BOY or GIRL??? Today we had a Gender Reveal Photo Session!

I haven't been so excited in YEARS :) Andy could't go to 20 week scan, so we thought of doing gender reveal session. This way we can find out together and have some fun!

So I asked the sonographer not to tell the sex but write it down and put in an envelope together with the "evidence photo" :)

At home we already had a box and 2 sets of pink and blue balloons prepared. I gave envelope to my assistant Radek who went on with "filling the box". I was so jealous that he found out first!!! :)  

The anticipation was just unbearable! 

                                                                               THE RESULT!!!

Check out our pregnancy announcement photo session here

My google profile Ann Wo

Ann Wo News - Baby Number 2 due End of March 2015

Hooray! :) Yes, I'm pregnant and have been trying to arrange a photo session for ourselves for ages, but with all the cute newborns and gorgeous families there was no time at all!

I'm about 16 weeks and feeling great, actually forgetting that there is someone inside! The first couple of months were a bit "meh" - I was knackered after sessions and always sleeping in the van on the way home,  luckily I have Radek, my assistant, that drives me. He also helps with the editing, and soon will start covering family sessions with older babies. He won't be doing maternity and newborns as that requires a lot of training and patience to get to the level I'd be happy with. He's great with older babies and children, we've worked together for years at the same studio before I went freelance. He also already photographs events, such as birthdays and christenings, which I don't do.

So finally we found the time when both Radek and my little family are free and the the whether is great!

I wanted photographs with a very natural, informal, lifestyle feel. Just us three having a nice walk, fooling around and laughing. I'm very very happy with the results!! :) There was a lot of giggles, boys were in good spirits, Andy even managed to do selfies in between shots, Ben was determined to test his digger everywhere he could and was cracking jokes like a pro. What a great day! :)

UPDATE! We know who we are having:) check this post Gender Reveal Session

My google profile Ann Wo

Photography studio lighting set up for mini-sessions with toddlers

So yesterday I posted  a couple of photos with my little boy testing out studio photography set up for family mini-sessions.

I had a lot of messages asking what set up looks like, camera settings, etc, so I took some "behind the scene" shots today.

I shoot natural light most of the time. Majority of my work is newborn photography and I love dreamy feel that natural light gives.  But obviously with groups or toddlers or when there is no natural light available - studio light comes to the rescue.

Here's my boy modelling his best,  marshmallows in exchange for his precious time!

Here's how the set up looks like.

 What is used:

Background stand  Lastolite Heavy Duty

Brown paper roll (I cut it  so it would fit in the car) Creativity 2.72x11m Peat Brown Paper Background Roll

Laminate flooring from B&Q (I simply take it apart once finished)

Light/softbox/stand  - part of Lastolite Lumen8 400w Twin Head Softbox Kit

Wireless trigger Phottix Strato II 5-in-1 Wireless Trigger - Canon

Speedlite 580EX (looks like they don't make them anymore, not sure)

Camera of course! Canon 5D MarkIII  and my beloved 50mm lens.

Marshmallows and LOTS of patience! Photographing your own kids is not easy!

WHY the softbox is not aimed at the model??? This is to make the light softer and spread it out by bouncing it off the walls and ceiling (white). I also have a speedlite attached on top of the trigger on manual mode with a little reflector popped out. This is only used in the evenings to get that tiny spark in the eyes. If it's a daytime the windows behind me do the trick.

If the softbox  is aimed at the model  it looks great too. BUT. The model has to be standing right in that "central spot". 

Something like this.

It would've been better if Ben turned a bit more towards the light, so his right side of the face would be lit more.

Toddlers don't exactly sit still. Unless they eat a chocolate cake.

So if they come out (or most likely jump out) of that "central spot" lighting is messed up.

Like that. Not very nice. Great expression but shadows ruined it.

So with toddlers you need a scenario when the lighting is the least you will have to worry about. With bounced light, as long as they stay within the set up area, you will get the shot. The most important thing is to establish the connection with the child, make them like you, get their attention and QUICK! 

With bounced light you can shoot from any place even if the child is on the floor and you shoot from above.

Here's another angle.

And all the settings.

Hope this helps! Please leave comments below if you have any more questions or any tips of your own!

My google profile Ann Wo