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Feb 2, 2022

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lauraphotographylondon

Loved the entrance to this house, on the way back

Loved the entrance to this house, on the way back from netball yesterday.

Houses of London, there are always some that have something special.

Dream white roses archway !!!

I came across an interesting article and study by

Tip of the day! As I continue sharing some tips

Tip of the day!

As I continue sharing some tips about photography, let’s talk about portraits.

****What is portrait photography?****

“Portrait photography is about capturing the essence, personality, identity and attitude of a person utilizing backgrounds, lighting and posing”, Imaginated.com

While it may seem easy to capture someone’s portrait, it can also be one of the most challenging forms of photography to master.

“The goal is to capture a photo that appears both natural and prepared, to allow the subject’s personality to show through”.

Out of all the elements, technical and creative, connection to the person is to key and something I couldn’t agree more with.

So paying attention to the person is most important and you can do a great job, with whatever equipment you may have.

As long as there is connection.

Portrait of the lovely Rohini from @claphammums taken during the Headshots for Ukraine series.

Happy Friday! 🌞 I used the opportunity yesterd

Happy Friday! 🌞

I used the opportunity yesterday after a photoshoot to create some content and explain what my portraits campaign is all about.

👁 And a little peak behind the scenes!

💃 40 over 40 campaign is about celebrating who we are today. No matter the age.

It is for people over 40 who want to create portraits they are proud to share with the world.

🔥 There is also a magazine with everyone’s portraits featured.

☄️ And an event once we reach the number 40 to conclude and have everyone’s porte displayed!!

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!

Meet Maria, 42 and fabulous! I loved working with

Meet Maria, 42 and fabulous! I loved working with Maria, she’s an inspiration! A beautiful person inside out. She takes on any challenge with a smile and delivers beyond.

Life starts at 42, she told me. And I believe her.

My campaign for people, women and men over the age of 40, is ongoing and new people are joining.

Get in touch if you’d like to be on the celebrating team!

##loveyourself
#selflovebringsbeauty
#selfempowerment

Monday tip of the day How to take a good portrai

Monday tip of the day

How to take a good portrait?

First, let's cover what portrait photography is about. It is a style of photography that portrays humans. So portraits of people but also culture, time, environment and space.

For me my interest in portraits came initially with people in the streets, then with portraits of babies and children at the moment with women and men.

How to take a good portrait photo?

1. Diffuse the light source - When working with people, it is important to diffuse light and make sure it is soft and available all around them.

2. Use a portrait lens, the standard lens for portrait is the 50 mm, but longer lenses will produce a more flattering effect, The 85mm or 135mm as they compress the background behind the subject without distorting the subject.

3. Find a different position, certainly not from below. I love angles, either for me or for the subject, place them at a slight angle or play with their shoulders.

4. Bring your own lighting - flashguns or studio lights to bring more light around the subject. The same principle applies in terms of diffusing the light as with natural light.

5. Alter the aperture - try lower f values (wider aperture) so create more depth of field and focus on the eyes.

6. Finish with editing and post production - editing ads the last touches to completing the portraits. Crop / straighten, bringing in warmth, more contrast and brightness if needed (especially for photos taken on your phone).

Hope this was useful. I have created 3 guides with Free Photography Tips, download them via the link in the bio.

Come with me on a journey. Before and after and wh

Come with me on a journey. Before and after and what happens during a photoshoot experience.

Modern portrait experience open to everyone, everyday women and men who have one thing in common.

They want to be seen for who they are, they want to be visible, they want to celebrate their bodies, wrinkles, set-backs and wins!

Join the journey! I am inviting 20 women and men to join the portrait experience.

To apply message me and I’ll send the link and information.

Be prepared to fall in love with your images from your photoshoot. My pricing will be made available at the time of the booking.

Are you ready? DM me 📫

So lovely to see this post in the morning. Why b

So lovely to see this post in the morning.

Why being part of my 40 people over 40 campaign matters!

“I am thrilled to be a part of the #40over40 campaign, spearheaded by the brilliant Laura Shimili Mears Photography, even though it means I must reluctantly admit to being over 40. I KID! My 40s have been, unquestionably, my favourite decade, filled with the most growth, meaning and career satisfaction.

Laura’s campaign highlights the joy I feel in my 40s, and I am also pleased that it spotlights her outstanding work.

Laura’s calm demeanour put me at ease immediately during our session. She has an unbelievable eye for detail, and most importantly would shout out your name in a room full of opportunities. I thank her for THIS opportunity and hope you all check out her fabulous work”.

Thank you Maggie, I’m thrilled to have you on board @sagelondoncounselling

Swipe right to see the final headshot after a rece

I love meeting people and getting to know them. I

I love meeting people and getting to know them. I feel photography is such a good excuse for it 🤔😁

Seeing people again and hearing the news, stories and sharing stuff, is always a joy.

Even better when we come together and make a contribution. Thank you @m.bitri for contributing to the Ukraine fundraiser for @chooselove

#london #tooting #headshots

At the end of a very relaxed and amazing weekend (

At the end of a very relaxed and amazing weekend (last weekend) in the Cotswolds.

