The Martin Family

I have been a little slow at blogging this year - as in it hasn’t happened! So here I am, determined to share some of the beautiful families I have photographed in the latter half of 2021.. As lockdowns lifted and we were able to get out again I was so thrilled to pick up my camera and start shooting again.

Here are the Martin family… I loved this shoot, Beatrix and Max were adorable and just loved being outdoors with their parents… jumping, throwing stones, getting muddy, finding large sticks… all the classic

Ubhi-Hitch Family - Newborn Lifestyle Session

When Paul and Nina welcomed their third child and first daughter, the beautiful Anaiya to their family, they asked if I could come and photograph them all together at home in those precious early days..

It was so lovely to see how much big brothers Kai and Arlie are in love with their new sister, with plenty of cuddles and kisses being sent her way during my time there. It was a busy and fun session to photograph; playing outside and in the home are a big part of the way this family like to spend time together as Paul works busy hours in London.

This guys were just beautiful to photograph and I just hope they love their final images as much as Kai and Arlie love their new little sister… now that would be nice!

The Bowen Family - Newborn Lifestyle Session

Jacob was just 10 weeks old when I photographed him with first time parents Nick and Elaine.

He was the perfect baby, remaining totally content during all the cuddles, nappy changes, various location changes and of course during his bath time, which has resulted in some really beautiful images for their family to treasure in future years. Good work Jacob!

The Jones Family - Beach Session

This was one of my last outdoor family shoots before the Summer heat faded last year…

I headed to the Suffolk coast bright and early to photograph the Jones family together on a beautiful and mega hot Sunday morning in August.

I last photographed mum Andrea with their two littles Evie and Finn two years previously for an Autumn shoot, but this time they decided it was time to get dad involved and get some Summer sunshine!

Lincoln Family - Outdoor Family Session

The Lincoln family were winners of a family photoshoot I donated to a charity auction at the Applaud Cafe in Ipswich, Suffolk at the end of last year.

Holywells Park, Ipswich was the chosen venue for their outdoor family photo session as this is a place that parents Ben and Kay like to go with their sons Fergus and Barnaby and enjoy time together with the family dog Eric!

We met on a late Summer evening at the beginning of August and the boys had a great time running around the different areas of the park and letting off steam whilst we grabbed some lovely relaxed shots of them all spending precious time together….

It’s true what they say… we only get so many Summer holidays to embrace with our children….

The Donovan Family - Mini Session Winners!

I ran a Mother’s Day competition on my facebook business page this year and Lizzy was the winner of my mini session giveaway!

She won a 30 minute shoot with 5 free digital images and was really keen to have photographs of her family taken in the beautiful Bluebell wood she visits with her family (husband Keiron and little boy Joshua).

We had to postpone the shoot once due to the unpredictable weather we have had this Spring but we managed to secure a second date and the sunshine held out just long enough for us to have some fun searching for the Gruffalo and allow us to get these beautiful images of their family.

Below is a snapshot of the photographs from their session… I hope they are happy with their images and I wish Lizzy and Keiron all the best with their upcoming new addition! Exciting times ahead!

New Year, New Blog Post! Baby Maddie and the Smith Family

So I am kicking off 2019 with the beautiful little baby Maddie!

I was so thrilled to be invited to photograph this little lady at the end of last year and baby Maddie was all booked in for a newborn lifestyle shoot in good time for her due date. Only little Maddie ignored her due date completely, arriving a little early and just at a time when I had found myself unexpectedly in hospital.. but these things happen and so after a little re-arranging I found myself arriving at the Smith family home just a few weeks after we had planned.

John and Katie are such relaxed parents, I’m sure it’s why Maddie was so chilled out and such a happy little one to photograph. These guys must be ultra relaxed and laid back anyway as they got married and built their own home in the same year, followed by the arrival of Maddie in 2018.. hats off to you I don’t know if I could have juggled so many life changing occasions happening in such a short space of time! John is a dairy farmer which explains the presence of ‘Moo Moo’ - Maddies cute little cuddly cow which she adores and I am also now in love with and on the hunt for one of my own for my daughter!

I love a newborn lifestyle shoot - being invited into a home when a new baby has arrived is a very special thing and there’s nothing quite like witnessing the awe and wonder of new parents as they look at their precious new arrival and take their first steps through family life together.

Here are a few of those first precious moments in the life of Maddie and her mum and dad…

Happy New Year all xXx

MARRIED! Nathan and Joanna

This was a wedding that took me to the North Norfolk coast and wow does it make for a stunning wedding location!

