Children photography

Birthday portrait of Prince George at 10 years of age, captured on the Windsor Estate

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Birthday Portrait of Prince George

Honoured to share with you my latest commission for the Prince and Princess of Wales: a birthday portrait of Prince George as he turns 10.   As with my previous portraits of Prince Louise, Princess Charlotte & Prince William, I took this portrait of Prince George in the grounds of the Windsor Estate, a few months later.

I love how this image captures the confidence, maturity and charm of Prince George – and gives us a glimpse of what lies in store as a future king.

For more examples of my children portfolio, click here.

 

Prince William, Father's Day Portrait

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography, Uncategorized

Prince William Father’s Day Portrait

I’m so excited to share with you another portrait I have taken for the Prince and Princess of Wales: A father’s day portrait of Prince William with his children Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince William, taken on the Windsor Estate.   As a portrait photographer with a passion for photographing children, I’m not sure the honour gets much better than this!

I love how this portrait captures the love the children have for their father Prince William.   With Prince Louis hugging his father’s neck in true joy, whilst Princess Charlotte and Prince George, with their hands on Prince William’s knees, and laughing adoringly up at him, you can see the adoration they have for their father, and the fun they have with him.

I chose this location for this portrait, not just because of the lovely backdrop and light it offered, but also because of the inscription on the bench: Presented to HM The Queen on the occasion of her 90th birthday 21st April 2016.   A mere 7 months on from her death on 8th September 2023, I thought it would be a wonderful way of adding another dimension to this portrait – making it all the more meaningful for the Prince of Wales and his family.

For more examples of my family & sibling portraits, click here.

Princess Charlotte Turns 8

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Princess Charlotte Birthday Portrait

Feeling truly blessed to have been asked by the Princess of Wales to take this birthday portrait of Princess Charlotte as she turns 8, and even more so that TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared this with you all. She looks as happy as she does beautiful, as she cuddles their black working cocker spaniel, Orla in a garden at Windsor.

For more examples of my children portfolio, click here.

Prince Louis in a wheelbarrow

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Prince Louis in a wheelbarrow

So honoured to have been asked by HRH the Princess of Wales to take a birthday portrait of Prince Louis as he turns 5.  Of my two portraits released by the Palace, this image of Louis in the wheelbarrow with HRH The Princess of Wales, laughing down towards him, is my favourite. It not only captures Louis’ spirit and cheek but also the relationship he has with his mother, and the fun they have together. You can’t but help feeling joy, love and laughter when you look at this photo.

For more examples of my children portfolio, click here.

sibling portrait in landrover

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, News, Portrait photography, Sibling photography

Ancestry and National Portrait Gallery competition

Ancestry and the National Portrait Gallery are collaborating to create a Nations Family Album – the first ever holistic visual representation of the British population in photographic form.  So they are inviting the British Public (all ages, backgrounds, cultures) to submit photos of family members (old, recent, together, separate).   The winning entries will not only feature in this online Nations Family Album gallery, but also in an exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery when it reopens early next year.

I am honoured to say that I’ve been elected as one of the four judges on the panel of experts, along with the baritone singer Peter Brathwaite, renowned for his series of photographs on Rediscovering Black Portraiture, the National Portrait Gallery’s Chief Curator, Dr Alison Smith and Simon Pearce from Ancestry.

Themes for the photos are: legacy, belonging, connection and identity – all of which reflect the emotions experienced when looking through old family photos or starting a journey on your family history.   You can submit up to 3 photographs per person.  And the deadline is 11.59pm on 30th June.   For more information, visit the Ancestry website.

I’m really looking forward to seeing all your entries.

Spring family photoshoot

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Spring Family Photoshoots

Finally, two households are allowed to mix again.   Hooray!   I have been counting down the days to this moment.   This means that I’m officially now allowed out to capture some spring family photoshoots.  My goodness I have missed photographing children and family photoshoots.   Bookings are flying in again now.  I still have a few spaces this Easter holidays but am almost fully booked in the summer half term (with just one slot left).   In fact, July is also already looking pretty busy.   So please get in touch soon if you’re thinking of booking a shoot.  Be it to commemorate lockdown hairstyles, celebrate a birthday, or capture the whole family together again after months of isolation.

To see more examples of my children photography, please visit the portrait section on my website.   Or if you’d like to discuss in more detail, please email me at [email protected] or call me on 07815 750 141.

Teenage Family Photoshoot in Berkshire

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Teenage Family Photoshoot in Berkshire

I love this image from a teenage family photoshoot in Berkshire last summer.   I started with the more predictable angle, capturing his profile, and his hands on the piano keys.   In fact, one of my favourite photographs I took as a student was of a jazz pianist’s hands moving swiftly along the keys.    With a few lovely shots under my belt from the side, I moved around the piano, I spotted his reflections through the lid.   All the elements came together to make a striking, balanced fine art portrait.

