Author Archives: Eddy Gibson

1. Kids photography ideas – Five tips on how to take great pictures

   August 15, 2014 11:57 am Comments Off on Kids photography ideas – Five tips on how to take great pictures

   Five tips on taking photos of kids

   If any of you have given it a go, which I am sure you have, you’ll know it’s not that easy to get gorgeous natural shots of kids.

   Short attention spans and taking an interest in everything around them means it can be quite tricky, to say the least. However, we have been taking portraits for years now and have got a lots of kids photography ideas – check out our five tips on how to get great shots…

   ‘No cheese please’

   This is a common mistake to make as it’s the universal word for when someone pulls a camera out. However, getting them to say cheese creates ‘silly camera face’ which can look a bit awkward and doesn’t show off their true personality.

   

   Image source 

    

   Let them be…

   Allow them to be themselves, making them sit or pose for the photo will make them fidgety and not want to do it. Let them play, wander around and chat amongst themselves, you’ll get more natural expressions creating a natural moment, rather than a posed portrait.  Don’t even tell them you’re taking a photo, this way they’ll do their own thing and you’ll get them at their best.

   

    

   Toys

   Toys can be brilliant plus they make great props that will add an extra dimension to your photo. Don’t get them all out at once though, this will cause loads of distraction, and they may get sensory overload! Plus, toys will lose their affect quickly so introduce them one by one. Try getting some bubbles out, this makes younger children, mainly babies and toddlers smile lots!

   

    

   Hats & blankets

   Using hats and blankets adds interest and colour to the photograph, bringing an extra dimension to look at.

   

    

   Get low

   Key here is to get down to their level, you’ll never connect with them if you’re towering over them. Get low, chat to them about something they love doing or something that will make them laugh, this will make for beautiful close ups.

   

   

    

   More great ideas here!

   ***
   

2. Get Creative this summer

   August 1, 2014 1:52 pm Comments Off on Get Creative this summer

   Get Creative this summer

   We have trawled through summer hols blogs and put together a list of our favourite activities to do. We’ve chosen ones with a creative twist, that are a bit different from the norm…

   Anything can be a handprint! – creating handprints using paint doesn’t have to be boring, check out these ideas we found, for doing something a bit different… handprint art

   

   Image source

   Rainy day idea – who needs grass for a picnic?? Make a load of butties, fill some bowls with popcorn and take to the carpet for a picnic and movie day with the kids. For anyone who has been hiding under a rock for the past few months, check out the Lego movie and Frozen. Warning!! Frozen songs are highly addictive and you may want to build a snowman in the weeks following…

   

   Image source 

   ‘Kate Moss’ it up – dress up and create a catwalk in your living room, snap away on your ipad and judge who strikes the best model pose. Winner gets a 99 off the ice cream van.

   

   Image source 

   Rose perfume – ok, so we have all done this when we were younger, but I had to put this one in as I loved making rose perfume when I was a kid, plus its dead easy. Get a load of rose petals, soak in water and there you have it… (Then force granny to buy a load)

   

   Image source 

   Cook off – love a bit of Jamie Oliver, check out these two recipe ideas, which are great to do as a family

   Healthy Greek kebabs, loads of veg…

   Smoothie lollies, perfect for the holidays…

   

   Image source & recipes

   Utilise the grandparents – drop them off with their granny and granddads, whilst you can take a well deserved break, even better sync it with a friend and go to the local pub for an hour or four…

   

   Image source 

   And of course, you can always book a homeshoot and have a family portrait session with Bounce to fill the time… find out more

   

   ***
   
   
   

3. Family friendly festivals

   July 30, 2014 4:19 pm Comments Off on Family friendly festivals

   Family Festivities

   Did you used to love the festival vibe, milling around listening to music you love or discovering new tunes, and dancing the day away with a beer in hand – is this a distant dream since you had kids?? If this sounds like you, don’t let it be a thing of the past…There is now over 350 festivals in the UK alone this summer, and loads of these are family friendly and make children a massive part of the scene.

   Don’t get me wrong, I know it won’t be exactly the same as going with a bunch of mates and staying up until god knows when. But, these picks have great music, amazing stuff to keep the kids occupied and educated – plus some absolutely gorgeous settings. Check out our top three family friendly festivals in the UK, this summer.

   

   Image source

    

   Three of the best…

   Camp Bestival – 31st July – 3rd August, Lulworth Castle, Dorset.

   Lulworth Castle makes for a tranquil setting, and it offers loads of fun programmes for the kids to get involved in. Including a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 50th birthday takeover, with a Roald Dahl museum, crafts and storytimes. Whilst Funk Da Cirque offers something for the older kids, with dancers and acrobats showcasing their moves.

   There will be tonnes of music going on, with the likes of Laura Mvula, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and as a mega treat Basement Jaxx will provide the live Sunday night finale.

