Top 5 locations for family photo sessions

I’m often asked where I would recommend as a good location for family photo sessions. I think it’s quite a personal choice about where you’d like to have your photos taken. With all my family sessions I want to capture you & your family as you are, no forced poses, nothing awkward, just documenting genuine moments that remind you of a happy time together and which you will keep coming back to again and again. With that in mind, these are my top 5 suggested locations:

1. Your choice - One of the first and most important things I always suggest is to have your photographs taken somewhere you feel comfortable and completely at ease. This will be different for each person, but if there’s somewhere you’d particularly like to be or regularly enjoy visiting as a family then choose that.

2. At home - It might seem like the most obvious choice, but often families who contact me assume that they need to ‘go somewhere’ to have their photo taken. You don’t. There’s nothing better than being in your own comfortable surroundings at home. It might not be ideal for everyone and for some there’s a level of anxiety about making things ‘perfect’ before inviting in any guests . You definitely don’t need to worry about that. Just be yourselves and think of me as a welcome family member who is happy to come and spend time with you as you are.

3. Outdoors - I’m a huge fan of being outdoors. You can get your steps in too - two birds with one stone and all. Any location is good - local parks, local walking routes. Anywhere you feel happy to roam.

4. National trust venues - Another outdoor venue of course, but with a number of locations to choose from round and about Manchester - Lyme Park, Tatton Park, Quarry Bank Mill, Dunham Massey to name a few, it seems wrong not to give them their own unique mention. There’s also the added bonus of seasonal events, a good national trust shop, cafe & facilities, to make it into more of a day out, if you’d like to. I think Lyme Park deserves a special mention for being the location of the ‘Mr Darcey lake scene’.

5. Around Chorlton, Didsbury & Sale - Incase you need some more food for thought, and as they’re local to me, here are a few of the locations where I’ve photographed families: Chorlton: Chorlton Ees, Chorlton Water Park, Longford Park, Alexandra Park (technically more Whalley Range I guess) Sale: Walkden Gardens, Sale Water Park Didsbury: Fletcher Moss Gardens, Didsbury Park

If you’d like to find out more about my family sessions, get yourself a copy of my family brochure.

Didsbury family photo session

When Amy phoned me to say that she wanted to do a family photo session before their round the world adventure, but there was only one date that she could do, I wasn’t sure it was going to happen. I’m glad it did though and we managed to squeeze in a morning photo session at Amy’s home before they had to pack up their belongings to head off travelling. 

Not just a photo session to capture the family together before travels began, it was also the littlest lady’s first birthday. Amy’s sister and nephew had already travelled up from London, with Grandparents arriving not long after me armed with a bagful of pastries from the very tasty la Choquette. I just about managed to resist the urge to snaffle the entire contents of the bag.

I love how uninhibited children are and after some initial curiosity over what I was doing, they all carried on playing and seemed to forget I was there. The bubble machine came out, there was whizzing down the slide and a lot of fun running about. The girls ‘big brother’ the bulldog even seemed happy to get in on a few family snaps and struck up quite a charming and regal pose, as you can see from the photos.

It was a great way to capture memories of time together before a big life change. 

If you’d like me to capture your family memories, get in touch for a copy of my family brochure.

Outdoor adventures with children

You might have heard me say this before, but… one of my favourite things is spending time outdoors, in nature. Just a little bit of time in a green space keeps my mood positive and gives me a boost when I need it. Not quite at the level of tree hugging yet, though a good friend of mine did try it and said it was surprisingly comforting.

It’s great to see how much my little girl also enjoys being outside - exploring, climbing and generally tiring herself out (another big plus).

As she gets older, we’re able to cover greater distances and I’m often on the look out for new places to visit. Here’s a little selection of those I’ve found so far which are worth a visit:

In and around Manchester

Walkden Gardens, Sale

I only recently found out about this little gem. Complete with a Japanese style garden, tree lined walkway, wooden carvings and plenty of hideaways. Well worth a trip.

Lyme Park, National Trust

One of my favourite places to visit, with great circular walks, highland cows to spot, dens to hide in and a fantastic children’s playground complete with giant slide and tunnels. The very strategically positioned cafe at the entrance to the car park is also useful bribery for covering the final steps.

Fairy Trail, Carrwood

You could while away a few hours here looking at all the little fairy homes, with plenty of charming details for small hands to enjoy. I think the hedgehog sylvanian family were my favourite addition the last time I visited with my daughter. It’s a little while since we visited so hopefully everything is still there.