I do like to show my face on here from time to time and this felt right.

What will you find here?

Photographs most of the time, some reels and stories. Photographs of the work I do for clients but also of my boys, how I work, events I organise and attend, places we visit and places in London and Tooting where we live.

Things you might not know about me

I am from Albania originally and have lived in London for 14 years.

I have been tempted to do a teacher yoga training (still tempted)

I have started playing netball and really enjoy it, not having played it before. It is never late to learn new things.

2 books I’m currently reading and enjoying:
- The Magic Years, Selma Fraiberg
- The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron

A quote that I enjoyed today

“Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” Eddie Cantor.

What’s inspiring you at the moment?

How precious do moments like this become in 2 year

How precious do moments like this become in 2 years time? In 5 years time?
In 20 years time?

All it takes is to find the right time, right location and the right person to photograph your family together.

Don’t leave it too late.

#family #memories #timeisprecious

Back in March in Cannizzaro park! The park has c

Back in March in Cannizzaro park!

The park has changed a lot since then. With many more leaves, colours, and blossoms.

Have you been to the hotel du vin restaurant that is in Cannizzaro park?

We went last time and discovered a great children menu, which I now recommend to all clients that book for family shoots in the park.

@cannizaro.park @hotelduvin

Special moments that tell our story, are every day

Special moments that tell our story, are every day moments.

Moments like this, filled with love, the time of being together and appreciating every second.

#wandsworthmums #tootingmums

Maternity & newborn photography can help record your story, that of your family and your children. From being tiny little to growing and changing but still melting our hearts away.

Get in touch to record your family’s story!

photography@shimilimears.com

Mini Sessions this Spring. Celebrate & capture st

Mini Sessions this Spring.

Celebrate & capture stunning photographs of your family outdoors this Spring.

My mini sessions are now open for this spring season.

Hosted in Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon, 15th May - updated 2 slots available now.

These go fast as I only release a small number of them for each date.

Do you want to make sure one of them is yours?

To book follow the link in the bio and fill the form.

Or email me: photography@shimilimears.com

Photoshoots are about joy, excitement, love and fu

Photoshoots are about joy, excitement, love and fun.

They are also about hugs, quiet moments, time to reflect.

Babies and children do get tired and we joke every time with families about “how hard it is to be a model”.

Embracing the moments as they come and celebrating them quietly or with excitement are both part of the experience.

Besides how cute is the hair bow of this little one?? 🤩🤩😍😍

Loved the session with this family, a maternity before the baby and then the baby shoot.

Happy bank holiday! A glorious day in London, su

Happy bank holiday!

A glorious day in London, sunny & warm.

What are your favourite parks in london?

Below is my list:

Canizzaro park, Wimbledon
Isabella plantation, Richmond park
Kyoto gardens, Holland Park
Battersea park
Peckham rye park
The Rookery, Streatham
Ravenscourt Park

I also love St Paul’s area, the park, the top of the new change shopping centre and millennium bridge.

Tower bridge is another favourite.

What are yours?

Spring outdoor photo shoots, common issues. It is

Spring outdoor photo shoots, common issues.

It is that time of year again, we will be spending more time outdoors, in parks and playgrounds.

There is a flurry of bookings and families wanting to capture their growing little ones as the outdoor season approaches.

Some families will be used to it and some won’t.

This family had not had a Photoshoot in a park before and it took a little convincing. And glad to report it paid off.

Their little boy was delighted, he could explore, he could walk and run and I made sure to engage him in looking at the different spots I had planned for the family shoot itinerary.

His baby brother, being only a few months old was less “aware” but parents were delighted to see their older one happy! Only one child to worry about 😎

For every family shoot, I plan the itinerary very carefully, taking into account the children’s ages, their routine and we have mini breaks for playing and relaxing.

Can you guess where this location is? I love that pink salmon coloured wall.

What could go wrong in a newborn shoot with siblin

What could go wrong in a newborn shoot with siblings???

First let me reassure you nothing went wrong in this shoot or other shoots I have had with other families.

The best thing is to take one step at a time. First start with the baby, and slowly incorporate the sibling (s) and then the whole family.

Currently leading times for shoots are 3 weeks for week day appointments and 1 month for weekend dates.

I loved shooting with this lovely family on the arrival of their second little boy ❤️❤️

“When I’ve had my hair done”, or “after I’ve lost the extra pounds” I hear these “reasons” often from mums & dads about planning a family Photoshoot.

The truth is that the time of children being little is short and it goes very fast. Before we know it they’re not that little sweet toddler that does anything to please (or doesn’t depending on characters).

Before we know it those early years have gone and too many things got in the way.

When we look back at beautiful family photographs, all those “reasons” don’t exist anymore because what we see is love, fun, our younger selves (which to be honest are always better 🤩) and the little ones as they once were.

I was doing just that for this family and for other families that have booked for family shoots this spring, helping them capture their family moments together.

Family shoots can happen in your home, local parks, london - the choices are too many.

Leading times at the moment are 3 weeks for week day appointments and 1 month for weekends. Don’t let the “reasons” get in the way ❤️🙌🏼

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