millie pilkington

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 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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

Wedding speeches

Posted on in Wedding photography

Speeches at a Dorset Wedding

I took this photo during one the speeches at a Dorset wedding.  It’s one of my favourite parts of the wedding day.  They are charged with so much emotion.  From pride, nostalgia, excitement and love, to sadness for those that could not be there, & the the inevitable highly entertaining stories which has everyone in stitches.    They make for wonderful photos that capture the spirit of the day. They are also the perfect time to take lovely portraits of family and guests, too busy listening to the speeches to notice the camera.   This bestman’s speech was one of the funniest I’ve ever heard.  And I have heard a lot!   The reactions of the bride & groom and the father of the bride say it all.

It was the wedding closest to home, near Sherborne in Dorset, I have ever photographed.   If our little rowing boat had less holes in it, still had an oar, and the river more water, I could have rowed up stream to their house in 5 minutes.   Instead it was a 2 minute drive and I arrived at both destinations dry!   The wedding service took place in Sherborne Abbey. with a reception in a lovely country house with stunning gardens.    You might find one or two other photographs from their wedding in my wedding gallery.

If you’re getting married and would like to consider booking me for as your wedding photographer, please do email me with your date, location of the ceremony & reception, timings, and approximate number of guests so I can send you a bespoke quote.   Alternatively, do call me on 07815 750 141 to discuss your day in more details.   Whilst based in Dorset, I travel throughout the South, photographing weddings regularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and further afield too.

Kate Phillips, actor, Downton Abbey

Posted on in Editorial photography, Portrait photography

Portrait photography of actor Kate Phillips at the Ritz for Country Life Magazine

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.

 

 

 

Princess Adebomi Adewale

Posted on in Editorial photography, Portrait photography

Portrait photography in Wilton, Wiltshire: Princess Adebomi Adewale

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!

Thank you also to the fabulous make up by Mach Management.

 

 

Royal Baby

Posted on in Children photography, News, Portrait photography

Royal Baby Competition

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.