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Hands up parents – do you ever have days during school holidays when you haven’t planned an activity for the kids and they are driving you bonkers?!

Sometimes it feels like they are hardly at school, right?! … so with the Easter school holidays around the corner, I have made a present for you!

Over the years, my kids and I have loved doing photo scavenger hunts, from when they were little reception kids needing me to help, right through to teen years when they had more independence. It has been a lovely way for me to share my passion for photography with them and to teach them some skills along the way … and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of healthy competition, especially at Easter when the rewards are chocolate eggs! So I decided to create a springtime/Easter scavenger hunt that is available as a free download, the perfect activity filler for those unplanned days.

Scavenger hunts are super fun and a great activity to do with your kids when you’re out and about enjoying the warmer weather and the first signs of spring. They’re the perfect activity to keep everyone entertained on a family walk, but they’re also a great activity to have up your sleeves for days when your kids are at a loose end and moaning about being bored (that word should be banned!). I hope you and your kids enjoy it!

Download your copy by filling in the form above, and this will also make sure that you’re notified of any new family activity resources that I create.

Have you read my post about how to take better photos with your phone camera? You might find it a useful read to get some tips before you venture out on your scavenger hunt!

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You can have all the amazing equipment, but if its tucked away in a cupboard at home at the precise moment that you want to capture an unforgettable candid moment, then it’s not much use to anyone!

Using a smartphone camera

Nowadays, we almost always have our mobile phone at our fingertips … and smart phones have pretty good cameras. So why not learn a few easy tricks and techniques to be able to make the most of the photos you take with your phone, you will be amazed at the difference it makes … and just to prove it to you, all the photos in this blog post are snaps that I have taken with my phone!

1 Keep your lens clean

This might sound obvious, but our phones are heavily used on a daily basis. We are always carrying our phones around in bags and pockets so it is easy for them to get smeared with dust and dirt. I always wipe my lens before I use it – it’s pretty easy to remember as it’s usually so dirty it looks like I’m peering through vaseline if I don’t!

2 Find the shortcut

Things happen quickly, especially when kids are involved! Knowing how to get to your camera quickly will make sure that you don’t miss the perfect moment. Most phones have a shortcut to the camera from the home screen, so you can access it without having to unlock the phone first.

3 Set your focus

Your phone will automatically try to focus on the nearest person/object, but you might not want to the focus of your photo to be there. Instead of letting it decide what you want to focus on, you can take control. Simply tap the screen on the person/object that you want to focus on, and voilà! You’ll be able to get much more creative with your compositions once you master focus.

4 Use a grid

I challenge you to find any photographer, amateur or professional, who doesn’t shoot a wonky horizon! Not only is a grid a great tool to help you get straight horizons, it also really helps your composition when you’re new to photography. Have you ever heard of ‘the rule of thirds’? Basically, if you place your subjects/points of interest on the lines of third, or even better at the points where the lines intersect, then it helps you to create a more visually dynamic image. To turn your grid on, go into your camera settings, the guides will show on your screen but not on your finished photo.

5 Don’t zoom

Don’t be tempted to zoom in with the zoom tool, it really degrades the quality of the photos you take. Instead, use your feet to get closer to the action!

6 Don’t use flash

Smartphone cameras may have come a long way, but their flashes haven’t! Obviously you can’t always avoid flash, sometimes you do want to take a photo at night, and that’s fine. But, during the day, make sure that flash is turned off and use natural light for much prettier results.

7 Manually adjust the brightness

This is a game changer! Did you know that you can manually adjust the brightness of your shot with just a simple slider? All phones are slightly different, but generally when you tap your screen to focus a symbol such as a sunshine will appear – have a play around. If you swipe/drag/slide this icon you will see the exposure of your shot change in front of your eyes. Adjusting the brightness will help you to preserve details and also get creative with light and shadow.

8 Edit your photos

With a few simple adjustments using editing tools you can really enhance your photos. You can make sure your photo is straight, crop a little to improve the composition, make your photos pop with a boost in contrast, adjust the colour tone … there is so much you can do. The native editing tools on your phone can do a great job, but if you’re keen to take it further look at apps like VSCO, Lightroom for mobile or Snapseed.

