Some snap shots from our visit to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Taylor Wessing Exhibition and the Saatchi Gallery to see the exhibition ‘Champagne Life’…

Here are some images from a recent assignment with the delightful and amazingly talented Nicholas McCarthy, he needed some pictures quickly as Nargis magazine were doing a feature about him and wanted a shot for the front cover and also some images to sit alongside the article. We arranged a shoot at my studio one evening and took a series of images which the magazine later went on to use. Nic was born without a right hand and was the first left hand only pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in London in its 130 year history. Here are a few of my favourites from the shoot.

The image below is the one they used for the front cover of Nargis Magazine

I am loving taking pics of the children’s reactions at The Colchester Ice Rink and Winter Wonderland in Santa’s Grotto every w.end. The Grotto tickets are all sold out apart from this Weds(9th) evening however you can still buy tickets to go and have tea with Santa – here.

To see examples of my other family photography please go to my family website: The Family Photographer. Thanks for looking, have a very merry Xmas.

I love misty days, it makes everything look so much softer. Here’s few shots I took yesterday before the lens got too wet.

These parties are not just for Princesses, if you have a son or daughter and they fancy coming a long to my studio with some of their friends dressed as their favourite super hero’s I can take fun pictures of them messing around, playing with each other, posing with props and posing as a group. Give me a call on the number below to discuss your ideas…or visit my website The Family Photographer.

I am really excited to see this month my Boudoir Photography is featured in Absolute Bridal Magazine page 118.

I have been a Freelance Photographer since 2009, along the way I have learnt quite a few lessons here are five tips I would like to share.

1. Don’t compare yourself to others.

In the beginning I lacked confidence in my own ability and almost felt a fraud when I said out loud “I am a Professional Photographer”. By looking at the best Photographers in the world only made me feel inadequate and made me question my own ability. Look at their work and be inspired by ideas but believe in your own work it takes takes time to develop your own style.

2.  Keep it simple.

It’s easy to get so involved with what you are doing and over complicate things. For instance when I first started to use studio lights with portrait work I would read up about different set ups, use too many lights, reflectors, flags, and different lens. I have learnt to keep things simple and build up my lighting using one light at a time, if a portrait looks great with one light stick to one light.

3. You don’t need to buy every size lens.

When I started out I did a lot of research on what lenses I needed as well as talking to other Photographers about why they chose a particular lens. I still use every one of those lens today depending on the job. What has worked for me is to have a good wide angle lens 24-70mm, to have a great zoom lens 70-200mm and to have selection of prime lens including 35mm, 100mm and 85mm.

4. Keep taking pics for fun

As a professional Photographer I was finding I started to stop taking pics for fun and was only doing it for paid work. I now take pics for fun when I have time off. It allows me time to experiment, it keeps my ideas fresh and means I can take pictures without the pressure of having to produce an image for anyone but my own enjoyment.

5. Connect with other Photographers

I find it incredibly useful being friends with other Photographers, we share ideas, we refer work to one another and we have also borrowed each others equipment when needed. Try not to feel threatened by other Photographers connecting and building friendships has only ever worked in my favour. Having fellow ‘togs’ as friends can also provide you with an invaluable support network. I have joined FB groups, I network and also meet up with fellow Photographers to shoot for fun or talk over ideas.

I thought I would post a few black and white images from a recent baby shoot, can you believe little Miya is only 3 weeks old, she was sooo smiley. If you would like to know more about baby, children and family shoots at my studio please click here.