“My house is too dark for an in-home session.” Watch this Geelong photographer prove you wrong.
My children, loving on each other. They're besties *most* of the time.
My son’s room is the darkest room in our Geelong home.
Like, it is DARK.
Enjoy an unedited iPhone snap of my son's room.
These were taken during the brightest part of the day.
Although it has a nice big window, our semi-enclosed carport was built right along his side of the house, preventing much natural light from reaching the confines of his little space.
Add to that his room is painted a rich forest green, and it’s a pretty dim place to be most of the time.
Interesting colour for a bedroom, wouldn't you agree? As a lifestyle photographer I don't mind at all!
We like to joke how he’ll be thanking us in the teenage years, when kids seem to disappear into their lairs like bears, only to reappear months later with a sore head and an insatiable hunger for everything edible.
Until such a day, it’s just a dark room.
Still, when the blinds are drawn, a soft light filters in and drops quickly away.
When he’s standing in his cot this makes for a really lovely spot for some moody images.
I like to capture him here - it’s the first way I see him in the morning, and the place he's standing to greet me when I come collect him after every nap.
For us it is a meaningful space, a worthy space of being preserved and remembered.
I photograph it as the light falls and I don’t try to make it something it isn’t. In years to come, this is how we will want it to exist in our photos - just exactly as it was.
I'm going to print this one large - because I could stare at this sweet little potato *all* day.
Storytelling photography is a new style of lifestyle photography in the Geelong area.
As a result, when I speak about what I do, people often express their reservations about having someone shoot in their home.
They worry their space is ‘too dingy’ or ‘too cluttered’, or ‘not bright and airy’ enough.
I’m sharing these photographs to demonstrate that none of that matters.
There is nothing 'bright and airy' about this baby's room. But none of that matters when you're documenting life.
In fact, a space you may deem unsuited to photographs may actually be quite perfect.
You just need someone who knows how to find the light.
The thing to understand about storytelling and documentary photography is that it isn't about the best conditions and the best outfits and the most technically sound photographs.
It’s about freezing time.
Documenting life.
Telling your story.
A part of this boy's story began in this room - it was his first very own space.
Storytelling lifestyle photographs hero moment over perfection. Just as it should be.
It’s about recognising and celebrating connections.
It's about capturing authentic emotions.
It’s about seeing the heart and soul of a family, of an individual.
All a lifestyle photographer needs is a little bit of light and the knowledge of how to use it.
I didn't realise how grotty his cot was until I processed these images. Whoops!
Your photographs will tell YOUR story.
As a result, they’ll be different to the images taken for someone else. They'll be better.
They will be personal. Meaningful.
Something to truly cherish.
They’ll feature the things that are most important to you.
Your home. Your children.
This moment in time.
A piece of your precious past.
Preserved, ever long.
(One more, just because he's just too wonderful for words).
(Okay, I fibbed. THIS is the last one. Promise.)
Do you long for some gorgeous and authentic photographs that will tell your family's story? Would you like to chat about how suitable your home might be for a storytelling session?
I am a Geelong lifestyle photographer, so if you're in Geelong or Melbourne I can hook you up.
Geelong residents - if you're truly worried about whether we can capture gorgeous lifestyle photographs in your space, invite me over. I'm happy to do a complimentary in-home consultation to set your mind at ease. x
See an in-home session from last month here.