'That's it. That's the one'.

That's the exact thought as a photographer, when I take the photo and I see the 'aahhh' moment that I captured. The thing about the magic moment, is that it's often not an image that I, or the client pre-planned. It's 90% of the time, a spontaneous moment; a fleeting ray of sunshine, a momentary chuckle of a baby. Those are the moments that I personally live for; the ones that I'll never replicate again, but are ultimately unique and special for that exact person, at that exact time in their life.

Those magic images might have blurred hands as they clap and express joy, it might be a child running in motion with a smirk over their shoulder, or a mother sighing at the delight of their child. Magic images are made of split seconds that capture raw human emotions, in all their sponaneous wonder.

When planning a photography session, I definitely encourage planning a shoot list; it's like going to the grocery store. While it may seem rigid and overly planned, it's important to have an idea of which combinations of photos you are after. Having that list creates an understood expectation for you, the client and your family, and the photographer. That way, the special three generational photo with Grandad you've been dreaming of for five years, doesn't get missed when thirty family members arrive, one with a stained shirt, a dog that is barking, and the baby with a lolly in it's hair. Once everyone is in the moment of having the actual photos, that key list can help drive strategy.

The golden moments are the special fleeting times in between the structured parts; when walking from one location to another, when changing between combinations of family members, or simply when taking two minutes to recoup. When everyone relaxes, the magic is more likely to settle, and children pick dandelions, dogs pose like their from Vogue, and Dad's pick the toddlers up, upside down and make them chuckle until their cheeks turn red.

The message behind this relisation, is not the toss the key list away, but rather show up to a photo shoot open minded and curious. A photographer is there with you in mind, waiting for the special moments to come alive. Show up to a photography session with a little glint in your eye, and watch as family members relax and ease into the joy of being photographed. Whether you are being photographed at a winery, by the lake, in the park, or at home... the moments you hire a photographer are your moments, and in order to let the magic to shine through, all you have to do, is trust the process.