Clare Long Photography - Photography in Sidcup Kent
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Being Mummy - experiences of a first time Mum

25/7/2017

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I have a guest blog for you! Sharing experiences of motherhood is one of the most enlightening and interesting parts of my job. What was the most surprising part of being a mum for you?
Faye's Journey so far:
Does anything really prepare you for motherhood? That's a question I've been asking myself for the past 8 months. There's programmes, classes, books, family, friends...a whole array of options and advice for 'help' with parenting. But like I said, does anything really prepare you? Can anyone truly explain the range of emotions that we go through? 
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I think it's something you have to experience first hand to really understand. The exhaustion, pain, fear, annoyance, joy, love to name just a few cannot be prepared for. Now there is not a single thing that I would change about my son, he is the apple of my husband and mines eye. But it's not easy, it's not all sun and roses, in fact it's the most difficult thing in the world. 
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I'm not just talking about the sleepless nights or the smell of sick that becomes your new brand of perfume, the pain of having to wind, the godawful nappies, the time it takes to leave the house, the lack of alcohol. No I'm not referring to that, although they're hardly a walk in the park. What is truly difficult, what breaks my heart and fills it with joy at the same time, is how fast they grow!

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​When you realise that your baby is no longer really considered a baby. He is infact an eating machine, a boy, a giggly cheeky little man and you wonder where the hell the time went. Where did my little baby go? The one that couldn't do anything without me? The one that would just lie in my arms without wriggling out of my grip? Now he's off, he's discovered transportation in the form of a walker, he's discovered screaming to get your attention, he's discovered real food, he's discovered words. Motherhood is a roller coaster that no one can prepare for. 8months in and I've already gone through every emotion I can possibly imagine...here's to going grey early...and absolutely loving it! ​​
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And so the Summer Holiday's have arrived...

21/7/2017

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In Sidcup and the surrounding areas :)

The summer holiday's are here!

This is my first summer holiday with children, my daughter finished her second term at Pre-School this morning, the childminder is on holiday and my weeks have grown in length (and my night time work load!!!)

I have found I have been scribbling notes of ideas, things to do, places to visit to keep the Threenager amused so the tantrums (her's and mine) are kept at bay - wishful thinking??

I thought I would share - if you have any cool ideas, please do comment! The days are long ;)

Bookable/scheduled events:

Lark in the Park
This is walkable for us, and opens 22nd July - 6th August. A variety of FREE activities for a range of ages - I am going to pop along tomorrow to check the itinerary so will try to update! You can pre register for these, but last year we turned up for some.

Pets at Home
Pets at Home have 'My Pet Pals' workshops running, again, free. The link is for the store at the Nugent, Orpington. You have to register for these.

Whilst at the Nugent - Hobby Craft
This is exactly my cup of tea and you will find me at these, 100%. Love a good craft! Telescope and dream jars anyone? I can't see a way to book, so think its a turn up jobby!

Odeon have their kids clubs running over the summer - great if there is a rainy day....it's England after all. £2.50 showings, I can't comment on how much it will cost you in pick'n'mix!!

Under1Roof have a wonderful schedule for the Summer! Make sure you check their booking system. Again, great for that Great British weather!

I also have a list of things to do at home...here are my favourites:

Garden Treasure hunt - I have loads of stars cut from my cake smashes, so I plan to hide these around the garden and my 3 year old can have a hunt around!

Make a den - we love a den, inside or out, bedsheets get dragged out, blankets, pillow's galore, we can be hiding from Mor'du (I have a red head...she loves Brave!!) exploring a cave, bust out the slumber buddy and look at the stars!

Bubble painting - I love pinterest for crafty ideas, it is a wonderful source of inspiration!

Chalk on the patio...and up the garage wall...and probably on the studio!!

Baking - whilst Super Chunk naps we can get some tasty treats made, I am thinking flapjacks!

A Nature Walk/Scoot - now, we are SO lucky in this area, Swanley Park, Scadbury Nature reserve, Jubilee Park, Petts Wood, Chislehurst Common, Oxleas Wood, Danson Park to name just a tiny selection of all the wonderful outdoor spaces on our doorstep!

Coolings Green and Pleasant, a firm favourite in this house! Great price (and have an annual pass too) and so much fun for the littles. They have birds of prey now too so check out their events section on the website.

Make a Fairy/Elf garden! Those of you who have been to my studio recently have seen that we are making big changes to our family garden, so this could be my chance to add a bit of fun out there!! Maybe I won't tell the husband about the glitter I've already ordered....Pinterest has a lot to answer for!!

