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Author: melaniegrace

Family Photos | Game of Thrones filming

It’s not every day I turn up to work to find myself shooting a family just up the beach from a major production company working their magic. It just to happened that we had booked our session the same day that the Game of Thrones filming was happening.

Cast and crew descended on Holywell Bay near Newquay to film new scenes for House of the Dragon alongside little old me and this gorgeous little family.

So if you’re watching Game of Thrones House of Dragons, look closely and you might see me doing my thing in the distance!

Confession…

I have never seen so many trucks in the car park at Holywell beach. There were Loads of security everywhere. A track all the way down the beach where there were tents pitched.

Buggies bringing crew and actors to and from the car park. Dressing rooms. A tractor and even an Ambulance. I’m not sure if this helps to know which bit was being filmed but there were campfires made on the beach and groups of warriors and wood on the beach that looked like some sort of boat wreckage.

We didn’t catch a glimpse of Matt Smith but this is my new claim to fame at least. I have to be honest though – confession time – I haven’t watched Game of Thrones at all. Don’t shoot me.

A little extra magic

I have to thank Game of Thrones though for the pyrotechnics involved as part of their shoot as down the right side of the beach there were boats creating smoke. This fake mist made for some gorgeous atmospheric shots of the sea in the background.

The moral of the story is, there’s never a dull day in this job and I’m so grateful for it. We still managed to get beautiful images of this gorgeous family. In spite of the total pandemonium that was going on in the background.

This little family was just such a joy to shoot. So relaxed and kind. Sessions like this make my heart happy.

I can’t promise Game of Thrones for you for your shoot, but I can guarantee you will have a great shoot. Book now

because “winter is coming” (sorry I couldn’t resist.)

October 14, 2021
Newborn Family Photography | Welcoming Rufus

A lot of times, I talk about transformations in my photography, and I truly believe that newborn family Photography is the ultimate example.

You might have seen my blog post showing Rufus’s parents before he was earthside. Glowing in love and magical in a simply ethereal shoot. Carrie-Louise looked phenomenal, a glowing pregnant goddess. Hair blowing in the wind, and dresses from my studio wardrobe. Total perfection. I adored it.

I adore this gallery just as much because it’s gentle and real. Here we are welcoming Rufus. This time at home, peaceful, tired, deeply in love. Transformed once more.

Come as you are

Bringing home your baby – I love being a small part of it, standing back and capturing all the moments for a couple of hours. I blend into the background as much as possible and let you do your thing as a family, then I come in a little closer for all those delightful newborn details.

Awake, feeding, snuggling, sleeping, we’ll capture it all. The beginning of family.

Take the time

It’s a total honour to be invited into your space to document this time with you. I love all the little details that creep into the pictures that show the realness of life with a newborn. It’s so important that you don’t stress about having me there and having your pictures. If you want to wear the dresses do, but if you want to be in your love cosy dressing gown, we’ll work with that too. This is the time to capture your new family as you are.

What’s important is you have this time to look back on. I guarantee you will never look back and wish you hadn’t taken pictures of your tiny little human before they grew to be taller than you. They will never be as little as they are now. But at least we can do our best to remember them so small.

Let’s connect and talk about your newborn family photography.

September 30, 2021
Photograph your older kids | Why it’s never too late to start

Photograph your older kids | Why it’s never too late to start

Many people are really focussed on getting the photographs of the first year of their children’s lives. Documenting and capturing, especially when it’s their first. But as life can get busy and needs more intricate you can often forget to photograph your older kids.

I have seen people have a lightbulb moment when they say they look back at their teenager and can’t believe how they have changed in a year.

So when should you be taking the time for professional photographs of your family? Is it just for when they are round and tiny? Absolutely not.

The best time is now.

We keep this love in a photograph

Our kids, they never stop growing, they are forever changing and evolving. Even if you think you have missed the perfect window, let me tell you that you’ll always look back and see a difference in them. Their faces suddenly slimmer, their eyes wiser. It is not exaggeration to say blink and you miss it.

Take it from me, as a mother to teenagers and almost teenagers. As they grow older the distance between you and them increases, moments together are temporary and like anything that grows they are being primed for life away from us. Their own life. So I say capture them in this time. There will be no regrets having these memories of your big kids to look back on.

