Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 21]

Due to circumstances, I have switched todays and tomorrows days!  So today was a photo of my husband 'just being' with one of the children.  Miss 4 loves her daddy cuddles...and although he doesn't say it aloud too often, daddy has a soft spot for his little girl.

Perhaps it's because she acts half boy!

And as a side note - wishing you all a wonderful new year's eve!  Stay safe and remember to enjoy precious moments with those you love in 2012.

Next blog post will be next year :-)

Day 21:  Take a photo of your partner with your child

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 20]

I DID IT!  Okay okay, unnecessary excitement...since all I 'did' was reach goal 2.  Goal 3 is 30 days.  My ultimate goal is to complete the challenge of 60 days.  But here I am, double what my initial goal was to achieve.  So it's worth a little celebrating.  I think I'll go to be early tonight.  That's what old people do, right?!!

Today's inspiration was to view the world through a child's eyes...and since the kids sometimes ask if they can take a photo (think 387 blurry photos of feet, floors & unidentifiable objects taken on the iphone), Master 8 was very excited to get his hands on my camera.

My old camera.
Not my new one.
Oh no!

We then embarked on a crash course on which button to press and how to zoom.  After viewing the first few photos a second crash course on how to focus was necessary!

So after I took a couple of photos of him taking photos of Miss 4, I decided to leave him to his own devices.  And that is when he captured this sweet photo of missy telling him she was tired of photos and flopping down on her bed!


Day 20:  Hand the camera over to one of your older children and allow them to snap a photograph

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 19]

Today was a day with a difference.  Shooting the 6th child.  Or the 1st one, depending on how you look at it.  The one I married.

Not that that is what it says in the daily inspiration:-)

So I convinced my reluctant husband to try on his new shirt and patiently let me take a few 'quick' photos.  Because men like getting their photo taken so much!!  And with having this week off work between Christmas and New Year I'm loving the stubble:-)

Day 19:  Take a photograph of your partner or another loved one.  They deserve some attention too.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 18]

I picked some close-ups of the boys little quirks today (although missy's eyelashes are beautiful and long!).

Master 8 is the one I call the 'white sheep' of our family - with his very blonde hair and fair skin that is prone to the smattering of freckles!  

And Master 5...well I decided to take a photo of his war wound.  The one that will impress the girls. 

Later.  

Much later.  

The story will perhaps need embellishing to truly impress though.  I'm not sure, 'I was walking up the hill with my eyes shut and tripped over a rock' sounds suitably tough:-)

Day 18:  Take some close-up photographs of your child's lips, eyelashes, and hair

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 17]

Getting in early today!  It's been 2 days since Christmas and the kids all received money from Grandma & Granddad...soooo, based on only a small white lie, they had to wait until today until the shops were open!  I was NOT battling boxing day sale crowds with 5 kids.

Call me mean.
Call me unadventurous.

So after getting rooms tidied with the promise of a trip to the toy store, they were keen to get dressed and go to town.  Miss 4 loves her green dress (and pony goes everywhere!)...but she refused to lie on the floor like her big brother.  Only time in her life she decides to act girly!!

Master 5 loves this t-shirt...running around quoting it with a big, cheesy grin!  And not quite the shorts I'd choose to match, but he insisted, 'grey and grey...it matches'!!  As for the thongs.  Well that's where his maleness quirkiness comes in.  What can I say?


Day 17:  Take a photo of what your child is wearing today

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 16]

I knew as soon as I saw today's inspiration that I would pick Master 5 to focus on!  He is incredibly expressive...and more than happy to pull cheeky faces!  So with the promise of a pick out of the treasure box if he'd just come and pull some faces (forced cranky, happy, sleeping, silly, crying) I then pulled a mean mum trick!  I said he didn't need to pick out the treasure box after all...so then I got a chance to capture the, 'why mum' look, the 'it's not fair' look, the 'but you said mum' look, and finally the 'real crying complete with crocodile tears' look!

And of course he got to pick out of the treasure box.  I'm not THAT mean :-)


Day 16:  Explore expressions, and make a collage of your child's different facial expressions

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 15]

I wondered how I would achieve today's photo, thinking perhaps I'd have to set it up.  It's not that they don't play together, but often it's not easy to photograph.  But then I was watching them in the pool (you know, the new one that is going to feature often now!) and the three youngest were all playing sweetly together.  Proof.  It can happen.  It does happen.

I love the quote attached to today's inspiration.  "At the end of the day, interaction is everything.  It's the glue that holds the family together.  Those sweet moments will never cease to put a smile on our faces".