Joanna and Nathan had booked me over a year in advance and I had really been looking forward to photographing their day! Preparations for the girls began at Joanna’s parents house in North Wooton, whilst the boys got themselves suited and ready at the wonderful Briarfields Hotel in Titchwell. The wedding ceremony itself was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour & St Edmund Catholic Church in Hunstanton and as we arrived the clouds that had lingered from the previous days storm parted and made way for the most perfect blue skies.

After the ceremony we headed further north and back to the Briarfields Hotel in Titchwell for the reception (if you haven’t been here before its a must visit - amazing food and beautiful accommodation). The best thing about this location is the proximity to Brancaster beach which is such a beautiful stretch of Norfolk Coastline. I was really praying for a beautiful summer day so we could make the most of the locations and get some amazing shots! After all that glorious July sunshine disaster struck though and on the evening before the wedding I drove up to Norfolk in a tremendous storm that resulted in me arriving at my relatives house a nervous wreck due to all the lightening and thunder and there were times I was sure a tornado would appear as the trees were swaying so viciously in the winds! On the morning of the wedding we woke to cloudy skies and wet roads and although I was ready for a wet wedding day, the weather gods were looking down on us all and we were blessed with a beautifully sunny day! A weird wind and rain shower did come across just as the speeches were happening - but this was perfect timing as all cleared afterwards and we headed to the beach to be greeted with dramatic skies and clouds parting with the sun beaming down over the sea. In the evening just as the band were warming up a most beautiful rainbow unfolded and emerged over Briarfields as a parting gift to the newlyweds. Perfection.

A big thank you to Joanna and Nathan for trusting me with their most precious day, and to all of their friends and family for being so lovely on the day. It really was a fantastic day x

Dress - Wed2Be

Suits - Moss Bross

Cake - Simply Cake Co.

Band - Choice

MARRIED! Rob and Rosalind

In July I photographed the wedding of Rob and Rosalind! Their engagement shoot had been loads of fun and I was really looking forward to photographing them again on their big day!

I started my day with the boys who were getting ready at Rob and Rosalind's home.. When I arrived the bacon sandwiches were on the go and Rob and his groomsmen were just getting themselves up and ready for the day. The groomsmen had sourced their suits from Coes and best man Luke was on hand to make sure everyone had their bow ties fitted properly - no You Tube needed! 

In the same road lives Rosalind's parents, so I didn't have to travel far to photograph the bridal party getting ready. It was easy to locate too, as there was a giant inflatable unicorn in the garden! (I want one!)

Rosalind bought her beautiful gown from Lavender and Jude in Bungay, Suffolk and she chose to do her own make up and hair for her big day! I have to say she rocked the hot pink lipstick! Love it.

The couple were married at The Holy Family and St. Michael Catholic Church in Kesgrave, Ipswich and then travelled on to Greshams for their wedding reception. They had glorious sunshine and temperatures of 28 degrees on their day which made for some rather fantastic photo opportunities through the afternoon.

The day went by really smoothly with everyone having fun and relaxing, soaking up the sunshine, canapés and drinks as the afternoon passed by. In the evening, as the sun was heading to bed, we nipped down the road to a local field  to get some gorgeous couples shots and give the newly weds some time to themselves. 

I am so pleased that these guys asked me to be their photographer - they are so happy and in love that it was just pure fun photographing their big day - the fact that they were naturals in front of the camera made it all the more enjoyable! 

I wish them many years of happiness in the future.... and here are some of my favourite memories from their day...

Dress: Lavender and Jude

Suits: Coes

Cake: M&S 

Letter Lights: KMS

Reception Venue: Greshams Ipswich

The Boot at Freston. ~New Venue~

A couple of weeks back I was invited along to one of the launch evenings for an exciting new restaurant and wedding venue in Suffolk - The Boot, situated close to the banks of the River Orwell on the Shotley Peninsula, just a short walk down the lane from St Peters Church in Freston, making it a brilliant location for a wedding reception..

The building and grounds have had a significant amount of renovation work done which began in January and Mike and his team have really embraced this old venue and restored it to something quite beautiful. An extension was added for a brand new kitchen and there are exciting plans for a private cinema and brewery also being installed onsite. At the back of the building the outside has been landscaped with great attention to detail. There is a large patio area leading up to the wedding paddock where you can book your choice of tipi or marquee through Events Under Canvas who are teaming up with the guys here when it comes to wedding events. At the back of the wedding paddock there is a beautiful woodland area which would be great for wedding photos, especially in the Spring when the woods are a wash with bluebells and wild garlic. A field at the back of the carpark will also provide wedding parties with the option of providing a more festival-themed wedding if they should like.