The Carrs park, Wilmslow

Oodles of park land, sandy river banks to paddle and dabble your toes in, hills to roll down, a park to play in and plenty of local shops a stones throw away to stock up on picnic supplies (there’s a food theme here)

Healey Dell, near Rochdale

With both a waterfall to see and a tea room in what used to be an old station. Not sure which bit is my favourite.

Clifton country park

Loop round the lake and spot the wooden sculptures as you go. Keep your eyes peeled for the gruffalo with purple prickles all over his back!

Reddish vale country park

Bug hotel, woodland to wander in, butterfly garden a stream to dip your fishing net into and a great place for cycling/scooting.

Stockport air raid shelters

I had no clue these were even here until recently. A trip full of history.

Macclesfield Forest

A sea of forest to explore, you could lose yourself for a while here making dens, having a picnic or hot chocolate pit stop. There are also good circular walks out to Shutlingsloe and up to the Macclesfield Matterhorn, depending on how far you want to roam.

Nationwide

Walking with Kids | Facebook

- A community sharing details of good, little leg friendly, routes across the UK.

Branding photoshoot - Department, Chorlton

Department has been a much welcome addition to Chorlton, turning a once empty and forgotten space into a modern vintage lifestyle store. A few weeks back I met Heather, the creative behind department, and Simion of @relovedupholstery for a photoshoot. The images will be part of an upcoming Christmas feature on department for @reclaimmag, coming out in December. For those of you who haven’t yet visited Department, here’s a little more info about the store and the welcoming lady behind it, along with a few of the images from the day.

How would you describe your business?

I would describe it as a modern vintage lifestyle store which sells an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary furniture, art, decorative accessories, contemporary pre worn but selectively picked clothing and vinyl records.

How long have you been open?

We've been open for 5 months.

What made you decide to open department?

I've always thought that Chorlton and Manchester generally lacked a good vintage furniture store. I've been interested in mid century inspired interiors for the past 25 years and I trained as an upholsterer in the year 2000 and for many years I enjoyed transforming vintage chairs from fusty to funky. However I'm interested in the whole picture when it comes to interior design so not just reupholstering chairs.

I was offered the opportunity to open a shop in the shop premises on Barlow Moor Rd in Chorlton and I snapped it up. I had secretly been eyeballing interesting sellers on Instagram and has met a couple of people who deal in vinyl, vintage film posters and contemporary women's clothing and I invited a hand picked selection of cool vintage dealers but also a couple of contemporary clothing and homeware sellers.

What do you enjoy most about department?

What I enjoy about Department is making it look as good as possible day in day out. I love the environment that I have created which includes playing great music to sooth, excite and inspire people. And a lot of people say that they love the atmosphere of the shop which is a delight to hear.

What might people not know about department?

People might not know that Department is made up of some 30 different sellers and dealers. This helps to provide an ever changing variety of furniture, art, clothing and decorative accessories. I am an experienced upholsterer of 20 years and reupholstered vintage furniture is a speciality of Department.

Who makes up the team at department?

My main shop team are 2 of my associate sellers who are Lianne uber cool art dealer @rhoko.gallery and Angie of @landothepretty who curates an amazing collection of womens clothing including labels such as Marni, Margaret Howell and Agnes B to name but a few.

What are your top 3 tips about running your own business?

• Be warm and welcoming to all of your customers, show great interest in their homes and lives.

• Interact on social media and keep posting quality photos because social media has replaced the website and is so much more dynamic and interactive. Websites feel impersonal and staid, whereas on Instagram for example your customer feels connected to you.

• I guess my last tip would be to make time for yourself to relax and switch off when possible because running your own business can be 24/7.

How do you like to unwind?

I unwind by walking my Lakeland terrier Wilbur, going for a nice Sunday roast after the shop closes, listening to relaxing music, I'm a big fan of Didsbury born modern jazz musician Matthew Halsall and catching a new film at Home or an old film on the TV.

Hello baby! Newborn family photo session

Watch out! Womb warming images ahead…

You forget how quickly the newborn days pass. They’re literally here and gone in moments (not so, unfortunately, for those weary nights)…

But of course, you wouldn’t change it. All those tiny fingers, toes, little jerky movements, warm snuggles, teeny tiny clothes, that baby smell!

Unsurprisingly, I loved spending time with Elora and her family, capturing life with their newest addition, just over 2 weeks since he arrived. A morning of happiness, joy and exuberance. Here are just a few images from the morning…

P.S. Tap on the images to view!

