"Every child is looking for an adventure of some kind, so I create one and we roll with that."
Abigail Waston
There is a certain kind of magic in childhood that goes by in a flash - the messy adventures, the spontaneous giggles, and the quiet moments of wonder. As parents, we are always trying to bottle up these memories, but getting our little ones to sit still for a photograph is an entirely different adventure!
To help us master the art of photographing children, we sat down with Abigail, a talented children’s fashion and lifestyle photographer (and mum!). She shared her journey into photography, her top tips for getting the perfect shot with just a phone, and why Happyology’s timeless pieces are a dream to capture on camera.
Q: Tell us about yourself, how did you get
into children's photography?
I grew up exploring hidden coves and endless meadows on the Isle of Wight, the friend who was always capturing your childhood adventures on film. From an early age it was a fond creative expression of mine. When we welcomed our first child, during the pandemic, my work shifted naturally from travel lifestyle photography to product and children’s fashion photography. It is such a fun industry to work in, there’s a lot of room to be creative with the styling but capturing children’s expressions and play is what makes it so beautiful.
Q: As a photographer and mum, does
what your children wear actually matter for the photos you take?
Yes and no, childhood is there to be captured in all its moments and some of my favourite images are the less styled ones, but I find it makes it a lot easier to capture the ones for the frames if some thought has gone to the colour tones and styling of outfits.
I often love holiday wardrobes to update portraits of my children as its normally a well curated selection of outfits that I have had time to think about when packing and no one can go rogue with the unicorn t-shirt because It’s not there.
Q: What's your secret to getting great photos of children who won't sit still?
Every child is looking for an adventure of some kind, so I create one and we roll with that. Patience is key. There are definitely some sweet spots for photographing toddlers but I’ve successfully worked with all ages, a fast shutter speed and some good natural light really helps!
Q: Happyology is known for its English florals and timeless prints, what makes them so photogenic?
Happyology makes styling outfits so easy. The tones and styles of the pieces are so easy to mix and match, you can’t go wrong even when the kids pick their own! They compliment England beautifully whether you’re shooting in the countryside or the city the look is always charming and put together.
Q: Top 3 tips for parents wanting to capture beautiful photos of their kids with just a phone camera?
Get outside in natural light, spot a cute background, let them roam wild.
Q: Best lighting for photographing children? And can you work magic with just natural light at home?
Natural daylight always, I rarely add lighting even in the winter I just wait for a brighter moment in the day. Overcast white sky is actually a dream to shoot under as there aren’t any harsh shadows so you can shoot from every angle which is great when working with tiny fast, moving subjects.
Q: How do you balance candid, messy moments with beautifully styled shots, does clothing play a part?
For those beautifully styled shots you can’t take your eyes off clothing plays a big part. The tones and the textures of the pieces can really turn an image into something beautiful. Think about the location and the tones and textures that give a cohesive feel to the landscape around and to each subject in shot. Keep snapping, you’ll be surprised how many messy moments turn into looking like beautifully styled shots when you sit down to review them.
Q: Finally, what's on your Happyology wishlist for Spring?
The whole collection but if I had to narrow it down the Serene Ditsy Floral blouse and skirt set in Rice is just a Spring dream and of course the gorgeous Spring print Copenhagen Embroidered Dresses, just perfect for Easter.
Taking beautiful photos of your children doesn't require a professional studio or rigid poses; as Abigail beautifully points out, it's all about embracing their natural sense of adventure. By combining good natural light, a bit of patience, and a curated wardrobe, like the charming, mix-and-match florals from Happyology - you can easily turn everyday moments into frame-worthy keepsakes. The next time you want to capture a memory, just step outside, let them roam wild, and snap away!
