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I love shooting outdoors, especially when it’s a family photoshoot! No matter where the location if the weather is dry then chances are we are going to have fun! Most kids take a few minutes to warm up before having their portrait taken, but when I met Willow a few weeks ago at Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury she was holding my hand within a minute and leading the way! I worked out quickly that this was Willow pointing out to me that she was taking charge during her photoshoot…and she did! 

We couldn’t have been more unlucky as far as the weather was concerned! The heavens opened and it began to pour, as it so often does in Manchester!  Mum Cheryl was keen to troop on though regardless and Willow loved the novelty of having her own brolly.  I always start my family sessions with some portraits of the children, and then some family pictures too. I strongly believe that you get the best out of the children when they are allowed to roam free and so this is what I let them do for the majority of a session, after we have got some initial posed pictures. Children in their natural states make the most beautiful photos and parents always agree when they receive their images that the more natural ones are their favourites!

Family photography is so important. Many of my clients will have heard me say it so many times before but children love having photos of themselves up in the house and that they grow up more confident for it! My son will always look at photos and ask me about the time it was taken, he shows a real interest and loves that it was taken of him at a different age to the age he is at now. There’s nothing more lovely as an adult than being shown a photograph of yourself as a child, on holiday or in the garden playing…with one of your parents or siblings nearby, or your mother holding you. It’s one of those moments that makes you stop and feel grateful for that moment and that memory. So please take photos and be in those photos…even if it means asking a random stranger to take the picture for you. You won’t ever regret it.

Take a peek at Mike, Cheryl and Willow on a wet and windy Sunday morning in Didsbury!

Are you looking for ideas of how to celebrate your baby’s first birthday??? First birthday’s are a real milestone in your little one’s life. Those first 356 days go by in a flash and so much change occurs in this time that by the time the ‘big 1’ comes around a celebration is in order…if only just to congratulate yourself on making it through!

So you may be asking yourself the question ‘How do I celebrate my baby’s first birthday?’…..A photo-shoot is a lovely way to capture your child at the pure and simple age, when they are slowly breaking out of the baby stage and fast approaching toddler! But what’s all this cake-smash nonsense I hear you say! The Cake Smash craze started in America but has quickly caught on over here in the UK! It basically involves a 1 year old child and a cake…mixed in with a professional photographer to capture the event! It can get very messy!

Why do so many people from Stockport book their Cake Smash session with me?

I have a gorgeous home studio on the border of Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme which is set-up especially for families who want to come and capture some amazing pictures of their little ones. So many local families book me for cake smashes and often say that they love my set-ups because they aren’t too fussy. 

Here is one of my favourite recent Cake Smash sessions with the gorgeous Haaniya.

​What happens during a Cake Smash Photo Shoot?
I always speak with client’s in detail before a session to make sure we have the right colour scheme and theme for your little one’s session. My sessions always start with some informal playing and singing just to warm your baby up to the new environment that they are in. I always ask client’s to bring an outfit for baby to wear for some ‘clean’ and simple images before moving on to the cake part of the shoot. Once the cake is introduced we let baby do their thing and sit back and capture the moment! It’s so funny to see the difference between those babies that get ‘stuck-in’ and those that very politely stick a tentative little finger in the middle for a cheeky taste!

I end my sessions with a bath-tub with bubbles to get baby all clean! Some babies LOVE this…however Haaniya wasn’t keen so opted to give that one a miss 😉 😉

If you would like more information about Cake Smash Photography or you would like to book a Cake Smash session then drop me an email and we can start to plan your baby’s amazing first birthday shoot!! 
Nikki x

Please take a look over at Julie’s blog today! Julie from Julie Grant Photography is a Children’s and Family Photographer in Loughborough and she has been blogging today about photographing teenagers!

This summer has been a great one but as I sit here staring out of the window at this torrential rain, I can’t help but feel sad that it appears to be well and truly over! I photographed so many lovely families this summer and because we actually had some sunshine for a change….I was lucky enough to capture some beautiful light! 

One of my favourite sessions this summer was these two guys. The photos were taken in a field in Bramhall … and Esme and Seth were just running around, enjoying life and eating Skittles…just what Summer days are made for! It was so difficult culling their gallery because there were so many beautiful photos but forever in these pictures Esme and Seth will be 5 and 2 loving life and forever young!
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Newborn photography has become the ‘thing-to-do’ over recent years. Capturing newborns at such a young age is a lovely way of remembering them as they were when they first arrived in the world. There are so many things to consider when booking and preparing for your session, so here are some pointers to help you on your way

When should I book my Newborn Photography session?

If possible I recommend booking your newborn session in some time after your 20-week scan. This is to ensure a space is available for you when your baby arrives. More often than not we don’t know when a baby will be born, so as a photographer I need the flexibility within my diary to be able to offer you a session within 5-14 days of the baby’s actual birth date. For this reason alone I will only take a limited number of bookings for newborn sessions a month and these can get booked up very quickly. However, that said some people will only choose to have a photo session at the very last minute so if I can accommodate you with a last-minute booking then of course I will.

​How do I decide what Baby Photographer to choose?
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Choosing a photographer can be difficult due to the variations in price, style and location. There are so many photographers out there now who offer newborn sessions but many have not had much experience nor the right safety training in posing babies. Check with your photographer before booking to be sure. Prices can vary a lot as well, but be sure that those charging next to nothing will not have all the above and have only recently started in the photography business. Photography training, equipment and expertise is something that takes years to master and you don’t want to look back and be unhappy with the photographer you chose as you don’t get the opportunity to do it all over again. 

