For a unique portrait of the family and children there is nothing more mystical than a shot below water. Unlike our own eyes underwater, the camera records sharp detail and blazing saturated colours. The cleaner the water the more invisible it becomes. A large 2 tone backdrop is used to recreate a natural environment.
Subject Requirements: Each of your children should have participated in a formal swim programme with a qualified instructor (that includes submersion). Each child must be capable of free submersion; ie: the parent/instructor letting go of the child momentarily (at least 4 preferably 5 times) over your 15 minute slot. At the end of the 15 minutes the parents can, if they wish to, join the child underwater for a family shot (parents please practice yourselves before the day of the shoot see 'Hints' below). It will be the instructor who will guide the child underwater and not the parent, your child should be comfortable with others doing this. There will be 4 children max per 15 min slot this will give each child a rest between submersions. 2 shots are normally taken for each submersion giving an average total of 10 shots (this may vary if the subject does not face the camera or is withdrawn from the session early etc). Please be aware that most infants do not float naturally in a horizontal manner whilst underwater. This has to be something they become used to doing with practice. Some will adopt a vertical pose with arms above thier heads, some diving downwards, others will attempt to run in a crouching stance and some will float 'bottom' upwards with arms, head and legs dangling beneath. Please practice with your child holding them horizontal and lowering them into the water, gently correcting any tipping or rolling. This enables them to learn how to compensate and hold a level position. It is almost like fledglings learning to fly.
Image Security: Unlike some others, no shots will be displayed on this web site without the permission of the parent. Nor will any of the session images be stored on this site for you to access. The final images will only be seen by the parent/guardian, (not even the members of your own swim group).
After the shoot (up to 15 days) your proof images, which are not fully colour corrected at this stage, will be sent to your private email address for pose evaluation. (You can have a contact sheet sent to you if you do not have an email address). Attached will also be the order sheet.
Alex and his wife Melana have both been CRB checked and he is fully insured for commercial underwater photography.
Safety: If your child appears to be in distress at any time during the shoot we reserve the right to end the session early. No AC mains voltage is used, all 5 flash units (including poolside) are waterproof and battery powered.
Hints: Parents please look at the child and not the camera, our eyes do not reflect light underwater and this can look zombie-like in adults. Avoid the blown out cheeks look or exhaling on the descent. Try to look natural and serene and descend calmly, there is no reason to jump upwards before descending. Ladies please make sure your make-up is waterproof! (Please practice, most disappointing family shots are caused by the inexperienced parent rather than the child). There are 2 splashproof low voltage 14" HD monitor screens poolside, one faces the water and is positioned at eye level, this allows you and the photographer to see the image seconds after it is taken so your pose or facial expression can be adapted/altered for the next shot.
Cost: Your swim group, not the photographer, will normally charge a fixed fee of £35 this is non refundable if you do not attend or your child fails to submerge. A portion of which goes to your swim club, pool hire, instructor fees and the photographer. If you are not happy with the technical quality of the shots then you are welcome to attend the next available session free of charge. (We cannot be held responsible for the adopted pose or the expression of the subjects whilst underwater).
In order to be as transparent as possible about our prices they are listed below and are additional to the attendance fee (any necessary retouching is included in the price, additional retouching is chargeable).
Prints listed below are done in house and are individually assessed, they are not sub contracted out or created by a discount Photo Lab or Supermarket.
Print Prices: (Jan 2012): 7”x 5”.... £12 (duplicates £6) 7"x5" with four 3.5"x2.5"composite....£16 (duplicates £8)
10”x 8”.... £16 (duplicates £8) 12”x 10”.... £20 (duplicates £10)
16”x 12”... £30 20”x 16”... £40 (were £45) 31.5"x 22"... £70
**Canvas prices (Jan 2012) 16"x 12"... £45 20"x 16"... £65 26"x 18"... £75 (most popular size) larger sizes available, price on application.
Disc* containing all the shots of your session .... £75 (both tif 60+ mb native & jpeg format files for printing, and a set of low res jpegs for emailing).
Free disc if you spend over £160 on prints!
All postage: Special Delivery Next Day Signed For £6.50 mainland UK.
If items are of very high value or delicate they will be hand delivered for the same cost £6.50 if local to the Leeds area.
**Canvas vs Prints: please be aware that images on canvas have less detail and less colour saturation (regardless of supplier) than prints at the same size. This is due to the surface of the canvas being textured and matt white. Also some cropping of the image will occur as the image has to wrap around the sides, top and bottom of the 38mm wooden frame, this can be a problem if required detail occurs close to the image edge. Please take these factors into account when ordering.
'Dear Alex, Just a note to say how much people commented on and admired the underwater photos that you took in November of my daughter Caitlin - many were given as presents and the large one takes pride of place on the living room wall. I also appreciate the fact that you delivered them personally. Best wishes Helen Bedford, Harrogate.'
* Note images on disc are for personal use only, for distribution between family and friends. The copyright remains with the photographer and no commercial use is granted.
