Pregnancy is such a special and exciting time of our life. Every couple are dealing with it on their own way.

This time is a full of joy and long wait for our life to be changed forever.

I am receiving several questions about Maternity Photos, let me answer some of them over here.

1. What week should I do maternity photos?

Maternity portrait sessions are usually done between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, because the belly has got nice and round shape, but I believe it is great idea to start them on the very beginning. You will than capture the progress of the belly grow, can you imagine showing this to your daughter or son when they will be older? Great 18th Birthday present.

2. How should I dress for a maternity photo shoot?

My answer is always “Comfortable”. It is great to bring at least two outfits to the session. One could be a dress and second, something more casual.

Maxi Dresses are extremely popular now. Floor length maxi dress is very flattering on pregnant mom, but wearing a tight, fitted dress will show mum’s all beautiful curves which is stunning.

Sometimes instead of dress moms wear dad’s shirts or t-shirts. I love this idea, it is showing connection between two parents. Try it.

As we mentioned dad, remember not to match dad’s outfit too much, contrast is more than needed. Try to google complementary colours and see which are working together well. Take dad and your cloths out and lay them next to each other, see what composition you like the most. I would recommend sending the photos with your choices to your photographer, to ask for second opinion.

3. Are maternity photo shoots worth it?

By having a maternity photos taken you will be able to give your child part of they life journey, which they would never could see by themselves. They will also be able to experience how excited you have been to meet them to the world. Pregnancy is also part of your life which not last forever and those pictures will allow you to look back on for many years.

I believe that maternity photo session should be on every mom-to-be list, if you agree with me please get in touch: https://mks-photography-studio.com/contact/

I am a big foodie person. I love to cook, bake and fry, but it is very important for me to present food so nice that before you try it your mouth would water and you would beg me to set up the table to begin consumption.

I am expecting all the same when I go out for a meal, with no exceptions. But how do I decide where I eat? I believe, like most of you, I to listen my friends recommendations and also I research places myself. I am checking food places ratings on Google and go to the social media to see how their food is presented. I would not visit 5* rating place if I cannot see clear and appealing photos. I today’s post I would like to present you with two steps how to improve the quality of food and drinks photos on your social medias.

1. What do I need for food photography?

DSLR camera with 50 mm lens would be your best option but many new mobile phones have got great parameters and they can be use for a quick shoot.

Light, the most important part of photography. Food presents itself nicely with natural light, use it as much as possible. Place your plate or cup of coffee by the window, but try to avoid direct sunlight, as the photo can be overexposed. You would not have to post process or even nothing at all. I personally do not recommend using filters with food photography postproduction. Natural looking food sell itself the best.

2. How do you set up for food photography?

Make sure that the table or the surface you will place your food for shooting is clean, without streaks, camera will catch everything. Use napkins, cutlery, salt, pepper and menu to fulfil empty spaces. Play around with your settings until you are happy with them.

Make sure that the photos you are taking are in focus or at least the part which you want the viewer to concentrate on. If they are not, check if the lens is clean, dirty glass can cause the problem.

Shoot from few different angles. You can be surprised how different food looks from the top compare to the side.

Enjoy your creation time.

Last Saturday I visited “Quarters Coffee Newport” for a first time for brunch. This place is perfect for taking food photography. Exceptionally light, big glass windows, white walls it is also clean and specious enough. The meal and drinks were presented perfectly, simply ready to be photographed and consume straight after. Everything was fresh looking and made.

If you agree with me, this is your first step to success.

If somehow you still wish someone would come over to your place and help you set up and direct you how to take photos or simply will organise session for you I would be more then happy to be this person. Simply complete the contact form on the last page and I will assist you.

All the best all.

Three weeks ago, MKS Photography opened the door to the public. This was the best week for me. I met so many new people and made so many amazing photos, but more important I made people happy. The one session was most memorable for me. Why? Let me tell you all about it.

After I post information on social media, that I was going to open the studio, my beloved neighbour commented with congratulation. This was so nice of her. As I care about our community so much, I appreciated her words very much. Not long after that she texted me personally and asked: “Can you create an image where it’s the same person in pic but bk to bk but 2 diff outfits? (If that makes any sense lol xx”. I said, I have never done anything like this before, but I would love to try it. I also asked who this should be for. My neighbour answer made me cry: “Jamee Leigh, she missed her prom and I have her dress  no one has seen  its lush but I would love a shoot for memories and as a twist as this is her final year. The back to back photo of her in her prom dress looking all beautiful and girly and other side her in her full army gear x”. This made me so excited but also so scared at the same time. I knew, I needed to learn new skill, but I also knew that this would be so much fun, and I would also make someone so, so happy. I did not know how, but I knew I had to at least try to complete this task.

We sat up an appointment and I started to study the techniques how to merge two photos in Photoshop. There are so many ways, I could never imagine. I chose safe way, the same background. I knew, if I wanted to succeed, I needed to play safe.

We met as agreed, they had brought two outfits and the shooting began. We all had so much fun, but during the session I had also to remember about the final task. As I had so many photos from other days, to process the one for my neighbour needed more time. Mum and daughter had to wait for their final photos a little bit longer. But was it worth it? I hope so. First, I processed all the poses we managed to complete on the day and asked them to choose the one which they would like to unite. I received the choices and started my work.

