Another beautiful Autumn - thank you to all of my wonderful clients, it is a joy to see you all! The season was cut short again by yet another lockdown, but we still managed to catch the best of the Autumn colours.

​Here's some Autumn Favs...

After an odd Spring & Summer, it's amazing to be back! I've had a wonderful time shooting at the new secret Heather location, which has been beautiful. I got to meet sweet little baby Georgia - my only newborn this year (thanks to being in lockdown throughout newborn season). Welcome to the world, little one! I'm now working with the start of the beautiful Autumn colours coming in as the backdrop for some gorgeous family sessions. Most of all, it's been so nice to see my wonderful clients again!

Autumn is now upon us! Don't miss out, get in touch to book your Autumn or Winter package session now, for Family & Child, Maternity and 1st Birthday & Cake Smash

Mini Sessions have also been launched for
Autumn Pre-Schooler Mini's - Oct & Nov Weekdays
Christmas Pre-Schooler Mini's - Oct & Nov Weekdays
Mummy & Me Mini's - Dec-March Weekdays & Weekends
Winter Mini's - Dec-March Weekdays & Weekends

Pre-Schooler Christmas Mini Sessions and Autumn Mini Sessions are now available to book for your little ones, on October & November weekdays. These are at secret locations just outside of Dunstable

claire@chinchillaphotography.com | 07722 743428

Thank you Loxley Colour for the lovely mention on their Autumn blog, with sweet little Sienna being featured  :) see the full post here; https://www.loxleycolour.com/blog/autumn-has-arrived-56880

It is an honour to once again have one of my images featured on such a lovely book! Here's Emily, Charlotte and Holly in the Lavender, featured on the cover of ​'Aromaterapia para Crianças Saudáveis' (Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child) by Valerie Ann Worwood. Don't they look gorgeous! 
​
The book is now on sale in Brazil here

Hope everyone is staying safe during lockdown!

Quick Covid19 Update: I am currently home-schooling full-time, but I'll be back in business in September. I've missed you all!

Much love and see you soon! Claire Xx

​Here's my photoshop editing flow which I use for every image I create, and how it applies to this image.

~ Correct Background Distractions ~
Background distractions are anything that distract the eye from the subject, or make the image unnecessarily 'busy'. In this case, gaps in the background tree cover, a stick emerging from the ground to the left of Eleanor's hem line, a dark tree trunk on the left side of the image, and a dark patch of ferns on the right. These have all been concealed or softened, to create a seamless, even and pleasing backdrop for our subject.

~ Liquify ~
Liquify is a handy tool which can be used to warp or change the shape of elements in the image. Here it has been used very sparingly to 'puff out' the skirts of the gown. It's hardly noticeable, but subtly adds some extra oomph and drama to the gown.

~ Correct Skin Tones & Touch-Up ~
Outdoors, skin tones are rarely correct SOOC. The surroundings reflect onto the subject, as do clothes, and then there's consideration for cold hands, noses, ears etc, which will take on a red or blue hue. In this case there are some unwanted yellow tones reflecting from the surroundings on to Eleanor's hair and skin - these have been removed. Her hands have a red hue, which has been corrected, and her neck, which was in shadow, has been lightened slightly. As for touching up, Eleanor's skin is wonderful, so there was just a small area of chapped skin on her lower lip which needed to be removed.

~ Enhance Details ~
Shooting wide open does a fantastic job of isolating the subject from the background, as you can see from the SOOC image. However, to really make the subject 'pop', I like to enhance and sharpen specific details of our subject. Here, I have enhanced the detail of the flower crown, the lace of the gown, the book, the lamp and Eleanor's hair. 

~ Add Magic ~
Now that we have our basic retouched image, it's time for the fun stuff! For this image I have added a light glow to the vintage lamp, to make it look like it has a glowing flame inside. I've also added a few falling leaves to enhance the feel of Autumn - some of these leaves are out of focus, with just one in focus to the right of Eleanor. The size of the leaves and their focus corresponds to how they would probably look if they were falling from the tree in real life at that moment.

~ Tonal Adjustments ~
The finishing touches! I have a secret recipe of tonal adjustments that I use for my images - this has been applied here, followed by a warming brush which has been used on a few areas of the background to create a warm and rich atmosphere. 

​And that's how this image was lovingly created! It is a pleasure to capture this lovely young lady growing up, along with the rest of her family -  I always look forward to seeing you all!

See you soon for the next Making it Magical feature ~ Claire Xx

Learn more about the creation of this image in Making it Magical!

​Start planning your beautiful & unique session now;
​
✓ Family & Child - Year Round
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Contact claire@chinchillaphotography.com, find me on facebook, or call for a chat on 07722743428 

Now Booking for 2020 - get in touch soon!

Thanks so much to Loxley for this wonderful feature article, about one of my favourite images :) You can view the full article here