Helen Bartlett / Family Portraiture

Father and Son Portrait in West London

11Oct

An image that is all about love

As many readers will know I love variety in my images.  I love big bold graphic images which include the environment and fast-moving action shots, but I also love the quiet moments, the still moments, moments like this one from a recent family photography session in West London.

I was immediately drawn to this image when I downloaded my memory cards after our photo shoot as it has everything in it that makes a picture for me.  It tells a story and it tells the story in a beautiful way.  It’s a picture that is all about love and protection and fatherhood, the bond between a parent and a child that is so strong.

I love Theo’s expression as he gazes into the camera lens. He looks so content, so happy as he snuggles his daddy on his fifth birthday.  I love how Martyn’s arms holds him and Theo holds back, his little fingers resting around his daddy’s watch, connecting them as a single unit.  The whole image is one of comfort and protection and love.

I love how the unintentional elements all come together too, the shadows in the creases on Martyn’s shirt subtly echoing Theo’s fingers adding a feeling of repetition and pattern across the image.  All the lines draw our eyes back to the centre of the image and Theo’s face.

It wouldn’t be complete without Martyn’s face in the image too, his cheek to his son’s head, breathing him in while the tight crop echoes the fierce hug, everything is tight and snug and contained. I love this image and hope you like it as much as I do.

If this is the type of image you are looking for from your own family photography and you are thinking about pictures for Christmas then do get in touch sooner rather than later. Half term is almost upon us and then it’s full speed ahead into December.  The November dates are filling up very fast and the lab deadlines always come around earlier than you might think.  I’d love to meet you and your family so do drop me an email or give me a call and we can get something in the diary.