I shall have to blog about our adventures this Summer...Let me know any ideas you have!







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Fabulous and unique - a photographer's findings!

11/4/2016

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On my searches for new props, I have come across many wonderful places to buy baby and children's items...I thought I would share some with you:

Lucy and Sam - London based baby and toddler fashion. I especially like their Elephant print Pjs!
http://www.lucyandsam.com/

Based very locally in Bromley & Chislehurst Pom Pom Baby have some amazing rompers (as well as other great items!)
http://www.pompombaby.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home
 
Viv and Joe - two words, hats and moccasins!
http://vivandjoe.squarespace.com/
 
Tootsa - a bigger brand, but some lush unisex items, ethically made.
https://www.tootsa.com/
 
Bo and Bel - beautiful teething jewellery!
www.boandbel.co.uk
 
Handmade & local - I love This Is Wiss's travel changing mats and waterproof bags!
http://thisiswiss.com

Check out the 'Dude' onesie! Love Muklet's Vintage American inspired designs - 'Little Letterman'
http://www.muklet.com/about/

Crafty Pear's reversible wrap dresses are just the cutest!
http://crafty-pear.webnode.com/

Very local and lovely, handmade clothes for your littles!
https://www.facebook.com/Robinandbluebird/?hc_location=ufi

Super duper close to me, you can visit them then me!
www.kiddirockersboutique.com

If you know of any little businesses, crafters, independent owners, designers, please do drop me a line with details, I would love to continue sharing beautiful pieces with you all!
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Leo's sitter session - photography in Kent

31/3/2016

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Little Leo came to see me back in October, when he was a few weeks old, he came back for his sitter session, it was so lovely to see how much he had grown!!
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting newborn
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting photographer Kent crawling
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting Photographer Kent
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting happy Photographer Kent
Clare Long Photography 6 months Baby sitting family Photographer Kent
I love seeing clients again, it is such a pleasure to be able to capture these wonderful milestone for them!
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Easter Holiday special - Children's Photography Kent

14/3/2016

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I am currently running Easter Holiday Sessions, these are 'Fine Art' sessions, and give you the opportunity to get the kids out and do something a little different, whilst updating the photos you have of your wonderful little people!

​So often after the first year there is a big, big gap in photographs
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art smiles
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art baby photography kent
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art black and white
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art sisters
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art sisters blue
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art portrait
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art older
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art brother sister
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art floral crown
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art boy
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art silk
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art black white lace
Clare Long Photography Kent Childrens photographer fine art boy
So contact me to book your Easter session, and capture them how they are now.
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Contact me
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An Easter Sitter Session - Children's Photography Kent

2/3/2016

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Look at this stunner! Her eyes!

I so enjoy photographing this age, when little ones start to sit, their personalities have started to shine through, the grins, the giggles, the moody faces!
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session spring cherry blossom
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session Cherry Blossom girl baby
Olivia was such a sweetie and came to the studio so I could have a play with a few new props, I photographed her sister a few years ago, at the same age, boy have my photographs changed!
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session easter theme girl romper blue eyes
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session black and white smile
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session easter bunny carrot themed girl
The cutest bunny I ever did see!!
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session Bunny ears easter rabbit carrot
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session easter egg tree milestone session
Clare Long Photography Bexley Kent photographer Sitter session smile giggle easter childrens photography
I love that I have captured this wonderful stage for Olivia's wonderful family, from the grins to the moody face, the chunky legs to the glittering eyes. Olivia has since started crawling and will soon be running, time really does go far to fast.

Please do contact me about a sitter session for your little one, I would be delighted to have you in.
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What to wear for you family photos | Photography in Bexley

3/2/2016

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I get asked 'What should we wear?' all the time. So I thought that I would do a little blog with my tips for dressing for your photos!

Where are your photographs going to be displayed?
You want your photos to work on the walls, so bear in mind that your colour choice for clothes will be displayed next to your wall colour, try to aim for complimenting colours - not matching!

Pick three colours (one being a neutral)  and put together outfits with those colours only.  More than three colours can seem a bit busy.  For example: navy blue (dark wash blue jeans), light gray, and mustard yellow. 
Neutrals include black, white, gray, khaki, etc.

Think coordinating, not matching.


