family photography
Family life isn't tidy. It's muddy gumboots by the back door. A toddler insisting on wearing a superhero cape to the supermarket. Teenagers rolling their eyes while secretly still reaching for your hand. It's belly laughs, snack breaks, sibling squabbles, cuddles on the couch, and the beautifully ordinary moments that somehow become the ones you miss the most. That's the part I'm interested in.
As a family photographer based in Milton, South Otago, I photograph families across Dunedin, Clutha, East Otago, Central Otago, Southland and throughout New Zealand. Not because I want everyone looking perfectly at the camera, but because I want to capture what your family feels like.
Every family has its own rhythm, and I've learnt that the best photos happen when we stop chasing perfect. So there are no expectations for everyone to sit still or smile on cue. I'll gently guide you when you need it, give you space when you don't, and create a relaxed experience where everyone can simply be themselves.
Because years from now, your kids won't remember whether their shirt was tucked in. They'll remember what it felt like to belong.
And those are the moments worth holding onto.
My Top tips for family photoshoots
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Keep the clothing casual, colourful, and comfortable. Try to avoid heavily patterned, logo or branded clothing as this will distract the viewers eyes from the beautiful faces in the photos! Our sessions are relaxed and comfortable, so make sure you feel comfortable with what clothing you wear.
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These sessions can happen wherever you want! We can do them at home, doing the every day things that make your family so wonderfully you. Or we can head off into one of the spectacular locations we are blessed with here in NZ and capture the magic there. The choice is yours and the opportunities are endless!
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Worried the kids wont participate? Dont worry… we will make it so fun they wont even know its a photoshoot. Feel free to bring props with you. Think outside the box and have a look at toys your kids love and what activities you do as a family. For kids, anything from bikes, skateboards, surf boards, toy cars or trucks, dolls, giant teddy bears, water guns, train sets, tea sets, building blocks are all great examples. We strongly suggest bringing some props as they really do add that extra personalised touch to your experience, and can be particularly helpful at getting the children to relax and have fun.
Make sure everyone has a snack before we start (recommended before they get their clothes on). Hangry people (especially small children) do not create relaxed vibes for anyone!
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If you have fur babies in your family they are most welcome to be part of the shoot. I have photographed cats, dogs, rabbits and rats! Cant wait to see what other furry critters are out there in your family.
If you want your pet to feature, I suggest taking them for a short walk before the shoot to burn off a little of the excess energy. -
Its amazing how the lighting can make an ok image become amazing. The feel good happy vibes of the clear blue skies. Or the moodiness of a stormy sky. My personal favourite, and what many consider to be the most magic light for photos is the sunset hour, the hour before sunset where the sun drops low in the sky and casts its beautiful warm glow on everything it touches. In the cooler months in NZ, not only is this time much earlier (and therefore more small child friendly) but it also comes with the beautiful pastel pinks, blues and purples of the winter months.
Family Love
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"Working with Kerry was a dream and her suggestion of taking our photos in the comfort of our home to capture some normal life moments was great. We loved the photos she took and we were saying we would never have captured as many intimate, special, fun moments if we had done a 'location'. These pictures capture who we are as individuals and a collective family unit...everyone shines x The challenge was to narrow them down to the ones we wanted to purchase as part of our package and that was hard! We decided to print the ones we picked and create an old-fashioned album to mark this time in our lives. Kerry - thank you. You are awesomely awesome x"
Fiona
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"I recently had professional head shots done by Kerry. I had wanted something that was not the typical person-in-a-business-suite, rather a picture that could really reflect my personality. Needless to say, I have received many, MANY compliments on the picture since I added it to my professional webpage. After seeing the head shots, I was so happy with the pictures, I asked her to do some of the whole family. We have had a few photographers do family shots over the years, but these are by far our favorites. She allowed the kids to have fun and be themselves, while still getting great pictures without all the cheese (I really dislike those super fake corny family pictures). I couldn't be more happy with how the shoots went and how the pictures turned out. I would highly recommend Kerry to anyone looking for authentic pictures for any kind of occasion."
Marjorie
Frequently asked questions
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Absolutely!! I love all the fur babes and critters, big and small. I do suggest taking them for a walk before the session just to shake off any excess energy they have
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Of course! I can offer more time or more images based on your families needs
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Absolutely! I have been blessed to capture family magic from all over the country. Travel is included in the greater Dunedin region (Waikouaiti-Mosgiel), areas outside of this may incur a travel fee.
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We are truly blessed to have some incredible locations on our back doorstep here in Otago, but also all over Aotearoa. I always recommend consider a location that is significant to you and your family, but can happily help find spots that suit you from why open landscapes to inner city industrial.
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I can certainly try! My style of photography is very candid, I aim to capture the moments naturally as they occur as this is when you see the best smiles, and the best connections. But when I need to create a more structured scene, I can happily guide you into poses that make you look and feel relaxed and comfortable.
