Babies

There is nothing more fabulous than photographing a newborn of one of your wedding clients!

I was delighted to photograph Hannah and Mike’s wedding in April last year in Staffordshire and when I found out

that they had gotten pregnant on their honeymoon I was thrilled for them, as Mike was being posted back to

Afghanistan after his honeymoon!

So a couple of weeks ago I go to meet and photograph gorgeous little Eleanor. She is so like both her mum and dad!

Take a peek – here are a few shots from the shoot we did.

Enjoy and I am sure you will join me in congratulating Hannah and Mike on such a gorgeous little girl.

Just 10 days old and boootiful!

Back in September I photographed little Ruby at 11 months. She is a very special little girl to me as I first photographed her as a bump in her home last year and now look at her! Time flies by so quickly and here are some of my favourites from the recent shoot. Little Ruby is so much like her big brother! Melissa, what can I say – you are as stunning as ever! This shoot was just for Ruby..

Please take a look at some or all of these links – they show complete shoots and can give you a good idea of some of my work…enjoy x

Sarah and Jo – Forever Friend Shoot Lichfield

The Carrol-Knight Family – Family Lifestyle Shoot at Blaze Farm

The Lamb Family – Family Lifestyle Shoot at Chase Water in Staffordshire

The Robinson Family – Family Lifestyle Shoot at Chase Water in Staffordshire

The Pepper Family – Family Lifestyle Shoot at Chase Water in Staffordshire

The Brennan Family – From bump to babe, maternity and newborn shoot – studio

Sarah's Maternity Shoot

Alex and Gemma – Maternity Shoot

The Clark Family – Family Lifestyle Shoot – Burton-Upon-Trent

Baby Abigail – baby shoot in the studio

This was a very special shoot for me last friday as it was the fourth time I have photographed this family. I first photographed Sinead when she was pregnant with Beau, then them all when Beau was a newborn, again when he was sitting up and now at 16 months he is giving Ava, his older sister the real run around. Ava has been a real star each time and they really are a fabulous family to spend time with…and they know exactly where to find the best ice-cream!!

Here are some of my favourite shots from this shoot, at Blaze Farm in the Peak District. For a view of the whole shoot please take a peek here

I love to do maternity shoots, there is something so very special about them. As a mum of two, I was fortunate that both my pregnancies were great and I was lucky to enjoy them both. I felt completely taken over in some ways and was amazed at what my body was going through and what it was capable of doing. When I was pregnant with my first, Lauren, I set up some shots for my husband to take of me. This is not something I did very often as I was not a fan of being in front of a camera – especially not without any clothes on!  However I felt amazing and wanted to make sure I caught it all on camera. We look back now and can't believe how big I was! They were taken at 36 weeks and I went to 41 and a half weeks – so was huge, but gorgeous!

So if you are thinking of doing a maternity shoot here are my top ten tips for preparing for a maternity shoot.

1. I always advise that a morning shoot is preferable. When pregnant you generally are at your best in the morning physically. Ankles can swell towards the end of the day and you want to be feeling fabulous. So pick a monring where you can get up and take your time to get ready with plenty of time, if you have children perhaps they can have a sleepover the night before with a fabulous grandparent or aunt to enable you a more relaxing start to your day.
2. Wear loose clothing on your way to the studio or before I arrive at your home. This way there are no clothing marks or bra strap indentations in your skin, soft and smooth is what we are aiming for if you want to do the semi and full nude shots.
3. Go out and spend beforehand! Treat yourself to some fabulous maternity underwear for that extra boost or perhaps some gorgeous nightwear or a swimsuit. Maybe you have some favourite maternity clothes you have cherished and want to show off, espcially if you are going to a wedding or just want to look amazing. I have several places to go shopping if you need some help.
4. Do some research – put your feet up and read the celebrity and pregnancy magazines and see if there are any particular poses you would like to do. Demi more back in the 1980's made pregnancy shoots fashionable and iconic when she did the cover of Vanity Fair. Britney, Myleen Klass and Lisa B have all done them since and they'll be a look for you too. I always have a selection of ideas and poses and there is always plenty or room for a little 'in the moment' shots during your shoot.
5. Pamper yourself, if you have time for a treatment the day before go ahead and do it, a little reflexology or a pregnancy massage can leave you feeling very relaxed and fabulous! The more relaxed you feel the better the shots!
6. Discuss with your partner whether you'd like them to be involved. In my experience most dad's love to be involved and other children can also be involved in fun and some artistic shots. If you do want any of baby's siblings involved it's best to have a friend, grandparent or aunt etc on hand to take the children to the park for a little while so that you can then move on to your more intimate portraits knowing they are well looked after and you can relax
7. Think about what you will do with these fabulous images once you have chosen what you would like. Albums are popular or a gorgeous box frame or canvas for your bedroom. If you have this in mind your shoot can be directed accordingly.
8. Hair and make-up. I strongly recommend you go for the packages with this option. This really helps you feel your very best. Our make up ladies stay for the duration for the shoot so that you can progress and change your hair and make-up to achieve different looks. Natural, light make up is always popular as this is generally how you feel, but a little glamour can do wonders for confidence and allow you to have some playful and fun shots too. There is plenty of time for a few different looks.
9. Collect together any scan photographs you have as these can be fun to incorporate too!
10. Don't forget to enjoy your shoot, it's not everyday you will find yourself doing something like this it's a lovely time in your life so make sure you make the most of it! 

For more information about my maternity shoots please click here

Many thanks

When Sarah first called to ask about a maternity shoot I knew we would get on and have a great time. Sarah's shoot was so much fun, Sarah is incredibly fit and was going to the gym and walking for miles and miles right up to the very end of her pregnancy, she was 38 weeks when we did this shoot in my studio,  she had ooodles of energy and we went to town! Here are a few of my favourites from that session.

Thanks Sarah for such a fun shoot and is now the proud mother of Joshua!