Fourth Photo Session for a Family With Twins

Family Photography

May 13

After a health shock and three months in hospital for one of her twins, Lisa decided she wanted more memories other than her newborn photos. She’s now planned to do annual family photo shoots with her boys.

Lisa-Hedges-Family-Session-3-Little-Manly-Photography-006.jpg

What inspired you to book your photo sessions with Elena? I booked the first session as I wanted newborn shots of my twin boys with my husband Jonathon and I. I really didn’t want photos that were posed and tacky - like those ones with the baby wearing a silly outfit posed in a wheelbarrow or something haha! I wanted just natural photos of them, and us with them, in our home. I started doing my research and came across Elena’s website, then looked further on her Instagram page and loved what I saw. Beautiful, natural family shots - no tacky-ness in sight!

Parents with twin boys — ©Little Manly Photography

Then I decided I wanted to capture the boys at frequent age intervals. Not long after our first photoshoot at six weeks, one of the boys went into heart failure and was on life support. Very long story short, our little family lived at the hospital for three months, so when we finally had the boys back home at about five months old, I knew I wanted more family photos together - so that’s when we booked the six-month shoot. And now I plan on doing family shoots annually with Elena.

Parents and grandparents with twin baby boys on the beach — ©Little Manly Photography

How was the experience for you, your children and partner? What were your concerns before the shoot? And how did it turn out? With each session, I was concerned that we’d struggle to wrangle everyone to get some good shots. Especially with the one-year-old and two-year-old sessions. I was worried the boys wouldn’t want to pose for photos. But that’s the beauty of Elena’s style of photography, it’s so natural that no one feels like we’re posing. We got to just have some fun and we got some incredible family shots!

Mother cuddling twin boys on the beach — ©Little Manly Photography

How did you decide where to shoot and what to wear? For our first shoot with our newborn twins, I wanted to do it in our home. For the following three shoots, we wanted different beachy/water locations, so each time we took Elena’s advice of where to go. We also had to be flexible with the weather too - so there was always a backup plan depending on wind direction. If you trust in her advice, she’ll make sure you have the perfect location for your shoot on the day. And she had some advice on her website regarding what to wear for the shoot, so I followed that advice too.

Parents holding toddler boys on beach — ©Little Manly Photography

What do you think of when you look at the photos? When I see how happy the boys are in most of the shots, I remember the shoots so fondly as the boys were so happy and calm with Elena - she really knows how to get kids to cooperate and feel comfortable with her.

Parents holding baby boys on the beach — ©Little Manly Photography

What are your best memories of the day? All the laughs. Any awkwardness goes out the window when Elena starts chatting to you, she makes you feel totally comfortable, and you forget you’re being photographed.

Twin toddler boys hugging on the beach — ©Little Manly Photography

What advice would you give to another family considering getting photos done? Do it! You will be so happy with the shots, and you’ll have a fond memory of the day - it was stress free and we all had lots of fun!

Dad holding baby boy on the beach — ©Little Manly Photography

What do you think you’ll miss most when you look back at these photos in five or ten years’ time? I think I’ll miss how little the boys were. I can tell they’re going to be very tall boys, so it’s so amazing to have so many beautiful family shots of them when they’re small - it’s such a fleeting time!