Photo Post #2 : Claire

Newborn Photography Workshop : After

At the ripe time of 5am, I was up with the birds and set off from Brighton to my workshop location in Weymouth.  I'm not much of a morning person so as you can imagine the struggle was really real for me, but I was so excited for the day that I didn't really mind.

The drive took me through lots of countryside and windy roads, which was a pleasant break from the motorway. I arrived just after 8:30am nice and early for the start time of 9am.  

The workshops are run by Shellie Wall and Maddy Rogers, two very respected newborn specialist photographers in the UK.  I had actually ordered a new camera a few weeks prior to the workshop, but due to backlog of orders Calumet couldn't get it to me in time.  Kindly enough Maddy lent me one of hers, a real life saver!  It really expressed how above and beyond they go to make sure people attending the workshops leave with a positive experience!

The workshop consisted of many different elements.  We covered dealing with clients, preparing them before the shoot, documents to send out, handling and posing the newborns safely, workflow, wrapping, soothing, props, admin, lighting and editing software.  There may have been something I have missed, but we covered so much!

It was really important for me to be able to understand the behind the scenes process of a newborn photography shoot.  Having specialised in fashion, it is like leaping into another world.  However the step by step instructions that Maddy and Shellie went through with us, were informative and constructive.  Enabling us to get a very strong sense of what our responsibilities would be as the photographer.  

There are many areas that with time and experience I will improve.  Mainly posing and handling the babies.  The ladies both worked with a comforting calm, quietly confident with what they were doing, reading the baby's body language and stages of sleep.  Putting the parents instantly at ease.  Something that was amazing to observe.

Maddy and Shellie spoke with an open honesty, trying their best to be as helpful as possible, answering all of our questions.  I can imagine this takes a lot of patience, there was quite a few!

 I can't recommend the workshop enough.  I felt the wealth of knowledge that I came away with was invaluable.  If you have been shooting newborns for a while, and want to improve on certain aspects of your business, then this would also benefit you.  

Overall it was a very enjoyable day, it felt really amazing to be back photographing something I am passionate about again.  Something that was always instilled in our minds at university, was that the photography world is small, help others and they will help you.  This has always stuck with me.  Maddy and Shellie are brave opening up with all of their knowledge and wisdom in these workshops, and this does not go unnoticed.

If your thinking twice about attending a workshop, don't, go for it, your investment will reflect in your confidence and in your business, you'll thank yourself later! 

To find out information on future workshops click here

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Newborn Photography Workshop: Before

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 I'm a firm believer in development and progression.  I would never like to think that I ever got too comfortable with what I know.  Photography started off as a hobby for me, 8 years later, one BA honours degree down (which I'm very proud of) and I still feel like there is more to learn.

I first specialised in fashion when I graduated from university.  I followed the path of internships, assisting photographers, setting up my own shoots.  However as time went on I never really found that sense of fulfilment I wanted. Working all hours under the sun, in a very superficial industry. 

 Knowing I hadn't yet found my place, and I'm sure you can agree, having to make life changing decisions at 16, defining where your life will take you is somewhat overwhelming.  I know that I loved all elements of photography, and it only took a short stint of working for a children's photography company that I felt I had found my calling.  

FINALLY, PHEW

So that brings me to here, about to embark on a newborn photography workshop, so that I am prepared, educated and informed.  I honestly can't wait to get involved with my creative side again, and working towards something I am truly passionate about.  I can thank my four years on a commercial photography degree, for making me technically sound and industry savvy.  Although there are some things that can only be taught from experience.  

When I did my research into which company to do my workshop with, (there are many that offer similar services) I wanted to go primarily for safety and knowledge.  

I booked my workshop through The Newborn Workshops.

I picked them for experience, and most importantly their core principle is posing and photographing newborns in the safest way possible.  

 I will be blogging about the day, the benefits of the workshop and what I take away from it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

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