I’m so glad that I brought my camera when we went to visit our friends with their new puppy. She’s the cutest little thing! And when the sun popped it’s head round, I just had to make them have an impromptu puppy family photoshoot!!
Cornwall (or any west facing beach to be quite honest) When the tide is out as the sun goes down, magic happens...
I love photographing at the beach, and end up having as much fun as the children… We go to Cornwall every year, and each year I toy with the idea of extending my trip and offering shoots out whilst I'm down there... Let me know if you’d like to capture some family holiday memories next year!
Here are a few of my photos whilst I we were on holiday…
Just sharing a few photos as we took a break from homeschooling today, as the news at the moment is so heavy, and I wanted to post something positive.
It was so just what the doctor ordered to soak the sunshine. The frost was magical. I thought about how nature endures so much, as I focussed on the leaves that are covered in frost.
The value word that the school are focussing on is Perseverance. I’ll be honest, screen based schooling is something that feels so misaligned with my values - yesterday I really struggled with the concept that this is how they will be learning for the forseeable future. But the school are doing their very best, and amazingly in the current circumstances.
And when the teacher read out a story based on the poem The Race by DH Groberg this afternoon, it really hit home - I felt quite emotional. This is so very hard. Picking ourselves back up time and time again is . But we’re doing this in the best way that we can. Let’s keep going. We’ll get there.
Sending light and hope to all. Please reach out if you need.
Freezing time. Photography for me is not just about capturing the best portraits (whilst they are part and parcel of the process). It’s about capturing the best feelings that we have in our hearts right now. My aim is for you to hear the laughter, feel air on your faces, and relive this time every time you see them…
We were so lucky to have had snow in the Cotswolds just after Christmas. It was the perfect pick me up to take us through the coming weeks. We took the girls sledging, and we all screamed as we hurtled down the hill. I bottled up our joy as I do, and thought I’d share some with you here…
For those of you who are seeing everyone’s picture perfect Christmas photos and feeling like yours is not quite enough, or not there yet…
I see you, I am you, and I raise you our Christmas Tree - decorated courtesy of the girl’s toy Dragons… I’m considering keeping it this way this year… for if this year has taught us anything, it is to let go of perfection and embrace what we have…
When you’ve have been growing a baby inside you, this amazing process that your body goes through needs to be celebrated.
The process can feel like a marathon. Those early days of nausea, the copious amounts of water in order to get a decent scan, the nights where you can’t sleep, the possibility of getting stretch marks and varicose veins… not to mention this year in particular, when the concept of birthing with your partner present is not a given right.
You deserve to see how beautiful you are right now. You deserve these photos to see how strong you are. Your little one will be able to see how excited you were, waiting to finally meet them and the excitement of the journey that you will all be going on together as a family.
If you are in 2 minds as to whether you should book a bump shoot - please take it from me, who made this mistake twice. The only thing that you will regret is not booking one.
A few photos from the weekend in the park, enjoying an Autumn walk with my girls before I take pictures for other families in the Cotswolds… My biggest hope is that their close sisterly bond stays with them through all of the seasons of life.
Confession, it had been ages since I took proper photos of the girls with their Daddy. He has never been a big fan of the camera, so most of the time I didn’t push it. But on this particular weekend the girls had accidentally coordinated, the autumn colours were just starting to glow, and I was out scouting for the perfect spot. It felt like the stars aligned and I couldn’t resist asking him to step in.
At the time it felt like one of those little one-off moments, nothing grand or overly staged, just a quick chance to capture them together. But now, looking back, I am so grateful we did it. This was years ago, and I love that we have these photographs to hold onto. The girls look so small. The way they reached for his hand, leaned into his shoulder, and wrapped their arms around him — it all feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago. Even the way his slightly awkward smile softened once he forgot I was there makes me smile now.
If your husband or partner is the same, reluctant to be in front of the camera, you are not alone. I meet so many families where Dad would happily duck out of every shot if he could. And yet, those are often the photos that mean the most later on. Over the years I’ve learnt how to make it feel easy, unposed, and relaxed, so it never feels forced. Quite often those same reluctant Dads end up saying afterwards that it was nothing like they expected, and sometimes even admit they enjoyed it.