   Camp Bestival

   

   Image source

    

   Green Man Festival – 14th-17th August 2014, Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons, Wales.

   This intimate festival prides itself on being the most family friendly, with thousands of families returning year after year. The family campsite is extra close to the kids entertainment which includes fun free workshops and activities. Another stunner, its amongst the lush Welsh hills and boasts 24 hour entertainment, comedy, poetry, music and art.

   They have a 24 hour festival license, so why not persuade your friends and their kids to go, this way you can alternate childminding duties so you can check out the night parties and DJs…

   Green Man Festival

   

   Image source

    

   Festival No6 – 5th – 7th September 2014, Portmerion

   No festival can offer a more unique location than No6, its a total fantasy destination with its Italianate-inspired Welsh coastal village complete with sea and mountains. The woods open themselves up during the festivities offering a whole host of joy, from live bands to surreal street theatre.

   The bespoke line up includes all sorts of sounds including favourites such as London Grammar, Pet Shop Boys and Kelis and djs such as, Todd Terge and Julio Bashmore. Plus a plethora of kids activity – kids theatre show, a kids rave, Robin Hood Games and a kids protest march through the village. The best bit is the kids carnival on Saturday afternoon, where you are invited to adorn your carnival gear…

   Festival No6

    

   

   Image source

   Image source

    

   ***
   
   
   

4. A few tips on how to take great photographs in the sun

   July 23, 2014 4:51 pm Comments Off on A few tips on how to take great photographs in the sun

   The sun is shining – capture it quick!

   How fabulous is the weather at the mo? Waking up to the sun every day just changes the mood doesn’t it…Plus the kids are breaking up, so lots of holidays, garden days, beach and park days are suddenly upon us (and I’m sure we should expect a few rainy days too…)

   But hey whilst its warm we all want to make the most of it, and all part of the fun is taking our cameras along to capture those sunny times. Taking useable sunshine snaps can be harder than it looks, so we have pulled together a few top tips on how to take great photographs in the sun.

   

   Quite often we can make the mistake of thinking that lots of light means a good photo, but it’s not the case, lots of light can throw up lots of hurdles! Bright direct sunlight can create unwanted dark shadows, and if it’s shining right in your models eyes it can create squinty eyes – not a good look…

   Quick tips for lovely sunny pics…

   Prepare the Flash!

   It seems crazy thinking about using a flash in the day, but actually by using a bit of flash light it can erase the dark shadows created by the sunlight, that fall on your models face. Also using a bit of flash will darken the background, so your model will stand out – plus it can create light in their eyes adding a bit of twinkle to your shot.

   

   Take to the shade

   Simply find some shade to make shooting in the sunshine easier. Make sure you and your model are fully within the shade before you start snapping. Under trees can create a good location, plus if sunrays are poking through, this can create a dappled light that can look really soft and effective.

   

   Bounce the light

   Another way of filling the shadows is by using a reflector, this way you will be able to bounce the light to fall on to your models face. Anything white is perfect for this, white walls are a good start.

   Get the right angle

   You can move around to get the shot you want – shoot from high or down low and this will change the direction of where the sun hits and the perspective creating totally different looks.

   The halo effect

   Another great one with sunshine, which can be tricky to achieve is to have the sun coming from behind your subject. It can be hard to get it right, especially on smart phone cameras and point and shoots but if you get it right you can use the sun to create a beautiful, golden halo of light around your subject.

   

   Don’t forget nothing beats getting pics done professionally, and with our experience we can capture the perfect shot, especially on those sunny days – Check out our outdoor gallery!

   

    

   ***
   
   
   

5. Children’s Party Time… and the Prince turns One!

   July 21, 2014 4:04 pm Comments Off on Children’s Party Time… and the Prince turns One!

   It’s Party Time…and the Prince turns One!

   It’s Prince Georges birthday, yay! – hasn’t it flown? To celebrate Grandma Carole is throwing him an intimate Peter Rabbit themed children’s party. The Middleton’s make party planning their profession, so who better to plan the special day? The likes of Princess Zara and Mike Tindall will be invited along with their little one Mia Grace, as well as the whole Middleton clan.

   

   It has been reported that George and his pals will dine on organic ice-cream, baby bunny biccies, and sit on personalised bean bags. The family affair will be complete with fun trails, a Peter Rabbit themed cake, George’s four legged companion Lupo and gifts in abundance – including a traditional wooden train set which is personalised just for George. The prince will also be treated to a second party thrown by his mum at Kensington Palace.

   Actually we were very lucky to be invited to do the pics at a very royal party in Chester recently…

   

   Princess Sofia the First themed birthday party

   Throwing memorable parties for little ones is becoming more and more popular with parents and grandparents wanting to savour the moment, and capture those early years that only comes once. Plus, with the immersion of popular characters such as Ana from Frozen, Sofia the First, Disney’s Cars and much more, its growing ever more essential to grab inspiration from these icons and create a truly memorable day for your child.

