04-APR-2011
Pictures of my two volunteers
You can see the results of my two latest "real life" sessions here:
20-MAR-2011
Volunteers wanted for free photo sessions
I'm looking for two volunteers who'd like a free "real life" photography session during school hours at their own home in Long Buckby.
This involves me photographing your child engaged in activities such as painting, play doh, or board games.
In return for letting me practise on your child, and display the pictures on the internet, you'll get a free 45 (ish) minute session and a CD of 10 - 15 photographs as jpg files.
Please e.mail J.Brennecker@sky.com if you are interested.
*** UPDATE - A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HAVE HELPFULLY VOLUNTEERED ALREADY - THANKYOU! ****
14-FEB-2011
Panoramic Photos of Long Buckby
I've been playing with the panoramic mode on my camera.
05-JAN-2011
365 Project
I've almost completed a year long photography challenge started in February 2010 (hurray!).
12-DEC-2010
Preschool Christmas Play
Preschool asked me to take photographs during the performance of their Christmas play.
You can see the pictures in the "Albums" section of my website. The gallery is password protected and the password can be obtained from Preschool, or by e.mailing J.Brennecker@sky.com if you are a parent of one of the children.
There will also be printed proofs of the photographs available to view at Preschool at the start of term. You can order 6"x4" prints of the pictures for £1 each, with all the profits going to Preschool funds.
14-SEP-2010
"Real Life" Sessions
If you live in Long Buckby, I can come to your house to take photographs of your children playing in their own home and / or garden.
I will ask you to prepare 2 or 3 activities that your children enjoy (e.g. painting, lego, toy cars, dolls, books, play doh, climbing frame, biscuit decorating, board games, ...).
I will bring my lighting equipment, but I can also use natural or ambient light to take pictures of your children playing. These will tend to have a softer, grainier look with a shallower depth of field.
The price is the same as a standard session (10-15 photographs for £45 including a set of 7"x5" prints) although it may take around 45 minutes.
Please e.mail J.Brennecker@sky.com if you are interested.
4-AUG-2010
Studio Style Sessions
I can provide photographs with a plain background and a photography studio style of lighting.
I use a pop-up background with a light inside it to make it pure white, or alternatively you can choose between black, light greyish blue and creamy beige backgrounds.
These sessions take place in Long Buckby and can be at your home, if you have a large open space in your house (at least 2.5m x 2.5m).
A standard 30 minute session costs £45 and a set of 7"x5" prints is included in the price. I aim for around 10 to 15 different pictures.
I also offer 15 minute mini-sessions for £25 if I am able to book at least 2 sessions back-to-back. So, you and a friend could each book consecutive mini-sessions. I aim for between 5 and 8 different photographs from a mini session.
If you are interested in a session and would like to discuss where and when we might be able to arrange one, please e.mail J.BRENNECKER@sky.com
14-MAY-2010
Photo processing
Once I have finished the session, and packed away all my equipment, I start work on producing the final photographs that you will receive.
I carefully narrow down all the pictures to my favourite 10 – 15 photographs (for a standard session) and make slight adjustments to their brightness and contrast.
I may need to do things such as smooth out the background and lighten under eye shadows, but I don’t do very much photo manipulation. I won’t give you smooth, creamy, wrinkle free skin or alter the picture to make you look slimmer (sorry!).
My general approach is to aim for realistic photographs and so I don’t remove things such as birthmarks and moles that are a permanent part of the person. However, I do usually remove or reduce small temporary blemishes like spots, scratches and bruises (as in the example shown.)
I realise that some people may actually prefer me not to do this, because they want a true picture of their child - including the scratches and bruises that are just part of childhood. Please let me know at or before the session if you don’t want me to edit out the evidence of your child’s adventures and mishaps.
25-FEB-2010
Posing or Playing
I like to include different activities in my photography sessions. Personally, I love both smiles and a variety of other expressions – for instance when a child is concentrating on building a tower.
However, I know that you may be hoping to get a certain sort of portrait of your child and, if so, it is really helpful if you can tell me either at or before the session.
Of course, you do have to be realistic. You may really want your children to sit and smile at the camera, but this is far more likely with a 4 year old (if they happen to be feeling co-operative) than with 18 month old twins.
Sometimes the only way to get a child to stay in the right position and look happy is to use toys. And of course, you may actually prefer not to have posed pictures, but ones that show your children playing or reacting naturally with you or each other.
You are very welcome to bring along your own favourite books and toys so that they can be included in the photographs.
18-JAN-2010
How parents can help (or not)
This picture shows a good example of a parent being helpful. The little girl was shy and not sure about having her photograph taken, but she felt safe on her mummy’s lap. Even if you don’t particularly want to have your face included in the photographs, you can play a supporting role.
For slightly older children, it is helpful if you can encourage your child to chat to me (e.g. “Why don’t you tell Jane what we did on Saturday?”). It would be useful to let me know at the start of the session, or by e.mail beforehand, about your child’s favourite topics, TV programs, activities etc.
It is not helpful to stand off to one side and call your child’s name or tell them to smile – unless you want pictures of them with fake smiles, not looking at the camera. If your child feels happier looking towards you, or you feel you can get great expressions from them by making funny faces or telling jokes, then you really need to stand right behind me – and then move quickly when I step backwards! But otherwise, it’s best just to take a back seat and let me talk to them.
Finally, two more useful things to do are: 1) Keep gently moving your child towards the centre of the backdrop, where the lighting will be best. (although I’d rather wait for them to come back on their own than make them cross or upset) and 2) Be ready with a tissue to wipe runny noses.
1-NOV-2009
Price changes for 2010
I have been re-thinking my pricing strategy and the following will apply from January 2010:
You will pay a fixed amount at the time of your session and this price will include a complete set of 7”x5” prints of the photographs resulting from your session.
You will then have the opportunity of buying additional copies and enlargements for a special low price.
The advantage from my point of view, is that I will no longer have wasted time processing pictures that you may like, but do not want to spend extra on, as they are not your absolute favourites. Now they will all be included in the price.
You no longer have to worry about deadlines or finding the time to choose your favourite pictures. You will automatically receive a set of prints and, having seen the finished photographs, hopefully you will find it easy to see whether you would like to order any copies.
14-SEP-2009
Are you indecisive?
Or just too busy to bother with deciding which pictures you would like printed and what copies to have printed for your family?
If so, you might find it convenient to buy a complete set of the photographs as jpg files on a CD.
This allows you to be totally flexible about how you use your photographs. You can e.mail them, put them on the web, use them as screen savers etc.
And, of course, you can print as many copies as you like.
