Enhancing your home with custom portraits and frames

Its always lovely to receive a glowing testimonial. Here’s one I received from a recent customer who asked me to photograph her children at home. She had plans to redecorate her living room and was keen to have both pictures and frames that would compliment the new decor. She had planned for beautiful soft greys and silvers so we had in mind that some black and white images and silver frames would be best. It is always so good to see portraits in situ – and now she’s completed her living room the pictures are in pride of place. Here’s one of her sweet daughter Lily – apparently the pictures are talking point with most people who visit! ‘I would just like to say a ‘BIG’ Thank you for the beautiful pictures that were taken of Harrison and Lily, they are so natural and exactly what I had asked for. The way that you dealt with the children was lovely and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, which with previous experience of photos session can sometimes be both stressful for me and the children.
The service I received from you throughout the whole experience from advising me on settings, ideas for clothing for the children, the actual photo shoot and then to viewing and ordering the photos was above and beyond my expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend you to anybody.
Thankyou again for the wonderful photos’

Louise T

We took a range of pictures in the house and garden and included the children reading favourite books and wearing their favourite clothes. It was much more fun than they expected!

Love is in the (nearly Autumn) air!

There’s been a very nice flurry of bookings over the last few weeks for nuptials next Spring and there’s also a good few weddings coming up soon as we move into Autumn. Autumn and Spring seem to be my busiest times which works very well for me.

I absolutely love both these seasons.. But then I absolutely love Summer and Winter too! I am so glad we live in the UK and can witness these changes in the colours and the light and enjoy different activities in each new chapter of the year. (It’ll be blackberry picking right now in the Aires household but that’s another blog post perhaps!)

But this weather, this glorious early September sunshine we’ve enjoyed – doesn’t it take some beating!? And how special for this great couple Regan and Tristan to have their wedding practice session in the sun and on the ‘beach’ at Frensham, Surrey.

Although these two look so incredibly relaxed in front of the camera there was the usual slight nervousness at the start… Tristan especially didn’t seem terribly keen to begin with (like almost all Grooms-to-be) but we had their trusted Collie companion Skye join in the pictures and then any hint of awkwardness seemed to melt away. I like watching this happen and its why I’m so fond of the great outdoors for taking pictures like these… being out and about and in nice settings like this seems to bring out the best in us all (and allows family pets to be included)!

Here’s some of the bubbly, lovely bride to be, Regan whose hair and makeup looked truly fab for the pictures….

I had an unusual thought that I should request these guys wear purple as I knew there was heather in the dunes and thought it might be something to have everything blending in. Then I stopped myself thinking that, ‘not everyone has purple, or suits purple or would be up for me suggesting such a bold main colour’ – so I didn’t mention it but, lo and behold they must have read my mind! Tristan turned up in his bright Joules top and Regan complimented in her casual blue and pink check. I am so chuffed this happened – I think they look fab!

I’m really looking forward to their wedding now in just over a months time at the friendly Devere Gorse Hill hotel round the corner from here in Hook Heath, Woking.

Thanks Regan and Tristan for a fab afternoon. Can’t wait to get snapping again on your big day! xx

Meeting Kate – Fashion portraits

We had a hugely enjoyable photo session last week with the lovely Kate at her home in Peaslake, Surrey. I’d been commissioned to take her portrait for a fashion and art study by Emily Hoyle in which she features.

From just talking to Kate briefly on the phone I knew we’d have a great session and sure enough Kate’s wonderfully relaxed and gentle nature made her a dream to photograph – not to mention her amazing blue eyes and happy disposition.

Kate’s two year old daughter with her big personality and fabulously wild curly hair was thankfully persuaded to sneak into a few unplanned pictures. Here she is showing us through the window where the chickens live.

Not busy enough with three little girls under six years old, Kate’s soon to start blogging about her passions in health, beauty and fashion. You can be sure that we won’t need much of an invitation to return to these lovely girls when she’s needing some more pictures!

Corporate images for Simon and Sarah

Simon and Sarah of Clarus Wealth Ltd asked me to take some pictures of them looking suitably professional but relaxed for their new website (soon to be launched).

Local family business Clarus Wealth assist their clients in creating bespoke Wealth Creation and Weath preservation plans enabling them to achieve their aims and objectives throughout life.

Simon and Sarah have a lovely little boy who came along to our venue too. He was looked after by Grandma Ruth while I snapped his Mum and Dad.

We managed to squeeze in a few family pictures after we’d done with the suits!

Mum of five Ruth is ‘expecting’ three more grandchildren the space of a couple of months at the end of the summer and would like to have a photo session then with all 17 of the family! That’ll certainly be great fun!

Spring sunshine – Engagement session with Natalie and Matt

Isn’t this unseasonably good weather just fabulous! There’s not much I enjoy more than the English countryside in the Spring sunshine.

A couple of weeks ago I spent a really lovely afternoon wandering through the woods at Winkworth with this sunny bride and groom to be, Natalie and Matt. A relaxed ‘practice’ or engagement session is such a great way to get to know a couple ahead of their wedding.

This couple’s wedding is going to be wonderful. Matt had Natalie in stitches most of the time which is such a joy to watch! I am completely in my element capturing genuine fun and laughter - it makes for such lovely romantic pictures!