Newborn sessions have a special place in my heart. I feel that this whole period of time is such a hazy blur - it’s lovely to have someone capture this so that you can re-live it all over again. I remember walking upstairs to see Mummy as she was changing her baby’s nappy, and almost squealing with excitement at this beautiful nursery. Then I found that mummy had painted it! I could hardly contain myself. 💛💛💛
I dare you to read this post and not feel even the teeniest bit broody!!
I just adore this age - when every tiny thing is fascinating. When the edge of the bed is non-existent because you have these handy things called parents to catch you when you fall.
Who needs a play gym, when Mummy hair is soooo much more fun? Or her nose, or Daddy's mouth for that matter... And the best seat of the house has just got to be in their arms, full of love and adoration. It was the perfect summer's day, and we spent the morning just relaxing at home, soaking it all in for a while.
It totally makes my day when I receive a review - thank you so much Wendy! It was such a privilege to be able to witness such a special moment in your lives - I absolutely loved it. Thought I'd reminisce and re-feature the images here too 😍
"Chui visited us in the hospital the morning after I'd had our third little one and captured the moment our two older boys came in to meet their brand new baby brother.
He was less than 24 hours old and I was in a bit of a haze having just had a c-section. I certainly didn't feel like I was looking my best ready for a photo shoot! Chui put us all at ease, managing to capture this personal and private moment without it feeling intrusive and took the most incredible photos!
Thanks to Chui's talent, we've got the most wonderful keepsake of the time our third baby came into this world, the moment our three beautiful boys met each other and some lovely shots of me and Daddy with our gorgeous new bundle!"
I'm doing a little personal project at the moment and put myself on the other side of the camera this morning. (A little spontaneously might I add, having thought little of my attire or our bed hair...) But I thought I'd share it here with you. I spend a lot of time in this chair. It is where the post production goes on. And sometimes I have a little help when I'm editing...
You can literally hear them reminiscing in years to come: 'Remember those weekends when we did cartwheels and tried to drink the water from the sprinkler in Grandma and Grandpa's garden?'
The other weekend, I wanted to jump right into this sprinkler as I was taking photos of these girls. And I did, mildly (anything for the shot!) But why did I need a camera in my hand for the permission to jump right in as well? It was so hot, I had been running around a lot, we had covered all of the family images, and it was the perfect way to end a session! But I stopped short, as to an extent I need to appear professional, right? And thought of getting completely drenched with no change of clothes, and driving home soggy wasn't hugely appealing...
And then it got me thinking - THAT is what the magic of childhood is all about. Living in the moment - throwing yourself into the middle of the fun, caring little about consequences. That wonderful freedom and zest for life that having an organised parent or two behind the scenes allows...
THESE are the memories being created right now, and I absolutely LOVE to capture them. Anyone else want to play? 😃
Climbing trees and blowing Dandelions have got to be an absolute must on a childhood summer bucket list. It's well worth the holding of your breath as you watch them, or mentally giving up a little space on your lawn for more dandelions next year, just to see the joy on their faces! And is it just me, or does anyone else out there think that dandelion seeds look like flying fairies and fairy dust?
I hope you're having a lovely weekend in the sunshine! ☀️
I absolutely adore home shoots. They are such a wonderful opportunity to document your every day! Think of it as your family history in the making - remembering all of the little things that made home 'home'.
I spent such a fun morning hanging out with this gorgeous family, doing things that they love to do - making smoothies, doing make up, and tickling so much that no one knew whose arms and legs belonged to who, or which way up was the right way up! Playing ice cream shop, snacking, jumping, crawling, face-timing Grandparents - I honestly could have stayed there all day! 😍
I feel so lucky to be able to take photos and connect to such lovely people! I spent the most glorious Saturday morning enjoying the last of the bluebells in the sunshine, with this gorgeous family to mark their daughter turning the grand age of 1 😍
That wonderful age when they are taking their first steps, when they're learning to clap, and when they are discovering something new every 5 minutes. It was an absolute joy to watch!
