The Beautiful Hilary – A Portrait Session in Loose (Maidstone)

Portrait Photographer Kent

Last night I met the lovely Hilary in her beautiful little cottage in Loose to take some headshots. She was warm, smiley, had a beautiful sparkle in her eyes and we really did have a great time, first shooting some casual photos in the garden (which lead down to a waterfall and stream!) and then setting up our ‘Hollywood lighting’ with the Triflector to get some stunning headshots. Sometimes I forget how much I love taking portrait photography in Kent.  I love meeting and chatting with people, hearing their stories and making them smile….and not those smiles that come from being told to ‘smile!!’ but the natural ones that come as a result of some fun time spent together.

Hilary told me last night that she contacted me because I am a member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) and I have to say that made my evening even better. There are tons of photographers out there and sometimes it’s difficult to know which one to choose  (like finding a reputable builder) but for me it’s important to be part of the BIPP because of the professional standards it champions. Anwyway enough of that, here are a few of my favourites from last nights session.

Thank you for a lovely evening Hilary, I really did have fun.

Lifestyle Family Portrait Shoot – Herne Bay with the Clements’

Lifestyle Family Portraits Kent

The term ‘lifestyle’ family portraits is banded about very freely these days but basically it means taking your family photos in a personalised space (and not a studio). This can be your home, garden,  favourite park or beach and these photo shoots produce far more relaxed and varied images. Of course they are more reliant on the weather behaving itself (something you can’t count on in Britain) but they give your Kent family portrait session a more individual look and really make it personal to you.

On Sunday, the Clements family went off for their regular Sunday jaunt to Herne Bay, but ths time with me and my camera in tow . Here are some of the images we got and I have to say that a fun day was had by all …..

The photo above was taken by my daughter Gemma.

 

The Jones family – a family photo for Mum

Portrait Photography Medway, Kent

Nearly bringing my blogging up to date, last week I had the opportunity to photograph Lisa and her family (including brothers, sisters and dog!) in a family portrait session for their Mum. It’s amazing how often I get booked to take a family photo as a birthday present and one that I think is a really great idea.

We held the session on a Wednesday night (starting around 6pm) so that all of the kids could be fed and weren’t too grumpy before bed and spent about an hour shooting on the portable studio that I took to their home (this gives you a professional look without the need to travel!). While the dog often stole the show, I think overall they all did really well and had a good time.

 

Precious Little Toddler – a portrait session of Thomas, aged 19 months

Family portrait photographer medway kent

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to photograph Thomas for the second time. When Thomas was a few days old we did some lifestyle portrait photography in the family home in Rochester but this time we opted for a studio look to mark his progress.

When photographing children this young you can never predict how the shoot will go. Sometimes they are bubbling over with enthusiasm and sometimes not, even if you schedule the time after lunch and a nap when they are normally at their very best. I often tell parents not to worry too much though because IF I can’t capture that elusive smile (and it will be one that you see time after time in photos when they do get older) you often capture another side to your child’s personality that is just as important and can be even more touching in years to come. Thomas was a little on the serious side but I love the photos just as much. Here are a few of my favourites…….

 

 

Ice is prettier than snow – a Kent Photographer’s perspective

Photographer Medway Kent

I never thought I’d say this after last week’s snow, which we all assume creates the most beautiful scenery ever, but yesterday as I was standing in the School playground waiting for the kids to go in, the other mums and I commented on how beautiful the trees that make up Cliffe Woods were all covered in ice. Later that day I trundled back with my camera in tow and took the following shots. I do actually think they look prettier covered in ice than they did in the snow….

 

 

I also saw this absolutely gorgeous little boy, waiting to go to his cousins Christmas Play and couldn’t resist….

Family portraits Medway Kent – The Barritts

Family portrait photographer Medway Kent

Saturday saw me going off to Gillingham to photograph Pauline, Dave and their 2 lovely girls on the mobile studio.  I don’t always use this when doing lifestyle portrait sessions but think it works really well with young babies and toddlers as it allows for multi-image prints which not only look very contemporary on the wall but are a cheaper way to get more images for your money. The session was a little exhausting for all of the adults concerned and to be honest we were a little worried at the end when we were unsure on just how much we had managed to capture. However I was extremely happy when I finally got down to the editing process and saw what a beautiful series of family portraits we had managed to take. Working with small children does take a lot of patience and reminds me why I don’t believe in 1/2 hour studio slots but I think our time and effort really paid off as you will see below. Here are a few of my favourites:

Portrait Photography Medway – The Curds

Portrait Photographer Medway

Friday saw me fly back from Cyprus and arrive home in the early hours of the morning only to go and shoot my first portrait session of the weekend at the home of Nikki Curd later the same day. Nikki , a lovely lady,  was recommended by a  friend and previous client and while I was a little worried that I would be tired from my exhausting trip Nikki, Natalie and the kids were an absolute delight to photograph. They were friendly, easy and a joy to be aroun, the sort of photo session that is truly enjoyable to shoot.

Here are some of my favourites…

Kerry & her Cousins – a gift for their Grandparents

Portrait Photographer Kent

Yesterday saw the earliest I think I’ve ever left for a portrait session. Truth be known I have had to leave the house at 6:30am for a wedding I photographed in Grantham a few  years back but this is the earliest I’ve packed up the car and headed off to a client’s house for a shoot with 7 young cousins who wanted give their grandparents the gift of a family portrait, updated with the newest addition to the family Matthew (now 7 years old). Kerry’s house was so beautiful that we decided to forego the white studio background and use one of the rooms as a backdrop. Considering the time of the morning, I eventually got everybody smiling and the session was a success. We even finished in time for Amie to make it to work on time and Daniel to get to football. You can’t ask for more than that on a Sunday morning.

Here are 3 of my favourites