Time is passing so quickly....

It’s hard to take a deep breath right now, summer was a lazy blur of activity which seemed endless at the time, but now seems forever ago! In the constant juggle of balancing home, work, and kids, it often feels like time slips through our fingers and before we know it, they’ll have grown out of their shoes again!

I’m finding it increasingly challenging to fit it all in while trying to maintain my sanity - in fact, we simply can’t do it all, and it’s essential to hold space for ourselves amidst the chaos of our daily lives.

One thing that truly grounds me though - is taking photos. It allows me to breathe slower, take everything in, and concentrate on the elements that truly matter - the little things that we love about right now but often take for granted. I bring this same philosophy to my photoshoots, creating a space where families can pause, reflect, and simply be in the moment.

I’m excited to share a few images from a wonderful shoot we had to celebrate a milestone birthday - a great opportunity to reflect. We enjoyed a slow morning together, savoring homemade banana bread paired with rich, ice-cold milk, twirling around and laughing as time felt like it stopped still…

Bottling up your memories in photos...

If you’re interested in a beautiful portrait of your child amidst the blooming flowers in a lovely field in the Cotswolds, then I’ll happily oblige and craft a stunning image for you. But on the condition that that is not the only thing that I will photograph… My sessions are about more than just capturing a single image; they focus on documenting the best day from your family’s everyday life - a day that you will always remember.

I firmly believe that the genuine moments shared with your loved ones are what truly matter and deserve to be captured. Part of my process is dedicating the time to understand your family—what makes each member unique, as well as the dynamics that define your relationships. This personal connection allows me to capture the real connections and emotions that exist within your family.

My goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere where you can be yourselves. It’s not about posing, it’s about celebrating the little things that make your family who you are. Each session presents a wonderful opportunity to freeze time and create a stunning collection of images that you and your family will appreciate for years to come.

For instance, this family wanted their shoot in the picturesque Cotswold Lavender Fields, which is an obviously beautiful backdrop. However, during my onboarding process, I discovered that they had loved flying their kite, so I asked them if they could bring the kite along with them. And I’m so glad that I did!

It infused a sense of adventure into the afternoon, and it was truly lovely to watch and capture the children's excitement and joy as they played—everyone had a brilliant afternoon running around together. These are exactly the kinds of experiences I live to capture—this is more than just a photoshoot; it’s a real memory.

What memories would you like to preserve for your family? Let’s work together to create something meaningful that reflects your family’s unique journey.

Birth Photography

I was so excited when Rosie and Rose asked me to photograph their birth! We clicked when I came over to photograph their Maternity Photos. What I love about them is that they are exactly as you expect them to be, so warm, funny and natural - with no pretensions. I just knew that they would make such an awesome birthing team, and I couldn't wait to bottle up these amazing memories for them.

It was a big commitment though. I was on call weeks before the due date with my kit bag packed and ready to leave at the drop of a hat, not being able to be more than 2 hours away from home. I knew the many unknowns of the journey that a birth may take, and wanted to do my best to capture it in the most honest and beautiful way possible for them. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous - knowing that I had zero control of this entire process.

However, if there is one thing that I could say that I love photographing most - it is pure and tangible emotion between loved ones. And the process of giving birth is one where strength, connection, support, resilience, joy and raw emotion collide in one short space of time.

We had been making jokes and placing wagers on when their baby would arrive. A week before her due date, Rosie had thought she was in labour, which turned out to be braxton hicks. Fast forward to a week after her due date, we were in touch for 36 hours whilst she was at home and in early labour. I knew we were in for the long haul from here on.

Although they had originally planned a home birth, at the time, it was tricky liaising with the midwives on call. And whilst Rosie had done so well to stay at home for this long, they made the decision to head into Cheltenham Birth Unit to see how she was progressing. Amazingly she had dilated to 6cm at home, so there was no turning back from this point. I wolfed down my dinner, kissed my little girls goodnight, and rushed out of the door to meet them - at around 8pm.

It was so lovely to see them again and share the excitement that they would soon be meeting their long awaited baby! Rose was in her crocs busily organising their things, and Rosie was on the bed drinking up gas and air, doing her make up in between contractions and striking diva poses! I mean, I knew she was going to be amazing and strong, but this was on another level!

One of the things that I’m most passionate about is telling your story, capturing your true emotions with my photos. These are your memories - not mine. Part of my process is getting to know you on a personal level. It allows me to zone in on what is before me - finding the best angle to tell your story, using light to enhance the emotion, anticipating the exact moment to click the shutter. For Rosie and Rose, what I saw was the many facets of their wonderful relationship, they have so much fun together, are so supportive of one another, and were on this journey to parenthood as one.

Rosie moved to the Water Bath, breathing through her contractions via the birthing lifeline that is gas and air. Rose was by her side every step of the way, tirelessly making sure that Rosie was as comfortable as she could be under the circumstances, keeping things positive and upbeat, getting snacks and drinks, keeping family updated and staying super strong when things got tough...

