Amy’s Kids – On Photographing Children

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to photograph Amy’s beautiful family in Reading, Berkshire. Amy is one of the amazing midwives at the maternity section of the Royal Berkshire Hospital. As if that did not make her a hero enough, she is also a mum of four. I loved to photograph her children: their energy, the way they were playing with each other, their different personalities. We were just walking in the park while the kids were enjoying themselves.

This got me thinking: what makes a family session good? Parents often ask me how to get ready for a photo shoot. The truth is that there is not much to prepare ahead. Kids will act like kids and that is the beauty of it. Please don’t get stressed if they don’t want to smile at the camera or just want to play.

Instead, enjoy yourself, try to engage them and let them be themselves. I think beautiful photos will come if we just let things flow naturally. The parents’ role is key in this type of photographs. The more the session is enjoyable to the children and their parents, the better the photos will look.

This definitely is the way to get those shots that make us giggle years after they have been taken.

If you’re looking for an experience like the one I have described, drop me a line berni@bernipalumbo.com. Also, as my photography is moving more and more toward storytelling, I would love to photograph ‘a day in the life’ session. If you think you would enjoy something like that, please contact me.