Over the last twenty years, I’d like to think that I’ve grown as a portrait photographer.   Whereas to begin with I settled for classic portraits, usually eyes to camera, in lovely natural light, genuine expression etc.   Now I want so much more.   Rather like painting a picture, I seek creative light and backdrops, interesting ways to compose and frame the subject, story telling props.  A painting says 1000 words.    Well, so can a portrait photograph.   This image will remind the teenage boy of endless hours tinkering on the piano.  The good times, the bad times. The peace and tranquility in his home. The freedom to be himself, to compose his thoughts into notes, to grow.  This is not just a beautiful boy smiling at the camera.  It’s a whole decade of memories presented in an array of reflections, light and shape.   I would like to think that this images says 1000 words to this pianist in the making.

Please do visit my portraiture page on my website to get a feeling for the variety of ways I like to capture portraits.   Please contact me  if you’d like to discuss in more detail.

 

 

Teenage Portrait Photography

Posted on in Children photography, Portrait photography

Teenage portrait photography

One of the perks of lockdown has been testing out my new Canon R6 on my teenage daughters.   And practising different techniques and styles for teenage portrait photography.   I find teenagers much more relaxed when they can be doing something they enjoy.

I’ve been considering investing in a mirrorless camera for some time now.   But when Canon launched their R5 and R6 last summer, I felt the time had come for me to bite the bullet.  After extensive research, I concluded that the R6 best suited my requirements.  I also invested in two bespoke RF lenses: the RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM and RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM.   I was quite simply blown away with the camera and both these lenses.  The speed and accuracy to focus were incredible.  And RF 70-200 f2.8 was so light in comparison to my EF equivalent that I could take photos one handed!   And what’s more, the quality is every bit as amazing as my Canon 5D iv.

I have since sold all my old cameras and lenses through a fantastic new 2nd hand camera company called MPB.   They collected all my kit free of charge, offered very fair prices and speedy payment.   An incredibly slick service.   This enabled me to invest in the full shebang of RF lenses, including the RF 85mm f1.2 USM.   Indeed, I took this portrait of Flora with this very lens, at a f1.2.   I love how it throws all the background completely out of focus, despite the fact that this was in fact no further from me than I was to Flora.   I can’t wait to share more images with this incredible new camera and lens.

Please visit my website to see more examples of my teenage portraits.   And please contact me if you’re interested in a family portrait photography session.   Whilst I’m based in Dorset, I travel throughout the UK.

 

Stunning Teenage Portrait photography Berkshire

Posted on in Children photography, Portrait photography

Teenage Portrait Photography shoot in Berkshire

This image from a teenage portrait photography shoot in Berkshire is one of my favourites from last summer. Children portraiture isn’t always about capturing a smile. Indeed many of my favourite portraits are the more serious shots. They eyes are the windows to our souls.  It is a portrait photographer’s role to capture the essence of their models. And no better way to do this than a striking portrait where there is a real connection visible in their expression. This portrait stops me in my tracks every time I look at it.

As with all my children and family photoshoots, I provide a variety of images: striking portraits or them individually and together with their siblings, as well as a range of more candid, fun and spontaneous images which are more story telling images.   Many photographers struggle with teenage portrait photography, providing rather static staged and soulless images.  But as my children have grown up into teenagers themselves, I have found I enjoy photographing older children and teenagers as much as I do young children.  They may not be as spontaneous and unpredictable as the latter, but I have found my connection with them, they are so rewarding to photograph.

Please do explore my website to see more examples of my children, teenage and family photography.  If you are interested in booking a family or children photoshoot, please do get in touch. I’m based in Dorset but travel all over the country.   And I’m also regularly in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

young girl on swing

Posted on in Children photography, Family photography, Portrait photography

Outdoor Children Photography

Although many of my photoshoots involve activities indoors and outdoors, there are times when my clients have a specific location in mind.  Somewhere that encapsulates an era in their children’s life.  On this occasion, the family were moving house and school.  So it seemed fitting to have an outdoor children photography shoot in the grounds of Cheam Prep school, Newbury, Berkshire, where the girls had both been at school.

We started the shoot by playing lots of games in the main grounds, using the beautiful avenue and stunning gardens as backdrops.   And then headed to the fabulous outdoor play area, which offers an abundance of entertainment.   We had so much fun.    Playgrounds are perfect locations for outdoor children photography.   I love to capture the children’s adventurous spirit whilst they explore, climb, slide and swing.  Indeed we explored every nook and cranny, climbed every ladder, slid down every slide, and swung high into the skies.   I find static swing shots can look as void of emotion as motion and prefer to capture them moving.  This is obviously more challenging photographically but nothing beats that feeling of wind through your hair as you swing high and low.

This shot was one of my favourites. I absolutely love it.  There is so much joy, energy and movement.   You can feel her excitement at reaching high into the sky.  It’s an image that is full of emotion and spirit.   It can’t help but make you smile when you look at and remind you of those exhilarating feelings of ‘flying high’ when you were little.   This is what I strive to provide in my children photography sessions.

For more examples of my children photography, please do visit my children, teenage and family galleries.   Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss the possibility of me coming to your home and photographing your children and family.