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.
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
Indoor and outdoor fun, craft, sandpits
Free
Runs until 31st August, from 11 to 3pm
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
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
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
Science museum
Free
Open daily
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…
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:
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!
