looking good - let's make sure your camera captures all your gorgeousness.

Save it for the selfies - the trend when taking selfie's is to take a photo from above. With a video, a camera that is too high will just distort your face and similarly, a camera that is too low will only highlight your nostrils and double chin - no thank you to that! Make sure your camera is at eye level for the most flattering angle.  If the camera on your laptop or pc isn't high enough consider a raising it up with a pile of books or grab an adjustable laptop stand (also great if you suffer from neck pain being hunched over a laptop).

That's close enough - we're not talking about social distancing here we're talking about being too close to your camera. Laptop and phone cameras are wide-angle which means if you get too close your features are distorted. Have a look at yourself on the video before you go live - would you look better if you took a step back?

Sound

It goes without saying that you should remove any sound distractions from the room like children and pets if possible, and close the window so it's as quiet as it can be. Depending on your device you may need an additional accessory mic which will make you sound much better, especially if you are stood away from your device presenting or making something. We use a lapel mic think the one below when we need to. 

Now you're good to go LIVE!!! If your confidence is making you hesitate, consider joining Carol Plant 'The speaking success coach' for one of her awesome programmes and find your speaking confidence. 

I hope these Top Tips have helped you create video and run calls that represent you and your brand well. 

Kate x

This blog contains affiliated links which means we get a little bit of commission, at no cost to you, every time you place an order and we are very grateful so thank you!!
 

Introducing.....Faye Larcum

Prism Business Branding And Development

I met Faye through a shared love of photography and as business owners, we really hit it off. I was in awe Faye told me how she'd built several businesses from the ground up and with all her expert knowledge and experience, she's now helping others do the same. 
 

At Campbell's Photography Branding we're all about building a strong brand with photography. But branding doesn't stop with your brand imagery, and should show throughout your business.

Prism Business Branding and Development helps small business owners to fully optimise their business through communication, digital media, customer engagement and planning. 

Branding spans across all aspects of a business and should be present in every interaction with potential customers. In order to take your business to the next level, it's important that there is a clear and consistent message that you are sending and more importantly that your customers understand!

We work with you to build your digital presence on the correct platforms, send consistent messages to your potential customers, ensure aftersales customer care is representative of the brand, raise awareness and drive reputation. 

Prism was created having experienced first hand how expensive marketing services can be for a small business, along with many businesses telling us they were stuck with where to turn for advice and support with branding, online presence and social media.  Prism's services wrap around all of these issues with services ranging from courses, coaching and mentoring and full social media management. 

With photography being an essential part of any branding and business development, we're looking forward to supporting each other's customers to build a strong brand.
Get in touch with Faye and see how she can help you and your business - tell her Kate sent you, [email protected], or catch her top business tips on social media Facebook and Instagram

Kate x

Free Facebook Cover Template 

When a potential customer opens your Facebook business page, does your Facebook cover tell them how awesome you are?

To help tell your story with an awesome first impression,  we've designed a Canva cover template that's yours to download for FREE! Be sure to follow our TOP TIPS to customise the template and get in on brand.

This is just a taster of what's to come - we're busy designing beautiful Canva template bundles for you to download and stock images that are sure to make your brand shine online (ooh does that rhyme?). Not to mention take the headache out of creating beautiful social media posts!

Top Tips for keeping your Facebook cover on-brand

• Change the colours to your branded colours
• Add a photo that relates to your business - a product or a gorgeous photo of you and show your customers who you are. 
• You can even change the font.
• Find a quote that links with your brand values and resonates with your customers. 
• And don't forget your logo.

Make your own copy

It is important to note that this is the master copy and any changes you make to the master will be saved - We'd like the master to remain as it is for others to enjoy, so...... please make a copy of the template and save the copy to your Canva account using the instructions below.

1. Click on the image to open the template
2. Click the pencil underneath the enlarged image
3. Select 'Use Template'
4. Check the template is labelled 'Copy of Free FB cover' (top of page)
5. If yes - You are now free to amend your copy of the template, don't forget our Top Tips.
6. If it's not showing as a copy, then select 'file' then 'make a copy'. This will open a new page with your copy that you can customise.
7. Please close down the original template. 

What To Wear For Your Family Photoshoot

Got your portrait shoot booked, but what are you going to wear? Considering your outfits and coordinating your colours ahead of your session will really add to the photos that we hope you will love for years to come. Here are our top tips for choosing outfits that stand the test of time ahead of your shoot.

