Portrait 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.

Portrait of Paul O'Grady

Posted on in Editorial photography, Portrait photography

RIP Paul O Grady

So sad to hear about the passing of the legendary author, actor, ex-drag queen, broadcaster and lover of dogs Paul O’Grady.  Feeling blessed to have met and photographed him – thank you Country Life Magazine for such a wonderful commission.

I spent most of my morning  listening to stories and experiences, as side splittingly funny as they were touching.   What a man!  What an inspiration!   He will be sorely missed by all.

From left to right, sitting on Paul’s lap are:  Arfur, Conchita, Eddie (aka Mussolini!), Sausage & Nancy.

 

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.

Alice Temperley

Posted on in Editorial photography, Portrait photography

Fashion Designer Alice Temperley

One of the highlights of being a portrait photographer, is meeting so many interesting and inspiring people.   As such, this latest shoot for Country Life to capture a portrait of Alice Temperley in her new studio in Ilminster, Somerset.

The 28,000 sq ft semi derelict victorian building Alice bought cost the same as one year’s rent in her Mayfair office!  Not only has this move provided her with a lot more space for a lot less cost, it has enabled her to connect with local artisans and producers, which is wonderful for the local community economy.

In due course, Alice plans to convert the rest of the building to include a restaurant, art gallery and a spa.  Somerset born myself, and based in Dorset, it’s great to see this injection of glamour and culture in the West Country.   Now I just need to win the lottery so I can indulge myself with one of her fabulous designer dresses!

 

Morwenna Lytton Cobbold

Posted on in Editorial photography, Portrait photography

Morwenna Lytton Cobbold, Knebworth House

Meet the beautiful Morwenna Lytton Cobbold, out this week’s Best of Britain issue of Country Life Magazine, photographed at home at Knebworth House.

Morwenna has always flicked through each issue of Country Life Magazine  to see who was the latest ‘girl in pearls’.  So when she got engaged to Phil Bush, it seemed like a rite of passage.   However, she chose to wear a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress, with black boots and and a black manicure.

She was a total joy to photograph.  She looked incredible in every single image, my favourite of which you’ll find in the portrait section of my website.

 

 

 

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.