Interview with Sarah Jane King
M&D Magazine has been working with Cheshire-based photographer Sarah Jane King for many years. She is known for taking beautiful family photos in stunning natural locations, and for making each photoshoot an unforgettably fun experience for adults and children alike. Here, we ask her to answer our questions, and share her thoughts on all things photography and family related.
Q. When/how did you first realise that you wanted to make photography your career? What steps did you take following this realisation?
A. I have always had a passion for photography. As a young child I was amazed with the detail of anything I saw and played around with cameras. I never had any desire to follow this as a career. I have always had a love for people watching too so I think this transferred through the lens. When I started a family I wanted to run a business that was creative and personal and most importantly that fit in with them. In the madness of motherhood and young babies I began it all. I give thanks to the crazy hormones that motivated me to start, and the rest is history!
Q. You work a lot with children and families – what makes photographing kids different? What are the additional challenges/rewards?
A. I love photographing families. Children are especially free spirited so I tap into this and become almost a child myself. This creates a space and feeling like playful puppies on a photo shoot. As I only shoot outdoors, we can run through the woodlands and no one feels a sense of contrived composition; there is no time to be conscious of the camera and what we look like. This is when the magic happens!
Q. You’ve been praised for taking photos which reflect your subject’s personality and show them very naturally – what are your top tricks for setting your subjects at ease during a photoshoot?
A. I don’t have any. Photographing people is a very intimate process. The camera can be very intimidating and invasive. A camera’s physical form makes immediate connection difficult as the photographer’s eyes are effectively behind the view finder. You have never met these people before… But there are always connections between people, you just need to find them. I love meeting people, enjoy talking to them. Having your subject at ease requires you to connect easily and quickly with people, and I believe I’ve got that skill. Leave any judgement behind and just enjoy the moment when photographing your subject.
Q. You’re also known for taking families out for fun photoshoots in wild and muddy locations – do you have a standout favourite family photoshoot spot?
A. All outdoors locations are standout to me. Cheshire is the greatest outdoor studio to work in. How lucky I am to be living in such a beautiful part of the world! I am particularly fond of autumn shoots, the colours and the dying back of summer brings great tones to the images. I am always happy when people get a bit giddy, take of their shoes and get a little mucky for a” no fuss” photo shoot with me. They are the best ones!
Q. What advice would you give to an amateur photographer experimenting with taking some great family photos?
A. Just grab any camera and go for it. Shoot in shade, sun is not your friend! On the other hand, if you want to experiment, shoot into the sun and you may get some great silhouette photography. Try lying on your back and have the kids jump over you while shooting, it’s fun! Check shoes for dog poo first! Over shoot when photographing and don’t think of composition or you will lose the moment. Laugh on your photoshoots and a few “loud cowboys’ yahoos” bring such spirit and high energy. The best photo shoots are those when you are sweating when you finish!
Q. How do you decide when you’ve taken the perfect shot? How many hours/attempts does it usually take before you’re satisfied you’ve got ‘the one’?
A. I never think of the perfect shot but watch the lighting mainly which is my specialty. I just keep shooting and enjoying the high energy of it. I play around zooming in and out and don’t really think about it too much. This way you get a good variety. Maximum 1 hour for a family shoot, it’s enough for everyone by then, especially hungry kids!
Q. How do you decide which technique/style of photograph (eg, black and white, zoomed in, etc.) best suits the subject? Does it depend largely on what your clients ask for or do you get a fair amount of creative freedom?
A. Only when editing I decide on the tone of the image. This may depend on the lighting and feel of the shot, individual skin tones play a huge part in editing. People generally have blue, yellow or pink tones. You cannot edit the same for everyone’s skin. I like quite rich tones personally so my clients give me the creative license to decide what I think best suits.
Q. If you had to pick just one, what would you describe as your favourite thing about your work?
A. There is no greater joy for me than sending the photo shoot proofs to families, my most favourite part of the job. What a gift to hand over a photograph of their most precious gems in the entire world, their children. The privilege is all mine. I have the best and most exciting job ever!
Q. Does your job make you feel emotional?
A. Absolutely! I have cried many times whilst editing and had to stop for a breather. I also laugh out loud at some photos too. The way people hold each other, their hands, their hugs, up and down moods of children, funny moments, touching moments – it’s all there on the film. There are so many personal reasons why people book a photo shoot with me and I am very sensitive to my client’s needs and very honoured to do the job. I often play some dramatic piano music whilst editing and the tissues are always nearby!
Competition Time!
Mums&Dads magazine teamed up with Sarah Jane King Photography to offer our readers a chance to win a FREE outdoor photo shoot on location in Cheshire. This offer includes a free 12×8″ print.
Please see www.sarahjanekingphotography.com to view photo galleries.
Closing date: 8th September 2019, midnight.
T&C’s:
– The competition is open to UK residents.
– The competition closes on 8.09.19 at midnight.
– You may enter by performing more than one action in the list above.
– The competition prize is an outdoor photo shoot with Sarah Jane King Photography, Knutsford, Cheshire. A free 12 x 8″ print is included
– The winners will be selected at random from the entries and contacted by email.
– If the winner does not respond within a specified time frame in the winner notification email another winner will be selected. Same rules applies to the newly selected winner, so please check your emails after the 8th September.
– This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Instagram.
Stunning photography x