Hampshire Boudoir Photography, Southampton: Relaxing At Home

Posted on 10/06/2015 • Posted in Boudoir Photography

Something a little different on the blog today! I have been inundated with boudoir enquiries from ladies who love the idea of having a session but aren’t quite sure if they are brave enough. Some take the leap and others decide that they aren’t quite ready. When I heard from Lois, I knew we were going to get on like a house on fire and after her session I asked whether she would mind sharing her experience with you! So, in her own words, here is the beautiful Lois talking about her experience…

Q: What inspired you to want to do a boudoir session?
A: The photos were an anniversary present for my boyfriend but ultimately I went looking for this as an experience for myself. I had very low self esteem and couldn’t see what made me attractive, but I really wanted to change that. I decided that throwing myself into this experience could be invaluable! The Cole Portfolio was the only company I approached as, after reading about Abi and seeing the relaxed style of her images, I knew it was just what I was looking for!

Q: Did you have any worries or concerns?
A: I have a very small chest and was worried I would struggle to look seductive! I wanted the images to look relaxed and natural, like I’d just happened to wake up looking fantastic! I also have quite bad acne scars and have always felt self conscious of them. I told Abi my concerns early on, she was really understanding and brilliant at assuring me they were nothing to worry about.

Q: How did you plan for the day?
A: I had to sneakily finish decorating our bedroom without my boyfriend asking questions! I bought some new underwear that I knew I’d feel sexy but comfortable in. Abi recommended I have some options for layers on hand too. I also did some searching on Pinterest to help me feel more comfortable about what to expect.

Q: How did you feel on the morning of the session?
A:I was extremely nervous, which I’m sure Abi and Kelly picked up on as soon as they walked through the door! But they greeted me with hugs and we immediately got chatting and I was soon feeling much calmer.

Q: Tell me about the session…
A:Having my hair done with Kelly was a good chance to relax and feel pampered. Abi sat with me and we chatted, a bit about the shoot but mostly just about life! It was brilliant and made me feel more like I was among friends. The shoot flew by, I had so much fun! It was helpful wearing the different layers, like my boyfriends shirt or cardigan, so I didn’t feel too exposed. We did a huge range of shots in different parts of the house.

Q: How did you feel afterwards?
A: I didn’t want it to end! The way Abi directed me and was responding to the pictures as we went along made me feel really special. I loved every minute and just couldn’t wait to see the pictures!

Q: What about those concerns you had?
A: I never even thought of them during the shoot! Abi directed me brilliantly, understanding the natural, un-posed look I was after.

Q: What did you think of the pictures?
A: I absolutely love them and I can’t believe its me!! Its great having our own house in them and we used a few different rooms so there are a good variety. Abi had a great knack of making me smile and laugh and those are my favourite pictures.

Q: What did you partner this of the images?
A: He couldn’t believe I’d done it and thought they were amazing. We’ll be choosing a few for our bedroom wall, to remind us both what I achieved!

Q: Has the session changed you in any way?
A: The shoot made me feel much more confident straight away and it made me see what I do have that makes me attractive, as opposed to what I’ve always felt I’m lacking. Now I want to show everyone the photos!

Q: What would you say to someone who’s thinking of having a Boudoir session with Abi?
A: Do it!!! It can only make you feel brilliant about yourself. I believe Abi could make the quietest, most self conscious person feel fabulous & love every minute of it.

Pre-Wedding Photography, Romsey – Emma & John

Posted on 05/06/2015 • Posted in Pre-Wedding Photography

A couple of weeks ago I caught up with Emma and John for their pre-wedding session. We met at a family home near Romsey and enjoyed a stroll in the beautiful grounds with their fabulous family.

Emma and John are planning a natural and rustic themed wedding which they will be celebrating at Wickham Vineyard in August. I have been given a sneak preview of some of the details of the day and I honestly can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to documenting it all. In particular, I am drawn to these guys because the most important thing to them is each other and it is such a beautiful thing to see. Each of them seems to genuinely respect and enjoy each others company, they laugh together and mess about together and when you’re a photographer that loves capturing all the silly stuff, that’s great news!

Take a peek at a selection of images from their session, below.
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Yes – in case you’re wondering – this is them all dancing. I think they thought I was bonkers when I tentatively asked if they fancied giving it a whirl. I totally love them for it. x

Family Photography Sussex, Littlehampton.

Posted on 29/05/2015 • Posted in Lifestyle Portraits

Well, as locations go, this one was pretty astounding. Miles of unspoilt beach and an enthusiastic and fun loving family to photograph – perfect!