The garden area is really well planned. A duck pond is built in to the gardens which has paths criss-crossing the different areas for guests to walk around whilst they enjoy a drink. A kitchen garden is filled with vegetables and the restaurant also keeps its own chickens and ducks, supplying fresh eggs for the chefs. The restaurant keeps its own sheep which currently help to keep the wedding paddock 'mown' when not in use and then there is the resident pet raven! There is plenty to keep guests or families occupied whilst they are here. 

The interior has been painstakingly restored using reclaimed and up-cycled furniture and has managed to mix old with new to give the place a charming yet contemporary feel. The restaurant hasn't forgotten its roots and there is a dart board and other games available for those wanting to sit and enjoy a drink and some good company.

On the launch evening, guests were treated to a range of tasty and colourful canapés served by the new team of staff. The scotch eggs were a favourite, along with the brownies which didn't last long at all! The bar is serving a great range of beers and ales and there is to be an on-site micro brewery too when all the works are completed here.

If you haven't yet popped in yet I'd strongly recommend taking a drive out along the beautiful river orwell and go find this new little gem. And if you are recently engaged and are planning a wedding - definitely check out this new venue, with a pretty church down the road, amazing food and the ability to tailor your day as needed, it's something to be excited about!

The Boot is now open for lunch and evening meals and is proving popular so booking is recommended - Don't just take my word for it...  get down there and see for yourself....

MARRIED! Emily and Adam - Kings Lynn Town Hall, Norfolk.

They did it! Just over a week ago on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day, Emily and Adam were married at the rather stunning Kings Lynn Town Hall.

Emily and Adam had been planning this day for well over a year and I had actually been to Norfolk the summer prior to do their engagement shoot. It was a team effort with family members and friends helping with cakes, make up and hair, flowers and stationary and it was lovely to see all their hard work and efforts come together to create something really special to the couple.

I arrived at the Knights Hill Hotel where make up was in full swing as Emily had five adult bridesmaids along with another five beautiful flower girls. Emily owns her own salon so she had her team of talented friends around her to help her get ready all morning. Look out for the EPIC shoes!

When arriving at the town hall I met with Adam and his two best men, Simon and Richard who were trying to relax although I think Adam would admit to being a teeny bit nervous whilst greeting guests who were arriving outside the hall. He didn't have time to get too nervous though as after a quick chat and some photos it was time to head inside as the bridal car was on it's way..

The ceremony went beautifully and the hall was packed with friends and family (107 of them I believe including their gorgeous little boy Jasper!) After they had said their "I do's" and were married we headed down to the Tower Gardens for a the first couples shots. It was blisteringly hot by this time and Adam chose to walk back to the hall even though we had arranged a car to drop everyone back at the hall! 

The speeches all went down a storm, each delivering a perfect amount of emotion, tears and laughter, and even a duvet set with the best mans face on! A new one on me but it was hilarious!

The evening gave us a glorious golden hour and sunset for which we popped across the the quay for a few more couples shots before the dance floor was set and the party really got started! 

A massive thanks to my partner in crime and fantastic second shooter Louise Manning, she really is a diamond to work with!

From start to finish this was such a happy, smiley and really fun day, filled with love and laughter and most importantly, sparkles and glitter!

Emily and Adam, here are just some of your best bits from that awesome day. xXx

Florist - Blue Belle Lane

Stationary - Loubear and Tops

Dress - Heart Brides

Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Make Up / Hair - Gemma Martin / Jenna Miller

Suits - Slaters

Cake - Julie Stewart

Disco - Simon Rowe

Rob and Rosalind - ENGAGED!

It was last July when Roz first enquired about booking me to photograph hers and Rob's wedding . After exchanging a few emails we arranged to meet for coffee and cake where we were able to discuss in more detail Roz and Rob's plans for their big day and I was able to get to know a bit more about them both. Luckily for me they decided shortly after our meeting I was the photographer for them and booked me in!

I was really excited for this engagement shoot.. We met on a glorious sunny Sunday afternoon where their choice of locations (Holywells Park and the Waterfront in Ipswich) allowed me to get really creative with them and luckily they didn't mind one bit as I walked them around in the afternoon heat, they totally relaxed into the shoot and we had a heap of fun! 

Its just under two months until these two tie the knot and I cannot wait! 

