What not to do during your family photoshoot

If you're investing in family photography to capture and remember these wonderful years… You need to be beyond delighted with your images!

I'm always giving advice about outfits, posing, preparing and locations but what about what you shouldn't do?

That's pretty important too so let me tell you what you need to avoid doing if you want the best family photography possible.

DON'T: Time watch

I'm happy to spend half an hour with you or 90 mintues with you…. It doesn't matter to me in the least. What matters to me is that you and your family enjoy the experience and we get some great photographs. If some members of your family need a little more time – so be it. I only book one family session on any day…. Purely because I don't want to be in a hurry.

DON'T: Nag the kids

I know, I know… You're worried that the investment will be wasted if your kids don't behave. PLEASE don't worry. I've got you! I took my first professional photograph of a child when I was 18 years old. And much as I look young (ha!), I can tell you that's a LOT of years ago. I can literally count on one hand the number of kids who I've not been able to get a great photo of in those 10 years.

DON'T: Stress about how you look

This is a big one. If you look stressed and uncomfortable, then it will show in your photos. I get it, I'm a recovering photo-avoider myself, but I do it now because I want those gorgeous family images too and whenever we have a family portrait I always love the images after because I just relax and go with it.

Once you get to your session try your best to relax into the fun of playing and loving your family. Forget all your hang-ups, once you're in front of the camera, leave it to me to get all your best angles. 

DON'T: Always look at the camera

The BEST photos, the ones that make my clients cry, are always the unposed photos. Those moments in between setups when everyone is interacting with each other, having fun and showing love. Your family photography session is not about standing, posing and looking at the camera. It's about celebrating you as a family! It's about me capturing the special connections you have with each other! So laugh, giggle, hug, kiss, make loving eyes at your partner, chase each other, muck about... This is where the magic is. 

DON'T: Worry that the clothes will get dirty

The number one thing I need to do (even before taking a single picture) is to make sure everyone is calm, confident and relaxed. While I know that you likely bought new clothes for the occasion if any of us stresses about them getting dirty, then that's just going to interrupt the atmosphere. Try if you can to release all worry about messiness (bring a spare change if you need it), and also trust me that I can edit out most scuffs and scrapes! 

DON'T: Practice the kid's smiles

And while we're here... This one drives me nuts!! Your kids don't need to 'practice' their smiles before the session… The smiles they already have are beautiful! Perhaps not their regular 'photo' smiles, sometimes they can be a little forced and weird kind of smiles I get out of children are real and joyous. These are smiles of kids having fun! I do this day in day out so don’t panic I have ways of getting them to relax and do their natural smiles without us having to remind them about it.

DON'T: Stress... Before, during or after

The number one aim for me as a family photographer is to make the experience stress free and easy.  I will help you all the way through preparation, on the day and after. From booking through to hanging your pictures on your wall – I’ve got your back.

Whilst you're here, why not drop me a message  so we can start chatting about YOUR family photography session.

The Cooper family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

 Having professional photographs was important to me as they capture so much more than I would be able to myself. It is a special experience to have newborn photos taken.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

My experience with Phoebe was amazing. I couldn't fault phoebe and she couldn't do anymore for you. She is amazing at her job and so gentle and trusting with your little one.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Having the photos done for me was so I can treasure those memories from when she was newborn and how tiny she was. Also to have perfect pictures around our home.

What do you love about your images?

I love everything about our images. I love how flawless they are but at the same time how natural they look. I love the colours and the fact there is a lot of choice and different set ups for the photos too.

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

It was especially important to me to be able to trust my photographer because of having my baby premature and being very small, having to leave her in hospital was very hard so i needed somebody I could trust to be able to give my baby over to somebody else again after that.

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe was very trustworthy, welcoming and gentle. She is a natural with babies and she took her time. She didn't rush the process. She enjoyed having cuddles with baby rather than just doing pictures and that be the experience over.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I am constantly recommending phoebe berridge photography to my friends/family when they ask who did our newborn photos. Word of mouth goes a long way.