Day 15:  Together time!  Capture a moment where two or more of your family are spending time together.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day14]

After asking the 3 children what they would like me to take a photo of today, the new pool tricks were high on the list!  Although Miss 4 always takes any opportunity to get her photo taken with our dogs :-)  And Master 5 asked if he could have 2 photos...one jumping into the pool and one with his lego rocket ship Santa bought!  Master 8 would ask me to take photos of him doing backflips on the trampoline and now into the pool whenever he can (even asking dad to throw him into the air!) :-)

Such entertaining kids...most times!  And a little bit crazy.  

Day 14:  Today, tell your child you would like for them to choose the activity, place or object that you are going to photograph.  Be honest!

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 13]

Well now I'm a few days behind...but with a valid excuse!  Some bug has kept me confined to bed...and in no condition to even lift the camera...or sadly enjoy Christmas quite how I was hoping to.  So expect a few posts tonight now I'm feeling better!!

This was a tricky day to shoot...and I spent most of the day wondering how/what I was to take a photo of.  How do you photograph their favourite song?  But when they were dancing around to the lovely Christmas toys (who buys these loud toys!) I knew what I could do!  Though of course, once I pulled the camera out they stopped!!  So then I asked Miss 4 to sit in front of the Christmas tree and listen to 'Jingle Bells Rock' on the very old but still standing Christmas tree toy.  He used to dance.  But now he can only sing.  Bit like me really.  Actually, not that I could ever dance!!

Then I thought I'd ask Master 8 to play me his favourite song on the piano.  He has been learning for a year now and is quite happy to sit down and play randomly.  So he picked Skateboard Doodle.  The new, improved version of Yankee Doodle.  For those of us who are old :-P

Day 13:  Photograph your child's favourite song

Deserving families...

The winners of my Spirit of giving photography giveaway are:

1) Bec, Pedro & Reef Nicol
2) Tanya Kleidon's mum, sisters and grandma

Thank you to everyone for all your nominations...I wish I could pick you all :-)

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe Christmas.  I look forward to sharing more of my photography journey with you all in 2012!

Amanda

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 12]

I was really, really looking forward to taking today's photo.  It was one I didn't have to think (or overthink) about...and I was excited to see where they would be and what they would be doing at the specific time.  BUT...nothing ever goes quite to plan, does it?!  We spent most of the night up with Master 8 & Master 5 being sick.  Not fun for the poor little things.  And to add to it I was feeling really blocked up (after a trip to the doctor's this morning, it is because I have upper respiratory tract and middle ear infections...fun!).  So after 2 hours sleep the whole day's plans changed.

I am so grateful to have mum nearby who came straight over to help and to have the children while I went to the doctor.  By the time I came home it was...11:45.

I HAD to take a photo.

But mum was trying to tell me I wasn't well enough to be even doing that.  Spoil sport!!!

After rolling my eyes, unfortunately in my teenager's line of vision, he said to me, 'If I did that I'd be sent straight to my bed'.
I asked if I could!!!!
Ahhh the difference 20 odd years makes :-)

So my sweet little 5 year old is sitting on the mattress we'd dragged out to the lounge room, sucking on a hydralyte ice block and watching the iPod.  Before lying down and falling asleep.  I'm going to be honest here - I actually sort of like it when they are sick.  I do feel terribly sorry for them...but they are so quiet, and sweet and wanting mum's cuddles and love.

Miss 4 (who, fingers crossed, is not sick), was happily making herself lunch while everyone else was distracted.  And what a lunch it was!  Corn thins with nutella and topped with luncheon.  Ughhh!

So I'm now sitting here on the couch beside my sick little man catching up on blog posts.  Shhh, don't tell mum :-)


Day 12:  Capture a photo of whatever it is your child is doing at exactly 11:45 am - today!  Just being!

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 11]

A day late getting these posted...two boys and myself sick doesn't create an ideal situation for blogging.  I did take the photos yesterday...though I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to take.  The inspiration was to take a photo of the children exploring the garden...my kids are probably a bit past this now - unless I was to create a situation (they are more than happy to explore it for an easter egg hunt!!).  It was suggested not to set anything up but rather to take a photo in a situation they would be normally in!

Well less garden-y and more outdoors-y, the water was finally put in our pool yesterday.  After 6 looooooong months, I don't think the kids could wait a minute longer!  So despite only millimetres of water in it for a start, they were straight in and playing.  And when Master 5 got hold of the hose I'm not sure how much water was actually going IN the pool!!  And a lack of pool toys didn't stop them having fun with a footy in there too :-)


Day 11:  Take a photo of your children exploring the garden

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 10]

I did it :-)  Day 10...and I'm enjoying doing this so much that I WILL keep going...aiming for 20 now!

