A Stratford in-home newborn and toddler shoot

One of the things that gets me about doing home family shoots is how intimate it is, and how much of a privilege it is to be invited into that space, where exhausted, radiant new mums and dads look adoringly at their new offspring. I often find myself talking to the mums about their childbirth experiences, their feeding routines, the difficulties they’ve already faced in the first few weeks, and it’s a really emotional thing for me. I can honestly say I’ve never had a newborn shoot where I’ve not had a bit of a tear in my eye (I’m a soppy git) about something or other. But all of that makes for better pictures. That emotional connection, that shared understanding, makes everyone a bit more relaxed and open.

Also, you would never know it, but the young man in these photos hated having his photo taken and had even completely refused to have his portrait taken at nursery. These kids are kind of my speciality. I love coaxing them out of themselves and making them relaxed around the camera, so I can capture the very best of them. With patience, fun and play, we always get there in the end.