And they got tougher. The clock crawled towards 12:30am, the time at which the midwives said they would measure Rosie again. Amazingly she had made it to full dilation (10cm) on just gas and air, which we were so excited about…

However progress slowed as Rosie was understandably getting tired after such a long time. She powered through nonetheless - again Rose barely taking a breath for herself, making sure that she could help and support in any way that she could.

The timings were such that the midwives were minutes away from blue lighting Rosie to hospital for possible intervention, which none of us wanted, especially having come this far. This is the point where true resilience kicked in.

It was now all down to Rosie, who despite being exhausted by now, drew upon all of her strength within her - and after what seemed like an eternity at the time, their baby boy finally made it earth side, just after 3am in the morning.

Being invited into this private space to document this for Rosie and Rose was a true honour. I hope that you see their inner strength, humour and the love that they have for one another in the photos. What a wonderful inspiration and a rock solid team they are! Ziggy Wilder is a lucky boy to have them both as his parents.

Making Childhood Memories at the Beach

Cornwall (or any west facing beach to be quite honest) When the tide is out as the sun goes down, magic happens...

I love photographing at the beach, and end up having as much fun as the children… We go to Cornwall every year, and each year I toy with the idea of extending my trip and offering shoots out whilst I'm down there... Let me know if you’d like to capture some family holiday memories next year!

Here are a few of my photos whilst I we were on holiday…

A frosty Walk in the Cotswolds

Just sharing a few photos as we took a break from homeschooling today, as the news at the moment is so heavy, and I wanted to post something positive.

It was so just what the doctor ordered to soak the sunshine. The frost was magical. I thought about how nature endures so much, as I focussed on the leaves that are covered in frost.

The value word that the school are focussing on is Perseverance. I’ll be honest, screen based schooling is something that feels so misaligned with my values - yesterday I really struggled with the concept that this is how they will be learning for the forseeable future. But the school are doing their very best, and amazingly in the current circumstances.

And when the teacher read out a story based on the poem The Race by DH Groberg this afternoon, it really hit home - I felt quite emotional. This is so very hard. Picking ourselves back up time and time again is . But we’re doing this in the best way that we can. Let’s keep going. We’ll get there.

Sending light and hope to all. Please reach out if you need.

Sharing our Snow Days in the Cotswolds...

Freezing time. Photography for me is not just about capturing the best portraits (whilst they are part and parcel of the process). It’s about capturing the best feelings that we have in our hearts right now. My aim is for you to hear the laughter, feel air on your faces, and relive this time every time you see them…

We were so lucky to have had snow in the Cotswolds just after Christmas. It was the perfect pick me up to take us through the coming weeks. We took the girls sledging, and we all screamed as we hurtled down the hill. I bottled up our joy as I do, and thought I’d share some with you here…

The Perfect Christmas Tree

For those of you who are seeing everyone’s picture perfect Christmas photos and feeling like yours is not quite enough, or not there yet…

I see you, I am you, and I raise you our Christmas Tree - decorated courtesy of the girl’s toy Dragons… I’m considering keeping it this way this year… for if this year has taught us anything, it is to let go of perfection and embrace what we have…

Maternity Photoshoots - and why you deserve one.

When you’ve have been growing a baby inside you, this amazing process that your body goes through needs to be celebrated.

The process can feel like a marathon. Those early days of nausea, the copious amounts of water in order to get a decent scan, the nights where you can’t sleep, the possibility of getting stretch marks and varicose veins… not to mention this year in particular, when the concept of birthing with your partner present is not a given right.

You deserve to see how beautiful you are right now. You deserve these photos to see how strong you are. Your little one will be able to see how excited you were, waiting to finally meet them and the excitement of the journey that you will all be going on together as a family.

If you are in 2 minds as to whether you should book a bump shoot - please take it from me, who made this mistake twice. The only thing that you will regret is not booking one.

Do you have a husband / partner who hates having his photo taken?

Confession - it's been ages since I've taken photos of the girls with their Daddy. He's not a big fan of the camera, so I don't pressure him most of the time. However I couldn't resist this weekend when they happened to coordinate so well and I was scouting for Autumn colour... 

If you have a husband/partner who doesn't like being photographed, send him my way - I do love a challenge. Over the years, I have honed down ALL the skills to make these reluctant Dads look like they’re enjoying every second - they even leave the shoot with a real smiles on their faces, thinking they had fun.

** Last few sessions for 2020 left before I close my books **

Autumn family photoshoots in the Cotswolds - don’t let another year go by without capturing these memories…

Autumn has got to be my favourite season for outdoor family photo-shoots. We all have memories of swishing through the leaves and collecting nature’s treasures as children. I have several favourite locations in and around Cheltenham and the Cotswolds with beautiful Autumn colour and fun to boot. Watching your children run around in the fresh air, with a hot chocolate promise on return has got to be a highlight of this time of year… plus these photos also double up as the perfect Gift to Frame for Grandparents at Christmas!

Let’s book! Easy right??

But…I still have lockdown love handles.

I hear you. I’ll do better than that. I AM you! I promise - I know all of the tricks to photograph you looking your best (I’ve used them on myself)

But I feel so awkward in front of the camera.

