At home... {Leighton Buzzard Family Photographer}

Being invited in to people's homes to take their photographs is a real privilege. I am lucky enough to see a little bit more of what makes your family story unique to you. Not only are you and the children more relaxed but your home is the context in which you live your lives. I love that I get to help preserve those memories of... 'do you remember when...?' At home, I approach your family photography session as a documentary session, capturing your family life as authentically as possible. These lovely girls were ace to hang out with on a Saturday afternoon at home.

Girl power... more than a slogan on a t-shirt {Family photography in Buckinghamshire}

There I was out shopping with my 6, soon to be 7, year old at the weekend and she pipes up "Girl Power!" with a fist pump. So, obviously I'm delighted that she's on message (!) and I told her that I first heard about "Girl Power!" when it was summer 1996 and through the medium of the Spice Girls she said "I know who they are, Geri is a Spice Girl". (She is a fan of that recent BBC1 early Saturday evening show). Anyway it got me thinking, how do get these positive messages through to our children? Other than as a slogan on a T-shirt, how do we get them to understand what "girl power" means and why they need to understand it as they grow up?

And its not just for girls, I want my son to know that he is an equal too and for him to grow up respecting women as equals. I'm finding it hard to navigate all the messages they get and helping them to understand their place in the world. When it comes down to it the clearest message I want to give them is to be kind, we are all human beings.  But some people come from a position of privilege and others don't; be it gender, ethnicity, ability, class, whatever it is I'm hoping I'm helping my children to understand theirs and that of others. There is a loooonngggg way to go before human beings are equal. Here are just a few of the girls I've photographed lately who will be part of that change... may your voices be heard, loud and clear...

Motherhood in photographs {Family photography in Milton Keynes}

Motherhood in photographs is a vast spectrum of images and everyone has a different idea of what motherhood looks like. It often depends on your own experience of motherhood, of the influences you have had in your life, of the idea of what society deems it should look like or even the images that fill your social media timelines. The reality is motherhood is different for everyone and that is amazing. We all have different lives that we have created for ourselves and to me, the value of your images of motherhood is that they mean something to you. Photographs in your home, your space are often the ones where you are most at ease. 

As mums, all too often we don't see ourselves in those pictures of motherhood but we are the ones living exactly that. Photographs can help to tell the story of your motherhood; the firsts, the exploration, enjoying the little things and, of course, those cuddles. And most importantly to me, it is about real life motherhood, letting your kids know that you were there too and very much part of their everyday life. 

So here are a few images of my favourite images, sometimes it not about the 'perfect' picture but about the story that it tells...

Considering how much I love taking photographs of others, I'm not a particularly keen on being photographed. But as a photographer and as a mother I know how much I value being in the frame with my kids and to prove I was part of their childhood too! Taken as part of the 30 day September Challenge

The little things...{Buckinghamshire family photography}

When I photograph families I ask ‘What is it that you would like to remember about your family right now?’ Is it the freckles appearing across the nose of your four year old or is it the toothless grin of your six year old? Or the favourite toy of your two year old and the fact you have three of their favourite comforter just incase you lose one? It might be that your child is rapidly heading to their teenage years and you want to record the changes. To write this post I had a little look back through our family photographs, I've taken a few (!). And look what I found...

Frozen. How could I forget? She wore the dress, had the umbrella (who doesn't?!) and sang. A lot. 

Grazed knees. From when he could walk. He still seems to have bruised legs aged 10, and that obsession with wearing shorts.

That utter deliciousness that is 2. Their faces change as they move out of those toddler years. 

Yes... those freckles. But this photo is not just about the freckles, oh no. See that sweep of a fringe? It lasted all summer. With a lot of head flicking and sweeeeping!

So, to me, family photographs really are about helping you to remember the little things. These will tell your family story as it evolves over the years. Authentic images that remind you of those little moments in time. Whatever it is, if it is important to you I can help you to capture that memory. So take a little time to thing about it... what would you like to remember about right now?

Sunny Sundays at the Zoo... {Buckinghamshire family photography}

When this lovely Mama suggested having their photographs taken at the zoo. I was super excited because having your family photographs taken is all about telling your story.