Where on earth have you been?

It's been a long time.  Where have you been?

I've been a busy little bee!

Spending time with my family, friends and of course my wonderful clients.

I have been getting emails and tweets asking where my blog has gone and why I haven't been posting.  To be honest, life got in the way.  I wasn't spending nearly as much time with Ruby as I wanted and I was always working til the wee hours trying to finish to make sure I could spend the days with her.

My little girl is growing into a beautiful little person.  Complete with sentences and a little bit of attitude.

Her curls are more beautiful than ever and she loves having her nails painted a pretty shade of pink.

It's safe to say, Ruby is no longer a baby.  I am all happy and sad, all at the same time.

look at how she's grown!  Those curls came from now where too!

It's been a busy old time at 'work' too.

I'm blessed with the job I do..  It's not even a job, I feel like I spend my oohing and aahing and getting the best baby cuddles. 

I get SO many newborns coming to see me, cuddles, those little toes and not to mention the smiles.  

Yep..  I love a newborn smile!!

Aren't these just perfect?!

There's also been a spot of charity work.  I was part of a sport relief event that mummies got sponsors to get their tummies painted.

Ruby also ran a mile, and raised a lovely £466.50!

We are so proud of her, and she walked the entire mile herself too....

I've had the honour of attending some of the most beautiful weddings, with more to come in June.

And not to mention newborn season!

Newborns have been flooding in of late, must be something in the water ;)

Not only have I met a lot of brand new families, some gorgeous little ones have been coming to visit with brand new brothers or sisters too!!

And all those newborns from last year are in celebrating with first birthday cake smashes!

I have loved watching all the little ones grow into gorgeous little people.

So, the last few months, I can say have been hectic but have been SO much fun!!  I wish I could share ALL the images with you but there are so many!  I will save them for another post :)

Amongst all the excitement I opened my very own studio too!

I cant wait until it's finished so I can share images with you guys!

So far 2012 has been totally amazing and it's only going to get better!

Zoe xo

My First Day......

Things have been quiet here.  Ruby had her MMR, she had flu and then a chest infection.  Its been wonderful.  I've also been working hard over at Zoe Stewart Photography, today I had a shoot with the gorgeous Olivia.  She's starting school this year and we thought we'd mark the occasion!

Isn't she gorgeous?!  

I promise to be a better blogger in 2012... I really will!! 

Word Free Wednesday {1/2/12}

Mamma first, Photographer Second {How to shoot your kids}

Most of you know already that apart from being a mama, I am also a full time photographer.

I've had a few emails recently asking how I get crisp clean shots of Ruby ALL the time.

Well guys, heres the truth....
  I don't.  Yep, thats right, I don't.

I take grainy shots, I get blurred faces, I get grumpy faces, messy faces, 

jeez sometimes I dont even get her face, just the back of the head as she runs from me shouting 'no no no no mama'.  Sure the back of her head is pretty but it's not what people want to see.

When I am at work, the children aren't too familiar with me, so they are happy to play along for an hour sometimes two.  It's fun and its someone new who sings songs and plays hide & seek with them.
And asks them a million questions.

Ruby, well she was happy to play along for the first week of her 365 then she soon became bored.
'Great!  Here's mama with that camera again!  I wish I could have a poop in peace.'

She runs off in the middle of a shot, she runs to the camera and kisses it which results in nothing but a blurred eye or lip.  She'll sit there and cry if I pop her somewhere lovely just for a second.  Or she'll pull a face no one really wants to see.

Don't believe me?  I have proof... (She'll thank me for these when she is older).

So, I thought I'd give out a few tips on how to photograph your own children.

1.  Being patient.  Don't 'set up' the shot.  If it's there, take it, if it's not, it'll come.  

Don't disturb them, listen to them playing and being creative all on their own.  

I always have my camera to hand, which brings me to point number 2.

2.  Take your camera as many places as you can & don't be shy to use it. 

If you want the shot of them in the waiting room at the doctors, take it. (Don't be too shy to ask).

I don't just take my camera to the park, oh no!  I've snapped Ruby at the doctors, Ikea, the vets, the dentist, the supermarket, in baskets at art shops, tattoo parlours... You can see those in her 365 here.

Yes people might look at you like a loon taking images of your kids in a shopping trolly but if you want the shot, it's yours. 

(Don't forget to charge the battery!)

3.  Change your perspective. Get down to their level.  The world is a totally different place from down there.  I'm often found rolling around on my belly to get the shot I want.  Yes I'm am aware it's Asda.

Don't forget to shoot up high!  You'll want shots to remember just how tiny they were holding your hand..

4.  Turn off your flash.  Good natural lighting is really important.  

I can't stress how important this point is, and if I hadn't arranged my images already I'd move it to point number 1.  

I'm a natural light photographer so this is key.  If you can, make sure they are facing a window, the eyes will be sharp and 'pop'.  The more natural light the better.  If you can, head outside! 

5.  Love every image you take.  As I said before, they might not be perfect, they might not be amazing, but it's your child.  You don't have to have a big fancy camera.  Some of my favourite images I have of Ruby I took on my iPhone 3G & edited with the Instagram app.

Including this one... It's in my top 5 favourite images of her!

If they are feeling cheeky that day snap it...

If they are sad... thats right, snap it!

Give them a prop, be creative.  I know in point 1 I said not to 'set up' an image, but adding props always makes it more fun and it's not reeeally setting it up.

 Even a simple necklace, glass of milk or my favourite.... a tea cup!

6. A simple black and white conversion can make an image perfect... Black and whit images are by far my favourite.

7.  Probably the most important... 

Don't forget to be IN the shot!  I am always 90% behind the camera, but sometimes with the helping hand of my husband, a timer with my camera balancing on a pile of books or a helpful friend you can get some lovely family shots.  Be natural, be yourself and most important... Have fun!

They might not look like much, but when you have a look back at these in a few years I'll bet you wish you had taken more!

I hope I've helped!  For those taking on the huge Project 366 this year, feel free to link your progress in the comments box, I have been watching most and I am loving the entries so far!

Zoe xo