If you want to try our your new skills, you might enjoy testing them out on my springtime photo scavenger hunt. It’s fun for all the family and a great activity to do on a quiet weekend or during the school holidays.

If you have enjoyed learning about how to make the most of your smart phone, make sure you sign up to my newsletter. I often share photography tips as well as keeping you up-to-date with any exciting things that I have going on behind the scenes.

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… “We’re not very interesting! There won’t be anything to photograph!”…

I hear this ALL. THE. TIME.

Let me assure you, you are not boring and there is ALWAYS plenty to capture! It is all the subtle moments and details that happen during an ordinary day that make documentary family photos so meaningful. In fact the more ordinary your day, the more authentic it will feel and the whole family will be relaxed and natural.

Trust the process

One of the most important roles of documentary family photography is to capture the essence of a family and the character of each individual. It’s about, personality, interactions, how each person fits in and how they contribute. There isn’t a cookie cutter look to documentary family photo sessions, because every family is unique and every home is different … it’s my job to celebrate this individuality.

“I was really worried that we were just not going to be interesting enough, but the photos are amazing. I didn’t realise before our session, but I get it now … when we saw our printed photos, with the little everyday things elevated to something beautiful and majestic, it made me realise how special our day-to-day life is and how important it is to have a record of that.” – Lisa

Sometimes there is a temptation for clients to over plan. It is nice to incorporate favourite family activities, but it’s also important to give everyone space to just be themselves, sometimes the most beautiful, deep environmental portraits come from the quietest moments.

The best way to capture life is to simply let things be. You don’t need to worry about sibling rivalry or toddler meltdowns, dirty faces or dressing up clothes, hyperactive whirlwind frenzies or quiet chilling in front of the TV … it’s all part of real life and that story will play out in your photos to make them feel both artful and authentic.

Just remember, real life is far better than any of us could plan for.

Documentary Family photography in St Albans

Something tells me that worrying about being boring was not on the mind of Becca when she booked her shoot. With four young boys, there is always something happening and her house is rarely quiet.

One of the wonderful things about long form sessions is that I get to really experience the different relationships in a family, and I can bring this through into the images, so it was a really treat to observe and capture a large family. The oldest brother took his role seriously, he was the protector and peace maker, there was true sibling rivalry between the middle two boys which brought all the spectrum of emotions, and the littlest thrived on being adored and looked after by every one and was desperate to be able to keep up with his big brothers.

We were lucky, their adventure session took place just before the weather turned rainy, so we were able to sandwich a favourite dog walk in between everyday happenings at home. By the time the gallery was ready, dark nights and cold weather had well and truly set in, which made it extra lovely to look back at the beautiful day we spent together at the end of summer.

It’s so difficult to narrow down my favourite images into a blog post, if you want to see more you can watch the slideshow here.

Emma Collins in an international award-winning documentary photographer. She specialises in documentary family photography in St Albans, Hertfordshire, creating art from the everyday. By using a contemporary day-in-the-life approach to sessions she captures natural, candid, storytelling family photos. Has this whet your appetite for documentary family photography? Learn more about different types of sessions here or get in touch to book your session.

The post Life with boys | Why everyday stories are anything but boring | St Albans Family Photography appeared first on Emma Collins.

What is a day-in-the-life family photoshoot?

Day-in-the-life photo sessions are where photojournalism meets family photography. They preserve the intricate story of your family life right now, from dawn til dusk and everything in between. Nothing posed, just simple, honest moments artfully captured to celebrate your uniquely beautiful family life. Through skilful use of composition and camera technique I elevate your everyday into contemporary art, you will be surprised by the magic that I find!

During your day-in-the-life session I spend several hours with you, so everyone has time to relax in to it. You may choose to mooch around your home and play in the garden, or you might have some activities planned. Whatever happens I go at your pace, following your typical day, documenting real moments, routines and connections as they unfold naturally. You’ll forget that I’m there with a camera as it’s more like hanging out with an old friend! When you look back at your photos you want them to feel authentically ‘you’, so don’t have to prepare anything, you don’t need to get dressed up, you don’t even need to tidy.

Sound easy? It really is the most stress-free photoshoot you will ever have and I promise the photos will be the most meaningful.

