The shape of the land and structures under the surface are still in place from thousands of years ago when it was once a Neolithic settlement, an later an Iron Age hillfort. In my investigative journalism days, I wrote articles for various newspapers and Nat Geo about nature conservation and wildlife crime. I’m always drawn to nature reserves with important conservation work and an interesting history. That, and my love for the outdoors shapes my work into an often wild and whimsical photography style, where I embrace the elements and the wind in your hair.

I’ll start photographing from the very beginning. I’ll start by adjusting my camera settings, and shooting some of the environment so you’ll get used to my camera. I’ll let children have a look through my viewfinder if they like, to gain their trust and interest. I won’t ask much of you at all and I am not going to throw a list of poses out to you either. The photography will naturally progress into something more structured, where I might ask you to stand really close to each other while just continuing to chat or hang out like you were doing naturally already. I might ask you to walk a short distance so there’s some movement, and I might ask you so sit or stand in a particular direction depending on the light. I improvise most of my sessions, because each one is different and each child reacts differently to being photographed. I won’t ask your children to sit still. They don’t need to stand there and smile at the camera. You really don’t need to ask them to ‘do’ anything at all. It’s best if you don’t worry about their behaviour at all – I have two young children of my own and I’m not worried, I got you! The trick is for me to get those special photographs right in between all the running and playing and messing around. Even if it’s just a couple of seconds where your child is connecting with you, hugging a sibling, kissing the baby, it’s enough for me to capture that frame.

There’s usually a point where young children are naturally fed up, about an hour in. There will be a natural drop in energy and we’ll start walking back together while I might capture some last candid moments. At the end of the session, we’ll be back at the café and I’ll give you an expected timeline and more information about your photo gallery.

The only time we need to plan more carefully is if you’re hoping for that golden hour glow. In those cases, we can absolutely reschedule if needed (I simply hold your deposit), though it’s worth noting that in summer, golden hour falls quite late in the evening. For families with young children, that might mean stretching bedtime slightly, but if those warm, luminous tones are what you’re drawn to, it can be more than worth it.

Soft, muted tones tend to work beautifully against the landscape at Crickley Hill, and fabrics like linen or soft knits add a natural sense of ease to the images. I’d avoid anything overly bold, primary colour blocks, or logo-heavy pieces, as they can draw attention away from connection and expression. I’m particularly drawn to earthy, grounded palettes: warm neutrals ranging from soft oat and beige through to deeper chocolate tones, layered with washed and desaturated blues, and richer, muted reds such as rust or clay. These tones sit naturally within the landscape and complement one another without feeling overly coordinated. You might, for example, choose a flowing dress with a subtle floral pattern in these tones, paired with a textured knit or cardigan that echoes one of the colours.

If you’d like more detailed guidance and styling tips for the whole family, you can read my full guide here:

→ What to Wear for Your Family Photography Session

Would you like to get in touch, or are you interested in booking a family photo session? Click here to view my family photo gallery.