I hope they won’t mind me saying but Heather and Kieran arrived at West Beach, near Littlehampton, looking a smidge apprehensive. They had been bought a voucher as a gift and freely admitted that they woudn’t ordinarily have planned such a session…I gently reassured them that I wouldn’t ask them to do anything too terrible (!) and that we’d simply walk and chat and let the children do all the work for us. Well…the children quickly took off down the boardwalk and left us in their wake! With the wind in our hair and the children running around collecting shells and looking for mermaid glass, I was in my element! The only problem was a) staying focussed on my job (I was having way too much fun!) and b) catching the children for two minutes to photograph them! We took advantage of both the deserted sand and the fabulous dunes and even managed a few shots of just Heather and Kieran – which is really quite something as the children are expert photo-bombers. 🙂

I was delighted when they informed me at the end of the session that not only were they not traumatised but that they’d actually quite enjoyed themselves. Phew!

I followed up the session by enjoying a fabulous fishy lunch with my family at the East Bach Cafe at Littlehampton…a great way to wrap up any beach trip. My 3 year old was so excited to be having lunch in a crocodiles tummy! (You’ll have to Google it to see what I mean!) If you’re ever in the area, you should really check it out.

Enjoy the pictures!

Hampshire Family Photography, Portsmouth: The Hewitt Family

Posted on 29/05/2015 • Posted in Lifestyle Portraits

I first photographed Caroline when she was pregnant with Jackson and had the pleasure of returning, when he was just days old, to capture her family as they got to know the dynamics of their new, four person, family.

A year later, I was delighted to be invited back to photograph this family enjoying a stroll in the woods near to their home. Jackson, now one, and his big sister Jessica, were utterly adorable and aside from a sandal in the mud moment (Jessica) and an eating stones/crawling stumble (Jackson) the session went so well…these guys are, quite simply, a great family to be around. Alan didn’t mind having his head bitten by his son whilst carrying him on his shoulders, Caroline didn’t mind that her face got smooshed as her daughter threw her arms around her and the children clearly embrace every minute of being loved by their parents. It’s occasions like these, seeing families growing and playing together, that really do remind me how lucky I am to do this job.

Here are a few pictures from their session.
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Family Photography, Southampton: The Cooper Family

Posted on 26/05/2015 • Posted in Lifestyle Portraits

I am shocked at how this year has flown and horrified at how out of the loop I’ve been with blogging. I have had the BEST excuse in that I’ve been busy being a Mummy and moving house but also, lots of my work in the early part of this year has been Boudoir Photography and I’m not able to blog these sessions until the men that the images are intended for have seen them!

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from my first family session of the year; The Cooper Family. I knew Laura at school when she was close friends with my little sister. It was pure luck that I also had the pleasure of photographing her last year as she was Bridesmaid for the lovely Stephanie and Marc (you can see their wedding at the gorgeous Sandbanks Hotel, here).

On a lovely, sunny, Spring day we met at Victoria Country Park where we strolled and caught up on all that had gone on in the months since we last saw one another. The biggest topic of conversation was Laura and Ed’s gorgeous son, Joshua who, whilst not in the most cheery of moods, wowed me with some gorgeous grins whilst being launched in the air!

Enjoy the pictures and if you think you might like a session for your family, I’d love to hear from you!

Pre-Wedding Photography, Hampshire: Rachel & John

Posted on 13/05/2015 • Posted in Pre-Wedding Photography

They looked nervous, there was no denying it…perhaps it was the fact that the balmy beach weather we’d prepared ourselves for had disappeared and had left in it’s place a distinct chill? Or perhaps it was the sight of me in my wellington boots? Either way, Rachel and John looked ever so slightly unsure of what was ahead of them. Fortunately, 5 minutes later, John appeared entirely at home leaning against a beach hut and Rachel was giggling away in his arms!

From the moment we met up, in March of last year, and them telling me that they were envisaging something ‘different’ for their big day (I quote, a ‘rustic-shabby chic-geeky-steam punk-modern-vintage’ sort of a day) I knew I had to be involved. Ok, so I had to go away and Google ‘steam punk’ as I had no clue about that but the rest of it sounded entirely up my street!

A couple of weeks ago we headed out to Calshot, one of their favourite hang-outs, to capture a few images of them spending time together on the beach. Not only did they give everything I suggested a whirl but they threw in some cute stuff of their own and froze their feet in the icy water. Summed up? They were superstars!

With only a month or so to go now until their big day, I’m so excited to see how all their plans come together! Here are a few images from their session. Enjoy!