What's on in school holidays

Nearly a week in and a mere 5 to go! I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on anything summer holiday related that’s passed my way. Asides from the eye watering prices of holidays abroad, here’s a good mix of ideas for events in Manchester that are either free or won’t leave you stunned by the price.

Enjoy!

Outdoor fun & adventure

• Art of play at the Whitworth

  Indoor and outdoor fun, craft, sandpits

  Free

  Runs until 31st August, from 11 to 3pm

• Conker crew

  Summer socials! Outdoor fun with stories, crafts and adventure

  £9.50

  5th, 8th & 22nd August

• Midweek magic at Dunham Massey

  A mixture of outdoor fun, story telling, fairy trails and an invitation to fancy dress Friday (you don’t need to ask me twice).

  Free if you’re a member

  Runs until 2nd September.

• The great garden adventure, RHS Bridgewater

  Lots of adventure and exploring in the gardens, including storytelling, welly walks and visits from birds of prey!

  Free if you’re a member

  Runs until 4th September

• Visit a garden in the skies!

  Temporary National Trust urban garden, at castle field viaduct.

  Free

Keeping active

• Free swimming sessions for children

  At a number of leisure centres across Manchester

• Simply cycling, Longford Park Track

  Try out every shape, size and style of cycle you can think of!

  £3 per person

  Mondays & Fridays 9 to 12, Sundays - 1 to 4

• Wythenshawe Games Mini Festival, Wythenshawe Park

  A weekend of games fun, including climbing, archery, British cycling and many more! Also activities for under 5s

  Free

  12th to 14th August

Wonderful world of stories

• Summer reading challenge at Manchester libraries

  Runs until 17th September

• Fairy tales, z arts

  Interactive, fairy tale town with caves, shops, a market place, the 3 bears and dressing up a plenty!

  £8 per child

  Runs until Feb 2023

Curious minds

• Musical Science at Chorlton Library

  Free

  15th August

• Museum of Science & Industry

  Science museum

  Free

  Open daily

• People’s history museum

  Described as the “national museum of democracy that takes you through the past, present & future of ideas worth fighting for”

  Free

  Open daily through school holidays
  

Keep your eyes peeled…

• Tipi cafe, Chorlton

  Keep a watchful eye on their instagram page for news of upcoming summer holiday events

And last but not least… these 2 dedicated websites, bursting with ideas of things to do across Manchester:

• Loads to do

• Visit Manchester

Conker crew and Our Kids Social outdoor fun!

Perhaps something to do with being a child of the 80’s, and spending a lot of time outdoors, but I am always drawn to nature and green spaces. I think one of the earliest photos of me is in a massive pram, tucked up tightly in blankets, out in the back garden. I used to spend hours with my sisters out in the garden, making mud pies, playing with toys, shuffling about in our ‘Wendy house’ handmade by our dad, or out in ‘the road’ (not the actual road, worry not, but the turning circle in front of our house) with our neighbours and friends, playing blocky, ‘tennis’ and tag, or riding our bikes along the pavements. I don’t think my dad was too impressed the time I came home having unearthed some actual dog poo with the remnants on my hands, but still…

Lots of happy memories of childhood that centred around the outdoors and that’s something that’s continued into my ‘adult’ life and is of big importance to me in my own little girls upbringing. So discovering conker crew was like being served a tasty dish of homemade, 80’s flavoured, fresh air, mud sprinkled (but without the dog poo) fun! With the heartiest, joy sprinkling, Geordie - Chantel, whose ease, warmth and friendliness has some kind of pied piper effect on children (without the grizzly end).

Real outdoor fun at its best, with something for all the gang - crafting, mud kitchens, sand pits, painting, willow crown making, snack sharing, music making - my little girl still sings the opening ‘camp’ song - “shout, shout, let it all out, here’s some hello’s we can’t (though she sang it as ‘CAN’ for quite some time) do without…”

So it felt like becoming one of THE crew when Chantel asked if I’d like to join her at an our kids social event in Manchester to photograph conker crew ‘on the road’. A whirlwind of colour, craft, pine cones, glitter, pom poms, music, flowers, laughter and nature! Most recently I joined the crew at the jubilee themed our kids social and got to bring my little girl and other half with me for the ride. Here are a few of the images from the day. I highly recommend giving both conker crew and our kids social a try if you haven’t already, you’ll be very glad that you did!