The number one tip to getting natural smiles

Kiddies are completely unpredictable, even the older ones that we expect to sit and smile sweetly. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to get the best smiles we can. Over the years I have learnt what gets those beautiful happy smiles and what most definitely does not. Here is my number one tip and it is not what you would expect.

Do not try to get your child's attention or tell them to smile (unless I ask you to)

Babies and young children are often overwhelmed when they walk into my studio space. It is large and full of all kinds of interesting things. I am also a complete stranger. So the best thing to do is to sit on the floor directly behind me and say nothing. I need a chance to build a rapport with your baby or young child and get those natural smiles where they look straight into the camera.

Picture this scenario:

You're a small kiddo and have just walked into a very big, completely new room. A lady with a big black camera is sitting facing you and pointing it at you. And then she is talking to you and making faces. But mom and dad are also frantically trying to get your attention. Mom is on one side of the room and dad is on the other. 

Then because you are just sitting there staring wide eyed at everyone Ouma and Oupa also start calling your name and trying to get your attention. Mom then starts clapping her hands above her head and dad starts promising ice cream. Where on earth do you look and is there any reason to smile? Everyone just looks crazy and making a heck of a noise!

This is the most common scenario I see and 100% of the time ends in wide eyed stares and eventually tears.

One of the first photographs of my session with this little man. He was still warming up to me and getting comfortable.

I need to get your beautiful baby or young child to smile for real at something I say or do. The calmer you are the better things will go. So taking a seat right behind me on the floor, keeping a smile on your face and not saying anything gives me the opportunity to connect with your little one and a much better chance of getting those amazing smiles and laughs.

Once he had warmed up and felt safe with me he was all smiles and happiness.

Here's to a great session!

Nothando - Terrific Toddler!

Oh boy, is this little toddler the cutest evert! She arrived still in her pajamas and dressing gown and wasn't quite prepared to change. She also decided that she needed to put on her backpack. My philosophy with small children is to just go with the flow. So we went with the flow and this is the result...

 I set up a nice little scene with a cot and some dollies which you would expect most little girls to just love. Well she decided that this was not to her liking and this is what followed...

 Out goes one dolly.

 Out goes the next dolly.

In goes toddler in pajamas, dressing gown and backback.

Now that is so much better!

Next I set up a scene with pearls and necklaces and other things little girls just can't resist.

That went well for a few moments but she had her heart set on the cot so back it came!

Please note how well those pearls suit dad!

I brought out a little Kiwi from New Zealand that cheeps when you press it's belly. Photographs cannot really capture her reaction. She had absolutely no idea what to make of it. 

Love, love, love this photo of dad and daughter!

We headed on outside for some photographs under the trees on my cute chair with a really girly, pink raffia umbrella. However our model was having none of that. She had spotted the sandpit and absolutely nothing was going to get her out of there. So we picked up our props and joined her in the sandpit!

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Spring Mini Sessions Special!!

Spring is almost here...yay! I thought a great way to celebrate spring was to have some fun Spring Mini Sessions! These are a great, exciting and affordable way of updating family photographs. 

To make it extra fun I'll have four different themes to choose from and a choice of indoors or outdoors. Details will be provided at the time of making your booking. I will have refreshments for you and the kiddies, so you can relax and enjoy the fun!

I only have 8 sessions available on the weekend of the 13th and 14th September.

15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30

on both the Friday and Saturday afternoon.

You receive a 15-20 minute themed photo session, 1 watermarked image that is Facebook ready, 10 images in an online gallery for viewing and ordering, one A4 print and four jumbo prints. And you will receive a custom Smartphone App TOTALLY FREE!!!

Contact me to book your spot!

CONTACT Rosalind | VIEW Portfolio | LIKE Facebook | ENJOY Website

Handmade Beanies Galore!

I love handmade things. Of course being a baby and family photographer I get to really enjoy handmade beanies and props. Every time I see something that grabs my interest all I can think about is how I can use it as a prop in a photo session.

As there are no local suppliers of handmade beanies I learnt to crochet them for myself. Now I am a crochet junkie. I just love it. I spend ages browsing through patterns to find ones I just have to make. I have gathered so much yarn that I'm not buying anymore until it is all finished!

So many of my clients have asked where I get my beanies and tell me that they cannot find anywhere local to buy them. So... I have partnered with a good friend of mine, Kay-leigh, and we have started a little business making and selling handmade crocheted items.

Introducing...

We have literally dozens of designs between the two of us and are furiously crocheting beanies, character beanies, head bands, ear warmers, flowers, jewellery and even giant doily rugs. Some of the patterns are designs by Alli Hyer, some are our own and some are patterns we have stumbled across.

This rug is 145cm in diametre and is made from 100% cotton. It is available for order! Custom sizes are also available and are made to order.

Here is our catalogue so far. Unfortunately we don't have photos of all the designs available as they were sold before we could photograph them! We'll post photos as soon as we can.

Not all beanies come standard with flowers. The flowers are on buttons and can be removed or changed if you like. You can purchase several flowers for one beanie. Please note the comments under each beanie as to whether the flower is included or not.

Pricing

A 1       N$   89  (flower included)

A 2       N$ 129 (flower included)

B 1       N$ 109 (no flower)

B 2       N$ 129 (flower NOT included)

B 3       N$ 149 (flower or spirals included)

B 4       N$ 169 (flower NOT included)

B 5       N$ 195

Flower - medium      N$ 20  (This is the size of the flower on the Sally)

Flower - large           N$ 30  (This is the size of the flower on the Gertrude)

Flower - out sized    N$ 35  (This is the size of the flower on the Edith Ear Warmer)

Ordering

Copy and paste the order form information into the contact form below and fill in the details of your order. We will send you an invoice, you deposit the money in our account, we make your item and give you a call when it is ready!

Journey Decor at the Vintage Coffee Shop also carries our stock. Mitzi's Pharmacy in Independence Avenue will soon have stock.

We ship throughout Namibia at present. Complete the order form and we will send you a postage/courier quote if you are not based in Windhoek.

Order Form Information

Name:

Contact Number:

Physical Address:

Style:

Size: (give us the circumference of the head at the widest point)

Age: (age of the person who will wear the beanie)

Colours: (indicate the colours you like and we'll do our best)

Flower style: (medium, large, out sized)

Flower colours:

Comments:

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