Family portraits captured in Sydney
Jacqui Rowland-Smith is a Licensed Real Estate Agent at McGrath Estate Agents in Mosman. With a passion for people and property, a flair for home presentation, and well-honed skills in marketing and sales negotiations, she’s a local agent worth meeting. Jacqui recently interviewed Graham for this article;
Looking for a great way to add a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your home?
Consider a family photo shoot capturing timeless memories of you and your loved ones. There’s no better backdrop than Mosman’s harbour foreshore, nature reserves, and parks, for creating a wall hanging you’ll be proud of for years to come.
I met with Mosman-based professional photographer Graham Monro award-winning photographer, with lots of creative know-how for planning a shoot in this remarkable location, and tips that will make you want your very own piece.
Location, Location, Location
The Lower North Shore is blessed with magnificent surroundings. Whether you are after a beach setting, a scene showcasing the area’s heritage or a jaw-dropping background featuring the city’s skyline, the area has something for everyone. “Natural locations are great as people tend to relax a lot more,” says Graham.
Amongst Graham’s favourite family portrait Sydney spots are:
•Bradleys Head, which provides the ideal location for sunset photos and where you can really feel that connection with the city, the harbour bridge and the opera house.
•Balmoral, with its island in Middle Harbour, boardwalk, and jetty.
•Athol Hall, a long-time favourite for Sydney wedding photos.
•Chowder Bay, featuring old sandstone buildings with arches and beaches with interesting rock formations. With such diversity it is no wonder Graham chose this location for his photography business, gm photographics.
However, if you prefer the comfort and fond memories of your home, spacious home portraits are a popular choice for families in Mosman.
Hire a professional
One piece of the advice from Graham is to hire a professional photographer, particularly if you want a one-off piece or if you want to commemorate a special event.
Graham points out, while you can do it yourself, “the challenge is getting yourself in the photo”. Then, you have to worry about everything else, facial expressions, composition, and light. According to Graham, a mum always knows when her child is making a fake smile.
Doing your own photography can be a great way to be creative, but bringing in a professional photographer makes that task a whole lot easier. It can also greatly reduce the stress that comes with capturing important life moments, such as weddings or pregnancy when you generally only have one shot at getting it right.
Showcase your pictures
Where and how you display your photographs will depend on a few factors such as the type of house, the size of the artwork and the feel you want to create. For instance, if you have a long hall, Graham suggests hanging your family photos like a gallery. That way you can start in the middle and grow on both sides as you get more.
A New York hang, where many photos of different sizes and styles are displayed on one wall, is also a favourite amongst elderlies, who enjoy sharing stories to grandchildren.
For a more contemporary approach, big acrylic prints offer a more polished look, giving the impression that the picture is floating off the wall. If your home is on the bright side, you may want to consider canvas as they do not reflect as much light.
Frames are also something to consider. Black and white are generally the go with colours due to their versatility, but depending on the impact you want to create, a professional framer or hanger can help you decide how to best match your space.
Photos bring back memories, moments in time that are impossible to reproduce. With everyone now having access to a mobile camera at their fingertips, Graham has one last piece of advice – print them. That way you will ensure that, even if they are erased by accident, you will always have a hard copy to ensure your photos don’t just become memories themselves.