Photograph your older kids

I know that this beautiful family adored their time in Woolacombe, Devond connecting, laughing. Knowing that they had also found the time to focus on their family for a little time and share the experience of a photoshoot together was special in itself, as well as capturing their family in photographs.

Truly there is no time when they are too old. Our lives are a former growing and evolving journey. I certainly am not the same person I was a few years ago.

So I urge you to remember, the best time is now. A family photoshoot takes a couple of hours of your life. But what it will give you in return is so much more. Find an hour or so to capture memories these together. Photograph your older kids! We can make it work.

Connect with me now for your discovery call.

August 4, 2021
How do I make children behave for photographs? | I don’t.

“They caught all the wild children,
and put them in zoos,
They made them do sums
and wear sensible shoes.
They put them to bed
at the wrong time of day,
And made them sit still
when they wanted to play.
They scrubbed them with soap
and they made them eat peas.
They made them behave and
say pardon and please.
They took all their wisdom and wildness away.That’s why there are none
in the forests today.”
Jeanne Willis Wild Child

How do I make my children behave for photographs?

The clue is definitely in the title here, how do I make my children behave for photographs is a big concern for so many people. Especially when investing in family photoshoots. You at least want a couple of nice shots of them correct? Well the key really is in letting them let out their wild. Wouldn’t it be sad if we didn’t?

Let them be wild

Skip to this shoot. Mum looked at me and laughed – “I don’t know how it’s going to go.”

Their eldest daughter – Fiercely independent and wild hearted. She was feeling the photoshoot for all of 5 seconds. Then it was up to me!

My photography is candid for a reason. My job is turning up and embracing what’s in front of me, adapting to each family and personality. We let her run, we let her laugh, we let her play. Why fight it? I love when their real personalities come out, no matter what that may be. It is my desire that together we create images that feel like you, that capture your family and all the dynamics.

Yeah sometimes it can be a little harder work, but it really is so worth it. I want to help you embrace this time and the little people you are raising. Especially the wild ones. A fiercely independent daughter is nothing but a good thing…in the long run! Hang in there.

I always say, it might feel wild, but trust me, it’s magic. And it was.

Get in touch and we’ll capture your little wildlings. But just for a moment.

August 1, 2021
Family Photography in the UK | Finding the Ballance’s

If you’re not holidaying abroad this year, like a lot of us. You may be interested in family photography in the UK. This doesn’t mean that you won’t get stunning images that look like you’re sunning yourself in the South of France. The UK has so much to offer and I am really lucky to call Cornwall my home.

I love when you come on holiday here and incorporate a photoshoot to remember your special holiday. I have some families who have started to make an annual tradition of it and it’s wonderful to watch them grow. A photoshoot on your holidays also means you often come to the shoot so relaxed and in the moment.

Look no further for your Family Photographer in the UK

I adored this session with the beautiful Ballance family. In this shoot they are so present and I could feel them put their whole trust in me. They travelled and met me at my favourite location, Holywell Bay. I just knew that it would suit them down to the ground. We chatted and laughed and I know that I wasn’t the only one to enjoy it. They had such a good time.

The light in the images does it for me here, it really highlights this beautiful, glowing family. Playing and loving each other in the golden hours. What more could you ask for on holiday. Having those magical holiday evenings captured is really so special.

Holidaying and Photographs

It’s such a privilege to spend time with wonderful families like yours in the most beautiful places. It always leaves me feeling recharged. I’m so grateful to you when you choose me to be your photographer and capture your magic.

If you are looking for a family photographer in the UK, perhaps you are visiting here for the first time. Get in touch, I have a wealth of local knowledge and am at hand to guide you in the best places to visit and the best places to have your beautiful family photoshoot.

Can’t wait to meet you!

July 30, 2021
Maternity Photography Devon | Before you were Earthside

This dreamy pair recently relocated and I had the honour to work with them on a Maternity photography Devon based shoot.

Carrie-Louise was just blooming, and the textures and earthiness of the images really felt like art in motion. There’s something so stunning in keeping it simple.

There is something so eternal and dreamy about this shoot in particular that it really got me thinking about how magical pregnancy and the first forays into Motherhood really is.

Those beautiful bellies of different shapes and sizes all holding a little one, furled up and growing, patiently waiting for the right time to arrive. A couple who were two and will soon be three. A before and an after.

A Beautiful Transformation

I am always in awe of this transformation whether it’s your first or fourth baby. It’s always different, always special. I love to capture you before your baby is Earthside and then when you’re nesting in your beautiful newborn bubble, in all it’s messy, tired and precious glory!

Sometimes we can look at pictures of other people in their photoshoots and the comparison game can start to play with us. You might not be enjoying pregnancy or had a tough time with it. You might feel swollen and fed up, most of us did at some point. Rest assured I love to make you feel beautiful, even if you’re not feeling it, by the end you’ll feel like a goddess, trust me.

Maternity Photography

Take the time to capture this time of your life, for you alone or for your partner too. It’s pretty big for them too! When we’re in the middle of it and preparing for the imminent arrival it doesn’t always feel like top priority. I cannot count the amount of people I know who look back and wish they had professional photographs of their bumps. Sometimes a mirror selfie in our undies just doesn’t cut it!

Let’s make you feel amazing in this beautiful, awe inspiring time you Goddess!

Get in touch and we’ll have a chat about Maternity Photography Devon and Cornwall based. Can’t wait to meet you!

July 23, 2021
Best location for a Cornwall Photoshoot | Location Matters

“Mel, where should we have our photoshoot?” Is a question that pops up a lot in our webchat. Being a photographer in such an incredible area, I have a lot of spots that I absolutely love shooting at. Where we shoot definitely matters and I definitely know the best location for a Cornwall photoshoot.

The right location is really important and all part and parcel of the magic of the images. I’m always here and on hand to help you find the perfect place for your session. Keep scrolling to read more.

I’ll be you local guide

As a local photographer, I’ve been around for a good 10 years. I have a wealth of knowledge of all the things to look for in a perfect shoot location. I will send you a list of tried and tested locations across Devon and Cornwall that I highly recommend we shoot at, to get the best light and backdrops for your session. This is all part of the service to take any worry away, especially if you are not familiar with the area or if it’s your first visit. This way you might discover gorgeous new places as well as get the best photographs!

This stunning shoot with the Grey-Peters family is a perfect example. Melissa and her family were on holiday in Cornwall. Not being local they leaned on me to give advice on the best places near to where they were staying. We chose Kynance Cove together for the incredible backdrop.

This is a stunning location that I absolutely love to shoot at. Because Cornwall and Devon are quite vast there is however an additional travel charge. This is the case for some locations that are farther away from me to travel. All these aspects will all be discussed when we plan your beautiful shoot together.

Beach Please

Beaches are my love language so choosing spots like this one in Kynance Cove is always my goal. Those gorgeous sandy toes and tipping feet in the water. Running up the beach and snuggles and laughter by the sea always make for stunning photographs. There is something about the light at the beach that is always so diffused and creamy.

So whether you want dramatic backdrops, beaches that go on for miles, or a private cove. Come to me and we’ll work out the perfect spot for lasting and magical memories. We’ll work together to find the best location for your Cornwall photoshoot. Let’s have an adventure together!

Connect with me now to book your session.

July 4, 2021
Styling Tips for Boho Family Photos

Cornwall Family Photographer

Hey! Upon reading this journal post you may be surprised that I talk about boho family Photos and also manage to drop in a quote from a famous Christmas flick. Hear me out!

If you’ve seen the movie “The Grinch” you’ll know that wardrobe choice can feel pretty overwhelming. “But what would I wear?!” He exclaims. After a montage of him trying on different outfits he decides; “This is ridiculous, If I can’t find something nice to wear I’m not going!”

I think we can all identify with old Grinch here. It can feel overwhelming not only deciding what you should wear yourself. But also dressing your family.

Luckily, I’m here on hand to help. I adore helping you to make your family look as cute as possibly for these important heirloom images that you will look back on for years to come.

Take inspiration from surrounding

For me, the Mason family absolutely nailed it here. The muted tones and mix of textures feel so harmonious with location. Holywell Bay is one of my favourite places to shoot and the colours are so beautiful. I find it is advantageous to work with the tones of the location we shoot in. This means that you are the stars of the show in your album and your wardrobe just enhances you.

