Filtering by Tag: portrait

A Family Photo Album

In June I had the pleasure of photographing a wonderful family. We were supposed to have our family shoot the year before at Easter, but due to Covid-19 it was cancelled. In the end it worked out for the best as we had magnificent weather, and it was organised for Nanny’s birthday celebrations. We took some photographs in their lovely garden, we then went for a walk onto the Downs, even their beautiful dog came along. We made great use of a gate, it was a perfect prop for the family to lean on or against. There were eight family members, from sons, cousins etc. I don’t put a restriction on how many I will photograph at a family portrait shoot. the most i’ve ever shot was 15! It can be a bit crazy at times, but it’s lots of fun being in the middle of the family dynamics and glimpsing a small part of someone else’s family camaraderie.

it’s always a pleasure to document someones family. At the shoot we had a discussion about family photographs and how important they are for family history, they had been researching their family tree and had found some old photographs of their ancestors. They said they wondered if these photographs would be looked at in the future, and what would their future families think of them?

It’s why I think professional wedding photographs are so important, they’re a document of you and your family for many years to come.

Double the trouble, but double the cuddles

So here we are in lockdown for the second time. I am unable to work again and have had to cancel more photo shoots. I have had no wedding work since the outbreak and have had many couples cancel and decide to have a small ceremony with no photographer, but I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to photograph some lovely families and some gorgeous little babies this year. This photoshoot was really special to me as I had already photographed this lovely couple on their wedding day. It was a joy to be messaged by them and to be asked to photograph them and their ten month old twin boys. They wanted to have the photographs taken where they got married and I had taken some of their wedding shots. Grange Gardens in Lewes is a beautiful spot. It did not disappoint on this very hot day in August. They had planted beautiful wildflowers boarders instead of the usual manicured beds this year because of the Covid 19 restrictions and staffing. It still look stunning and made a lovely backdrop for the photographs.

It was an absolute joy to be reunited with this fabulous couple and to photograph their beautiful baby boys. It really was a highlight for me this year. It means so much to me to be asked to document this wonderful families milestones. The thought that my photographs sit in their and their families homes means so much. It’s always a privilege to be a part of someones special moments. Here’s to a better 2021 and being able to get back out there and to be able to share more special times with some lovely people.

Viva Lewes - The way we work (out) 2020

I had the pleasure of being asked to photograph Februarys Viva Lewes 'Way We Work (out)’ section. The theme was local personal trainers. I got to meet and photograph four lovely, motivated people. That made me feel extremely guilty for my lack of fitness.

I am so pleased with the results and the photographs, they look even better in print. I love that all the photographs have similar colours, so there is a cohesiveness between all of the photographs.

I first photographed Lisa Dickson at the new fitness centre called Body Happy in Lewes town centre. The gym is relatively new and was full of the most up to date equipment to help you get fit or retain your fitness.
I then photographed Katie Weir who runs Lewesfit and is also a weight loss coach. She runs her business out of The Southdown Club. She has such a positive attitude and I could imagine her being a great help to someone who needs motivation to get healthy and active.
Then I photographed Gyles Abbott who runs Soulfit. He’s a personal trainer, but Soulfit also offers yoga, boxfit and other fitness classes, as well as having a healthy eating cafe.
Finally I photographed Nick Williams from That Coach Nick. His story is very interesting. A few years ago he found himself in hospital finding out he was diabetic. He turned his life around and is now helping others to do the same whilst training to participation in an Ironman.

It was lovely to meet these amazing inspirational people, I felt healthier and fitter just being around them.

Portrait of a family

I recently photographed a family of 16! They had won a £75 photo shoot, that we had donated to a charity raffle. It was such a lovely shoot, as half of the family were living in Australia and this was an opportunity to have a big family photograph taken with everyone in it. 
It was at one the the family members homes and they made me feel so very welcome, even if at times it was difficult to try to get everyone in the photo. I haven’t taken portraits at someones home before, as I usually prefer to be outside, you don’t have to worry about floor lamps and plug sockets getting in the way of your photograph.

It really did feel as if I was doing something very special (especially for the Grandparents), even one of the Grandma's thanked me for giving her such a precious gift, and said how kind we were to donate something so special. That's why I love photography, it's a way of preserving those magical moments that will be with loved ones forever.



Mabel & Elijah

The part of my job that I enjoy the most is photographing children. I find them so much fun and you never quite know what kind of photographs you will get, as it all depends on what mood the children are in. I’ve been very lucky with all the children I have photographed, as they have reacted well to me and my camera. They have enjoyed it. It’s the reason I like location shooting more than a studio as it is more of a fun adventure day out than a pressurised environment of a studio. This time though as Mabel was only a couple of weeks old, location shooting does not work, so I have a temporary studio I put up in my home. As it is a home environment it is still a relaxed atmosphere for the children, so they still enjoy it. The last thing you want to do is make the children feel the pressure of your one hour to perform and you get unhappy, sad children.

Mabel and Elijah were fantastic, Mabel slept the whole time (I got to give her cuddles to settle her for her photographs) and Elijah was a very attentive big brother. We had lots of fun and plenty of beautiful photographs of them. I even discovered that Elijah is fond of saying “Norman Price” in a bad Welsh accent, the same as my husband, so the two of them got on very well, talking about Fireman Sam.