When a photographer friend called me up spontaneously one morning to say she'd like to travel across from London to the Cotswolds to have a family maternity shoot that very same day - the pressure was on! 😬
They turned up, got changed at the car, and we captured this! I'm sooooo in love with every image in this whole gallery, and found it ridiculously hard to choose some sneak peeks!! In fact, I'll just go ahead and overshare...
I hope you love your images Ines! It was such an honour to capture you and your gorgeous family, and your most unbelievably perfect bump and the most adorable little girl!! 😍😍😍
I’m so thrilled (and beyond shocked) to share the news that my image was awarded 1st Place in the Child Category of the International Lemonade & Lenses Photography Competition! This accolade means that I am now officially an Award Winning Photographer! 😮
Lemonade & Lenses are a big deal in the photography world, educating and featuring some amazing artists in their publications. As part of the prize, they will be interviewing me! Not nervous about that. At. All.
With thanks to my lovely sister, who was pushing my daughter on the swing as she giggled away, trying to touch the leaves on the tree with her toes...
Newborn sessions just melt my heart! ❤️ Welcoming a new member of the family is such a precious time in your lives and it's such an honour to be invited to capture it. Looking at this beautiful mama, it’s hard to believe that this little guy is 8 days new! And it was so sweet to see this little one so soothed by his father's voice. There are so many to share from this session, but I'll hold back and just start with these! 😍
I normally photograph families with younger children. But when I was asked to capture the fabulous blogger Emma with her 3 children together before her beautiful eldest daughter leaves the nest for University (and possibly the family home for good) - it really struck a chord with me.
Precious years fly by, and before we know it our children grow up. I find it so rewarding to be able to tell your story and capture the connections between you and your loved ones - freezing the memories so that you can look back on them and smile.
Do check out Emma and 3 - Parenting and Family Blog if you have time - it's full of current articles and ideas for young to the not-so-young children. And can we just take another moment to appreciate your fabulous coat please? #coatenvy
I hope you love your images - and all the best for Uni and the amazing adventures ahead! xx
Remember my competition to win a family photoshoot back in November?
Well here's the winning session!
I spent a fun morning with the beautiful Hughes family in their home on a rainy day. By the end of the session, all of our cheeks were aching from laughing so much and I almost won a gorgeous dog to take home myself!
And can we just stop to appreciate how awesome and in love these guys look together?! 😍
I hope you love your photos Dani Hughes and Andy Hughes!
As I sit here drinking coffee in my messy house, bleary eyed, with a slightly pounding head, having worked late into the night, and then been up in the night with my not-so-little one ...
This feeling took me back to when the girls were teeny, when going to the the toilet by myself was a luxury, when getting out of the house could take the best part of an hour, and then having to change them again as I stepped out of the door was almost too much.
So when someone says to you enjoy every precious moment, when you barely have a moment. It really isn't that helpful.
I just wanted to give a big shout out to the amazing mums out there who are exhausted. It is hard. It can be relentless. There's absolutely no denying that. And I guess that's why I take photos - so that I can remember the moments in between, when the sun shines...
Here's to my lovely mama friend who I admire so much - Danni Hopkins. I took these photos so that you can remember these moments one day... the hazy days of the most adorable sweet baby cheeks, kisses, dribble and dungarees ❤️
Every family has a different story. And that's what I love to capture.
Which is why when I was asked if we could hold their family photoshoot at Stanway House, Cheltenham, where they got married - a place filled with wonderful memories, full of smiles and laughter (and a whole lot of rain), I said of course we should!
So it was fitting that when given the option to reschedule, that they wanted the show to go on despite the drizzle! Victoria Warwick - I just loved the spirit of you and your family and the fun that you have together - it was an absolute joy to photograph! I hope you love your images!
Chui King Li | Award-Winning Newborn, Child and Family Lifestyle Photographer
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds
