Documenting Family Life During Lockdown / Surrey Family Photography
My previous blog post introduced a project which I started during Covid-19 imposed lockdown, where I set out to do something positive in response to lockdown and to create a photographic document of this unprecedented time in our lives. I started photographing my community during isolation, from a safe distance, socially distancing at all times, incorporating photography into my daily exercise and working exclusively outside.
I am incredibly lucky to be living in the countryside during this time, where there are very few people and lots of space. My own family and many others in are village are appreciating nature around us not only for our daily exercise but also as a classroom where children can learn about different wild flowers and trees, spot different wildlife and enjoy being out in nature!
Photos below are from a family photo session during their daily walk, in a local wooded area which at the time was covered in bluebells. The kids loved showing me their favourite places in the woods, and some of the games they like to play. I love the energy in some of the action shots, but I also love the few quiet frames between the kids and their mum, where I think they are discussing how an ash sapling managed to start growning on the roots of an old oak tree.
As Surrey documentary family photographer, I will be continuing with this project, documenting families while they isolate. If you are interested in participating in this project, give me a shout!
Abinger Roughs Family Photoshoot | Surrey Family Photographer
Surrey Family Photoshoot on the Roughs
This outdoor family photoshoot was a real treat from beginning to end. After days of endless rain in November, the clouds finally parted and the sun shone - perfect for autumnal family photography.
We arranged to meet at Abinger Roughs, a National Trust land, formerly part of the Abinger Hall Estate. I really enjoy this walk and visit it often myself - it is a great mix of ancient woodland, fields, rhododendrons and doesn’t get too muddy in the colder months. It is said that naturalist Charles Darwin used to visit Abinger Hall and walk the Roughs with his friend Thomas Farrer.
Children and Family Photographer
We started the photoshoot at the Natural play area. This area of the Roughs is filled with logs of different shapes and sizes - a great outdoor playground and perfect place for kids to get lost in play and forget about being dragged out in the cold. This was a great place for a few candid photographs of the family enjoying their time and playing hide and seek with the kids! We then followed the path into the woods where I really enjoyed capturing the soft automnal light and the bold shapes of birch trees. The kids were amazing - they were so well behaved, cooperative, playful and up for taking my direction and going with it.
In addition to candid family photos, I also take a few more ‘posed’ photographs for the families so there is a variety of poses for my clients to choose from when the time comes for digital file or print selection. Here is a selection of photographs from recent photoshoot - I hope you enjoy viewing them!
Professional Family Photography
Family portrait photography is a great investment into the future. The photographs become more valuble as the children get older and they capture memories and time which goes in a blink of an eye. I have many family photos framed and put into albums myself, and often look back on them and reminisce.
If you have questions about my family photoshoots, please visit my family photography page, or contact me to discuss a shoot.
Want to give a gift of memories to your loved one or your friend?
My photography gift vouchers make a great birthday, anniversary, baby welcoming, Valantine’s or Christmas present. I offer gift certificates for family, pet, couples, newborn and maternity photoshoots. Please visit my on line store to purchase a voucher, or contact me to arrange purchase of a voucher together with credit which can go towards digital files and/or prints.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Surrey Family Photographer | Location Family Photoshoot
Indoor baby photoshoot
I am so incredibly lucky to have many wonderful returning cusomers who have been with me since the beggining of my photography career. That kind of support means everything to me. This photo session was my third session with this couple, and the first family photoshoot since the birth of their gorgeous baby.
The family photoshoot took place both at the family home and outside. As Surrey baby photographer, I find that baby photoshoots work well in two locations; babies tend to be more active and engaging in the comfort of their own home, and more relaxed and intrigued outdoors. So the combination of the two creates a nice veriety of situations which allow me to capture different set of shots for my clients.
The first part of the session was mainly focused on baby photography, capturing the character, actions and interactions of this little inquisitive girl. Playtime in her bedroom, interactions with her dad, mum and their pet dog, crawling and standing. Here are a few photos from the first part of the photo session.
Outdoor family photography
Following the indoor baby photoshoot, we headed outside for some fresh air, family time and family portraits. It was an amazing day, with lots of sunshine and automnal colours - perfect working conditions for a family photographer. I love shooting this time of year, the sun is lower and softer than in the summer months and colours are warm. I try to find many different backdrops during my family photo sessions, I work using a combination of unobtrusive documentary-style photography, and giving families gentle direction on posing, where to stand or what to look at. The result is a set of candid lifestyle photographs which my clients can cherish in years to come. This was such a fun, feel-good photoshoot, it is one that is very dear to my heart and I love the colours in the atmosphere in the final photos.
If you are considering having professional family photos done or organising a baby photoshoot, please contact me, I would love to hear from you!
Surrey Family Photographer / Family Photo Session in Coulsdon
I remember really enjoying taking photos when I was a kid, using my dad’s SLR camera to take photos (mainly) of my dogs. Much has changed since then, most significantly the transition from film to digital, and easy access to high quality photographic equipment, and information on how to use it.
I got my first DSLR camera as a birthday present from my parents, I would say roughly 12, or 13 years ago. It was a Canon 400D with a 24-85 mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens. It was a great little camera to learn on, as it wasn’t overly complicated for the beginner but had enough features to keep me occupied for a while. Several courses, a couple of cameras and many blurry photos later, I was ready for an upgrade. My dear friend Michael and I spent many hours talking about cameras and lenses when both him and I were deciding on buying a new camera. I went for a Canon 5D mk III, a camera which I love and still use today. I chose this particular camera because at the time I was toying with the idea of furthering photography and exploring the possibility of working as a photographer. A few months later, the same friend Michael and his then fiance Susan, asked me to photograph their wedding. If not the beggining of my photography career, this was definitely a defining moment. Soon after that I left the world of science and embarked on a journey to becomming a professional photographer, specialising in family portraiture, children, newborn and pet photography.
Family Photoshoot in Surrey
Six years, and two children later, we arranged a family photoshoot in Coulsdon, Surrey. We went on an adventure walk around Farthing Downs, exploring spring blossoms, secret paths and looking for ladybirds. It was a joyous afternoon spent with friends who have supported me from the very start. And for that I am forever greatful. Here are a few photos I took, some of them my new favourites!
Family Photo Sessions in Surrey and London
I love exploring the countryside and visiting London parks with clients, but I also work in the comfort of my clients homes. My family photo sessions are playful, relaxed and centred around kids and what they like to do. If you would like to discuss a family photo session, or to make a booking, please get in touch using the contact page on my website.