“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone”
When clients enquire about a family shoot, it can often be a really big step. It’s often something they have been thinking about for a while, and finding the right photographer for your family is a hard job. You need to love their work, respect their pricing, understand their booking system and lastly but most importantly trust them. So when they get in touch I always feel very chuffed that I have been chosen by them to photograph their most precious people.
When Ganiyat contacted me about her daughter Uchechi’s newborn shoot, she already knew she loved my style of photography so once we had got a date sorted, we discussed how she wanted her family to be photographed. This is something I ask all my clients. It enables me to make sure I capture exactly what they want from their shoot. After all it’s their shoot and their hopes and expectations are my priority. Ganiyat and her husband Okechi really value photography and have had family shoots already. So when I arrived at their home I was able to see for myself that their framed family photographs form a vital part of their legacy and tell the story of their family. They’ve captured Christmas portraits, beach walks, their wedding. All these precious moments have their own wall space and I was thrilled that my work would soon join these memories.
Here are a few of my favourite images from our shoot. As you can see this family are so in love with each other they are just beaming. There was so much joy and laughter between them. But one of the best things was just how relaxed they were. This is how it should be. As your photographer I’m the only one who has work to do in your shoot, all you need to do is enjoy being with your nearest and dearest. No stress and no pressure are allowed. And when the beautiful alchemy of all these ingredients come together, this is the result. Marvellous moments captured naturally forever more.
Proud daddy Okechi is himself a keen photographer so it was really special to capture photographs for him as he’s normally the one behind the camera. Big brother Kachi was so proud of his baby sister as you can see for yourself. She will grow up protected by him and then one day when he least expects it, the tables will turn and she’ll perfect the play fighting he practiced on her, watch out Kachi. Big brothers definitely prepare their baby sisters for the big wide world, in our house we call it “love in a headlock”.
When Okechi saw the photograph below of himself and his precious baby girl this was what he said.
“One of those photos I know I will look back fondly at, when she’s all grown and acting like a chick and getting married. That’s my ‘father-of-the-bride’ face”.
This comment made my heart burst with pride. I had the privilege of capturing this magical portrait of them and knowing how Okechi now feels about it is wonderful. I’m so proud of this gallery of photographs. They capture pure moments of connection within a loving family. Fragments in time that will never return but these photographs prove they existed. Okechi has no idea how precious his comment is to me, this is why I chose to do the job I do, Thank you Ganiyat, Okechi, Kachi and Uchechi for inviting me into your home.
“Lost time is never found again” Benjamin Franklin
It was indeed a precious moment. We were able to relax and be ourselves in your presence.
We love the photographs. We waited anxiously to see all the photographs after you sent us a few.
When Kelly Sawer told me about your work and I checked out your work, I was impressed but as you know that Okechi is a keen photographer. I told him and he was also happy with your work, he was the one that needed to approve because of his interest in photography.
Thank you for capturing the special moments that we will forever cherish. Ganiyat