family photography — Inspiration — Kitty Rose

Posts tagged family photography

What wonders we can make…

When did you last hold a properly printed photograph? Taking time to study it thoroughly, appreciating the tones of someones skin, their expression, the light?

While some people like to sort their own printing out, I love being asked to help with this stage of the process. Bringing the digital files to life by turning them into beautiful, tangible prints - hands down one of my favourite parts of being a photographer.

I think we engage with the images in a much more meaningful way when we can hold them in our hands, see them on a wall, larger than life rather than a tiny square to be scrolled over in a second.

This recent commission was extra special to me and I jumped for joy when the family said they would love to make a photo book along with several framed prints.

We created something wonderful, with room to breathe and the chance to absorb the images in their full glory.

The book came out beautifully. The design and layout process is always so satisfying - working out how the images flow together - and all this made possible (not to mention affordable) with the help of rosemood.co.uk.

The framed prints made such an impact, especially the portrait of Annie which was larger than life!

There’s nothing quite like seeing the final product in this way. If you’d like to know more about printing and photo book options then drop me a line here and I’d love to talk you through it!

In the meantime here are some more highlights from the session with 4 month old, Annie. Did I mention I love my job?

Thank you Team A. x

Kitty GaleJune 21, 2022Kitty Rose Photographerfamily photography, family photo book, family album, family photographer kent, family photographer london, private commissions, framed prints, portrait gallery, family portrait

Woodism - celebrating a unique team during Autism Awareness Month

“I’m so glad the world got to meet you” - Woody.

Woody is seven, and has high functioning autism. He said the above phrase on his Dad’s birthday and it’s one of the most recent quotes to be turned into a linocut print as part of their art collaboration - woodism.co.uk.

Their project together is a beautiful one, elevating the ‘kids say the funniest things’ idea to a whole new level. Woody’s phrases are refreshingly direct and his honesty is utterly charming. At the same time they cover a vast spectrum of emotion, often stemming from his overwhelming love for his family. The insight into his perspective on life is a poignant reminder that we are all individuals, and our differences should be celebrated not avoided.

I first met Woody in November last year at his house in London. His Mum and Dad (Charlotte & Sonny) were there, along with his little sister, Essie, who is two and properly brilliant. She prompted the creation of another recent print “I HATE how much I love you”, a gorgeous summary of the sibling bond.

As with all my shoots, we took our time and I let Woody lead. We went wherever he was comfortable and when he talked I listened. He didn’t like my camera much and openly proclaimed that this was “the most boring thing EVER” on several occasions, but there was also enough curiosity there to allow me to photograph him. He showed me his room and we talked a lot about Star Wars. I also got carved up by a lightsaber on several occasions, which I took as a huge compliment.

The second time I photographed Woody I let him take some pictures too. Later he asked me if he could borrow my camera “just for a couple of days”. I’m looking forward to what might happen next time we meet…

Kitty GaleApril 29, 2020autism awareness, woodism, family photography, portraits of children, family album

The Lees Family

“We live in strange times. We also live in strange places: each in a universe of our own. The people with whom we populate our universes are the shadows of whole other universes intersecting with our own.” - Douglas Adams.

These definitely are strange times - 2020 will now inevitably be remembered as the year of coronavirus, and we each have our own situation and individual struggles to adapt to. For me, the open-ended-ness of it all is the thing I am struggling with most, at the moment. I’m taking huge comfort in focussing on my two boys - watching their relationship grow as they spend this intensely intimate time together. It’s illuminating, and both heart-warming, and heart-breaking in equal measure.

Not everyone has a sibling, but for those that do it is a lifelong bond.

I love photographing children individually, but when the opportunity comes along to document the bond between them (be it siblings, cousins, friends) it’s a truly wonderful thing.

Looking back to last Autumn, when I spent the morning with the lovely Lees Family, I’m reminded how natural they all were, making it a total pleasure to capture these moments. The shoot lasted about three hours, at their home in North London, and we chose to just go with the flow and document the kids in their own environment. From snacks to stories, with a total freedom to explore, this collection really captures the different energies of that morning.