Have you noticed this strange fact...that the Mum in your life is rarely in the family photo? She's always the one taking the picture. And rarely actually in the picture?
"Don't worry - i'll be in the next one!" she lies.
Dodging the bullet!
Or she'll be in the Family selfie...at the back.
"I'm having a bad hair day!"
She'll happily record everyone else on camera, but rarely gets a chance to be in front of the lens herself.
Well, that's about to change.
Mums. You need to show the world that you DO exist in family photos!
Just think of a time, 20 years from now, when your babies are starting their first jobs.
Or they're getting married. Or celebrating their 40th birthdays. And the only childhood photos they can find are images of them. Without you in them!
So, Mums, it's time to take action!
Mother's Day is coming up (Sunday March 14th) and it's a great time to ask for vouchers for a family photo shoot, which you will actually be IN!
The journey of the photoshoot doesn't happen overnight. We have heaps of time to plan ahead and prep. The shoot can revolve around a hair appointment so that Mum has just stepped out of the salon, looking truly fab-u-lous, darlings.
And to quote Pheobe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag:
"Hair is everything. We wish it wasn't, so we could actually think about something else occasionally. But it is. It's the difference between a good day and a bad day."
So firstly, we can make sure that Mum's hair is looking awesome. Yes...that may mean waiting until hairdressers reopen on April 12th, but that's the first hurdle jumped!
Secondly, we plan outfits. No, not matching outfits. Just a co-ordination of colour schemes. The last thing we want is Mum focussing on what everyone else needs to wear, leaving her own outfit to the very last minute. We plan ahead, to keep calm before the shoot and so that you don't arrive frazzled and stressed out.
In our pre-shoot chat, we talk location and times and dates and names and ages, plus lots of other things. And we get to know each other too, which is actually one of my favourite bits.
And when it comes to the shoot itself, we have a real laugh. We really do.
I arrange everyone, so that you not only look great as a group, but also that you look relaxed. Some photos are more posed, others are totally natural. Laughing with each other... not always looking at the camera...enjoying a tender loving moment.
When we have bigger families coming together, maybe to celebrate Mum's 70th or a Golden Wedding Anniversary, I plan which groups will be in which shots - so that we have some of Granny & Grandad on their own, then with the grandkids, and then with kids... so that you will have so many gorgeous shots to choose from.
The great thing about a planned shoot, is that the whole family knows that it is happening. It's not suddenly thrust upon you...when you're not looking your best...and the kids are covered in mud...and you're all wearing a crazy variety of colours that don't quite gel.
And after the shoot, once the photos are in the can, your work is done, while my work just begins...
When you choose your photos and decide whether you want digital images or actual products, you will genuinely treasure them all for years to come. Nobody can take them away. And for generations after this day, you will have created a little moment in your family history book. I suppose that is the biggest thing. And guess what, Mum will actually be IN the photos! Looking truly gorgeous, surrounded by those most precious to her.
So please do let me know if you would like to book a shoot. Whether it's for your partner, your own Mum, your daughter...whoever the special Mum is in your life, i'd love to be the one taking the photos and capturing those treasured moments in time.
Photoshoots cost £150 and i have gift vouchers which i package up with ribbon, tissue paper and stickers in a little bag. It also includes a copy of my booklet, entitled "Your Photoshoot Journey", which explains the whole process from start to finish, including products & prices. Please do contact me for more information - i'd be more than happy to help!
Thanks for reading! And for all those fabulous Mums out there...i hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day. You deserve it! x