Royal photographer brings '˜Wills and Kate' effect to Butlin's

The UK short break company has brought a Royal photographer on board to encourage families to take fewer but better photos, share the ones that say something real about their family and spend more time living in the moment.

Samir Hussein, best-known for capturing natural photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two children, especially on family breaks together, has trained each member of the new team.

The move follows research that found families waste an average five hours of their holiday, trying to take the perfect photos to keep up with friends on social media.

Butlin’s found Brits on a break take an average 24 photos a day, with each photo taking an average of four takes and over four minutes to perfect.

One in 25 parents say they will take more than 15 minutes to get the right composition, time their family could have spent on fairground rides.

Samir said: “I’ve seen family photos move from stiff, unnatural poses to fluid, in the moment images which really capture a family’s time together and I think the ‘Wills and Kate’ effect has had a big impact on this, with over half of families we asked saying they prefer natural photos.

“Almost one in ten also want help to take fewer but better photos to free them up so parents can put down the camera and spend time with their children and I’m delighted that Butlin’s is championing this approach. As a new dad myself, I couldn’t agree more.”

Parents admit they will take the same shot an average of four times until they get an image they are happy to share on their social media channels.

Butlin’s resorts, including Bognor Regis, are championing quality over quantity this summer, encouraging guests to stop taking photos that have no real meaning and instead spend time living in the moment, capturing and sharing photographs that show something real about their family.

To help, a new generation of roving photographers has been introduced across the three resorts, which Sir Billy Butlin originally introduced in the 1940s to ‘capture and preserve the carefree happy atmosphere of your holiday’.

Each has been trained by Samir in the principles of natural family photography.

Dermot King, Butlin’s managing director, said: “We know there is incredible pressure on families today to share their lives on social media, especially while on holiday, and we’re as conscious as they are that this eats into their precious family time.

“However, we also know that family photos have and always will be a treasured possession and therefore we wanted to help redress the balance.

“We are delighted to launch our new generation of roving photographers this summer - Butlin’s has always been about making and cherishing family memories, and in our 80th year we’re delighted to be continuing Billy’s legacy for a new generation of families.”