The Sizer/Turner family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Because I honestly think I’ll only have one baby, so needed to capture it all, beginning to end- which I did through your amazing photography. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Outstanding from start to finish, my baby girl was tiny and I stressed about anyone holding her. But she was such a pro and professional put me and Dolly at ease. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Everything, she’s changing so fast I needed to capture her beautiful new born stage and be able to share them with family.

What do you love about your images?

The happiness that radiates through Dolly, she was so at ease and handled with love. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

With such a small baby, my doubts were put to rest when phoebe explained her skills and courses she had been on. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Her abilities to capture the moment perfectly, from seeing her other work. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Of her outstanding skills in photography, and how enjoyable the whole experience was.

The Torne/Palmer family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

 Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Professional photos were important so in the future I have the opportunity to look back and see how little my baby was and shoe him what he looked like when he’s older.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Was such a lovely experience! She was so patient and I had so much trust in her with my baby I knew he was in safe hands.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Meaningful memories are so important because in hard times you can look back and remember the good times.

What do you love about your images?

I love everything about them! The quality is amazing and how nature they are

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

So so important! To allow someone to handle your newborn baby you have to know you trust them and I knew that straight away.

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I trusted the quality of the images and safety of my baby, how clean the premises were.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

That she’s amazing and I would not hesitate in recommending her!

The Jeeves experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Since our son was born we have taken many photos but we do not profess to being experts at it and having seen some of Phoebe’s previous work we wanted some professional images that we could use both in our home and for gifts for others. We’ve also not had many photos of us as a family and really wanted some good images of the whole family.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe was wonderful, her studio is the perfect setting and allows for both baby and parents to relax throughout the session. The pre-information prior to our shoot was really helpful. Phoebe was so patient in ensuring the photos were taken at the right time and there was no feeling of being rushed. Phoebe strikes the perfect balance of professionalism in her work whilst creating a real rapport with her customers.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Everything, we were blown away at our viewing session by the beauty of the shots and the photos we have had taken will allow us to carry these memories for the rest of our lives.

What do you love about your images?

The images show off our perfect little baby boy and make him look so peaceful and content. Thanks to Phoebe’s imagination and forward planning we have images of our son that we never would have dreamed of creating ourselves.

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Hugely important. Phoebe created an instant rapport with the whole family and her communications with us prior to our session put us at ease and answered any questions we had before we arrived.

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Having seen some of Phoebe’s previous work on Facebook we were confident that the images Phoebe would take of our son would be of the highest quality and we were proved right.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

If you were thinking of a booking a newborn shoot for your child then look no further than Phoebe Berridge Photography, you will not regret it! The whole experience from start to finish was an absolute pleasure and we are thrilled with the images we have of our baby boy. Thanks so much Phoebe!

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

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Why to book a newborn session with a professional photographer?

You are beginning your new chapter as Parents and you have this beautiful new bundle of joy. Your baby is your world and you want to treasure every single second you have with them. Photographs are such an important and stunning way to do this.

Photographing your baby whilst they are still so tiny and precious is something you really can only do once. To have something to look back on and show them as they grow, change and become their very own character.

Doing this with a professional photographer means you get to enjoy the experience of it all. Sit back with a hot cup of tea, watch your baby in all their beauty, take in every second and be reminded how you created this gorgeous little human.

Being able to be captured in some of the photographs also along with your family, capturing moments you will only get once and giving you pieces of art to display and share with family and friends.

It’s also important to go to a professional as they will have experience in working with babies, children and families. Having taken the correct training and have the right understanding on what they should and shouldn’t be doing whilst caring for your baby.

Providing a service with beautiful handmade products and giving you personal images to you and your family. Whilst maintaining a professional manner. They will have the correct equipment to use and insurances too.

If you think a newborn session would be right for you, why not book yours today

Why to book a maternity session?

Becoming a new mum is such an overwhelming and amazing experience. It comes with so many feelings and emotions. The whole journey from start to finish is such an incredible one which deserves to be captured.  Watching your bump grow each day, feeling your baby for the first time is something so special. 

I hear from so many new mums’ how they miss their bump once baby has arrived and how they didn’t realize how quickly their body has changed and adjusted to this new chapter in their life motherhood.

Which is why I believe it’s so important to capture this wonderful part of your journey. Giving you beautiful and elegance images to look back on over time and relive that joyful period where it all began. 

