Why Winter is the best time for Family Portraits in Dunedin

Winter is hands down my favourite time of year for family portraits.

Yes, it’s cold - but the beautiful golden light you get in the mornings and evenings is totally magical, and can lift a normal session to something wonderfully cinematic.

In Dunedin we have the luxury of being so far south, that the sun stays low enough to fit an entire session into the golden hour - it just keeps getting better and better. The other bonus is that the best light comes between 3 & 5.30pm
- perfect timing for little ones.
With so many of our outdoor locations being hilly, you can also get different light effects as the sun passes behind them.
Streaming sun rays, direct shadows, soft bluey tones - interesting qualities that give clients many different aesthetics
within the one session.
Obviously, wrapping up warm is key - this is not the time to photograph newborns!
But from toddlerhood onward, children can be bundled up snug, and just love to run wild outdoors. Textures of wool, corduroys and warm accessories just accentuate the photos.

Next time you’re booking a family portrait shoot, consider Winter for something different!
You might find you get the best family photos you’ve ever had.

Autumn with the Richards Family

I love any excuse to get out into the beautiful golden light at this time of year, it’s my absolute favourite to work in (as with many photographers!).
I’d been planning a shoot with the Richards family for about a year, and we kept having to postpone due to covid, sickness and logistics - but we finally got there, and I’m so happy that they were keen to pop out to one of my favourite shooting spots near my home on the Otago Peninsula.
It’s full of long grass, beautiful light, and amazing views (unless the fog rolls in like it did halfway though our shoot…. which always adds to the challenge!).
Photographing the chaos of family life is pretty much my favourite thing to do - it’s no problem if your kids run wild and refuse to sit still - that all adds to the feels of the photos!
Sometimes, those crazy, cuddles or tears shots end up being the actual treasures.
Thank you, Tash and family for permission to share these beautiful memories ♥️