Use your brightest colours as accessories.  You don’t want the brightest colours detracting from the most important part of the picture:  the PEOPLE! This goes for patterns too - too much pattern will be distracting to the eye.

A good rule is for parents to be more neutral and the kids to be in brighter colours

When choosing your colours, try to stick to warm OR cool tones- this helps with planning for displaying your images, if you living room is warm, go for warm tones. I have some handy colour palettes for you:
Cool tones family portrait Clare Long Photography Photography in Bexley
Cool tones
Parent colours family portrait Clare Long Photography Photography in Bexley
Parent's colours
Warm tones family portrait Clare Long Photography Photography in Bexley
Warm tones
Children colours family portrait Clare Long Photography Photography in Bexley
Children's colours
But my biggest tip?

Wear something you feel comfortable in!

It is important you feel comfortable in your clothes for the shoot, it will show if you are pulling at your top, or trying to hide!

There are lots of examples on Pinterest, it is a great place to get some inspiration!

If you have any questions or want to get in touch about your family photo shoot, drop me a message via this link.
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Homemade | Photographer in Kent

2/2/2016

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I love spending time crafting, making something new. Generally speaking, when I am making it is for a shoot - an idea I have. A photograph I want to create. I do, however, work to your ideas too, something a little more personal to a family.
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot cakesmash seaside
A seaside theme for a seaside living family, for this cake smash the family came to me from the south coast, origami boats, hand cut waves and starfish were definitely in order!
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot cakesmash outdoors pink and tealPicture
Lots of circles being stuck for this lovely little lady, and a DIY canopy!
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot balloons blue stars Picture
I have so many pairs of scissors, in various states of blunt! Blue and stars was what the parents wanted for this one. I still find silver glitter in random areas in my dining room!
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot surfer surfboards cakesmash
This little surfer dude was just so cute! I still have the surf boards I made especially!
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot paper flowers roses Portrait
This is one I am still working on. It isn't specifically for one client, but I am loving it, and it has progress on to....
Clare Long Photography Kent photographer handmade set personalised shoot Portrait paper flowers
...this! I am still tweaking the idea, how I want it to look, making it just so! So more flowers are being made, different paper, sizes, colours.

I will be doing a casting for a young lady to come and help me in creating this image I have in my head, keep your eyes out!

I will also be doing a boy theme too - anything you would like to see?
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Baby Noah: Behind the Scenes at a Newborn Photoshoot

26/1/2016

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The end of last week I had the handsome Noah come and pay me a visit! He wasn't the sleepiest baby, but we got some lovely shots!

His lovely Mummy asked to take some photos for his scrap book, which I thought was a lovely idea. This has given me some behind the scenes shots for you to see!
Behind the scenes Newborn photos beanbag shot kent
Behind the scenes Newborn photos beanbag photograph kent
Clare Long Photography Newborn Photography Kent neutrals
Clare Long Photography Newborn Photography Kent close up
Behind the scene Picture newborn shoot
My iPad is playing white noise, and I am looking ever so happy!!
Behind the scenes Picture newborn photography kent
More white noise playing near baby!
Clare Long Photography Newborn Photography Kent grey and blue
Super sweet sleepy shots!
Clare Long Photography Newborn Photography Kent sneeze
Mid sneeze! Love capturing all the little faces!
Clare Long Photography Newborn Photography Kent Family photo
And family shots. I love these beautiful moments...Noah wasn't so sure!

It was such a pleasure to do Noah's newborn photographs - I am hoping I will get to see Noah again as he grows!!
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Cake Smash Photography

9/1/2016

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Shoots to mark a wonderful milestone...

I love a cake smash, I make no secret about it - I love them. From the mini portrait session, to bubbles at the end, the prep I put into the sets, to finding cake in the most bizarre places for a couple of days! 
Cakesmash photographer Kent Portraits Baby Birthday
The shoot always starts with a portrait, it is sort of a warm up for the main event, but also a chance for Mum and Dad to have a lovely few shots of their wonderful baby - often with a cheeky smile.
Cakesmash photographer Kent Portraits Baby Birthday themed shoot
This time also provides me to chance to create a lovely triptych of images.
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Next, the cake! Now, sometimes the cake is a little daunting for little ones! Never fear, there are always a few tricks up my sleeve to encourage some messy fun for the birthday babe!
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Oh so civilised to start with!
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Some need a little help...
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Others, not so much!
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It never fails to make me laugh!!
Each cake smash set is based on your ideas, your child's loves, where you will be displaying your photos...whatever you have in mind, I can work with that!