   As parties such as these are so popular its ever more important to document the day.

   We have been involved in some fab parties recently, check out some pics below…

   

   

   

   Why not book Bounce to Document your child’s birthday party. We’ll mingle in with the celebrations and spend a few hours snapping away, so you’ll have lasting memories of your little ones special day.

   Find out more and view our gallery here… Bounce Party Packages

   

    

   ***
   
   
   

6. How to avoid bad Christmas portraits

   December 3, 2013 10:16 am Comments Off on How to avoid bad Christmas portraits

   How to avoid bad Christmas portraits

    We’ve all seen dodgy family Christmas photos. Whether they’re out of focus, poor taste, totally inappropriate, or the outfits are a complete disaster. And there’s no getting away from the fact that they’re usually hilarious.

   Laugh as we may, it’s not nice being the butt of the joke. So why risk having an awkward Christmas shot when you could have a Homeshoot with Bounce?

   We’ll bring the professional studio to your home, for a relaxed and fun shoot to capture the love and happiness of your family at Christmas. You’ll receive a collection of striking portraits and a choice of high quality displays from our great value online shop.

   But before you check out Bounce Homeshoots, we’ve picked four of the funniest festive shots from one of our favourite sites Awkward Family Photos just to illustrate the absolute howlers that can happen when Christmas photos go wrong!

   1. Table manners

   You know you’ve struggled to find that perfect Christmas outfit when your last resort is to take scissors to the tablecloth… for the entire family.

   

   http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

    

   2. How cool do we look?

   Everybody knows that rock stars are the only people allowed to wear sunglasses indoors. Or maybe this is some random band of family rockers from Texas. We just don’t know. But they’ve certainly mastered the moody look.

   

   http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

    

   3. Smile for the camera

   We’d love to know what’s just happened in the moments prior to this photo being taken. Even the dog wants outta there.

   

   http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

   4. Joy to the world 
   

   Joy isn’t a word you’d use to describe this situation…

    

   

   http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

   Now you’ve seen how NOT to do it, check out our Homeshoots Gallery to see how we shoot perfect family portraits. We make them look natural and can be as creative as you like. And you can rest assured that we’ll get them right every time.

   If you’re after a great Christmas gift for your friends or relatives, why not treat them to Bounce Homeshoot Vouchers?

   They’re fabulous gift ideas and it’s a great way to avoid seeing their embarrassing family photos this Christmas!

   ***
   
   
   

7. Royal Christening

   October 23, 2013 6:42 pm Comments Off on Royal Christening

   Royal Christening

   Congrats to the Cambridge’s who christened Prince George today! It was a private family affair at the Royal Chapel, followed by tea with Charles and Camilla. The couple carried on their modern values with their choice of godparents which included a few ‘non royals’…

   As we know they like to do things differently!  Just a month or so ago, was when they released their first family photo – set in the comfort of the Middleton’s garden, with trusty companion’s Lupo and Tilly in tow.

   In a break with tradition their first family portrait was taken by Kate’s dad in the grounds of the family home, rather than commissioning a professional photographer as previous royals have done.

   Some commented on the technical quality of the portrait – and yes, it may have been taken ‘into the light’, breaking a so-called golden rule of photography. The background was over exposed and their faces slightly underexposed as a result, but at Bounce we believe it got the most important element right. They look relaxed, natural and happy together, capturing a special time in their life, and it even included the dog – not a mean feat as we know very well.

   

   The Cambridge’s and co at the Middleton home

   However, today we got the first glimpse of some professional shots taken by press photographers covering the ceremony, of the young family and their guests…

   

   Kate and the future King

   

   Prince George all togged up!

   

   And here are the godparents, which includes Earl Grosvenor from the Bounce home – Chester

   ***
   
   
   

8. What’s hot on the catwalk – London Fashion Week

   September 15, 2013 1:29 pm Comments Off on What’s hot on the catwalk – London Fashion Week

   What’s hot on the catwalk – London Fashion Week

    

    

   The fashion world meets London this week – as we see designers showcasing their pieces in the bid to come top of the shops.

   We’ve spotted lots of colourful and stylish outfits on the catwalk… here are some of our favourites

   

   And a few strange hats…

   

   But hey, we’re not all designers and picking the right thing to wear can be a chore at the best of times let alone choosing what to wear at a shoot. But fear not, we have some great tips on how your family’s character can shine out in front of the camera.

   Clothes, colours and styles have a big impact in any shoot. Pops of colour and statement pieces, such as a gorgeous necklace or floral scarf add an extra dimension to the portrait. Or can make the photo unique to you. It can even be the focal point of the portrait – the choice is yours!

   Colours can also be chosen in line with where you plan to hang your portraits too. You may want the tones of your shots to blend with your decor – bright colours can look great on white walls, but then may clash with patterns or pastel hues.

   Here are some of our catwalk stars!

   

   Check out more of our stars here

   ***