Thursday 12 December 2013

Harper Photography - Newborn Shoot - St Albans

Last month I was so excited to photograph Jasmine, my youngest ever newborn at just 2 days old. We split Jasmine's shoot up into two different sessions, one at 2 days old and one at 3 weeks old.

Jasmine was a gorgeous little model and I look forward to photographing her as she grows up, that's unless her older brother, Jacob, doesn't steal my job! For just over 2 years old he was excellent with my camera, maybe we have a future photographer on our hands? Lucie and Justyn should be very proud parents.





Enjoy!

Stephanie x








Saturday 7 December 2013

Harper Photography - Restoring Photographs - St.Albans

This week I got a slightly different request from my normal pre-christmas work.

I was approached by a client (Vanessa) who wanted to get a photograph of her parents restored. Back when Vanessa's parents got married they couldn't afford to buy their wedding photographs, all they got to keep as a memory from their special day was the proof images.

Vanessa asked me if I could remove the watermark and clear up all the dust marks and get it printed up large for her parents for christmas.

For me this was such a simple job, yet it will make such an impact on Vanessa's parents. They will finally be able to feel as though they have a proper photograph of their wedding day.

Here is this fully edited image,


Enjoy!
Stephanie x


Tuesday 26 November 2013

Harper Photography - St Albans - Christmas!

With Christmas fast approaching shoots have started to get festive in the studio. 
Pre-christmas is the perfect time to have a photoshoot, you can have a fun Christmas themed session or take the opportunity to get the family portraits done. Then show your friends and family what great fun you had by sending them personalised christmas cards or even wall art for their homes. 





Get 25% off your total order when you book in before December 10th!

Enjoy!
Stephanie x



Saturday 9 November 2013

Harper Photography - St. Stephen's Christening Baby


Last Sunday I had the pleasure of photographing little Zoey's Christening. I first met Zoey when she was 4 weeks old and came into the studio for a newborn shoot.

It's always nice to see my clients grow up and photograph their journey in life. Zoey looked gorgeous in her christening dress which she had very fashionably completed with a fur collar!

Zoey made it a day for her parents, Dorota and George, to remember as she paused the whole ceremony demanding for her lunch. But as us females know, we simply can't cooperate until we've eaten!

Here are a few images from the day...







Enjoy!
Stephanie x


Monday 21 October 2013

Harper Photography, Newborn Shoot, St.Albans

In summer while working alongside a fellow photographer I met the lovely pregnant Nicola and all her family. 3 months later she came over to the studio with her new addition to the family the teeny tiny Emilio at just 4lb 15oz!

We had a beautiful shoot with Emilio happily sleeping and smiling. Towards the end Emilio woke up to show us all his lovely eyes.

Take a look at a handful of photographs of the gorgeous Emilio from our session.

Cocoon by Created By Carli


Enjoy
Stephanie x



Friday 18 October 2013

Harper Photography - LONDON MARATHON

At the end of October I found out I had been selected to run the London Virgin Marathon 2014. On the day I found out I experienced a mixed bag of emotions, pure excitement of a new challenge, motivation to raise money for a charity, anxiety of a grueling 6 months ahead of me and petrified about what I've just signed up for! 

Most of the reactions I've had from telling people so far are; "You're mad!!", luckily I'm already a runner (but by no means marathon standard!) and by having the marathon as a goal to now finally push myself to run further, faster and better.

I'm running for the Ellis Harriet Clark Foundation, in memory of Ellis, who I was lucky enough to have known. Unfortunately Ellis lost her battle when we were just 16, therefore all the money raised will be split between two charities that supported her through her ordeal, the Teenage Cancer Trust and SCAT (skeletal cancer action trust).

Not only will Ellis be keeping me motivated through my training and the marathon itself, but also all the other family and family friends who I've lost to this cruel disease, in particular my best friend Charlotte, whose mum was taken from us when we were just 11. Charlotte is the strongest person I know and carries this beautiful presence on the inside and out where ever she goes (just like her mother). To know that she will be waiting for me at the finish line on the big day gives me that extra big push I need to do this for her, her mother, for Ellis and everyone else who is/has been affected by cancer. Any donations would be gratefully received to help support and enable The Teenage Cancer Trust and SCAT to continue with their amazing work.



So here's GOODBYE SOCIAL LIFE!


See you on the other side,

Stephanie x

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Harper Photography, Toddler Shoot, Hertfordshire

On a sunny Saturday morning in September I got to photograph little Neo and his family. We spent the whole time shooting outdoors in the garden (making the most of the weather.) Neo's family grow pumpkins and had made a mini set on some straw for a halloween set which I took fun family shots on (blog post coming soon) 

Neo was happy to wander around the garden by himself doing what little boys to best, playing with bugs, mud and feathers! I decided to take more natural shots of Neo capturing him in his element, here are a few portraits showcasing his amazing blonde hair and blue eyes! 




Enjoy!
Stephanie x


Saturday 5 October 2013

Haper Photography - Newborn Shoot - St Albans

When photographing newborns I always let the baby dictate the shoot, because lets be honest, if a baby wants milk then it's not going to co-oporate until its had milk!

I met gorgeous little Charlie at just 15 days old when he came to my studio for his first ever photoshoot. We got him prepared and settled him into his first position, looking very comfortable he opened his eyes for a few minutes to say hello before falling back to sleep. 

We then proceeded to move him into different positions and onto different sets, while the whole time Charlie slept through it all, he has to be the most chilled out baby I have ever photographed. 

Even during the viewing with very proud parents Danny and Rachel there was not a peep from Charlie.  I think Danny and Rachel have a natural born model on their hands... or just a boy who likes his sleep!

Cocoon made by Created by Carli


Enjoy!
Stephanie x

Friday 27 September 2013

Toddler Photography St.Albans

Recently I collaborated with Carli Spokes, founder of Created By Carli, who makes all things pretty and girlie. Everything is handmade by Carli herself and most of her items are one of a kind, so if you see something you like grab it quick!
Carli also makes newborn hats and cocoons which I use in my shoots.
(Check out her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CreatedByCarli?ref=si_shop)

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect model than little Katie. Fearless of the camera and big lights she came in and rocked all of Carli's headbands, she even picked her favorite ones she wanted to model first.































Wednesday 25 September 2013

Sunday Funday St.Albans Photography



When I first discovered my passion for photography I was 16. I would round up all my friends take them to fields, alley ways, cover them head to toe in paint, you name it I did it!

After turning my passion into a career/business there became a lot of expectation, and don't get me wrong I absolutely love what I do and watching a clients face when they first see their pictures for the first time is still priceless and always will be, however I feel sometimes I need to take myself out of the studio or clients home and go do something out of my comfort zone and fun!

That's why I created Sunday Funday. Most (because sometimes I just want to sleep!) Sundays I find a willing victim to let me photograph them. 

A couple of weeks ago an old school friend, Clay, and I went down to a woods in Wheathampstead to photograph him and his baby... HIS BIKE!  We spent hours shooting in different locations and even ended up filming. As the sunset Clay decided to jump off his bike and mount a suspended tree, at which point my camera decided enough was enough and died on me (how unprofessional!)

Below are some snaps from the day!


Tuesday 10 September 2013

Children's Photography, Welwyn

A few weeks ago I got to take advantage of this beautiful summer weather on a lovely shoot with Bodie and Lola at their home in Welwyn.

This shoot was all about natural photographs of the children. They lead me around both individually and collectively showing me their beautiful garden, which I was quick to learn is inhabited with lots of different species!

Bodie (5) was first to present to me a butterfly sitting on his finger, followed by a frog that (very calmly) sat in the palm of his hand, he then showed me his party trick... putting the frog on his head! However little 2 year old Lola stole the show as she adorably walked me around to different flowers, stopped and posed, I couldn't have asked for a better model.







  

Thursday 5 September 2013

Newborn & Toddler Photography St.Albans

I first met Louisa and Terry last year when I photographed their one year old son Zachary. A year later and I'm back with Lou and family welcoming in their latest addition, Hugo.

We had our photoshoot one summers morning at their house, starting off focusing mainly on Hugo, capturing those peaceful moments of a newborn. We then introduced Zachary who absolutely loves being in front of the camera! Being the dotting big brother there were many kisses and cuddles for Hugo, or as Zach likes to say 'Oogo'.






Toddler St.Albans Studio Photography

The other week I got to photograph 3 adorable little girls. 3 year old Amelia and her 1 1/2 year old twin sisters Lilliana and April. This isn't my first time with the girls as I got to photograph them newborn and at their christening.

It was all fun and games in the studio, lots of giggling whilst trying to get two very independent twin sisters to sit together and smile!

When the twins went off for a banana and juice break I got a few moments with Amelia happily sitting in front of the camera chatting away.