This weekend, I joined young Oliver and his parents down by the canal (the Grand Union) for a location based shoot. This wasn’t the first time we had all met, Oliver has visited my studio a couple of times for baby pictures … but he’s definitely not a baby any more!

Oliver fed the ducks for a while, he showed no fear and allowed then to come right to his feet. Later, we all strolled down the path and stopped in suitable spots whilst I worked away.

Children, Out and About, Toddlers Lifestyle, Location

This morning three beautiful girls visited the studio with their mum. The twins are  18 months old and their younger sister 12 weeks … so mum, Sophie, has her hands full .

The girls were a pleasure to photograph, Olivia and Amelia enjoyed playing with the toys in the studio as I worked quietly away, stopping occasionally to build a brick tower with them or to help them on or off the stage area. Baby Kitty was very cute and smiley as  mum stood close by to ensure her new addition felt safe and secure.

Here are a few images from the shoot:

Babies, Studio news, Toddlers Berkhamsted

Part 1

On Saturday afternoon, I met a group of 15 for a photo shoot at the Ashridge estate. Thankfully the very gloomy morning had given way to a clearing sky! Once the group had arrived and our plan discussed, we went in search of a quiet piece of woodland with good colour and light.

Here are a few shots from our afternoon:

Children, Family, Out and About, Toddlers Ashridge, Dunstable, Gaddesden Row, Northchurch, Tring, Woodland

Mrs Potter and her lovely family arrived from St Albans on Saturday morning. Micheal treated his mum to a Photo Shoot Voucher as a birthday present. This was the first time in 10 years that the family had got together for an up to date family portrait. I think the family must have changed quite a bit over that period since several of the children were definitely under 10′s.

Children, Family, High Key, Studio news, Toddlers Family Portrait, Large Group, St Albans

This weekend, Berkhamsted couple Tom and Louise visited the studio with their lovely children; Isabella and newborn Harry. You would never have known that Louise had recently given birth – she looked fantastic and not even a little bit tired!

Baby Harry - 5 weeks old

Izzy who is a very mature and chatty 2 1/2 years old, decided that the garden was more enticing than the studio. One of the advantages of being home based, with the studio set in the garden is that it’s relaxed and informal and of course, visitors to the studio are welcome to play, run around and burn off their excess energy, their children can also do the same . Izzy took full advantage,  playing on the slide, scooting around and exploring the toy house whilst mum, dad and baby Harry posed for in front of the lens.

Here are a few pictures from the shoot ahead of the viewing.

Beautiful eyes!

Mum and dad looking very proud

Babies, Family, High Key, Studio news, Toddlers Berkhamsted, Family Portrait, High Key, Studio

I had a busy Saturday this weekend with a viewing and a shoot – weekends are popular with my customers as I’m sure you would expect with any photography studio. On Sunday, the studio was free in the afternoon and so my wife and I took the opportunity to get a few pictures for our own walls.

Our youngest, Jamie, nearly 2, is very generous with his cuddles at the moment and we wanted to capture him and his brother engaged in a cuddle – we think they look very cute together.  Jamie and William wanted to see the results of their efforts immediately and so we had a viewing of the unprocessed pictures – I use an Epson projector aimed at the back wall of the studio for viewings.

Cuddling brothers - Studio Portrait

Children, High Key, Toddlers Brothers, Child, Cuddle, Portrait, Studio, Toddler

Roof abstract

Today is the last day of William’s Easter holidays – back to school on Monday! I spent today with William and his brother Jamie. Late this morning, William decided that we should go to the aeroplane museum (as he calls it) – I think his favourite part is the shop on the way out . So we loaded the car with the essentials; Jamie’s changing bag and our camera equipment. After a smooth journey to the museum we squeezed into the car park (even though the sign said it was full – the parking attendant waived us in).

Lunch at Wings and then into the main exhibition halls (it’s free to get in). It turned out that in addition to the usual display, a large number of vintage cars had been brought into the hangers and squeezed in, under and around the planes.

Bombs away

Planes, no trains but automobiles.

As usual the boys loved wandering around – William taking photos of the photos on the walls, the LCD screens and even the odd plane or two! Jamie enjoyed pointing at the planes. Attached to one of the halls is a children’s educational area with interactive exhibits which teach youngsters about various aspects of the theory of flight and related topics. (Jamie is a bit young for this, but never mind he seemed happy).

Exited through the shop, a few pounds on another toy plane and we were in the car on our way home. I’d highly recommend the museum, especially if you’re looking for something to do when the weather isn’t too good. It’s free, educational and fun (and a chance for me to do some photography out and about with the children).

Children, Out and About, Toddlers Children, Museum, photography, RAF Hendon

Edlesbrough Church

Today is the last day of half term for our eldest son and I’m looking after him and his younger brother, so the question was should we:

• go shopping in Watford
• visit the natural history museum in Tring
• or visit Mead Open Farm

As you might guess, Mead Open Farm was the winner. So off we went via Edlesbrough (stopping for a quick picture of the church) and on to the object of the children’s desire! I’m new to this 1/2 term thing, I should have expected it, yes, every other parent from miles around decided that’s the place to take the kids today. I’ve never seen it so busy, the car park was full, as was the overflow. I decided that we wouldn’t brave the crowds, we headed back towards Berkhamsted and stopped at the Common. Both the boys were wearing their wellies and so they went for a walk and I followed them armed with my Canon EOS 5D.  The youngest is still a toddler at 20 months old and isn’t too experienced at running through fields or the woods, he ended up on his bottom quite a lot but at least he was enjoying exploring all around him (even what was on the bottom of his boot!).

What's on my boot

I'll help you up!

What's this muddy stuff?

I love to pose for the camera!

Now it’s time to go and feed the ducks down by the canal and no doubt William will want to go for a Bambinocino at one of the coffee shops after.

Children, Out and About, Studio news, Toddlers Children, Informal, Outdoor, photographer, Portrait, Toddler, Tring, Watford