I will guide you through the process, on booking you will receive a questionnaire and a guide, we will chat about this in our web chat.

It’s not surprise that I like earthy, muted colours and boho vibes. If we are going through print it’s always good to pepper the rest of the outfits with block colours. It’s sometimes good to pick a few colours and find hues and variations of these. If this makes you nervous you can run your ideas past me and I’m happy to give you tips on what photographs well.

We have back ups!

If after all this you simply can’t choose. I have a studio wardrobe of beautifully flowing and photogenic dresses that will look just beautiful on you. Check them out here.

Take a moment to soak up this incredible beautiful family get convinced that it’s time to book your boho family photos.

I can’t wait to get started on your journey and I look forward to photographing you and your beautiful family.

Book now.

June 22, 2021
Beach Family Photoshoot | Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses

New Chapters

When Rebecca contacted me to book a beach family photoshoot to capture her pregnancy alongside her husband Ben and gorgeous daughter Freya, the family combined their shoot with a much-needed Family holiday in Salcombe, Devon, before baby two arrives.

Freya, who is nearly two, absolutely loved the beach. Rebecca and Ben were so excited for the next chapter with two little ones, but they wanted to capture how they are now with Freya in a relaxed and natural way. I remember that strange mix of feelings transitioning from firstborn to two babies like it was yesterday! Like so many of us, they struggle to get photos of them altogether; these moments deserve more than selfies or quick shots on a phone.

The power of photographs

It’s always such a delight to photograph people on their holidays as there is such a sense of excitement and fun. I love meeting you and your families especially the ones who come back year after year. I will always have a huge place in my heart for my families I get to travel through life with and photograph here too.

You might not realise it now but these photos that we make together will only become more and more precious over time. Memories will fade, and these photographs will be the only thing that connects you to this time and place, this moment of wandering along the beach at sunset, with your daughter clinging onto you, while your son was growing away in your belly, before your family of three became four. These photos will not only be loved by you for your lifetime, they will be loved by your children too. Capture the good times together; they mean more than you know.

Book your own family shoot

Contact me now for your own beach family photo shoot.

Rebecca borrowed my Beach Bliss dress, available in the studio wardrobe.

June 12, 2021
Maternity Photoshoot Cornwall | Beach Hut Escape

Relaxed and Beachy

If relaxed and beachy boho vibes are what you are after for your maternity photoshoot in Cornwall then you couldn’t really do much better than Ali and Rohan by renting a beach hut directly on the beach in Newquay.

The Tolcarne Beach Huts are VERY cool, and a super cute spot for a session. Just imagine waking up there, a lovely little oasis of calm by the sea, yes please. They are such a unique spot, stylish and luxurious. You can also enjoy a meal sitting on the decking of the Caribbean-styled Colonial restaurant.

Ali is originally from Australia, which for me always seems to me equates to laid back, casual and “beachy”. This is exactly what I am going for with this Maternity session. I cannot lie, I am not disappointed.

Capturing your Relationship

With Ali and Rohan this session really embodied capturing the experience of being pregnant for the first time. It’s such a wild experience when you sit and think. Not only are you growing an actual human, but your body undergoes a major transformation. Our brains even change to activate our instincts. All the love, protection (and yes worry) that goes into looking after your baby. You are even fined-tuned to respond to your baby’s call. I find it all so fascinating and I am so grateful to be able to capture these moments for you. Your changing beautiful body and even your relationship are so worthy of being captured and remembered.

The way you are now before a baby will change forever. Don’t worry, even though for a little while you are exchanging your wild nights out to some sleep-deprived nights in. It can be a beautiful deepening of who you are together, cemented in shared parenthood. Even so, I love to be able to capture your before as well as your afters. To celebrate how your love for each other also evolves as time and life goes on.

Let’s book your session

In your maternity photo shoot, you are two (and a prominent bump). And after, in your Newborn session, you are three. It sounds so matter of fact but I think it’s wholly incredibly magical. Check out some newborn sessions here.

So let’s get going on booking your maternity photoshoot Cornwall or Devon based!

2022 is booking up quickly so connect with me before it’s too late.

June 1, 2021

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MELANIE GRACE

Cornwall, Maternity, Newborn and Family Photographer

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