'Family Life' Photography

Home life is something solid yet transient: we live it every day, it gives us our sense of solidity and wellbeing. It is where we retreat to after a busy day, and it is the "hearth" of our life, where the heart of the family resides and from where we go forth into our individual worlds. Relationships are held there; it is the place where new life is most often created. It is for those with children the place where the joys and woes of life's journey begins, and for the child it is the centre of the universe. Conversely though, it is often the one part of life which isn't remembered in the form of really beautiful photography which captures the essence of the family unit.

Why is it then, we thought, that family photography shoots happen so much in studios and other places where the family ...don't live? Maybe the lighting can be better in a studio, and maybe the photographer's favourite park is more photogenic... but it isn't where the heart is. Of course there is a place for that, but we want to expand our horizons and offer something really unique and special.

So it's our decision to make a key part of what we do to capture the family unit as it exists. To be for that time the quiet observer of family life and reflect the everyday, priceless moments as you can never see it for yourself; the family as a unit with everyone in it.

We were lucky enough recently to do just that with Carla and Andy, a wonderful couple who had very soon before been joined by Edward, their first baby boy. It was truly special to be there in the warmth and special stillness of the three. An aura of calmness and love filled the house as the parents naturally directed their nurturing towards the baby; long minutes would go by where nothing was said as if a bubble existed around them as they gazed lovingly at their baby and marvelled at his perfection. We joined them for lunch too, and bathing and changing the baby - just taking part in a normal weekend day with the family. We said goodbye really feeling like we'd joined in the energy for the day and so found some lovely photos for them to keep always.