It also gives you the opportunity to get glammed up and feel amazing in front of the camera. With a range of stunning dresses to wear during our sessions or maybe even bring one of your own. I will make sure you are feeling your best to document your journey to motherhood. 

Book your maternity session today and treasure those memories of where it all began.

Richard and Ferns intimate wedding

This couple were just totally lovely you know when you just meet someone and they are so easy to get along with? Well that was Rich and Fern, we took a nice scroll around The Baulk woods in Langford for their pre wedding shoot to get to know one another and get them used to being in front of the camera. I have to say they were totally naturals and we got some beautiful shots of them both along with their youngest daughter.

They had a small wedding held at Shuttleworth House with just close family and friends. You could really see on the day that they were doing it for the love and not the show. It was so freshing to see and to have all their children around them on the day too.

With a small ceremony followed by a lovely relaxing afternoon in Shuttleworth grounds enjoying drinks and chatting with friends before sitting down for a meal with their loved ones.

Wedding Tips

Have your engagement ring cleaned before your wedding day.

Create a #hashtag for guests to use at the wedding to upload and tag all your pictures.

Take a few moments at your head table to simply observe your family and friends. It might just be your favourite part of the night.

Guests remember two things the most from weddings- the food and the music. Send them home with good memories.

It’s your wedding, not theirs. Be kind, but don’t try to please everyone.

The easiest way to pee in your wedding dress is to sit on the toilet backward, facing the wall.

Photography recommends: Don’t wear a bra the morning of your wedding. It will leave marks on your back and shoulders that will be visible in pictures.

On your RSVp cards, put a line for a requested song. This way you will know what your guests want to hear and they will get excited when their song comes on.

When getting your wedding dress altered, make sure you can sit in it before they make the dress smaller.

When planning for your honeymoon, don’t just make a list of things to pack but also a list of things to bring back.

Splurge on a new perfume - It is a great way to capture the days memories. Overtime you smell the fragrance, your mind will go to that special day.

Top 10 questions I get asked by prospective clients?

1.I don’t know when to book my session as my baby isn’t here yet?

A.That’s absolutely fine, we recommend booking you’ve newborn session in after your 20-week scan due to the availability we have available every month. But of course you can book later than this too. We book you in on a floating date so that if baby arrives early or a little late we can move you’ve session accordingly.

2.Can we have sibling/ parent shots too?

A.Absolutely! I love getting the whole family involved in session and I feel it’s so important to get as many family images as you can when you have the opportunity to do so.

3.What should we bring with us to the session?

A.I will send you a detailed email once you’ve session is booked in depending on the type of session you have gone for will depend on what you’ve required to bring but we will make sure you have all the details within plenty of time.

4.Am I too late to have photographs of my baby, he/she is over 3 weeks old?

A.No of course not, we now offer a baby’s first photo shoot which is ideally for babies 5 weeks+. Because we know how full on it can be within those first few weeks and you forget to book in a newborn session. The baby’s first photo-shoot is more awake shots and baby as they are but they are still absolutely beautiful.

5.How much do you charge?

A.This depends on the session type you can find the information and session cost for each individual session we offer on the pages. All our product pricing in over on the product page.

6.Can we have a mixture of studio and location for our session?

A.If you’ve having a family session they absolutely yes! We do not offer mixed for newborn and baby photograph. However the location will be within Ickwell due to the length of your session.

7.Where are you based?

A.A beautiful little village called Ickwell in Bedfordshire.

8.My baby doesn’t sleep; will you still be able to get nice photographs?

A.Yes, it can sometimes make the session a little trickier but don’t worry we have it covered. With lots of other beautiful ideas and things we can do if baby will not settle and sleep. If baby is too unsettled, we will rearrange you’ve session free of charge. As we want you to go away with the most beautiful images.

9.Are you trained in posing and safety?

A.Yes, I am, I attend training every year and hold my certification for newborn health and safety. You can find my certificates on the website if you wish to view these.

10.How early should I book my session in?

A.As early as you possibly can if you have a set date in mind the sooner the better but we will always do our best to accommodate you’ve needs.