FAQs

How do we enquire?

Use the Contact form below to share some basic information about your family (number of people, children's ages, pets), your preferred location (park, beach, forest, etc.), and a preferred date plus a few alternatives. Please note – I live in Darlington, and the prices of these shoots include travel within a 30-minute drive of the town. I’ll be in touch via email to let you know if your preferred date and time are available. Once we agree on a place and time, everything is booked in and ready to go.

Can we download all the images as hi-res files?

Yes! You can download as many of the images from the gallery as you like. There are no restrictions - If the gallery contains, say, 30 hir-res images, you can download all 30. 

Who are you?

Hello! As you can see from this website, my main photography work consists of weddings and other social events. This is something that I’ve been doing since 2007. However, my interest in photography started way before that. I began ‘messing around’ with cameras and films when I was about 15 or so, which was in the late 80s. I had grand plans to be a photographer at the NME, or some fearless expedition photographer for National Geographic. Neither of those things happened! Instead, I spent most of the mid-90s at Art College studying Fine Art and Photography. I then trained to be an Art Teacher. For almost 20 years, I taught Fine Art and Photography, primarily at FE and HE levels, and latterly in SEN. I left mainstream teaching a few years ago. What do I do now? Well, I take copious amounts of photographs and restore furniture (yes, that’s an odd combination, I know!). You can read more about me on the ‘About’ page (if you really want to). 

Do you need to know anything about us?

Yes, I will send you a pre-shoot questionnaire. This lets me know you all a little better and tells me what you would like to get from the photoshoot.

How do we pay?

Payment is due in full on the day of the photoshoot.

What about the weather?

I closely monitor the Met Office weather app and will carefully assess the weather conditions leading up to your photo session. My policy is to proceed only when I am confident that the conditions and location will enable me to deliver a great photoshoot. Please plan for your session to go ahead as scheduled; I will contact you only if the weather forecast becomes uncertain.

What do we wear?

Ah, the number one question! Firstly, make sure that everyone is comfortable and feels good wearing whatever they choose to wear. Colours - I would suggest complementary, muted or pastel colours like creams, greys, blues, and soft pinks - I would aim to coordinate, but not match. If possible, avoid distracting logos. Likewise, if everyone wears muted autumn tones and one person goes full technicolour, it’s going to look odd! This is something that we can talk about before your shot if you're a little unsure. 

Can we bring pets?

Yes, I love dogs, so please feel free to bring your family pooch(es). Having said that, please be aware that you will probably want some photographs of you all without the dog(s), so a suitable safe place, or a tether may be needed (or a dog of exceptional temperament!)

How many people can we bring?

All outdoor photoshoots are for a maximum of 6 people. Extra numbers can be accommodated with advance notice at the time of enquiry.

What about Sickness and bugs?

I have two kids of my own, and I’m a human being, so I fully understand the ups and downs of bugs and viruses with little kids (and the big ones). If any of your family members are unwell on the day of the shoot or on the days leading up to it, please let me know, and we can work towards a new date and time.

How long does it take?

Each session lasts up to an hour.

What happens afterwards?

Once I get home, I back up the images and set to work on the edits (this can take up to a few days depending on how many shoots I have to edit). When they are all ready, I will upload them to your own private gallery. I’ll then send you a link. You put the kettle on, make a brew and look at your epic photographs :-)