Family Photo Shoot in Hilly Fields SE8

Family Photos in South East London

I first met this lovely family in February last year when we got together to take some baby photographs and, to this day, it’s one of my favourite baby photo shoots I’ve ever done. I was so thrilled when they got in touch to arrange another photo shoot to update their pictures and create some more wonderful memories together.

This is definitely the best thing about my job, seeing people again and again, getting to know the family and create a document over time that will tell so many stories. This was our second session together. As I write this blog I’m just home from a shoot where we have been working together for nineteen years, since the eldest child was only three months old. This kind of continuity creates the most incredible document of childhood for the little ones to enjoy as adults. And, along the way we have an amazing time taking pictures that can hang on the wall making all the family smile day in day out. I hope I’ll still be seeing this lovely family in nineteen years’ time, what a story we will tell.

Bright early starts to beat the crowds

When I’m photographing families, I love an early start. While I’ve never been up with the larks if I don’t have four alarm clocks set, I know it makes a huge difference to my pictures, getting the children at their best and their brightest full of energy for the day.

Arriving at 8am we had a coffee while finishing breakfast and then a quick play in the garden before heading out to have the park all to ourselves

Fun photos on Hilly Fields

An early start pays dividends when going to the park because, as the day goes on, there are more people around and we have to factor that into pictures to ensure there aren’t strangers in the background, this can limit our opportunities later in the day.

First thing though we can run around wherever we like, and it was great to start the day with some ‘one, two, three, SWING!’ before heading to the playground

I love a playground

I’ve always been a huge fan of photos in playgrounds. When I think of my favourite images I’ve taken, they are always of children having fun. Kids always have a brilliant time when they are in a playground. There are things to climb on, slides to zoom down and the world of the imagination to play in when parks have equipment shaped like a boat or rocket. We sailed the seven seas on this photo shoot before zooming down the slide, a fun activity that resulted in one of my favourite pictures from the day.

Hide and Seek on Hilly Fields

After the playground we headed into the trees for a game of hide and seek. I think this is one of the most joyful games of all time. There really is nothing more delightful than watching a little one’s faces light up as a parent pops up from behind a tree or their laughter as they hide and then peek out at their mum and dad – moments, full of joy and laughter for everyone,

Games at home

By mid-morning it was time to head home for a snack and the second part of our session. Starting early also means we get to do more than one location, more than one activity – creating a set of pictures that is so full of variety.

At home we built towers, read books, played in some different rooms, all those lovely activities that make up the day. I was amazed to see the same set of stackable barrels that I had had as a child. I think mine were my eldest brothers, so were probably made in the seventies, a blast from the past that was so lovely to see, and they were still just as fun now as when they were made, as well as having a very retro-cool vibe.

Water play

After some indoor play we headed out into the garden for our last activity – it was a hot day and so it seemed a perfect opportunity to get out the hosepipe to water the plants and water the parents!

These photographs make me laugh so much, that look of absolute glee as she holds the hose, and her body language as she soaks her parents, you can feel the excitement and laughter straight from the image.

We had such a brilliant time!

I’m so thrilled with these pictures, and I’m looking forward to sharing the full set with the family soon. I hope you have enjoyed the blog. If you would like to book your own family session then do get in touch, 2024 is booking up fast and I’d love to meet you.