Family photography – at the beach and down on the farm

I really love a family photo shoot that has a relaxed feel – a shoot where everyone is chilling out, having fun and I’m taking pictures as the day progresses; simply observing, recording, documenting the day. I’m simply capturing what is happening all around me, taking really lovely, natural pictures.

I always have a great time with Susie and Stuart – I have been photographing them since their engagement shoot and then their wedding back in 2007, and we always have such fun. A shared sense of humour and similar view of the world has meant we have become great friends over the years and I love seeing them, catching-up with how they are and photographing the children.

The last time I visited the family, Charlie was only a baby so it was wonderful to see him running around and playing with his big sister Issy, who is always great fun – one of the most delightful little girls I have the pleasure of photographing.

We spent a wonderful day together on our photo shoot – we started our day at West Mersea beach for a run around, followed by some sandcastle building, crab-catching, and also hide and seek. Susie had hired a wonderful beach hut from The Little Beach Hut Company and we felt like we were in the height of luxury. We had tea and sandwiches and it was just delightful, so much warmer than my memories of huddling behind a rather ineffective wind break when I was young.

Then we headed back to the fabulous Gladwins Farm in Nayland, Suffolk which I can’t recommend highly enough – it’s a brilliant spot for a holiday (and for a family photo shoot). We ran round the lake, did a spot of fishing and even got to play on a tractor before we finished. It was such an eventful day and I’m so thrilled with the pictures, with many lovely relaxed family shots and natural portraits of the children.

I’m even thrilled that Patch – the pre-School guinea pig who was staying with the family – was included in the photo shoot, shots that will definitely bring tears of laughter to the family when Charlie is grown-up.

I hope you like this selection of pictures from our day together, I’m absolutely thrilled with them and can’t wait to visit again.