London-based family photo shoot in Shepherd's Bush and Richmond Park

It was raining cats and dogs when I arrived in Shepherd's Bush for my third photo shoot with Rebecca and her family. I think the rain will definitely be the theme of the summer - a few sunny days to lure us all into a false sense of security and then wham, another thunder storm!

The weather has led to some really interesting photo shoots, some out and about in the wet weather and some at home in the warm, and many with a combination of the two.

This photo shoot falls into the latter camp. We started at home to get some pictures of the boys together and new baby Oliver in the warm and cosy atmosphere of their parent's bedroom. It is always nice to take at least some pictures of the little ones at home, as they can be swamped in outdoor clothes.

As the youngest of four, I always enjoy big family photo shoots. They are always complete and total chaos but always in a good way, and this was no exception. The boys sat for brief seconds and then it was diving and rolling and raucous laughter, fabulous and definitely meant I needed to work fast to get the shot.

After a while we decided that we would brave the weather and head out regardless of the rain and so we piled into the car and drove to Richmond Park, one of my favourite spots in London for children and family photography. Although it was raining, the children didn't mind and had soon thrown off their coats and run to the shelter of the trees. It was slippy and slidey and muddy and great for photographs, as we played in the long grass and by the stream.

Then for the last few minutes the rain stopped and we were able to take some beautiful family shots before heading home. It was great fun and I hope you will enjoy this set of baby, children and family photographs from Shepherd's Bush and Richmond in London.

Teenage and Family photography in Kensington and Knightsbridge

As a London-based baby, child and family photographer, I tend to spend most of my time photographing portraits of younger children and so it was a real treat to be asked to capture pictures of Martin and his family. Photographing teenagers is great fun and it is a bit more structured than with the younger children of course, which makes the challenge of getting really relaxed, happy photographs of teenagers all the more exciting.

We met at Martin's house for our family photo shoot in one of my favorite parts of London, near Gloucester Road on the borders of Knightsbridge and Kensington.

For once this year, the summer weather was kind to us and we spent a wonderful morning in a nearby Knightsbridge garden square taking children, family and teenage portrait photographs. The children - or young adults, I should say - were an absolute joy, a real pleasure to photograph and so interesting to talk to. I love chatting to teenagers about their hopes and aspirations for the future.

It was a great shoot and I am thrilled with the photographs. I hope you enjoy looking at this relaxed and natural set of children, teenage and family portrait photographs from the Gloucester Road, Kensington and Knightsbridge area of central London.

Christening photography in Cambridge

One of the real perks of my job is the insight I get into other people's lives - both on a day-to-day basis taking children and family photographs at their homes, but also for the big occasions - times of celebration, and of religious and cultural significance.

I've always really enjoyed photographing Christenings - the combination of family portraits, event photography in my reportage style and the ritual and ceremony of a service. I was thrilled when Sarah contacted me to take photographs of Henry's Christening.

I was even more excited when I heard that the ceremony that I was to photograph in Cambridge was a Greek Orthodox ceremony, something I had never experienced before.

Always when I take Christening photographs, I try to start at the house to take a few family photographs and portraits of the child before things get started. This works particularly well with Christenings as they can be quite overwhelming events for the children, and often seem to coincide with nap and meal times, so the little ones can be tired and hungry by the end.

We had a wonderful time before the ceremony - Henry was an absolute joy, full of smiles and laughter. His older cousins, visiting from Greece, were not only absolutely beautiful but full of fun even if we did suffer slightly from a language barrier - smiles and laughter really are the universal language.

Then onto the ceremony which was an amazing thing to witness, very different to the anglican ceremonies I am used to with lots of different elements. The church was beautiful and the light incredible, and I am thrilled with these photographs from the Greek Orthodox Christening ceremony in Cambridge.

Afterward the ceremony, we headed to the beautiful Magdalene College in Cambridge for a drinks reception. The sun shone and we all had a wonderful time. I am absolutely thrilled with this set of baby, family and Christening photographs from Cambridge and I hope you will enjoy them.

Book now for family photo shoots in Rock in Cornwall

Today's blog post is a reminder that I will be on-location in Rock in Cornwall over the bank holiday weekend of 24th - 27th August. It's going to be a fantastic few days of sun (hopefully), sand and surf and I can't wait to record your family holiday for you in my timeless photographic style.

If you, or any of your friends, are interested in booking a family portrait session, do get in touch as soon as possible as spaces are limited and booking up fast. We look forward to hearing from you.

Stories behind the Images No. 6 - Beach

What makes a picture remarkable? What makes one return to an image again and again?

It is an open ended question, for sure...

Sometimes it is an expression, or the emotion, or the light or composition. This picture, for me, is about mystery.

It is also about the Great British Summer that we know so well - a cold, wet day on Filey beach in North Yorkshire.

This shot was taken towards the end of a short trip down to the beach - the wild side, rather than our usual spot towards the brig. The day was overcast and drizzling, but with two small boys to entertain, it is always good to get out and about when we can and I love the beach in the rain.

The beach was deserted - photographically speaking, this is so much better than on a bright sunny day, and the light was glorious - misty and magical and more than a little threatening.

As always with children and water, the boys were straight down to the sea regardless of the spitting rain and the cold sea breeze. After a bit of splashing, they ran to greet their mum and together all set off down the beach.

In that moment, everything seemed to come together. It looked like a scene from outside of time - as at home in the 18th Century as the 21st - a composition you could imagine on a painting in the National Gallery, as well as in a White Company catalogue. Hair blowing, hand-holding, the sweep of beach and the glowering clouds...

I love this photograph and I hope you will too