I’m using these quieter times in the covid pandemic to go through all my children photography and refresh my website and blog. It’s a useful exercise to revisit your old work with fresh eyes. In doing so, I ask what I love about each image, and what I would like to have done better. When I started out as a children photographer, my main aim was simply to capture a beautiful portrait. As I evolved, I strived for perfect lighting and composition. The better I get at taking children portraits, the less photographs I find that tick all the boxes. I gather this is a classic artist and photographer’s flaw. But it is through this process of self criticism that we improve.
This is one of those images that stops me in my tracks. Ironically you can’t even see her face but I still call this a portrait as it’s captured a moment in time which captures her spirit. The moment I took this, I knew I had captured something special that would be treasured forever. I love the graphic shape of the hat with the fingers popping out below, the composition and the light. And I love that itt brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. I hope it brings one to yours too.
If you are interested in booking a family or children photoshoot, please do get in touch. I’m based in Dorset but happy to travel all over the country – I’m regularly in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Do also look at some more examples of my children and family photography to give you a more extensive feel of my style of portrait photography.
I’ve been photographing these siblings every two to three years since they were just toddlers – it’s been such a joy to witness them grow into wonderful and fascinating teenagers.
On each shoot, I photographed them within surroundings that are part of their childhood which not only makes the portraits so much more special, but rather nostalgic too. This shelter, in the park next to their house, has seen many different stages of their childhood – be it to shelter from the rain, play hide and seek, skate around, hang out with friends etc.
When I first started out as a children photographer, I found photographing young children so much easier – because they are unselfconscious and spontaneous – but as my children themselves grew into teenagers, I have found photographing teenagers every bit as rewarding. And the added bonus is, when I ‘previsualise’ an image they follow directions, as in this portrait here! This shelter engulfed them when they were little, but now they seemed to own it and the memories within. It also provided a wonderfully graphic frame in which to place them.
I’ve been a wedding photographer for over 20 years now, photographing weddings all over the country, from small country gatherings to large more formal affairs. And I have to admit that I was a touch nervous about wedding photography during Covid-19. But I was blown away by the intimacy, love and emotion in these weddings. The sense of achievement in defying the odds and tying the knot during this pandemic presents itself in a contagious euphoria that engulfs every one present. Including me! The images are uniquely powerful and historical. I feel honoured to have been part of such historical events.
This portrait of Emilie & Ian on their wedding was their 4th attempt – the first in the States, the 2nd a large country wedding in June, the 3rd a wedding for just 30 in October and then when mid September the guest restrictions were reduced to 15, they managed to re-arrange the wedding AGAIN, a mere week later, so they could keep their 30 guests. The strength and resilience they have found in their love, surmounting each of these many frustrations and disappointments together, stands them in good stead for a long and happy marriage. I think this image captures the essence of all the built up emotion – achievement, elation and LOVE. They did it!
Please do visit my wedding gallery to see more examples of my wedding photography. If you are interested in booking me as your wedding photographer, please email me with your date, location of the ceremony & reception, timings, and approximate number of guests so I can send you a bespoke quote. Or, if easier, you can call me on 07815 750 141 to discuss your day in more details. I’m based in Dorset but travel throughout the country, photographing weddings regularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and further afield too.
With online digital presence becoming increasingly prevalent, first impressions are often made from your profile image – be this on Linkedin, social media or your own website – is all the more important. A successful portrait will endorse your ‘brand image’ and encourage your prospective client to read on. A weak one may do the reverse.
The brief for this corporate profile was to create an impactful and contemporary portrait which portrayed his wealth of experience and confidence with his cutting edge and innovative approach. Before I even picked up my camera, we researched other portraits – what we felt worked and didn’t work and why, suitable backdrops, poses, clothing and expressions, so that when we went into my studio, we had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve. The backdrop & lighting created impact, the ‘no tie’ and the relaxed pose on the stool were contemporary, whilst the formality of the suit and expression exuded confidence and experience.
Please contact me if you’re interested in a commercial headshot or profile portrait. With 20 years of experience as a portrait photographer, combined with 10 years as an Account Director in a branding agency, I understand how to achieve unique and impactful profile images, that reflect your ‘brand image’ and help you stand out from your competitors. As a leading portrait photographer the South West, I travel regularly to London, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and happy to travel further afield. Or you can visit my spacious studio near Sherborne, Dorset.
