Look which image won the Dubai Mother’s Day Photo Award for 2012? This one! And most certainly a prouder photographer there never was…
This is my beautiful friend Michelle and her daughter Zara-Laine. Michelle asked me to shoot the celebration of Zara-Laine’s First Birthday Party, and I was thrilled to do so, using my Nikon kit and NIKKOR AF-S 50mm 1.4G prime lens.
Zara’s First Birthday Party in the sunshine of Dubai…
NIKON D3000; NIKKOR Fixed Lens 1.4G; f/4; Exposure 1/125sec; ISO-100
How lovely to shoot in warm sunshine, light of afternoon, golden glow such rays bestow on skin. The golden hours to take photos, especially when it comes to landmark events such as special birthdays, are the very best hours. And depending on where you are, these witching hours are from 5PM onwards.
NIKON D3000; NIKKOR Prime Lens 1.4G; f/6.3; Exposure 1/80sec; ISO-100
People often say they like my pictures because they come across natural and candid. However funnily enough, natural and candid pictures can often result in an image which the client doesn’t actually like of themselves – there is an art to making your pictures “look” natural and candid, but still keeping them professional and flattering.
It is much easier to get successful candid shots of little ones, as children tend to do their own thing and not look/listen to you for direction, which means they are totally unaware of you as you capture beauty in their form. However, once you start to introduce adults to a picture, candid shots can look very unflattering. Most adults are self conscious and will look to you for direction and reassurance. The trick is to thoroughly prepare for the shoot…
NIKON D3000; NIKKOR Prime Lens 1.4G; f/5; Exposure 1/60sec; ISO-100
Spend ample time prior to shooting establishing then further developing a relationship with your subjects so that you all have a great time together. They feel relaxed, you are relaxed, and before you know it, we are all having fun. Then lo! The essence of these children’s hearts is captured, and the bliss of the parents is forever locked into an image they will treasure forever. A memory made digital.
NIKON D3000; NIKKOR Prime Lens 1.4G; f/3.2; Exposure 1/40sec; ISO-100
Below is the link to view the winning photo on the KidvilleUAE website:
https://www.facebook.com/KidvilleUAE?ref=ts
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