Consider the backdrop

If you're having a studio shoot, the background colour will play a part in your outfit choices. Get in touch with your photographer and find out what your backdrop will be. In our studio, we use a white backdrop to help make it all about you and your family.  If you're having an outdoor shoot you'll want to consider your location and the weather and dress appropriately.

Think Coordinating Colours

Find one fun pattern, like a floral print dress, skirt or shirt, and use that as your inspiration. Now you can coordinate everyone else's outfits around that one patterned item. We love the blues and white used to coordinate this family photoshoot.

Use Your Home Decor As Inspiration

Look around your home, what colours do you gravitate towards?  Do you like things more bright and vibrant?  Or more grey and neutral?  These images will be hanging up on your wall in your home for a year or more, consider the wardrobe combo and how it will look with your current home decor set up before choosing your colour palette. It might be helpful to decide ahead of time where the prints of the family photos will be displayed to inspire your clothing choices.

Avoid Logos And Characters

Not only do they date your photos, Logos and characters are also really distracting. After all, we want the focus to be on your gorgeous faces not on someone's T-shirt no matter how cute or funny the logo is.

Avoid Baggy Clothes

Bulky or baggy clothing are not flattering on anyone in pictures.  Even if you are self-conscious of your body, fitted clothing ALWAYS photograph better than baggy shirts or chunky sweaters.  The camera can't differentiate what is extra material and what is actually you.  A baggy shirt does not hide anything, it just makes you look large - so choose fitted (not tight) and feel fabulous. We all have our little insecurities and if you have an ounce of concern about your arms, boobs, upper thighs, etc. keep them covered, or I promise it will be the first thing you look at!

Avoid High Maintenance Clothing and/or Accessories

If the headband keeps falling off, or you are going to be constantly fidgeting with a certain shirt or skirt, you decrease the chances of loving all of your pictures.  High maintenance clothing makes for self-conscious expressions, fidgety arms and hands, and/or irritated family members.  It can also make for cute hair in the beginning and crazy hair at the end...keep it simple and easy to avoid grumpiness or bad pictures.  Once the session begins, the only thing you want to worry about is happy kids and smiling faces...not adjusting hair bows or pulling up trousers that are just too big.

Of course it's okay to show lots of personality

Mummy - Don't Forget About You!!

All too often Mum's spend ages choosing clothes for the rest of the family, leaving their own outfit to the last minute. Mummy make sure you spend time on your outfit, perhaps choose yours first and get the rest of the family to fall in line.

Make choosing your outfits part of the fun and perhaps use it as an excuse to go shopping (you're welcome)!!

Have fun and we'll see you in the studio soon.

Kate x

I can't believe it's over a year since this gorgeous little one first came to visit me. What a privilege it has been to capture her first year of milestones. From her Newborn photoshoot through to her 1st birthday and all in our studio in Morley, Leeds. 

Olivia's First Birthday Mini Session

Olivia was just 13 days old when she first visited our toasty warm photography studio. She was good as gold and I had such a lovely time capturing precious newborn memories and stealing lots and lots of cuddles. 

Olivia's Newborn Photo Shoot

Not forgetting her first Father's Day, when she came with Daddy for an extra special photoshoot

Peter - Father's Day Mini Session

Olivia had just learnt to sit independently when she joined us for her 'My First Halloween' mini photoshoot. Oh my goodness her outfit is the cutest and just look at her smile - I think she was enjoying herself.

Then a year after we first met we completed her first-year milestone with a 1st birthday mini session. No birthday photoshoot would be complete without balloons, bunting and our mini rocking chair.

Olivia's First Birthday Mini Session

What a privileged it has been to capture all these milestones and memories. Fingers crossed we'll see more of Olivia and her gorgeous smile as she grows. 

Olivia's First Birthday Mini Session

Kate x

Welcome To The World Olivia

A little older than most of our newborn babies, gorgeous little Olivia was just 5 weeks old when she visited our photography studio in Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

I just love meeting new parents who just can't take their eyes of their new baby. We always start our sessions with family photos and then give Mummy and Daddy the chance to relax with some delicious snacks while they enjoy the rest of the photoshoot.