ENGAGED! Joanna and Nathan

Joanna and Nathan are now just couple of months away from saying "I do" and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding day on the beautiful north Norfolk Coast. 

A few weeks ago we met up for a good old cup of tea and to visit their church in Hunstanton and reception venue, the lovely Briafields Hotel in Titchwell. After this we popped down to the beach for what turned out to be a rather breezy but fun engagement shoot at Old Hunstanton (how cool are the colours in those rocks?). 

Joanna and Nathan were really relaxed and willing to go the extra mile (literally as I dragged them further and further along the beach) and despite the freezing wind these guys totally rocked the British stiff upper lip and just went for it... 

Can't wait to get back to Norfolk and photograph Joanna and Nathan tying the know in a few weeks time...  but for now here are a few glimpses of their pre-wedding shoot..

MARRIED! Samantha and Sam - Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Samantha and Sam contacted me in January to see if I would be available to photograph their wedding this year. They had been engaged for two years and it was whilst they were visiting family abroad this Christmas that decided to finally set the date! They have a beautiful 2 year old son Ruben (who made the cutest best man!) and decided that this year was their year!

Living near to Bury St Edmunds, they chose the Athenaeum for their wedding ceremony which meant we could pop across to the beautiful Abbey Gardens for some photographs afterwards.  I had the very lovely and talented Louise Manning second shooting for me and we met Samantha at the ceremony venue where she arrived in a vintage BMW which belonged to a family friend. Samantha's maid of honour and best friend Emma ensured that the best man (2 year old Ruben) delivered the rings safely to dad Sam and the ceremony began!

They bride and groom took their couples portraits in their stride, as we wandered through the Abbey Gardens which was busier than normal due to the Easter holidays.. Despite a risk of showers the weather held out and we managed to get some gorgeous shots of Samantha and Sam in the gardens before we headed off to our cars for the drive to their reception venue.

 The reception was held at The Cock Inn at Thurlow, a beautiful 17th century Georgian bar and restaurant which the couple had reserved for their day. It was here where they'd previously held their son's naming day and it is a place that holds special meaning to them. Samantha and Sam were keen to keep things simple and wanted the day to just be about celebrating their marriage with their nearest and dearest family and friends so where better to celebrate than their beautiful village restaurant!

The garden at the venue was decorated with hanging ornaments in the trees and the outside tables were set with jars of sweets for the children (*ahem* and photographers) so they could enjoy the outside and play whilst the adults celebrated and caught up with each other. Drinks and food flowed and games were played and there was no fussing over traditions such as top tables and table plans, as people sat where they liked and mingled all afternoon. As the sun began to set, we grabbed the opportunity to take some shots of Sam and Samantha in the fields as the skies changed colour (quite literally thanks to some smoke grenades!)

In the evening Samantha made a short speech to thank the many people that had made hers and Sam's day such a success. Then they had their first dance right there in front of the bar to a packed audience! Before we left we just had time to dart back to the fields for some final shots of the newlyweds where they took a moment to reflect on their day.

Samantha said: "It was important to us both that it was a simple day, that it was about us two and it was. I wanted everyone to be happy and they were. I think I enjoyed the simplicity of the day the most. It was natural. Sam said being with me was the most important thing for him on the day and i think the simplicity of our day allowed us to see each other a lot."

A massive thank you to both Sam and Samantha for being so relaxed and easy to work with - and for braving those smoke grenades - you rocked it!

A little nostalgia (10 years ago today)...

So it has come to my attention that today it is exactly 10 years since I took my 25 year-old self and my now very old and redundant Canon 350D off on a five month adventure around the world. 

On February 6th 2008 I got the train down to London, made my way across to Heathrow and boarded a BA flight to Beijing to begin my trip that would take me down through China to Hong Kong, on to Australia, then New Zealand and finally to Fiji (to get a tan) before returning home. It was a trip that helped define who I am, a trip that gave me many great experiences and made me appreciate all that I have.

I thought I would share with you today a few images from my time in China. I had arrived in Beijing at the start of the Chinese New Year. The last two hours on approach to landing presented the most amazing views of fireworks constantly exploding like miniature stars in the night sky beneath our plane. And the celebrations continued - firecrackers being thrown into the street, festivals and lanterns filled each place I visited. 

The couple pictured above were on my overnight train to Xian, making the journey back home for Chinese New Year along with most of the China's working population, who often only get one holiday a year! Due to severe snow and cancellations our 11 hour overnight train was absolutely packed and I got speaking to this couple who were due to be married later in that year. We shared stories about how weddings are conducted differently in our different cultures and I remember the shock on their faces when I explained how much people in the UK often spend on their wedding day!