Having a strong profile portrait for your business is essential. The first thing you look at on a website is the picture and then the text. If you like what you see in the profile portrait, you are much more likely to read the accompanying text. Your profile portrait is your brand. I undertake a lot of corporate style portraits in my studio in Dorset, or I can come to you. Where possible I like portraits to reflect the nature of your work. So studio portraits may suit some, whilst location portraits, or vocational portraits may suit others. Either way, it’s about a striking image that shows you to be top of your game, confident, professional and approachable.
Hannah Shergold is one of those enviable people who is brilliant at everything she applies herself to. A Cambridge graduate in pre-clinical Veterinary Medicine, bronze sculptor, ex Lynx helicopter commander, award-winning wildlife & portrait artist, are but a few of her skills. And what’s more, she is as lovely as she is beautiful.
She’s raised over £65,000 for the Born Free Foundation in 2019, £50,000 for the Invictus Games, and is now raising money for Tusk. Do visit her website to see more of her work. Portraits include Prince Harry (although I’m not sure we can still call him that) and David Beckham.
This portrait of Hannah is from a collection of images I took of her in the famous dining room at St Giles House in Dorset. I love the juxtaposition of history and modernity.
Please do explore my gallery of photos to see examples of some of my corporate. If you are interested in discussing further about how you would like the perfect profile portrait for your business, website, social media, please do get in touch.
Photographing the highly talented artist, Grayson Perry, as Country Life Magazine‘s first transvestite frontispiece, was without doubt one of my most memorable ‘girl in pearls’ / ‘babe of the week’. Needless to say he did all his own make up and selected his entire outfit. This included making large hips from sponge to give ‘Claire’ (his alter ego) a fine set of hips befit of a middle aged country lady! Grayson’s sensible shoes, tweed skirt, quilted jacket and headscarf, quite a step away from his usual vibrant dresses and bright lipstick, was inspired by HM the Queen’s countryside attire. He looked so much the part that those walking by barely gave him a second glance!
My morning with Grayson Perry was entertaining, educational, inspiring, fascinating and sooo much fun and I’m much looking forward to seeing his exhibition of the ‘Pre-Therapy Year’s at Holburne Museum in Bath. I thoroughly recommend his book ‘The Descent of Man’ which I downloaded as an audio book for my journey to and from East Sussex. A must read.
This week’s Country Life Magazine‘s frontispiece features the highly talented and utterly beautiful actor Kate Phillips, who appears in the Downton Abbey film as Princess Mary. You might also recognise her as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders.
A special thank you to Paul Ellis who assisted me in this shoot, Mach Management for make up, the Ritz London for providing a fabulous location and a much needed supply of coffee, and Lucy Editor, the picture editor at Country Life for this wonderful commission! Feeling very blessed.
Meet this week’s stunning frontispiece for Country Life Magazine – Princess Adebomi Adewale, from Nigeria, photographed at the Church of St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton in Wiltshire.
A joy and honour to photograph – Bomi was beautiful, vibrant, intelligent and great fun. What more could I ask for? Thank you Country Life for another wonderful commission. Lucky me!
Delighted to see my portrait of the fabulous Lady Bessborough in this week’s edition of Country Life Magazine, seated in the Ribbon rocking chair by Katie Walker, sandwiched between Barbara Hepworth‘s bronze Torso I Ulysses and John Hubbard‘s Coaster, and the delicious deaf and disobedient but overwhelmingly gentle Theo lying rather grandly to her side.
I loved my day photographing the sculptures at Roche Court’s New Art Centre which Madeleine Bessborough founded in the late 1950s. I was blown away by the panorama of large sculptures amidst the stunning Wiltshire landscape. I could have spent all day photographing Barry Flanagan‘s Large Left Handed Drummer, and Zak Ové’s Black and Blue: The Invisible Man and Masque of Blackness, but everywhere I turned, I was faced with another perfectly positioned sculpture quite literally screaming out to be photographed. So much thought has been placed into where each of these masterpieces are on display – it really was a magical journey through parkland, woodland, lawns and cloistered spaces. A big thank you to all the team who made my day there most enjoyable, including the cook who made the scrummiest of lunches straight from the vegetable garden!
In celebration of the much anticipated arrival of Meghan and Harry’s baby, I have teamed up with my favourite frame supplier, Addison Ross, to run a prize draw in which you can win £250 of your own choice of Addison Ross frames AND 20% off a weekday children or family portrait shoot with me within 2 hours of my home near Sherborne, in Dorset.
To enter, visit the following link to Addison Ross website.
