This post contains gifted products and affiliate links :)
One of my favourite ways to get really beautiful, natural photos of kids is to give them an activity to do, or a toy to play with, and to then step back a little and be “the observer” - documenting the cute moments that just naturally unfold when we let kids do their own thing rather than trying to get them to look and smile at the camera.
(Of course I like to get some of those “smile at the camera” photos too, but there’s only so much kids can take of that before they start to get unhappy about having their photo taken, or all the silly faces and forced smiles start to happen!)
So when Moonkie reached out and asked if I would like to try out one of their products I was very happy to have found a brand that is both functional and fun for the kids, but is also so aesthetically pleasing and I knew would photograph beautifully - really adding to photos rather than distracting (as super bright toys sometimes can) and, photos aside, just generally being nice to look at for a pastel lover like myself!
We received the Moonkie Silicone Beach Toy Set in blush* and, as you can see in the photos, Ruby and Matteo were very excited by it!
It came beautifully packaged in this lovely suitcase style box and contains a bucket, spade and rake, cute little toys for making shapes in the sand, all in soft, muted colours, plus a handy mesh bag for carrying it all in. Super pretty, fun and functional!
After a few photos at home, we headed out to test out the exciting new beach toys down by the river.
(After a slight delay due to Matteo falling off a chair and cutting his forehead…you’ll notice the giant bandaid on his forehead in the river photos 🙈. It was rather dramatic, but he is all okay and miraculously also managed to avoid getting any blood on his white t-shirt… just a typical day with kiddies…there’s always some chaos to deal with right? Typically at the worst time - like this, when you’re about to take photos for a brand! I swear Matteo seems to be way more accident prone than Ruby ever was though… is it just a boy thing?!! Anyway, I’m getting off topic!)
Toddlers are just so adorable, no matter what they are doing and I think photographing them doing something so natural, like making sandcastles with Daddy makes for such beautiful memories. It’s also handy because it keeps them (kinda) still for a little while, so it can be easier to get those cute detail shots of chubby little hands and feet! 😍
Having an activity to focus on can also be helpful for camera shy dad’s (and mum’s too - but I’ve found it’s usually the dad’s who need more convincing when it comes to having photos taken) and can make the photo experience that bit more fun and enjoyable for everyone, not just the little ones!
Whether it’s something simple like snuggling up on the couch reading their favourite book with them, drawing or colouring in, eating watermelon, baking cookies, splashing around in the bath - it’s always fun to incorporate an activity for part of the photoshoot - one that makes sense to your family and also obviously the photoshoot location!
As you can see we love our Moonkie Beach Toy Set* and I’d definitely recommend checking out the brand if you’re looking for beach toys or other beautiful baby products (they have a great range that would make for wonderful gifts!)
I hope you enjoyed these photos, and that maybe they’ve given you some inspiration for when it comes to photographing your own kids!
As always if you’re in Perth and are interested in having your own family photos taken, I’d love for you to reach out so we can chat about creating some beautiful memories!
You can check out info on my photography packages here or come say hi on Instagram @laurennataliaphoto :)
Thank you so much to Moonkie for reaching out and gifting us these lovely beach toys. Ruby and Matteo have been loving playing with them and I’m so happy to have discovered their beautiful brand!
Lots of Love
Lauren
xx
(Ruby fell asleep as we arrived at the river, and then woke up as we were leaving - just as it started drizzling! 😛 I feel like this post also serves as a reminder that when it comes to organising a photoshoot with kids - things won’t always go according to plan - there will usually be some kinda hiccups to deal with, nap schedules that are interrupted and of course just the usual chaos that accompanies young children - but despite what it can feel like at the time, capturing these memories is always worth it!)