A personal photography project... {photographing women in my community}

I started this photo project to challenge myself to create portraits of people. It became so much more than that to me. It has been a little stop start as I’ve had a couple of waves of doing this. Now I am ready to start again and meet women, nominated by their friends and family, to tell their stories on my little space here and with a photograph. Here are a few examples of the wonderful women that I met. If you would like to nominate a women in your life who has a story to tell then please do get in touch. It is not about dramatic stories but more about the things we do everyday that make up the life we live. You can find out more here.

Meet Lotte…

Meeting Lotte and her beloved Harley was a pretty special experience. After the tragic suicide of her younger brother Hector when he was just 18, Lotte and her family set up a suicide prevention charity; Hector’s house. This is to provide a safe space for people. They have supported so many young people in such difficult and dark times. Always with inner strength and from a place of experience. Lotte’s vision and dedication have enabled the charity to evolve include education and offering support services.

Coombe Hill and this view is where Lotte comes when she needs to find some calm and so it was important to her that we included it in her portrait. www.hectorshouse.org.uk

Meet Sue…

Sue has such a warm smile which reflects her kind soul. Her energy is endless as she runs Together 100 from this container unit known as the donation station. Every donation is sorted by Sue and her Duke of Edinburgh volunteers every week and is destined for refugees in Europe. Nominated by her friend Louise, Sue is also a wonderful photographer, works at the very inspiring Electric Umbrella charity and is mother to her two girls. https://www.facebook.com/togetherrefugee/

Meet Pam…

Pam experienced a change of career path after being a teacher and bringing up her three lovely children. Having always had a strong faith, around ten years ago Pam felt a calling from God and became an assistant priest in her local parish. She is a central figure in her community and as we shared a cup of tea Pam told me about her journey. Nominated by her daughter Deborah, Pam welcomed me in to her home as she welcomes others.

These are just three of the twenty women I have photographed so far. I would love to have the privilege of telling more stories and sharing a snapshot of the important women in our lives.

Photographing the seasons at Wild Rose Flower Company {Garden photography}

A couple of years ago every month I popped along the road to Wild Rose Flower Company to photography Rosie’s cutting garden through the year. I’m not sure where the time has gone but now is as good a time as any to share those Spring photos from March. This time of year is my favourite, the bulbs popping up everywhere and the lighter evenings are bringing me joy!

Need a headshot? Leighton Buzzard headshot mini session day

Do you need a headshot? Maybe you haver never had one taken or maybe you think yours is in need of an update? Maybe you know you need one but just don’t like the idea of having it done?! Maybe you think that headshots are too corporate? Whatever is holding you back, I am here to help you create a photo of you that you are confident to use for your business or working profile.

Headshots really don’t have to be too corporate! A headshot can help to convey your personality and some of your business story. Maybe we should call them profile shots or business portraits? More often they are being called personal branding photos but what ever they are called it is a portrait of you; the person behind the business. They can be relaxed and show you in your working environment to share a bit more about you. Or they can use a more interesting backdrop (a favourite wall perhaps?) but keep it simple too to show your clients who you are. So that when they are engaging with your business they have a face to connect with and can see there is a real person who is passionate about what they do.

A good place to start with a headshot is where you feel comfortable. For most people this might be the place of work, maybe you have a studio or a home office, or perhaps your business has a shop front on the high street? As the photographer I come to you and we can make your portrait. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph people in places connected to their business…

It may be that you are looking for a more straightforward headshot and walls can make a great backdrop for these…

Whatever you are looking for from your headshot, I’d love to help you create it.

I’m opening up a headshot mini session day for businesses in Leighton Buzzard on Wednesday 9th June.

*Location of your choice in Leighton Buzzard

*20 minutes of your time

*2 headshot photographs in digital format

*£60

Please note you will receive an online gallery of up to 5 images from which you choose 2 to download. If you would like to buy more you can for an additional fee of £25 per image.

If you would like to book your headshot mini session please complete the form:

Looking forward to hearing from you. If you think you would like more than a couple of photos to showcase your business get in touch to find out more about personal branding photography.

What is a family photo session like at home? {Buckinghamshire family photographer}

As you may know, I’m a real advocate of having your family photos taken in a place that is familiar to you. Home is always a good idea, inside, outside or both as it means that your photographs are unique to you in your family space. So if you’re thinking about a family photo session at home I thought it would be helpful to show you how it works.

Usually we start of having a bit of chat and find a spot for you to sit together and share some of your family ‘best bits’ with me - favourite flavour ice creams, who tells the best jokes, what your pet goldfish is called- that kind of thing.

Following this the kids are usually happy to show me their favourite spots around the house and garden. This garden was a total joy for kids and Mum said they spend their lives outside come rain or shine. The treehouse was definitely a highlight!

Then we will find a spot for you to have a moment with each child at a time. That way, they can keep playing and then have some hugs and chat with you too. And really I think the most important part of the shoot is to get you in the frame with your children, that’s really why I’m there…

I always like to try and get a parents in the frame together too. When was the last time you had a photographer take your photo? Your wedding? That’s quite often what people say! While the parents are having a photo taken the children can keep playing or join in for a couple of more posed pictures…

After this we might have a little break with a little bit of nourishment for the kids (and adults). Then it’s back to more fun. Sometimes it might be bubbles, other times it is football or garden games like Grandma’s footsteps. I tailor it to your family as you will have shared a little information about your family with me in the pre-shoot questionnaire. For older children it might time for a bit of chat, I used to be a secondary school teacher so I am comfortable chatting with those tweens and teenagers. For this family it was bubbles…

So as you can see we can get a variety of pictures in your garden. Photographs at homework work well because you and the children can just be yourselves. There is no time pressure, there are no other people to worry about and pets can be there too! If you’re lucky enough to have a trampoline then no doubt there will be the jumping shots too. Even better if you get on there too. These kids loved it when Mum came on the trampoline with them, as she often does, and so they’ll love this memory as much as she does.

If you’re looking for some relaxed photos of you and your family at home, hopefully this gives you a bit more of an idea of how it works. My goal is to give you a set of photographs that will help you to remember how life is now. These were taken last Autumn and were a reminder of lockdown days in the garden together.

Pictures with your children... {Family photography in Buckinghamshire}

So another Mother’s day is here. This will be my thirteenth as a mum and one where I feel especially lucky as, despite the challenges of the last year, my children are safe and happy. We have grown closer this year and one positive for me has been the time that we’ve had together just as one has turned in to his teenage years and the other is definitely in her tweenage years. Of course it’s easier to say this now that they are back at school and we’re not in the depths of January during lockdown in a global pandemic!

Mother’s Day is not the same for everyone and I know it is hard for some. I just wanted a little reminder of the lovely Mum’s I have been lucky enough to photograph. The photos I have of me as a child with my Mum are the ones I cherish now as an adult. I really think being in photos with your child is a beautiful gift for them.

Whatever your Mother’s day looks like I hope you find some joy (and peace) in your day.

So don’t forget to get in the frame lovely Mamas.