Aww look how much Mummy and Daddy adore baby Olivia. What a privilege it was to capture their first official family photo.

At 5 weeks old, Olivia was quite alert and kept a keen eye on what was going on, this gave me the chance to capture this beautiful moment with Mummy.

It was time for Olivia to have her photos on her own so, while she was still awake, we caught her beautiful eyes on camera. With the simple backdrop it makes it all about her gorgeous face.

Our trusted Baby Shusher then worked it's magic with soothing sounds to relax baby Olivia, and it worked a treat for the rest of us in the studio too.

It wasn't long before the comfort of a warm studio and a super snug scene had her sleeping like...well... a baby. This gave me the perfect opportunity to get in close and photograph the little details. Tiny baby fingers and dimples are just so precious.

With a subtle hint of colour this has to be one of my favourite photos from Olivia's newborn photoshoot. Sleeping so sweetly this is all about Olivia and her tiny fingers and toes.

With time in between feeding and soothing, we had the opportunity to set up our teeny tiny baby bed. All snug in her wrap this is one to melt your heart over and over again.

Thank you to Olivia for all the cuddles and gorgeous photo. I'm already looking forward to her free little sitter session when I can photograph this next milestone and hopefully steal another cuddle or two.

Our studio Mummies have helped us create a FREE Newborn Essentials Checklist for you to download - click here to get your copy.

If you'd like to know more about the Newborn Photoshoots just drop me a  message I'd love to hear from you, or see all the details on our newborn page.

Kate x

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Family Games

V.E Day celebrations are just around the corner, the weather is going to be gorgeous!  We can't go out and celebrate but we can have a garden party at home!! It's a great idea for your family/household and we've included some fun games to keep you all entertained. We are in a bit of a 'make to and mend' era which makes all the more fun.  We've given you lots of suggestions for you to create an awesome party with things you'll find around the house. Go all out, imagine you've got all your friends coming and really go to town. 

First Up - Decorations

You can really get the children involved here and keep them occupied for hours. Decide on a theme together and either share the jobs out or make them together. 

Teepee - You could make a bedsheet teepee/tent for the kids. A little place to call their own and keep out of the sun.

DIY Bunting & flags - A great one for the kids. Use spare colour paper and/or card from colourful boxes, cut out different shapes to add to string or ribbon and hand it around the garden.

It's all in the detail - set the table, put some flowers in a vase, blow up those leftover party balloons - this is a celebration after all. 

Food,

Well, no garden party would be complete without the food glorious food. You may want to have a picnic, or posh it up a bit with a fancy afternoon tea (any excuse for a bit more baking), or keep it simple with a bbq. Maybe the kids would like their own picnic area leaving the posh take just for you.

Creative Party Drinks

The grown-ups need to keep cool, of course, so pop your favourite grown-up drink into ice ready for later. But remember, this is a big celebration so why not create your own V.E. day cocktail? You could get the kids to create their own mocktails - they will certainly have fun making something that is sure to be fairly horrible and very high in sugar so apologies in advance. 

Get dressed up for the occasion

Surly a homemade paper hat has never been more appropriate, I wonder who will win the best-decorated hat competition? And I think we all need an excuse to pop on a nice dress and bit a lipstick these days, so go head - feel fabulous! 

Family Games

There's nothing like a bit of sunshine to raise a smile and spend time having fun together. These gave are sure to be fun, will burn off some of that energy that all small humans seem to have, and give you time to sit back and enjoy a few minutes piece. 

Noughts & Crosses

With a bit of crafting needed to make the set, this is a great way to get the kids involved. Paint the noughts and crossed on stones, or get creative and make it bugs and bees, or strawberries and kiwi - whatever you like!!

Scavenger hunt.

If you haven't already, then you can download our scavenger hunt for the kids to do while you enjoy that delicious cocktail you've just invented. You can download it following the link here.

Hopscotch 

Do you have any of these foam numbers hanging around the house? They make a great hopscotch! Or draw your own on the patio with chalk.

And of course, don't forget to take lots of photos and capture all the fun memories from the weekend. We'll be taking our own advice and having a little garden party ourselves. We're especially looking forward to creating a cocktail or two after a little more decorating and refreshing of our photography studio in Morley, Leeds. Stay safe, stay home and enjoy the V.E. celebrations this weekend with your family.

Kate & Pete