The photoshoot ends with a bath, lots of bubbles, both in the tub and out!
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Please do get in touch if you are interested in a cake smash to mark you little ones first, or maybe second, birthday - I promise lots of giggles!
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Weekend Ideas - Wonderful Walks in Kent

9/1/2016

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It maybe time to don the wellies and get out and about - the weather *should* be a bit drier this weekend, and the sunrise was rather beautiful this morning!

This lovely website has some great ideas for some fresh air and adventures with your little ones.
Maybe there is a little pub near by for once you have finished...or before you start ;)

Click here for some wonder places to explore.
Family photographer Kent Clare Long Photography outdoors
​While you are out, you can always find some beautiful spots for some family photos and invite me next time!
Kent photographer Clare Long Photography location shoot
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 Sister Session - Kent Photographer

30/12/2015

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Some shots from Mia and Indie's recent sibling photoshoot.
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
Aren't they just beautiful?
I had a specific shot in mind for these girls, and love the black and white portraits of them. Serious suits them, though there where a lot of giggles whilst capturing these!!
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
Children portrait photographer Sidcup Kent
These girls where full of smiles during their photoshoot, though, some of my favourites are the moodier ones!
There is something special about photographing siblings, a quiet importance of capturing a relationship they won't admit to, not at this age at least! I hope once they are grown these images provide them with a smile and wonderful memories of their childhood years together.
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Baby Photographer Bexley

15/12/2015

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With Christmas approaching, I cannot share photos much, as many are for presents.

But I have been super busy seeing lots of amazing and lovely faces!

One of my recent shoots was of the GORGEOUS Emily. She is such a smiler, I had a wonderful time during her shoot, capturing her wonderful eyes, smile and creating images for her Mum and Dad to look back on and remind themselves of this stage of her life.

​Here are a few from her shoot!
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
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Children Photographer South East London

1/11/2015

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I am sorry! I have been and am, SO busy, Christmas mini's have left me with the biggest editing pile ever, plus my regular bookings...It is so so busy for me right now!
Cake Smash photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
I have had families, and Cakesmashes, and mini's and products to shoot! It's lovely to be busy, but sorry Mr Blog, you have been put to the bottom of the pile!
Baby Children photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
This week I had 3 gorgeous 1 year olds! Here are 2 of them...
Baby Cakesmash photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
More coming soon, I promise!
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Eliza

30/9/2015

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Eliza was a little older than a typical newborn who comes for a shoot, generally speaking, this makes it a little harder to get those sleepy, curled up shots - but, the positive of it is, more awake shots.
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
A short nap meant we could get some sleepy shots before some more with big blue eyes.
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
This little lady was wonderful, and boy does she have a personality!
Baby photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
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A morning in Greenwich Park

18/9/2015

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I love a location shoot. Especially for families with little ones. Being outside allows little characters to shine through, run around and giggle, giving me a chance to capture these beautiful moments between Mummy, Daddy and their lovely teeny.
Family photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
We walked towards the observatory, the wonderful family admired the views, stopped for cuddles, a quick game of peek-a-boo and some even had a little snack...of stones and sticks!

All walked out, we decided to head back to the family's home and I captured a few more shots of them interacting and relaxing together.
Family photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Family photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Cannot wait to meet A's little brother in a couple of months time for his newborn shoot, and of course, some more family photographs - this time as a family of four.

To book your family shoot, please contact me!
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The Beautiful Kara

13/9/2015

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I have had lots of little boys recently, so when this little one's mummy let me know that not only had she arrived but that she was a she, I was a little excited to break out some tiebacks and a hint of pink!!

Newborn photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Newborn photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Little Kara, at just 7 days old was utterly adorable and it shows in every single one of her newborn photos.
Newborn photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
As most newborns do during their session, Kara wanted Mummy cuddles and some milk, but she was a star, only becoming a bit upset at the end.
Newborn photography, Photograper Sidcup Kent
Kara and her mummy and daddy came back a week later for a few family shots, she is such a strong little girl, and so loved. I loved her newborn session, I hope to see her again for a milestone session or a cakesmash maybe!

If you are interested in a newborn session, please get in touch here
Remember to book in whilst you are still pregnant to ensure I can fit you in!

Just one last one before you go...
So very sweet!
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Children, baby and family photography by Clare Long Photography, Sidcup, Bexley, Kent and London.
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