Documentary family photography in Cambridge

As a photographer I love to work on these long form sessions, it’s where my true passion lies. I put my heart and soul into a shoot, spending a full day immersing myself in your family to capture the wonder of your ordinary. It allows me to take my time and really slow down. This enables me to watch and wait until something catches my interest, something that is unique to your family. So you can imagine how excited I was to be invited to spend 24 hours photographing the Hagues family in Cambridge.

It was an honour to be asked to photograph the Hagues as Diana is also a family photographer. I know from experience that as a photographer you are always behind the lens. So ironically you are never in your own family photos. Consequently I made sure I put Diana front and centre to show her how much she means to her boys.

… but you might also notice another protagonist – the yellow ball! Any family with footie mad kids will recognise this character. I love how the colour pop weaves through the series to tie everything together.

We had the most fantastic time together so it was impossible to narrow down my favourites. Here is a tiny selection! However, if you want to get a real feel for how a full day-in-the-life session works, watch this slideshow.

Emma Collins in an international award-winning documentary photographer. She specialises in documentary family photography in Cambridge, creating art from the everyday. By using a contemporary day-in-the-life approach to sessions she captures natural, candid, storytelling family photos. Has this whet your appetite for documentary family photography? Learn more about different types of sessions here or get in touch to book your session.

The post Pressing pause | Why book a day-in-the-life family photoshoot? | Family photography in Cambridge appeared first on Emma Collins.

Unfortunately, I can’t be there this year, but if you’re in the region I recommend a visit. It’s a spectacular sight to see the whole town turned into a giant art gallery … and if you do visit please send me a photo!

FAMILY: (UN)EXPECTED

4-16 JULY 2022

ARLES, FRANCE

“Family: (un)expected presents diverse stories, unmasking the true everyday lives of family. The images question prevailing norms while resisting the social media propaganda of the universal ideas of the “perfect family.”

Instead, laid bare is raw humanness that opens us up to the possibilities of being alive together. It exposes real familial experiences that are typically hidden away: triumph, struggle, quietness, and chaos. The expected is poised against the unexpected, providing further questioning of family life.”

If you can’t visit in person you can see the exhibit online here. Click on any of the images to find out more about them, what inspired the artists and the messages behind their work.

Thank you to DFP for your important work in bringing documentary family photography to a wider audience! … and congratulations to my colleagues whose photos are also on display.

The post Family (Un)Expected | Documentary family exhibition at Les Rencontres Arles appeared first on Emma Collins.

Documentary family photography in Harpenden, Hertfordshire

I adored spending time with Sarah and her family! Because I spent half a day with the family, I had time to observe them intimately. Finding out what their home life was really like, allowed me to authentically document their everyday routines and rituals, and how they interacted as a family unit.

When I arrived early on Saturday morning, Sarah’s oldest son was already dressed in his wellies. He was having his sleeves rolled up, ready for some ‘hard work’ digging in the sandpit. Their typical weekend centred around getting dirty on a woodland walk, mucking out the horses and working up an appetite for the customary family lunch. Together they cooked up scrambled egg and grated tomatoes, a tradition dating back to their Spanish wedding breakfast. Exhausted from the morning’s activities the boys settled down for afternoon naps, my cue to say goodbye.

Why documenting the everyday is important

It was so lovely to watch and photograph the family spend time together. Looking back, the walk we took through the woods opposite their home feels especially poignant. It’s a walk that Sarah was keen to capture as it was part of their everyday routine. When I went back to deliver all their frames, the landscape looked different. Tragically, and without warning, the land owner had decided to chop down the woods. The photos we made that day had taken on an even greater significance, because that special part of their daily life had been erased forever. The first thing Sarah said to me was how upset she felt. She was so grateful that we had captured this part of their story for them to look back on and remember fondly.

This is exactly why everyone needs documentary family photoshoots! When you’re in the thick of it, parenting young kids with all hands on deck, it feels never ending. But the thing is, life has a habit of changing without warning. Memories fade and when life moves on you ache to remember how things used to feel. Authentically documented family life brings back all the lost memories.

If you would like to find out more about documentary family sessions, click here.

Emma Collins in an international award-winning documentary family photographer in Harpenden and St Albans specialising in creating art from the everyday. She captures natural, candid, storytelling family photos with her contemporary day-in-the-life approach. If this has whet your appetite for documentary family photography, learn more about different types of sessions here or get in touch to book your very own session.