SNAP! Me too!! And because I know how this feels, I spend all of my energy helping you all feel comfortable in front of the camera. Every family is unique, and I have worked with so many parents saying beforehand that they don’t like having their photo taken. Everyone leaves their shoot thinking it was more fun than they thought was possible - even the reluctant Dads! Promise!

But my children are ferral! They hate the camera! They don’t stop still. And they do that awful grimace smile on cue.

That’s not your problem - it’s mine. I’m up for the challenge, and I’m yet to be defeated.

Ahh, but I’m not as beautiful as your normal clients.

Now that is absolute rubbish. My normal clients are normal people - no different to yourself! Please speak to yourself as if you were your best friend. You are beautiful - your children think so too, and they love you because you are their world. Please don’t let this terrible excuse be the reason that you don’t exist in your children’s memory books.

I’m on a quest to make sure that you allow this one indulgence. Be in these memories with your children. With almost a whole year of uncertainty - I promise you that booking a photoshoot to celebrate your family having fun outside together will be one of the best things you will have done this year. No buts.

So I’ve opened up a space in the diary to accommodate 3 families for shorter family photoshoots - they’re not mini sessions, but they’re shorter than my normal shoots…

holding hands toddler sunburst.jpg

Who’s in?
Autumn (not a mini) Family Photoshoot in Cheltenham
Only 3 slots available
Sunday 25th 2020 | 45mins | 5 images | £199

What do you want to freeze about right now?

Photographing a feeling is more important to me than anything else. And I love capturing these heartfelt moments for families.

I want you to see these photos, and remember how your baby feels in your arms, the way your child plays with your hair, or the feeling of the breeze as ran past you. Life with children can be hectic, and these fleeting moments pass so quickly that they’re gone before you can blink. If you could freeze time right now, what feelings would you like to remember about this time? What would you like your children to remember about their childhood, and what would you like your children to remember about you?

Let me capture it for you, so that you can treasure these moments forever. Sharing a few photos from this beautiful family in the Confetti Fields over the summer.



Donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust

There is a wonderful charity in Hereford called The Little Princess Trust who make wigs out of real hair donations, to give to children with cancer - to help restore their confidence and identity.

Having missed a cut during lockdown, it had grown as long as ever grow it. So I felt that if I were to donate my hair - it was now or never. I had considered doing this in the past, but each time I put it off, with an excuse every time, knowing that I have never looked good in short hair. But this was a choice for me. It isn’t a choice for others.

So to hold myself accountable, I announced that I would be doing this, and set up a JustGiving Page to raise extra money and help fund the creation of the wig that my hair would go into - each wig costs £500 to make.

My daughters have only ever known me with long hair. I explained to them that it was for a good cause, and it would make a poorly child feel a tiny bit better inside. And that whilst I would look very different, that I would still be the same inside.

However, none of us were looking forward to it. I resigned myself to thinking that I’d buys lots of hats and scarves to hide it for 6 months whilst it grew back and I took this photo a couple of days before my cut, just in case I didn’t want to take any more until my hair grew back.

The Cut

Rob Hicks Salons had just opened round the corner to me in Cheltenham. We got chatting, and he generously offered to cut my hair for free. I had never never met him before - let alone had a a haircut with him, but took a chance based on his resume - and the fact that his salon looks amazing. This could have gone either way though…

The process was terrifying. The experience of having 14 inches of my hair split into 4 ponytails and chopped off all at once was, for want of a better word - brutal. I felt nervous, shaky, and even angry with myself for having made this decision, but kept thinking of the cause, and the poorly child that my hair would go to. What I was going through was a tiny fraction of their experience.

During this whole process, Rob Hicks couldn’t have been be more friendly, enthusiastic and reassuring. This wasn’t intended to be an advert for him - I had no idea if this cut would turn out well. But honestly, if you want a good cut and feel really well looked after - book in here (and tell him I sent you!): www.robhickssalons.co.uk

The Result

To be totally honest - I left in shock (I still am). But I know that this will grow on me (pardon the pun). I’m so grateful to every single person who has supported me during this process - both with their kind wishes, and generous donations. The total money raised so far for the Little Princess Trust is now £1194 - which is almost enough to fund the making of 3 wigs for poorly children. Please click here for anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause.

I’m still getting used to the cut, but would go as far to say that this is quite possibly the best result that I could have had. I couldn’t have been in better hands, my heart has been warmed by the kindness from friends and family, and my hair couldn’t have gone to a better cause.

Sunflower Field Family Photoshoot Cotswolds

When you have a photographer friend who has beautiful children, loves sunflowers and eats sunbeams, it’s only fitting that we met up at this beautiful field in the Cotswolds and take photos of each other…  @andthensheclicked I loved photographing you and your gorgeous tribe 😍

** Get in touch if you’d like a photoshoot at this amazing Sunflower Field - it’s stunning here, and they’ll only be out for a couple of weeks **

Chui King Li | Award-Winning Newborn, Child and Family Lifestyle Photographer
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds