Just look at this little face and tell me that this photo doesn’t make you want to smile.  Let’s all say awww together

This is what photographing babies are all about.  Capturing these innocent expressions and smiles and knowing that they don’t have a care in the world.  Holding that emotion true to your heart.

Riani

Photographing Tivesh’s 1st Birthday Party made me realize how truly blessed I am to be able to follow my passion in life…  I absolutely LOVE photography, photographing kids, photographing babies or pregnant moms-to-be   They are all unique in their own way and I feel privileged whenever someone wants me to capture their essence.  Anyways, back to the birthday party.  This birthday party was every kids fantasy, but in REAL LIFE.  There was a merry-go-round, 2 jumping castles, a little animal farm, face painting, candy floss and all the good stuff  … (well not necessarily if you are a mom who is going to have a little one with a sugar rush but moving along) The party was Mickey Mouse themed so naturally the cake was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse  (I was actually impressed because my brother’s kids watch this every morning at our house before going to school and I can even sing you the whole theme song – scary I know but that is what happens when you spend a lot of time with small kids:-)  )We had such brilliant weather on the day, and while photographing kids I thought to myself that I have the absolute best job in the world!  Photographing kids is an everyday adventure, they are all just perfectly themselves and I love capturing what they think and do.  They were all just having so much fun that it was hard not to smile when watching all of them play their hearts out.  Can you try to imagine what it was like to not have a single worry in the world?  Just playing every day away?Have a look at these faces and you can see they are absolutely innocent…  And then we’ve got the crowning glory of the day, little Tivesh.  Little man I hope there is many more happy years for you ahead!

Riani

I had the pleasure of photographing Jeanette, Miguel and Sienna (isn’t it a grogeous name?) in my studio this morning.  I met them at a friend’s wedding at Kloofzicht Lodge where I took photos of every couple attending the wedding and printed out thank you cards on location with every couple’s photo.  Very unique isn’t it?

Little Sienna is 4 months old and has the most beautiful brown eyes…  She almost looks like she could be family of Demi-Leigh’s.  Sienna has definitely stolen both her mom and dad’s hearts, and with good intentions   She is such a friendly little girl, who only cried when we undressed her for the classic nude baby photos.  I absolutely love photographing babies, I am always the one crazy person who will walk up to a mom with a baby and start cooing to the baby and asking the mom THE QUESTIONS like how old… blah blah blah… 

Like I said I’ve got a thing about babies, would love to have four of my own one day (yes you heard right I said 4)

Riani

With the exception of Demi-Leigh I have never photographed such a friendly little baby before.  What an absolute pleasure! Baby Maddie didn’t even blink an eye when I took her from her mother to do some shots while mom was quickly fixing her hair (we all know what this hectic wind can do to your hair) and photographs last a lifetime so we really want to look good in them (yes women are vain – bet you men are too – they just won’t admit it…)

Back to Maddie and her mom – At first she was a bit tired  as it was almost time for her nap, but all that was soon forgotten when we brought the coloured feathers out.  She was crawling all over my studio and talking (ok mumbling) all the  while. With all her smiles she made for absolutely beautiful shots as you can see….       

I just love photographing babies, especially little girls – okay baby boys are cool too!!

Riani

Aah Riani – you are so lucky about the Demi-Leigh comment (she is the most beautiful baby to photograph – sorry Laura but I as a mother, I am sure you understand….)

I had the pleasure of photographing lots of smalll kiddies over the weekend.  Little Amie is 1yr 3months old and is she busy?! I really learnt a lot from this family photoshoot.

I was prepared with everything from coloured ostrich feathers to  sellotape which we stuck to her fingers to get her to sit still for a few seconds.  In the end it was the coloured plastic balls that held her interest.  She absolutely loved throwing them out of the plastic shell and then packing them all back inside again! This is another little girl who just adores her dad. She also absolutely adores music, so we used mom’s phone and had her jiggling to the music (so cute!)  Anything to get a good, fun and natural photo of your children…

Amie knows exactly what she wants and made sure we knew as well.  We decided to take her outside to play with mom and dad, and a bit of water in a crate and boy did she enjoy the freedom   Often the best thing is just to have mom and dad playing with their little one and then being quick enough to catch those special moments! After all fgood amily portraits last a lifetime….. 

No-one said photographing babies or small children is easy but once you know how to connect with them, it is very rewarding. When it comes to photographing small kids, it’s all about patience and allowing them to just be themselves…