The truth is, these moments don’t hang around for long. Children grow, families shift, and before you know it years have passed. Having photographs to look back on brings you straight to the details you thought you’d never forget but somehow do — the way they looked at you, the way their hands curled into yours, the sound of their laughter. Those are the things that matter.
Seeing these photos again reminded me how quickly the years slip by. If you’ve been putting off capturing your own family, now is as good a time as any. You don’t need a perfect home, a perfect outfit, or even a perfect smile — just your family, as you are.
Autumn has got to be my favourite season for outdoor family photo-shoots. We all have memories of swishing through the leaves and collecting nature’s treasures as children. I have several favourite locations in and around Cheltenham and the Cotswolds with beautiful Autumn colour and fun to boot. Watching your children run around in the fresh air, with a hot chocolate promise on return has got to be a highlight of this time of year… plus these photos also double up as the perfect Gift to Frame for Grandparents at Christmas!
I hear you. I’ll do better than that. I AM you! I promise - I know all of the tricks to photograph you looking your best (I’ve used them on myself)
SNAP! Me too!! And because I know how this feels, I spend all of my energy helping you all feel comfortable in front of the camera. Every family is unique, and I have worked with so many parents saying beforehand that they don’t like having their photo taken. Everyone leaves their shoot thinking it was more fun than they thought was possible - even the reluctant Dads! Promise!
That’s not your problem - it’s mine. I’m up for the challenge, and I’m yet to be defeated.
Now that is absolute rubbish. My normal clients are normal people - no different to yourself! Please speak to yourself as if you were your best friend. You are beautiful - your children think so too, and they love you because you are their world. Please don’t let this terrible excuse be the reason that you don’t exist in your children’s memory books.
I’m on a quest to make sure that you allow this one indulgence. Be in these memories with your children. With almost a whole year of uncertainty - I promise you that booking a photoshoot to celebrate your family having fun outside together will be one of the best things you will have done this year. No buts.
So I’ve opened up a space in the diary to accommodate 3 families for shorter family photoshoots - they’re not mini sessions, but they’re shorter than my normal shoots…
Photographing a feeling is more important to me than anything else. And I love capturing these heartfelt moments for families.
I want you to see these photos, and remember how your baby feels in your arms, the way your child plays with your hair, or the feeling of the breeze as ran past you. Life with children can be hectic, and these fleeting moments pass so quickly that they’re gone before you can blink. If you could freeze time right now, what feelings would you like to remember about this time? What would you like your children to remember about their childhood, and what would you like your children to remember about you?
Let me capture it for you, so that you can treasure these moments forever. Sharing a few photos from this beautiful family in the Confetti Fields over the summer.
There is a wonderful charity in Hereford called The Little Princess Trust who make wigs out of real hair donations, to give to children with cancer - to help restore their confidence and identity.
Having missed a cut during lockdown, it had grown as long as ever grow it. So I felt that if I were to donate my hair - it was now or never. I had considered doing this in the past, but each time I put it off, with an excuse every time, knowing that I have never looked good in short hair. But this was a choice for me. It isn’t a choice for others.
So to hold myself accountable, I announced that I would be doing this, and set up a JustGiving Page to raise extra money and help fund the creation of the wig that my hair would go into - each wig costs £500 to make.
My daughters have only ever known me with long hair. I explained to them that it was for a good cause, and it would make a poorly child feel a tiny bit better inside. And that whilst I would look very different, that I would still be the same inside.
However, none of us were looking forward to it. I resigned myself to thinking that I’d buys lots of hats and scarves to hide it for 6 months whilst it grew back and I took this photo a couple of days before my cut, just in case I didn’t want to take any more until my hair grew back.
Rob Hicks Salons had just opened round the corner to me in Cheltenham. We got chatting, and he generously offered to cut my hair for free. I had never never met him before - let alone had a a haircut with him, but took a chance based on his resume - and the fact that his salon looks amazing. This could have gone either way though…
The process was terrifying. The experience of having 14 inches of my hair split into 4 ponytails and chopped off all at once was, for want of a better word - brutal. I felt nervous, shaky, and even angry with myself for having made this decision, but kept thinking of the cause, and the poorly child that my hair would go to. What I was going through was a tiny fraction of their experience.