I haven't technically followed todays inspiration...and it's one I easily could have.  But yesterday (yes, honest moment...I took these 2 photos yesterday!) I captured these cute photos without intending to use them for this challenge, but I love them too much not too!  The top one is Master 5 & Miss 4's 'show', that they set up with chairs (pint size ones) for their brothers and us, complete with backlighting.  Fancy!  And the show was so well prepared that here they are whispering what to do next!!!

The second photo is of Master 8 yesterday afternoon on the trampoline.  Yesterday.  The day I felt I lacked creativity.  But I did capture this last shot and then thought it would be perfect for today!  So although not exactly silhouette's or shadows, they could loosely fit the definition!


Day 10:  Capture a photograph of a silhouette of your child or your child's shadow

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 9]

Well today was a challenge.  For multiple reasons.  One is that I didn't really have the time or energy to put into thinking creatively today.  Another is that the sun would not come out to play with me!  So I was nearly going to leave today's photos until tomorrow.  And then all 5 children were playing on the trampoline (as they do most afternoons), the sun peeked out...and out of nowhere I got this unknown burst of energy to up and take some photos.  Like trying to take a photo of all of your own children at once isn't a challenge on it's own....especially when there's 5.  You know, those little human beings who prefer to not listen to their mother.  Yup, them ones.  AND  I was to try and immerse the viewer in the activity.

But I just wasn't getting IT.

Co-operation lacking from:
* my brain
* the kids
* the sun

So today is not terribly inspiring.  Or exciting.  Or great.

Day 9: Take a photo of your children in outdoor active play

 The black & white is the best photo of the lot!  So I thought I'd include a series of outtakes.  The ones where they can't all possibly bounce at the same time.  But check out Miss 4's process of tears because, 'The boys are all bouncing me'!!

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 8]

There are 2 things I learnt taking today's photos:

1)  I wish the kids rooms always looked this tidy (even if half the 'stuff' was just out of the frame!).

2) I need a new wide angle lens for my full frame camera.  Had to reintroduce myself to my cropped sensor for these photos!

Day 8:  Take a photo of your child in their room.  Try to include the whole room.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 7]

School holidays...have to catch the kids for photos when I can!!  And the ones that are home - not at a friends, not at the neighbours...or who don't have friends over and there. is. no. way. mum. is. taking. my. photo.

Today I had to capture frustration that didn't necessarily translate into crying. Crying I'm sure I could easily capture...you know, when a brother has hit them, thrown something at them, jumped on them, ran over them (all accidentally of course), when someone took a tiny piece of lego that was vital to their construction, when they bit their tongue, when someone didn't get the spoon out for them, or forgot their plate or looked at them, or, or, or....

Anyway, back to the frustrated look.  I decided I would have to set them a task.  So for Miss 4 I asked her take Barbie's hair out...and got the series of concentration/determination/frustration followed by, 'I CAN'T'!!  Master 5's old amber & hazelwood necklace (the best things ever) had broken, so I pulled off the beads and asked him to rethread it.  Credit where credit is due....he did persevere much longer than I'd anticipated :-)

Day 7:  Capture a photo of your child frustrated

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 6]

Today's (well yesterdays) photos are delayed until today because I was focusing on my 'Spirit of Giving' post.  And I was cleaning cupboards in between.  Of course I want to clean more than I want to take photos!  Not!!  Anyway...another cupboard clean and it's back to my challenge.

It is encouraged to try and not just take a pretty photo of a smiling face for today's photo, where I had to take a photo of my children laughing hysterically.  This did require a bit of help from big brother...as my children don't tend to just laugh uncontrollably at will :-)  So Master 5 was tickled...a lot!  Of course, as anyone knows, when you're tickled you don't tend to lie nice and still!!  But he LOVES being tickled (it's part of his nightly ritual...a kiss from mum and a tickle, bubble & donk from dad!  As you do!).   And to get Miss 4 to laugh we took her outside and got her big brother to dance & pull faces.  Master 5 decided to also try and get her to laugh by rolling around on the grass pretending to laugh hysterically :-)  Ahhhh...that boy has so much personality!!

Day 6:  Capture your child in complete hysterics

The spirit of giving...

....to someone in need.  That's what Christmas should be all about.  Most of us have so much to be thankful for.  A nice home, a good partner, healthy kids, great food, a comfortable bed, wonderful holidays planned.  Maybe all of these, maybe a combination of some.  But I wanted to take the time and remember those at Christmas who aren't so fortunate.  They may have lost a loved one, been given some heart wrenching news, have children who are sick or disabled, be alone, be struggling to buy food - let alone gifts for family or friends.

So this Christmas I want to give back to those who may be in need.  I would like to offer TWO free photo sessions to someone who would love some beautiful, lasting memories.

The more I think about trying to reach 1000 likers the more I realise that it is just for me.  So I feel good.  So instead of waiting until then, I am going to start this giveaway now...regardless of how many likes I have.  And I will announce the winners on Saturday 24th December - just in time for Christmas :-)

THE PRIZE (TWO of) - Value $870 each

• 1 hour photo session (family, portrait, newborn, children for up to 5 people)
• Free coffee table album
• Up to 20 edited, high resolution images on disk

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO:

1. Share this blog post on your facebook page so that everyone gets a chance to enter.
2. Nominate who you would like to win this prize and the reason why (and their location), by doing ONE of the following:

Writing on my facebook wall; OR
Write a comment on this blog post; OR
 Email me at amanda@fraserphotique.com

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Winner must be from Mackay or surrounds, Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville.
• Cannot be redeemed for cash.
• Session must be used in January, February or March 2012 and is subject to availability.
• Competition closes at midnight on Friday 23 December. Giveaway recipients are announced on Saturday 24 December and the decision is final.  No correspondence will be entered in to.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 5]

Day 5....who would have thought?!  That's halfway.  Well halfway to my initial goal of 10 days.  So it sounds good!

I struggled a lot with todays inspiration.  A close-up photo of my children showing something unique to their age.  Hmmmm.  Boys:  scars, dirt, messy hair, mismatched clothes...that starts from toddlerhood and continues until they are, well.....  it never ends does it?? :-)

Then I had a small light bulb moment...Master 8 - missing teeth!  And of course it's too much fun not to stick their tongue in the gap!   And Miss 4's sweet braid (which could really be on any girl, of any age too!).

Day 5:  Capture a close-up of something about your child that is telling of their age

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 4]

I must admit I'm quite enjoying taking these photos.  I like that it's getting me to view different aspects of my children each day.  And that it gets me away from scrubbing the boy's toilet.  Because that's every mums dream job.  Really guys, it is!

Today's photo really required me getting the children's attention!  Miss 4 was more than happy to pose by the gorgeous window light and put on her perfect camera smile.  Master 5 on the other hand was NOT in the mood...he just wanted to get back to playing lego!   I must admit after his effort (or lack thereof) I decided not to track down Master 8.  Although I'm sure he would have posed.  He's like that!

Day 4:  Capture a close-up of your children's faces (focus on their eyes)

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 3]

No.  I haven't fallen off the wagon already.  Life + 5 kids + school holidays = busy.  I did get one photo in yesterday but had to take the other 2 this morning!  BUT, I did spend most of yesterday thinking about the photos I would take :-)

So Day 3 is:  Take a photo of your child having a quiet moment

Drawing, playing horses & building lego is MOSTLY quiet times...until someone bumps the pencil, knocks over the horses or steals the piece of lego they had. to. have.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 2]

Wow....I can commit!  Here I am on day 2 :-)  And I did reshoot all 3!

Today's inspiration was to take a photo of my children without actually including them in the frame.  I (possibly misread) went one step further and took a photo of something that is 'them'.  Or one part of them!  Miss 4 and her love of dressing up in pretty dresses.  Master 5 and his endless, unlimited fascination with building lego.  Master 8 and his love of anything with wheels that he can ride outdoors!

Day 2 - Take a photo of your child without actually including your child in the frame

Time to get back on the wagon [Day 1]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!  My 52 week challenge petered out...firstly due to slackness, then due to my dad passing away.  So rather than setting out on such an adventurous challenge again, I'm going to start a new one.  One that I can start out small...without feeling overwhelmed.  And then giving up.  So this is Jinky's 30-60 Day Inspiration Guide to Photographing your Children:-)  Where I will begin with completing 10 days.  Strive to complete 20 days.  Aim for 30 days.  And take it from there.  Baby steps!

Problem - strike that.  Challenge number 1!  I have 5 children!  So I thought I'd just 'do' the youngest 2.  But sweet middle child asked to be involved.  So I will always pick one.  Sometimes I will shoot 2.  And on good days I'll do all 3 :-)


So here is Day 1:  Photograph a routine activity