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    Family Sessions Revisited – The King Family

    December 8, 2021

    Documentary Photography Family Reunion Family Sessions Lifestyle

    My favourite shoots are where it all began, the Unscripted sessions.  And being able to return to the same families again and again is one of the best parts of my job.  So after 6 years in business, I am celebrating!! I have met some amazing people and photographed some lovely families and now seemed the perfect time to revisit those families and ask them about what the family sessions meant to them then and what the photos mean to them now.

    ‘The best photo is the one of all of us, I love it because it’s not posed, it’s a bit chaotic, but filled with so much happiness.’ – Rosie from the King Family.

    So we first had a family session with Claire back in 2016. My brother and his wife live in Canada and were heading back home for Christmas, and the session was their Christmas present to the family. Not going to lie, less than 3 months after having a baby I wasn’t overly thrilled about the idea of being on camera for photos and the video element just filled me with dread. But after about 5 minutes of Claire being there it was genuinely like she was just part of the family joining in with the festivities, I was so unaware of the camera so I just naturally relaxed back into my actual everyday self. It was honestly mind blowing that a stranger armed with a camera wasn’t actually intimidating and managed to feel like a long time family friends by the end of the session! Below are three of my favourite images from that session, and I must add that the video still makes every one of us cry each time we watch it (happy tears of course!).

    Family looking at newbornDad cuddling newborn babyMummy supporting newborn baby

    I love how the first one just captures Christmas in the Bainbridge house. My mam will be off in the kitchen, my dads faffing with the log burner and we’re round the table laughing. It’s just a photo no one would ever take, if that makes sense, but such a beautiful shot of everyday life. The second image took my breath away the first time I saw it. I can just feel the pride and the love pouring from David’s face. Being a new parent was absolutely exhausting so we’ve not really got many photos of us with Florence when she was a baby, just her on her own, so this photo is really precious. The third one I just think is super cute!

     

    Session 2
    The next time we used Claire was for Florence’s 1st birthday and again we had photos and a video. I wasn’t sure how the session would go as it was just me, David and Florence for the first portion so I was worried without the bustle of lots of people it might be awkward. It wasn’t though, again Claire just felt like a friend visiting. We chatted, had coffee, and all the while she secretly used her photography wizarding skills to capture so gorgeous images. These are some of my faves.
    Parents side by side little girl
    Close up of dogs faceLittle girl eats some fruitDaddy cuddles newborn

    Florence’s First Birthday Video

    Session 3
    This was a special birthday, Florence was 3 and Felix was 1. It was the first time my brother had managed to come home since I’d had Felix so it was the first time he had met him and the first time he’d seen Florence since she was a little baby. I really loved how this session went through the relaxed part of being at home to the hustle and bustle of friends and family. Again, guests at the party just assumed Claire was a friend, none could identify the photographer as she’s just so good at blending in and making everyone feel so comfortable! I could have chosen 1000 images from this session but have tried my hardest to keep it down to a few!
    Daddy cuddles little girlDaddy carries little girl on shoulderKids looking out of windowLittle girl washing handslittle girl in ballerina dressmum and dad cuddle kidsLittle boy feeds himself messily

     

    Image one above – well it says it all. It’s the feeling again! My brother hugging Florence for the first time since seeing her when she was 1. It gets me every time! It’s just love and relief all piled into one – that at last after a few cancelled flights he’d finally got to hug her. Same with the second, just the joy of Florence being swung around by David whilst he made the pancakes. It’s chaos, its slightly dangerous, but it is real life! The third one again is just one of those photos you’d never take yourself but is so fantastic at summing up the everyday. This was and still is a bit of a fave for the kids – standing looking out the window at the cars and people. It always makes me laugh when I think of people looking up and seeing them in just their pants! I have the one framed of Florence washing her hands and I know its a fab photo because my mother in law can’t cope with the fact we’ve evidenced her with a mucky face – but I just love how real life it is! The next photo of Florence outside I love because its a moment we would never have captured. On her own, walking along obviously over the moon with her sparkly pink shoes. I love her little smile, its not forced or posed and it’s so lovely to see her in such a precious moment that otherwise we would never have seen. The photo of all of us I love because again, it’s not posed. It’s a bit chaotic, but filled with happiness. And the last, in contrast to Florence and her banana at the same age, is just Felix all over. Unashamedly messy and mannerless! It’s so funny looking at the photos of Florence and Felix at the same age in the sessions because their personalities really do shine through!
    Boy standing on a table
    Session 4
    This one didn’t include any birthday celebrations – it was just at home and with a trip to the park. It was a funny day because Felix had decided it was the perfect time to be in the biggest mood of all time and I was a bit upset that he might spoil the session with his non stop tantrums. But actually, it resulted in one of my favourite pictures of all time (the first image below!). Again Claire was totally incognito as a photographer and it just felt like every other day, just with a friend round for coffee.

     

    Rosie and David, – I hope you enjoy reliving these moments as much as I enjoyed shooting them. You two are simply awesome parents.  Every time I see the effort, love, and fun you put into your family life, I am in awe.  Even your instagram account puts me to shame!  Your imagination for things to do, places to go, the energy you put into parenthood – whilst it could fill me with jealousy, it just spurs me on to do more and be better – it’s inspiring – you’re just fabulous.  And I think that shines through in your photos and films.  Added to that, your children are just adorable.  Thank you so much for your kind words about me and my work.  I can’t wait for another cuppa, another interesting baking episode and your next chapter.  xxxx

    So if you’re thinking of a family photography session, be like Rosie! Just book it!  There is no better time than now to preserve your own special family moments and cover your walls in the pics – so get in touch.

    xxx

    Here’s the video from Birthday Celebrations 2019.  It’s too lush for words.

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