5 reasons you'll love an outdoor family portrait session

My favourite photos as an Bedfordshire family photographer 

My favourite photos of my blended family are the ones that make me smile whenever I look at them. Shots of my boys giggling with each other at the park, splashing each other in the sea, or shrieking at their Daddy chases them around a field. I love the photos because I loved the moments. And as an Bedfordshire family photographer, these are the photos I want to give you. 

And this is why you’ll love an outdoor family photo shoot. Because you’re not just driving the kids to a studio so you can have their photo taken. You’re taking them on an outdoor adventure where they can be themselves and have fun. You’re giving them lifelong memories of a wonderful experience you shared as a family. And when it’s all over, you’ll have artistic photos of the people you love most, with the beauty of nature as a backdrop.

In all my years as an Bedfordshire family photographer, I’ve never had an outdoor family photoshoot that the family didn’t absolutely love. And without exception, the photos always make it onto the walls! But just in case you’re still thinking about sitting your kids on barstools under a light umbrella, here’s 5 reasons why you’ll love having an outdoor family photoshoot. 

1. They’re not just photos, they’re memories

The best thing about an outdoor family photoshoot is that it’s a wonderful family experience in their own right. You’ll get dressed up, go exploring, joke around, and spend some quality time together as a family surrounded by nature. You can switch off ‘parent mode’ for a while, leave behind homework, housework and bedtime routines and just enjoy each other’s company. It won’t be about taking photos for the sake of photos, it’ll be a fun family adventure you just happen to have photos of. 

And it takes the images far beyond just snapshots of what your family looked like on a certain date. You’ll look at them together and say, ‘oh my God, do you remember…?’ or ‘I can’t believe you did that…’. And the bond of that shared experience will bring your family closer together. Of course the photos will be beautiful and artistic. But you won’t love them just because of that. You’ll love them because of all the memories they keep safe.

2. The kids will actually enjoy an outdoor family photoshoot

OK, so let me ask you this. Have you ever seen a child having fun posing for a photo? ‘Say cheese’ smiles and awkward poses should be reserved for school photo day. Kids are happiest when they’re being silly, exploring the world and…well, just being kids.

When you have an outdoor family photoshoot, your children are free to be their fun-loving, inquisitive, adorably mischievous selves. They’re not having their energy-restricted or their imagination tampered. They’re relaxed, happy, and completely free to get swept up in the adventure of it all. 

And let me tell you, in photography, there’s no substitute for genuine emotions. You can ask a child to smile or give you a hug for the camera. But nothing compares to real happiness, real laughter, or moments of real love. If you want to capture all the traits you love so much in your child, take them outside and give them space to be themselves.

3. The photos make beautiful natural art for your home

As an Bedfordshire family photographer, I must confess a little bias on this one. But family photos are awesome! They’ll capture a chapter of your family’s journey and bring back waves of nostalgia for years to come. They’ll make you smile whenever you pass them in the hallway. And framed family photos have even been clinically proven to boost your family’s oxytocin levels and make your children more confident! I mean, professional bias aside, that’s all got to count for something, right?

Having an outdoor family photoshoot gives you professional, artistic family photos with the beauty of nature as a backdrop. And the great thing about having an outdoor shoot is you can even choose your clothes and location to match the decor of your home.

4. An outdoor family photoshoot is more personal than a studio

While we can still create beautiful images within the studio, we are very limited on space and poses. And let’s be honest, no scandi-chic studio could ever compare to an autumn woodland. 

An outdoor family photoshoot can be literally anywhere. So you can choose somewhere that captures your personalities and feels completely you. It could even be somewhere that’s become part of your life that you’ll always want to remember. Maybe your local woods, a favourite park or a much-loved beach. 

Or you can choose somewhere based on the kind of experience you want. Whether it’s bouncing down sand dunes and walking along a beach together, running through woodland paths or just cuddling up in a field at sunset, wherever you choose will give you a totally different experience, and completely different photos. All you have to do is decide what experience would make you happiest, and what kind of photos you’ll want on your walls.

5. They capture the essence of family life

As a step-mum to two boys, I know crisp, ironed shirts, pristine clothes and statue-still children are akin to unicorns. Family life is messy, loud, bursting with energy and filled with laughter. Whether it’s the kids teasing each other, eyes rolling at dad’s silly jokes, a wet raspberry on a bare belly or your family walking along a beach hand-in-hand, these are the moments that make your family life so special. 

And with outdoor family photoshoots, these are the moments I want to capture for you. So when you look at photos in years to come, they’ll capture all those little pockets of love and joy that make your family so perfectly imperfect, and so uniquely yours.

Looking for an Bedfordshire family photographer for your outdoor family photoshoot?

If you’re looking for a family photographer in Bedfordshire and would like to book yourself in for an outdoor family photoshoot, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch today to check my availability. 

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The Thompson family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

I first met the Thompson family in 2016 when they had their first child. It has been a pleasure to capture both their little ones and follow their journey. I look forward to seeing them early next year for a cake smash session.

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Children grow up way too fast & they change so quickly, so I wanted to capture their current personality in photos!

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe was brilliant, so calm around the children & understands the difficulties in getting them to have photos on demand. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Photo memories are super important & stay with you forever! I want to look back and remember exactly how my children were cheeky & didn’t really want a photo but somehow ended up looking innocent and gorgeous! 

What do you love about your images?

 I love how you captured their personality’s, cheeky little faces and the love they have for each other. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Trust is key with photographers especially at a time where social distancing is still in place, Phoebe was professional and everything was cleaned to the inch of its life. While we were in the session I honestly forgot there was even a virus in the world. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Knowing how good Phoebe is with newborn babies gave me great confidence, she is kind hearted and it shows in her work, attitude and feelings towards the children. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I would say 100% go see Phoebe - she cares for your children exactly how you would want them to be cared for, has the patience of a saint and knows how to get the children to interact in the correct ways!

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The Penney family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Professional photographs was hugely important to me, these moments go by so quickly that you have to capture them when you still can. I will put my hands up and admit I’m not the best photographer and I would have hugely regretted if I hadn’t had professional photographs taken of our daughter when we had the chance to do so. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe has a lovely studio space with different back drops and it’s beautifully organised with lots of different outfits and head bands. Phoebe herself is very warm and welcoming and clearly comfortable dealing with babies. Phoebe is incredibly patient and even when you think “oh no my baby is a nightmare, we’ll never get any pictures” - Phoebe has managed to capture some really good ones!

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

It means everything to me to have some meaningful memories in the form of beautiful photographs of our daughter. Having struggled to become parents, we count our blessings to have our one child and we want to remember every little moment forever. 

What do you love about your images?

I love the personality that is captured in the photographs, cheeky smiles and poses. They’re such high quality and we enjoy looking at them on our walls and in our photo album. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Very important, you’re trusting the photographer with your baby - including newborn babies. Having had photographs taken once, I have been back another two times so far to have further sessions and look forward to the next one. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe’s warm personality. The professional service including invoicing and booking system.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I’d tell others to get booked in, early! We didn’t get newborn photos done as we had the Bounty photographer in the hospital but I wish we had, and am just thankful that Phoebe has the patience to do sessions for babies between newborn and sitting. It’s well worth the money, the pictures will last a lifetime. 

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The Northwood Family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

I feel professional photos have a unique touch to them, they mean so much more knowing every little feature is captured and can stay with you to cherish forever. The quality of the photos are incredible compared to any I can take on my phone.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Amazing from start to finish. Excellent communication, professional throughout, friendly and trustworthy. All images weve had have been absolutely perfect. Phoebe was brilliant at creating the image in my head with adding fruit to the milk bath session and was full of ideas to help make it happen the way we wanted. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Meaningful memories is important to me, especially with babies and children they grow so quickly. Its so easy to forget how small they were, and how there personality has changed. Having pictures captures that and it brings back the memories.

What do you love about your images?

Absolutely loved our milk bath images, the colours, the innocence and capturing her explore, even the photos show a glimpse of her personality while she was playing with the milk and fruit, they were just perfect.

  How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

It's definitely important to trust your photographer. To ensure your child is safe, that the water isnt too hot, they're not going to fall, get too hot or too cold, to make sure they comfortable and happy. Phoebe did an amazing job at all the above and more. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe has always been so friendly and bubbly around my kids, her instinct on when little one needed a break, on how to make her smile. I trusted that the images would be perfect after the shoots weve had before with Phoebe Berridge photography

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I would a million percent recommend Phoebe to others. If your thinking about it, do it. Her work is amazing!

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The West/Clayton family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

I first met the West/Clayton family in 2015 when I first opened my studio, I was looking for newborn models. I have build such an amazing relationship with Charlotte that they have continued to return to Phoebe Berridge Photography almost every year since sometimes even more than once a year. The boy have always be a pleasure to photography, hopefully next will be an up to date family portrait session with all four of you. Thank you for all your support over the years x

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Having professional photos was important because they’re always better than what we can get at home and they’re always such lovely shots from phoebe. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography?

 We’ve had many sessions with Phoebe from family shoots, newborn shoots, sitter sessions , sibling sessions. Every time has been amazing, every time has resulted in my favourite pictures of our family. 

What do you love about your images?

To have the memories forever is so important, these are the pictures we keep around our house too.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

 I love them all, the different aspects of the shoots, we’ve had amazing pictures of both our boys. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

We trusted Phoebe to do a family shoot with us and our son, this is not something myself and my partner would usually feel comfortable doing. We felt at ease and really happy with being around Phoebe for this. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe is professional, warm and welcoming. We have been seeing her since she first started with our first borns newborn photos, she’s great and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

That they won’t be disappointed and should go to Phoebe for any pictures they would like of events, family, weddings etc. Her work is lovely.

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Why existing in photographs is important?

I recently did a survey asking a series of questions related to taking photographs, being in photographs and why they are important. Below are some of the questions and results I received..

Just take a minute and think what you’ve answers would be to the questions, it’s so important to create these beautiful memories, capture them and print them. This doesn’t have to be with a photographer either even just phone photographers, make sure you are existing in images.

As a child I can remember lots of occasions at my grandparents where we would sit with the photo albums out, looking back on old photographs which were from many years ago, before I was a baby. Learning who the family members were and hearing about all the old stories from when my grandparents were younger and listening to stories of my mum growing up as child too. I feel this generation is loosing that beauty, people aren’t printing photographs anymore and if we don’t print them did those moments ever exist? How will further generations hear and see your beautiful stories.

Here are a few of the survey results -

Question:How many pictures do you take of the people you love on your phone?

Results: Lots: 78% Some:18% Hardy Any: 4%

Question: Do you print your photographs?

Results: Yes: 55% No: 45%

Question: Are you in enough pictures with your loved ones?

Results: No 100%

Question: What stops you from being in the pictures?

Results: Never anyone else there to take the picture so I can be in it 59%

Don't feel comfortable in pictures 18%

Never know what to do and feel silly 5%

Don't like being photographed 9%

Other 9%

Question: What is the consequence of you NOT being in your family portraits?

This for me was the most important question, I feel this would have gone a lot of people thinking and I definitely think the results show this too..

Results: It looks like I was never there, Everyone who answered my survey in their own words put that their family, friends and children would think they were never there as they don’t exist in any photographs.

We live in a generation where we are all on our phones these day, make sure you are using that time to also capture those all important moments. Grab a friend ask them to capture that moment with your family. Make sure you exist in your photographs just as much as your family. I know we’re not all lovers of being in front of the camera, but set yourself a challenge to exist in at least one photograph for every month of 2020, print it and pop it into a photo album.

#BE KIND

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Milk Bath Sessions now available 2020

I’ve been super excited to launch our first new session for 2020.

Our milk bath sessions are now live and available to purchase. I’m sure a few of you are wondering what on earth is a milk bath session?

I thought a blog would be the best way to talk about the new session, show off some recent images I’ve also had the pleasure of capturing and show you why I am totally loving these new sessions.

Filling the bathtub with warm water and adding our vegan friendly lavender scented milk bath mix. Giving the bath water that perfect milky look, leaving baby with soft skin along with smelling beautiful at the end of your session.

You have the option of flowers, foliage or fruit for your session this is added once we’ve settled little one into the water.

Our milk bath session is perfect for  baby’s who can sit unaided must be a confident sitter. This is the ideal alternative to our cake smash sessions, for your baby’s first birthday too. 

I want you to be totally relaxed for your session and not have to worry about a thing.  By supply everything for the session. Your session is made totally personal to you, once you’ve booked a session with me we will arrange a pre consulation call to discuss colours and ideas.

I’ve had so many mummy’s say oh I wish we could have one but they are for girls! No absolutely not, they work perfect for boys too. Foilage looks amazing and the splashing they create with the milk is just super cute.

Take a look below at some recent milk bath images. If you think this would be perfect for your little one please do get in touch to discuss details and get a date booked in.

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The Lovetts - returning clients

I cannot express how grateful I am for all my returning clients. But their’s a family who really have helped my business grow and form the shape it has today. My first paid wedding was with the love’s and from here our connection grew and grew. I’m now known as their family photographer and also know everyone when I turn up to an event which is a lovely feeling. The Lovett family who I have now done 6 weddings for 1 maternity session, 2 newborn sessions, 1 christening, 2 cake smash sessions, and lots of family session too.

It’s safe to say we really have connected well over the years and I have had lots of lovely reviews from them all and friends recommended to me also. Having returning clients like this make my job so worth it, knowing that they all trust and love what I do so much to continue to use me year in and out. For every occasion and every new milestone moment they want to capture.

Being able to connect with clients like this is also amazing as it helps me create those beautiful memories for you and they put their full trust into me and leave me to come up with the creative ideas and just follow my lead which is a lovely thing to watch. It makes each shoot easier too as they know me so well they already know what iI;m likely to ask them to do next.

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Why book a family shoot?

Do you exist in photographs with your children and family? Are you always the one behind the camera?

 

It’s so important to exist in print to cherish those beautiful moments with your loved ones. Show them off to your family and friends.

 

We all grow and change each year and before you know it they are off to uni. How many images do you have in your house with your family? How many of them do you love?

 

Booking a professional family photo-shoot is so important, it lets you create new memories together. It gives you beautiful images to cherish for a life time whilst being able to look at them every day and think wow I love that. As a mum especially it gives you the opportunity to be in the photographs too. 

 

I hear from too many mums how they are always behind the camera, or dad doesn’t take a look image. Be involved, have photographers with your children and your partner. Exist in print and create those beautiful memories to treasure for a life time. 

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Why to book a baby's first photo-shoot?

Watching your baby grow is such an incredible experience. But it happens so quickly. It probably feels like just yesterday you found out you were carrying this bundle of joy. There is so much to organize before baby arrives and sometimes photographs aren’t on that list of things to remember.

 

Having newborn photographs there is such a short window for this most photographers including myself will only do them within the first 14 days of birth. As this is when baby is most sleepy, calm and relaxed.

 

Which is why in 2018 we introduced my baby’s first photo-shoot ideal for all babies 5 weeks to 12 months old. Meaning you never need to worry it’s to late to capture beautiful images of your baby. 

 

Each of our my baby’s first photo-shoot sessions are different, this comes down to their age and what baby is able to do. But none the less they are all still amazing and leave with beautiful images which is my true aim.

 

Your baby will change every day from the moment they are born, cherish every second of that and capture it as often as possible with images you can share with them later in life and look back on for the rest of yours. It’s a beautiful thing watching your baby grow, change and laugh.

 

So if you’ve missed out on newborn images or you haven’t yet got round to book your baby in for images do so today and I promise you wont be disappointed. 

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Why to book a cake smash?

Your baby is turning one, another beautiful milestone moment in their life. You want to capture this time with beautiful images. Our cake smash session begins with a baby portrait giving you some beautiful first birthday images. You can bring an outfit for their portraits or they can wear their cake smash outfit for this.

 

Bringing the cake into the set up to let baby in their own time, play and eat the cake. Sometimes this can take a few moments as it’s something new and different to them. But watching them fascinated by it all is lovely, take in every moment and relive those moments of the past 12 months. 

 

Seeing your baby turn into this beautiful little character with their own stamp on things, their own ways and their cheeky laugh. Creating more memories with them and laughing along side them.

 

It’s the perfect way to capture their first birthday and a lovely idea for a morning or afternoon out together. Giving you images to look back on for a life time as they reach this milestone.

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