After few days, I sent my neighbour a message and told her I had a surprise for her. I sent her the merged photo.

She was over the moon.

Few minutes after I texted her: “I also have done one of two which were my favourites” and sent her the other merged image.

She could not be more happy and me, as I knew I could deliver what the customer asked me for and even more.

I am so glad she took the risk and believed in me, she trusted I could do what she asked me for, and I am ever so grateful!

Let me know what you think please 😊

The couple reached out to you and asked you to be their wedding photographer. Whoop, whoop, your dream came true, so much excitement, you are going to expand your portfolio and maybe the Wedding Photography is going to be your favourite subject. Unfortunately, you cannot just show up, start to take random photos, pack your camera to the bag and go back home, this day is all about Bride and Groom. As one of the most important days in any person’s life, it is essential to nail a wedding session the first time around, there are no do-overs, and a bad photos can be potentially disastrous for your future client relations. It is your job to make sure they will have an amazing wedding photos to look at in years’ time and to show them to their kids and grandkids in the future. You must come prepared. Even you think you will remember what photos you should take it is a good idea to simply bring with you a
‘Wedding Day Photography List’ to quickly check it between the shoots. That way, you’ll avoid a trap that many couples fall into where, six months after the wedding, they find themselves thinking: “I wish I had a picture of me and my Aunty Amanda”.

How to work with a Wedding Day Photography List’?

I would not suggest coming over to the wedding, take the list out from your pocket and start to decide which photos to take. Take time at home before the final date and mark those which you know you cannot miss. You may also discuss which photos would be of couple biggest interest during your conversation with them before their wedding day. If there’s anything you’ve or your duo envisioned, then it’s important to communicate that.

To make things even easier, I’ve made a sample free checklist for you to copy!

DETAILS
Invitation, program, special signs, & gifts
Wedding rings
Wedding dresses/suits
Outfit accessories like shoes, cuff links, or jewellery – RINGS!!!!
Bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres

GETTING READY
Bride(s) and bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done
Wedding party having fun
Mother and bride/groom portraits
Father and bride/groom portraits
Family shots

PRE-CEREMONY 
Couple alone for your first look
Bride(s) and bridesmaids/flower girls
Groom(s) and groomsmen/ring bearer

CEREMONY
Venue shots including ceremony site, flowers, interior, and exterior details
Groom and groomsmen waiting inside the venue
Guests
Bridal party entrance
Bride(s) walking down the aisle
Groom’s reaction
Father/mother giving the bride away
Exchanging of vows
Exchanging the rings
The first kiss as a married couple and the moment after
Signing the marriage certificate
The recessional (couple walking back up the aisle)

GROUP PORTRAITS 
Couple with bridesmaids/groomsmen
Couple with the entire wedding party
Bride(s) with bridesmaids/maid of honour
Groom(s) and groomsmen/best man
Couple with any children
Couple with each set of parents
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with siblings
Couple with close family members

RECEPTION 
Details and room décor shots, including table settings, place cards, centrepieces, etc.
Wedding cake detail shots
Grand entrance
Toasts and speeches
Cake cutting
The first dance
Bride(s) dancing with father/groom(s) dancing with mother
Couple mingling with guests
Guests dancing
Musicians, singers, DJ
Grand exit

It’s important to realise that the ‘Wedding Photography List’ is only a guideline. Everyone’s wedding day runs differently, you are going to end up with slightly different photos than what you imagine. But please do not limit yourself to the list, take lots of photos in between, capture the beauty of what makes the wedding day unique.

Today is an especially important day for me. This day would not happen if I would not have your support. Today is the first time when I open the MKS Photography Studio door to the public. I was waiting an exceedingly long time for this moment. My dream was to give people the option to be able to have session outdoor, in their premises or come to the studio where they would feel comfortable and safe. Sometimes clients simply do not want to pose in public or weather is not as they wished for, but they still need photos. This studio is giving them a choice. I am offering hours which would accommodate every person. You would not have to take a day off from work to book your slot. The latest place is possible to be occupied at 9PM!!! I am also happy to accommodate you during the weekends. All spaces must be pre – booked and 25% deposit paid.

I also am happy to rent the Studio. If you have not got your own space, but you wish to practice, provide your session or training, simply give me a shout.

This Studio can be rent not only by the photographers, if you need a space to provide a small meeting, quiet space to work from I will provide you with cup of tea or coffee and slice of cake.

One space and so many possibilities. I am incredibly lucky I have this spare room with separate entrance right at my house and I am happy to share it with you.  

Today I also wrote my first blog post. This blog is my place where I am not only going to share my photography journey with you, I also hope to inspire at least one of you to pick up the camera and immortalise world around.

To write blog posts will not be easy for me. My brain works on numbers and camera settings, also my first language is Polish. In my texts you are going to pick up grammatical mistakes, I would probably use “fill” instead of “feel” sometimes and I am apologising for this upfront. I hope that picking may failings would not be the only fun you would have during your reading and I would be able to present you some interesting photography ideas.