During this whole process, Rob Hicks couldn’t have been be more friendly, enthusiastic and reassuring. This wasn’t intended to be an advert for him - I had no idea if this cut would turn out well. But honestly, if you want a good cut and feel really well looked after - book in here (and tell him I sent you!): www.robhickssalons.co.uk
To be totally honest - I left in shock (I still am). But I know that this will grow on me (pardon the pun). I’m so grateful to every single person who has supported me during this process - both with their kind wishes, and generous donations. The total money raised so far for the Little Princess Trust is now £1194 - which is almost enough to fund the making of 3 wigs for poorly children. Please click here for anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause.
I’m still getting used to the cut, but would go as far to say that this is quite possibly the best result that I could have had. I couldn’t have been in better hands, my heart has been warmed by the kindness from friends and family, and my hair couldn’t have gone to a better cause.
When you have a photographer friend who has beautiful children, loves sunflowers and eats sunbeams, it’s only fitting that we met up at this beautiful field in the Cotswolds and take photos of each other… @andthensheclicked I loved photographing you and your gorgeous tribe 😍
** Get in touch if you’d like a photoshoot at this amazing Sunflower Field - it’s stunning here, and they’ll only be out for a couple of weeks **
I thought I’d share a few days out for the family in and around the Cotswolds, for those who are looking for places to go with good social distancing in place. The Cotswold Wildlife Park has something for everyone and there are plenty of opportunities to take photos! I had been to the Cotswold Lavender Fields this week, so I have plenty of photos of the girls, so yesterday I had fun photographing the animals!
The grounds are so beautifully landscaped, there is lots of space for the children to run around, kiosks for coffees and ice creams, and you can picnic every where - we had our lunch near the rhinos! The staff are really friendly. I honestly couldn’t fault it at all.
Practical information: There is an online booking system that goes live the day before, so that they can ensure that the park isn’t overcrowded - even the car parking is socially distanced! Click to book your tickets here. Just over 30 minutes from Cheltenham, 15 minutes from Oxford and just off of the A40. Entry prices are reasonable, there are plenty of hand-washing stations, and the facilities are really well maintained. At the moment the train isn’t running, the playground isn’t open and nor is the reptile area, but there are so many other areas to play in and animals to see that we really didn’t feel like we had missed out. The highlights for my children were the Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Giraffe, and the Otters!
Thanks for a great day out @cotswoldwildlifepark - we’ll be visiting here again I’m sure!
I have every tactic in the books to get children to smile. I race, chase, tickle, play games, chat and make them giggle. But I have a confession to make, today I was desperate and I VERY rarely do this...
I told her that she could have a Kinder Egg if she took her hat off.
Then I told my oldest she could have one too if she put her arms around her sister.
Sometimes a cheap tactic wins.
** Lavender Family Sessions £150 inc 3 images Sunday 19th July 2020**
I love going to the Cotswolds Lavender Fields each year - it’s a perfect day out for all of the family. And obviously it’s lovely to take beautiful natural photos here. I have in the past offered mini-photoshoots, but i’ve extended them now to 45 minutes, as I much prefer taking that pressure of your children having to 'perform' for that short time. My aim is that you enjoy yourselves, play, cuddle, and make memories that last a lifetime.
I want to tell your story, show your personalities and capture your connections. I want you to be able to see your images and remember how your child feels in your arms, or their excitement when they found a ladybird, or the feeling of the breeze as ran past you. I want you to be able to relax, have fun, and remember this time, not just as a photoshoot, but actually the FUN that you had here together.
Every one of my family shoots are different, they capture who you are as individuals, your connections with each other, and I love to include beautiful everyday moments in between portraits, because for me these are not just portraits, these are your memories.
I get quite attached to all of my clients, as it is part of my process to get to know you before the shoot, so that I can capture your personalities in camera. I photographed this beautiful family a few years ago, when their middle child was a baby - and it was so lovely to meet their newest arrival! They came over from Germany and I honestly felt like I was meeting old friends, and celebrating their joy together.
I have some beautiful portraits of this family. But here, I’m sharing those moments in between - the joy, the fun, and their beautiful every day - their memories.
** Lavender Family Sessions £150 inc 3 images Sunday 19th July 2020**
Chui King Li | Award-Winning Newborn, Child and Family Lifestyle Photographer
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds
