Sibling photo session at Rosersbergs Slott | Barnfotograf Stockholm

My very last photo session of summer 2019 and, boy, did we work fast ;). You don’t get a lot of time when photographing babies and toddlers. You have to move like a ninja and think fast on your feet. For this portrait session, I met the family at Rosersbergs Slott (a really beautiful place by the way, which also has a big enclosed area where you can let your dog off the leash - just FYI) and we finished the shoot mere seconds before both baby and toddler ran out of steam. I tell you, folks, it’s a small window of opportunity ;).

Like I always say though, don’t just have portraits taken of your children when they are small. I LOVE when my families come back regularly to have their family photos updated. So much can change in families over the years, so keep having them photographed. 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80+ are ALL ages worthy of beautiful portraits. Don’t stop when they are toddlers.

Peace and love :)

Outdoor summer family photo session

“Maybe you can come back sometime and we can go hiking together?” That was what the GORGEOUS little boy in this fun family asked me at the end of our photo session last month. I mean, come on. Could he be any cuter? He definitely stole a piece of my heart :).

This was my second last family photo session of summer 2019 and boy, were we lucky in the light and setting department. These three adorable children were SO easy to photograph. And look how the mom styled the outfits - absolutely perfect end of summer attire for a fun outdoor family portrait session. We chatted, explored the area and even found the cutest little rabbit of all time (see below for evidence). I’ve found myself gazing at this gallery and wishing it was my own family photo session…

In my humble opion, EVERY family needs a photo session. The days are long, but the years are short and you gotta capture this fleeting time. Quick snap shots on your phone just aren’t enough. Your family deserves beautiful portraits :).

Peace and love :)

5 reasons why you should not hire me

I won’t beat about the bush (for a change). Listed below are five reasons why you defintely, absolutely shouldn’t, no freakin’ way, man, hire me as a photographer.

Do not hire me if the following applies:

No. 1

If you are extremely serious with a low functioning sense of humour, do not hire my services. I have no shame at a portrait session and will stop at nothing to get the results I want. I will make shockingly bad jokes, do over the top monkey impressions, and if the worst comes to the worst, I might even tickle you.

No. 2

If your preferred method of communication is to call people, it’s going to be a case of ‘Houston, we have a problem.’ The sufferer of a lifelong telephone allergy, the sound of a phone ringing is, to me, the equivalent of an air raid siren - I find myself looking for the nearest bomb shelter. I am, however, an extremely fast typist and can easily shoot off emails at lightening speed. The keyboard is mightier than the phone.

No. 3

If you are a highly accomplished bargain hunter who likes to get everything and the kitchen sink for a pittance, and can easily turn a blind eye to slave labour, you may, in the words of Dionne Warwick, “Walk on by.” I had been so sure my bank manager would waive my mortgage repayments when she heard I was a photographer, but no. What kind of a world do we live in, I ask you?

No. 4

If you are the kind of person who hates dealing with small businesses who treats you like family (the good kind), gives you handwritten cards and homebaked goods, you definitely should not hire me. As a pen and paper lover, I will write you a card, and when time allows I will gift you reduced-sugar, homemade chocolate chip cookies. Ain’t nobody got time for a business that provides that kind of personal service nowadays, right?

No. 5

If you do not want your children to have beautiful, timeless family portraits to look back on when they’re all grown up, then do not hire me. Who needs those kind of loving memories anyway. I’m sure years of therapy will help soften the blow ;)

I got shot...

… last year by a photographer ;)

I know, I know, that was blatant click bait. In my defence though, I think the only one who reads my blog regularly is my mother (thanks mom), so I had to take drastic action to lure you guys here ;)

And now that you are here, I thought I’d share something different with you. Last autumn, my beautiful and sweet friends, Kylie and Kerry, came to visit me here in Stockholm. Kerry is one of the U.K’s top dog photographers. You can check out her incredible work here: https://www.furandfables.com/

Kerry suggested that she photograph me working on a portrait session and also get some shots of me with my gorgeous Tibetan Terrier, Riley, and a few shots of me, well, just doing my thang at home. She said that because I’m always behind the camera that I should experience what it’s like for my clients for a change. So I reluctantly let her photograph me throughout the day. Thankfully she was very patient with me with, as I’m no natural in front of the camera.

Thank you for these memories, Kerry. You are one talented and fabulous lady xoxo

Here I am photographing my beautiful model, Kylie. This time I had security with me guarding my camera bag - see Tibetan Terrier keeping watch behind me. You can never be too careful.

We move the shoot into the woods as the sun was making my mascara run (waterproof my foot) and my eyes burn. And you thought your job was stressful. Note, leaky mascara has been hastily cleaned up.

The combined weight of this camera body and lens is about the equivalent of a four month old alpaca. The sweat patches must have been photoshopped out.

I feel no pain, I feel no pain. Mind over matter all the way.

“Oh my God, Sandra, you’re so talented. That’s, like, the best photo of me I’ve ever seen.”

“No, seriously, you are the bomb, Sandra. I look amazeballs.”

Then it was mine and Riley’s turn to shine. Now, I’m no runner. If a balaclava-wearing, chainsaw-wielding man started running after me I’d probably curl up in the foetal position and wait to die. Kerry, however, somehow got me to run over and back this field with my dog until she got the shot she wanted. I was doing more panting than Riley.

And then he broke free and decided he wanted to be the center of attention.

But I was having none of it and eventually caught up with him. He can run, but he can’t hide.

After the chaos comes the calm. “You want a treat, Riley?”, I ask on repeat all the way across the bridge. Hopefully he loves me for more than just my treats.

And the award for most handsome dog goes to…

Aaaaand that’s a wrap, folks. It always helps when a day of shooting ends with vodka ;)

If you enjoyed this little look behind the scenes, do please let me know. I’m very approachable, you know - case in point - everywhere I go I get asked for directions (ironic, considering I’m usually lost myself). So, if you’re not my mother, do the decent thing and say hi or hej, I’m not fussy :)

Peace and love :)