Maternity photoshoots normally take place between 32 and 36 weeks and should be booked as soon as you feel ready. Newborn photoshoots usually take place at around two weeks old, so it’s best to contact me with your due date in advance so that we can pencil in a moveable date for your photoshoot. We can also pencil in a second backup date for three weeks after your due date. Family photoshoots can be booked whenever you’d like, however for all photoshoots I tend to book up a few months in advance so booking ahead will help to avoid disappointment.

If you are interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you. Once you’ve enquired through my contact page, I will be in touch with a photoshoot guide and will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. If you want to go ahead, I will send you a booking fee (for 50% of the total payment), a short contract and a client questionnaire to secure your date. We will then usually have a quick chat on Zoom to get to know each other and answer any queries you might have. I will check in with you a week or so before your photoshoot make sure you’re happy with everything ahead of our session together.

When I first arrive, I usually keep my camera turned off for a little bit, giving you and your family time to get to know me and relax before I start photographing. If we’re photographing in your home, I will spend a few minutes checking where the best light is and which areas might work best for our session. During all photoshoots, I lightly direct – gently guiding you towards a beautiful pool of light or interacting with you and your family so everyone feels at ease. That said, my photoshoots are natural and relaxed, I never overly pose people or force smiles, and always aim to capture natural, candid moments as they naturally unfold.

For outdoor photoshoots, there really is something special about the light around sunrise or sunset – a soft glow that’s gently flattering. For maternity photoshoots, this is my favourite time to photograph. For family photoshoots, this might mean kids staying up a bit later for the adventure. That said, if that’s not possible, then any time of day outside of the glare of the midday sun works just fine – after all, the most important thing is that everyone feels relaxed and enjoys the session.

For indoor photoshoots – including newborn sessions, which take place in your home – any time of day works, so we can plan around you and your little ones’ day.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and like yourself on the day. However, there are a few things that tend to work better in photos – like choosing neutral tones rather than bright, harsh colours. Also, it’s best to avoid anything that is distracting to the eye – after all, you want you and your family to be what really shines – so ideally we’d avoid logos, writing on clothing and strong patterns.

For maternity photoshoots, some movement and flowing fabrics can look really gorgeous, especially on an outdoor photoshoot. When you enquire we can chat about styling together – I also have a small, but growing, client wardrobe which you’re always welcome to dip into.

Firstly, this is absolutely normal and I can assure you I’ve seen it all before! My newborn sessions are built around the unpredictability of little ones. These photoshoots are always baby-led: we take things slow, and there’s time for dozes, feeds, changes or anything else that crops up. If at any point you need to, we can have a time out, put the camera away and take a breather before starting again when things are a bit more settled.

My family photo shoots are relaxed and fun, and long enough that there’s no pressure for children to be “on form” the whole time. If during our session, we need to take a few moments out to reset, then that’s absolutely fine. Also, I should add that there’s no pressure to smile at the camera or for your child to perform – it’s all about those natural moments of connection and capturing your kid’s true personality.

A bit of drizzle is not a problem – and a stormy sky can add some gorgeous atmosphere and emotion to your photos. However, pouring rain is best avoided, and we can absolutely reschedule and find another date if your photoshoot is going to be a washout. If heavy rain is predicted I will check in with you a day or so in advance and we can work together to find another time for you.