Choosing a style you like is also important so have a look at a photographer’s portfolio which can normally be found on their website.

I mention location as travelling far with a newborn baby is not always easy. Bearing in mind you will have very recently given birth you may also not feel up to a long drive and if the baby has been in the car for a while and slept the whole journey they may well then be awake throughout the photo-session which may not yield the best photographs for you.

​What happens if my baby cries during the session?

As an experienced and qualified newborn photographer and a mother of two I am fully expecting that your baby will cry at some point during the session. Babies usually cry because they undoubtedly need something. All my baby sessions are completely baby-led meaning that we stop whenever baby needs to stop and if he or she wants to feed then this is what we will do. I always allow 4 hours for my newborn sessions as I know how time-consuming the feeding process can be and baby being content is my primary concern. I always recommend bringing a dummy or a pacifier if you have one, or if you have been using one at home. This can sometimes help settle baby if he or she needs to be. During my shoot your baby will be naked for some time, thus giving that lovely natural newborn look. That said, not all babies like to be naked. They have spent 40 weeks all snuggled up in a toasty relaxed environment so getting used to life in the real world can be a shock. If I find during your newborn session that your baby is unsettled and doesn’t like to be naked then I will use a wrap to wrap them up and give them that feeling of security.

What should I bring to my Newborn Photo Shoot?

I recommend that you bring nappies, milk and come dressed comfortably. If you would like family pictures during your session then I will provide you with information about what to wear at booking. However, as the photo shoot can take a number of hours, being comfortable is important. 
I provide plenty of drinks and snacks for you to help yourself to and I can order you lunch from the local cafe if you let me know beforehand. Other than that, I provide all props and blankets so there is no expectation for you to bring anything.

Sometimes new mums and dads have a particular blanket or soft toy that they would like incorporating into a photo which I am more than happy to accommodate.

Where do the sessions take place?

I have a beautiful home studio just on the border of Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme. It is set up to provide a lovely warm and relaxed environment for new parents. When you arrive you can completely chill-out and watch me work my magic from the comfort of my sofa! I have Netflix set-up as well for you so that you can  watch a film, or catch up on a series. Hot and cold drinks are on tap as well as plenty of snacks…..did I mention my coffee machine makes the most amazing cappuccinos! The perfect remedy for a sleepless night! You can even sleep if you want to! I completely understand how tiring having a newborn is which is why it is so important for me that you use this opportunity to enjoy being out of the house but that you are also able to relax. 

Does the baby need to sleep during the session and what happens if it doesn’t?

Newborn photography sessions can be challenging at times for a variety of reasons. If I was to tell you what the ideal circumstances would be in order to facilitate a great session it would be that the baby is in a deep sleep for the majority. This is because in order for me to be able to achieve those lovely curled up and squishy newborn photographs that you so often see, baby needs to sleep. An awake newborn can have jittery and restless arms and legs and there are limitations on the variety and types of photographs I can take. That said however I always love to try and get a couple of ‘awake’ photographs where possible as I do find that parents really love these.

What if my baby poops or pees on your blankets?

This isn’t a problem at all and given that your baby will be nappy-free for part or the majority of the session this is to be expected. I have a huge selection of different blankets and backdrops so should your baby do it’s business mid-session I will simply remove the soiled one and replace it with a fresh one.

Can I bring my older child/children to the session?

Newborn photography relies on a calm and peaceful environment in order to help your baby to sleep and be relaxed. I welcome siblings to the studio of course but I will ask you to bring them either at the start or end of a session to ensure that they are not bored. I live close by to a variety of parks, such as Bramhall Park and South Park or there is a play centre close by too. It may be an idea to ask a family member or a partner to take the sibling off for a couple of hours and bring them back for their photos with their new baby sister or brother towards the end. We can discuss this in more detail at booking though.

If you are interested in booking a session or have further questions about what is involved then please get in touch, I would love to hear from you!

Nikki :) 

My photography friend Jenna from Jenna Marshall Photography has been blogging today about the end of Summer! Jenna is a Newborn and Family Photographer in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Pregnancy is a time to treasure, a time to remember. As a woman it is also one of the most precious and wonderful experiences that we will ever go through. Yes it can be tough, the sickness, tiredness and insomnia to name a few but how flipping incredible is it…cooking up a little baby miracle inside you? 

Photographs of this journey are a lovely way of capturing this special time. They are something to share with your little one when they are older. A story of where their little life began. In the past I have always taken maternity portraits outside on location and I love the natural look that comes with these images. However in addition to these and inspired by the amazing Natasha Ince I have started offering something a little bit different in the studio. Aimed at making you feel a million dollars these sessions come with the option of hair and make-up and with a selection of dresses and headdresses to die for! The best time to book in is around 28-32 weeks before you get too uncomfortable. If you would like to discuss the option of having a pregnancy photoshoot then feel free to get in touch. 

Pictured below is the very beautiful Alison (30 weeks) and Clare (32 weeks) and her daughter Abbie.

Another photographer who I absolutely love is Bianca from Bumps, Baby Beyond. Bianca is a newborn and baby photographer in Leicester and the Leicestershire area. Both Bianca and I trained together with the amazing Jillian Greenhill Photography!