The post 1/2 Day-in-the-life | Days with little boys & horses | Family photography in Harpenden appeared first on Emma Collins.

It began to feel like a factory conveyor belt, taking families to the same places, telling them what to do. All the pictures and all the families started to blend into one. What’s worse the comparison game set in. I would see images like mine but with incredible backdrops of beaches, mountains, forests and deserts. Its hard to compete with Hertfordshire’s famously uninspiring landscape! I would spend lots of time searching for locations, sometimes I would drag my children out just because the light was perfect. I didn’t live in a pretty enough place and started to feel bad about my life and question my work.

My Eureka moment

These negative thoughts were of course complete rubbish. I had to work through them but in doing so it did eventually give me a EUREKA moment – the world is an interesting place BECAUSE we are all different. I adore my family and I’m very lucky. Why can’t I just celebrate our authentic selves, warts and all, and be proud of who we are? Looking back at those photos, where I cajoled my kids away from their play just so I could photograph them at sunset, I have no emotional connection to them because I know they were manufactured moments. On the contrary, the photos that I found I was falling in love with weren’t posed or directed. They were creatively composed to embrace the chaos and tell the story of our real everyday life.

Nowadays there is so much pressure to strive for a perfect, desirable lifestyle. If we only photograph the good stuff we are just perpetuating this unhealthy pursuit of an unattainable life. By capturing people’s reality we can show them that what they have may not conform to expectations of perfection, but it is THEIR perfect and actually their life is more colourful and richer because of their own unique experiences. This is documentary family photography.

Working this out was such a magical life lesson for me. Allowing myself to lean into what felt right was like finding my superpower. I let go of what I thought people wanted and started making photos that I wanted to make. What’s more doing my own thing made my work more memorable and unique.

A new approach to family photography

Nowadays I call myself a documentary family photographer or a family photojournalist. It’s an unconventional approach to family photography that jigsaws with the diversity of modern family life. My job is to make sense of the chaos of everyday, carefully observing family life. This allows me to construct uniquely personal images, honouring reality in a sensitive but beautiful way. By taking this modern approach, and relinquishing expectations of what a classical family portrait should look like, I can create results that are both stunning and so much more meaningful.

I use long form sessions lasting several hours (the longer the better!). This means that I really get time to see first hand what makes people tick. Slowing down and watching how families interact with their surroundings and each other means that I can make beautiful, unusual photos. The resulting images are infused with details that celebrate the uniqueness of each family. 

If you think a documentary family photoshoot might be for you, or are interested in finding out more about how it works, contact me to schedule a call.

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For a little peek behind the scenes, you can watch us setting up one of our miniature sets in the corner of a bedroom in this blog post.

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I’m honoured and delighted to have had an image selected for the ‘Life in 2021’ juried photography exhibition. The collection showcases images by documentary family photographers from around the world, visually depicting true stories from 2021. Collectively it is shows the universal, multi-faceted experiences of a year where the globe experienced a domino run of lockdowns. It’s a truly inspiring anthology demonstrating the beauty of real life through artfully composed captures. I am sure that you will see real moments and emotions you can relate to – joyful, bad, funny, and more.

The art of documentary family photography

Because documentary family photography has its roots in photojournalism and social documentary, fine art photography, the purpose is to say something in the images that we make.

As artists, we aren’t simply taking pretty portraits, but observing a scene to establish what piques our interest. Our aim is to intentionally construct images that tell a story through careful use of technique and composition. We make decisions about which elements to include and exclude from the frame, to layer up meaning. Above all we want the viewer to linger and ask themselves questions about what they see. It’s great that organisations like the DFP recognise and understand the importance and beauty of the genre, celebrating it in an exhibition, because I know how hard every photographer represented has worked to develop their bodies of work.

In my image, titled ‘By the side of the radiator’, I wanted to capture my daughter’s expression. I felt that it summed up a feeling of resignation to the boredom of enforced isolation. At the same time I reference my discovery of the doll’s head, and by focusing on her I give her more importance. I chose to do this to emphasise that she had become my main muse, counteracting the dwindling inspiration I felt towards photographing my family after months of lockdown.

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