Xian streets at night...

Alex and Louise - Elms Barn, Suffolk

Alex and Louise chose the beautiful Elms Barn in Toft Monks as their wedding venue, a gorgeous old barn dating back the 18th century with stunning gardens surrounding it. The couple had also booked the Stackyard Lodge, a gorgeous building next to the main barn which they and their nearest and dearest used to get ready for the most wonderful day. I was shooting for Katherine Mackintosh and we were blessed not only with beautiful Autumnal light but also the most amazing food and chocolate brownie ever (turns out Alex made the brownies, OMG Alex open a bakery)!

Here is a peak at some of the best bits from their wonderful day.

Jones' Family Shoot - Alton Water, Suffolk.

Introducing Evie and her little brother Finn....

Today I went for a walk with these two little munchkins and their mummy, taking photos as they shuffled through the Autumn leaves. We were blessed with gorgeous sunlight all morning which shone through the  different coloured trees at Alton Water in Suffolk where this shoot took place. They both looked adorable as they played in the leaves and ran around in matching Hunter wellies and just look at Finn's dicky bow tee-shirt!! I don't suppose i can buy one for my husband?...

If you would like some natural photos of your family or children please get in touch... These lovely photos will be adorning some Christmas Gifts for the Jones family soon.. x

Archie's First Birthday and Christening party.

On Sunday I had the wonderful job of photographing Archie, one of the most photogenic baby boys I have ever met! It was his christening and first birthday party, wrapped into one lovely celebration with family and friends, held at All Saints Church in Kesgrave, followed by his party at a local hall nearby.

It was a special day not just for Archie, but also Katie and James (mummy and daddy) who celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary next week. Family and friends from their wedding were invited along and travelled from afar to enjoy this lovely afternoon of family celebrations.

Archie looked super cute and very dapper in his dicky bow, shirt and braces! I've never seen a baby smile quite so much as Archie does. (I need my daughter to take note as we have hit the terrible twos in our household!)

It was a wonderful afternoon full of smiles, laughter and the most amazing home made scotch eggs! (Always handy when a family member owns a catering business!) 

Happy Birthday Archie and Happy Anniversary Katie and James x

Lisa and Andrew - Thornam Hall, Suffolk

Lisa and Andrew didn't let a bit of rain ruin their big day at the beautiful Thornam Hall on September 9th. I was shooting for Katherine Mackintosh and we had a great time capturing their wonderful day (and possibly the best crème brûlée EVER)! Here's some of the best bits from their celebrations > > >

Mini-moon or Wedding Anniversary getaway ideas....

Erm... where did August go??

August is a busy one for me not least due to family and friend's birthdays and wedding season but also its mine and my husbands own wedding anniversary this month! 

This year we have been a busy team especially with our little girl keeping us on our toes, so when I saw these photos of Croatia in Lightroom the other day I'll admit I faded into a teeny daydream thinking back to our anniversary holiday we took in the summer before she arrived.

I had wanted to visit Croatia for many years as my dad worked there during the war in the 1990's, delivering aid and driving medical staff to those in most need out in the small villages and towns around Croatia and Bosnia. I remember my dad telling me what beautiful countries they were and he wasn't lying!

We stayed on the beautiful car-free island of Kolocep, just off the coast of Dubrovnik. It was such a tranquil and peaceful place, with beautiful, winding paths zig-zagging the island. You can walk around Kolocep in a matter of hours. There was a tiny church that sticks out in my mind along with the endless olive groves and lemon trees along each pathway. You can also take a boat into the old port at Dubrovnik at night which is magical and Dubrovnik old town is steeped in history and a really interesting place to visit (*tip* get there early if there are cruise ships in port!)

From Dubrovnik you can then visit Montenegro (becoming a popular honeymoon/mini-moon destination) and also Mostar, in Bosnia, where my husband and I ventured to one day as my dad had been based here also during those years. Mostar is such an intriguing place I really hope to return and stay longer one day. In the short time we were there I managed to find the exact spot some of my dads photos had been taken - keep an eye out to see the photo of the now re-built beautiful 'Stari Most' bridge with my dads image from the wartime held out in front of it! Now that was all kinds of emotional for me!

If you are looking for some peace, beauty and sunshine I'd really recommend the Adriatic coast for a stunning honeymoon or anniversary destination!

Oh just take me back already..... *hopes the hubby reads this*