Two photographs of babies, one as she was born and another having her bath. Photographs taken during a birth photography session and a family photography session in St Albans.

If you are a busy mum or dad, and you are still reading this, this means I probably have 1 or 2 mins max left of your precious time before your brain reminds you of the other billion things that are on your to-do list. So I will try to be quick.

How many of the photos you have on your phone have you in them? How many photos that you have on your walls have you in them?

A pregnant lady is sitting right in front of the fan with her husband next to her laughing out loud. A photograph taken during a maternity photography session in St Albans.

A mum and dad are looking at their daughter run off. A photograph taken during a documentary family photography session in St Albans

When was the last time you sat down to look at a photo album? And did this album have you in it as a parent or is this album from decades ago when our haircuts were all wrong and outfits fairly dubious? 🤣 Despite the weird haircuts and outfits, though, did it feel absolutely wonderful to be able to look back at images with you in them ?

A father and a mother are feeding their daughter. Mum is laughing as she is drinking a cup of tea. An image taken during a family photography session in St Albans

A little girl is looking straight at the camera whilst her mum is tickling her face. A photograph taken during a professional family photoshoot in St Albans.

My passion is to document you. Not just take pictures of you, and provide images to put on your walls. But also to document, well, you and your family members with each other, within your family unit, responding to your family dynamics.

A couple are holding hands as they walk and in the distance we can see a cat walking alongside them. A photograph taken during a maternity photoshoot in St Albans.

A mum and dad are looking at their daughter running off and their cat is photobombing in the picture. A photograph taken during a documentary family photography session in St Albans.

Photo albums are powerful because they show the passing of time. And I can only document the passing of time… well over time…

This is the beauty of my “Year in the Life” work. And my “Year In the Life” work is my favourite work. It is my best work. Why is that?

Me getting to know you means my images become unique. I can capture a certain expression on your partner or child’s face that means something to you and you only.
You getting to know me means you feel entirely safe in your home. You trust my intentions, you trust my recording of your life, you know that your wellbeing is my absolute priority. I know your boundaries, what you are comfortable with and not so. And you know I won’t go “there”. And if you do want me to go “there”, you know your images are safe with me.
I am able to enable YOU to see how amazing YOU are. We only really accept compliments or positive views of ourselves when we believe in their validity or objectivity. Documenting you and your family over time does exactly that.

A expectant mother is holding up some bunting in the nursery. A photograph taken during a maternity photography session in St Albans.

A mother is holding her baby daughter in front of a wall that is populated with three framed pictures of her being pregnant, the baby being born, and her daughter at 4 months old.

Why is my Year in the Life package such good value?

My Year in the Life is all-inclusive. Prints, images, videography, you name it. It’s all included in this negotiable fee.
Would love to have the package but prefer 2-hour shoots and an album, rather than 4hours and prints? Tell me what you need and let me create a bespoke quote for you.
It’s good value because it’s my favourite work.

An expectant mother is standing in front of her mirror holding her bump. A photograph taken during a professional photoshoot in St Albans.

A father is holding is daughter and going past the same mirror mum had once stood in front of whilst pregnant. A photograph taken during a professional photoshoot in St Albans.

Who am I looking for?

I have space for two more families. I like to be able to give my families a lot of flexibility which means that I have to restrict the numbers I take on.
It’s vital that you love my style. But if you love it but also wanted some of your photos to be more posed, again, life is not black and white, I can start every shoot with a quick 15 min posed session so that you do also get your group shots that make such good Christmas cards.

A mother is looking at a book for expectant mothers and pointing at the cervix in the image.

St-Albans-DOcumentary-Family-Photography

Why me?

I am exceptionally discreet, relaxed and calm as a photographer.
I have extensive experience of working with children of all ages and abilities, having been a deputy headteacher and teacher for 12 years in my previous career.
The only thought-brigade I belong to is the no-to-judgement one. I think judgement is ruining our self esteem and our mental health. Whatever parenting methods you use are your tried and tested methods that work for you and your children. You NEVER have to feel you need to justify yourself however many tantrums there are in a session and however tired you may be.

You. Your story. Your family. Your wellbeing. That’s my passion.

Documentary Family Photography understands your family rhythms

Mother and child: family photography that celebrates the magic and chaos of motherhood