Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
The Best Bluebell Woods in Hertfordshire
It’s almost Bluebell season, when the woods magically come alive with a beautiful sea of purple. As photographers in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire we’re so incredibly lucky, as just on our doorstep, we have some of the country’s most beautiful Bluebell woods. We’ve put together a guide to the best spots…
The best time to visit Bluebell Woods in Hertfordshire
Bluebell season does vary a little year to year, and by region, but here in Hertfordshire it is usually late April to mid May, with the beginning of May pretty much guaranteeing you a good show.
Protecting the Bluebells
We do bang on about this, and photographers rightly have a bad reputation among conservationists for this – but not us!
Bluebells are protected by law, under The Countryside Act 1981. This means it is illegal to wilfully damage the plants – including picking or trampling them. In fact, if the flowers or plants are damaged, they won’t come back the following year. This is why you often see Bluebell woods fenced off or special paths constructed through them – to protect them from your feet. Please do stick to these paths and explain to your children why they need to do so, helping protect these beautiful flowers for generations to come.
We’re so passionate about this at Lightmonkey, we shoot from clearings and paths, using clever angles to make it appear as if our clients are sat amongst the sea of flowers. We play games with our little clients to help them avoid the flowers when moving through the woods and we have been helping our local National Trust team, at Ashridge Estate, along with a group of other local photographers, to work with and educate both the public and other photographers to help safeguard these flowers.
The National Trust have a great guide to help you photograph Bluebells which you can read here.
Ashridge Estate
Of course our favourite place to see the Bluebells is Ashridge Estate, where we have been running Bluebells sessions for eight years. This is one of the best places in the country to see Bluebells with stunning displays every year.
The most popular spot is Dockey Woods, where paths are cleared annually by the National Trust to manage the thousands of visitors who flock to see the breathtaking carpet of Bluebells. The National Trust often charge a small entrance fee to Dockey Wood, to help cover the conservation costs.
If you’d like a quieter spot, then there are two waymarked routes that run from the visitor centre and maps are usually available. The staff at the visitor centre are always super friendly and happy to point out the best routes.
The most up to date information can usually be found on The Ashridge Estate Facebook page here and information on how to find the visitor centre and other FAQs can be found on their website here.
2. Whippendell Woods
Whippendell Wood is an ancient woodland on the outskirts of Watford covering over 165 acres and is well known for its Bluebells. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and also links up to Cassiobury Park. If you park in the car park off Grove Mill Lane there is a short circular walk and you can’t miss those stunning purple flowers. Info and location here.
3. Oxhey Woods, Watford
This is a fabulous woods for families with little ones - the trails are wide and smooth enough for pushchairs. There is a sculpture trail, a great playground and a choice of walking routes including a short 1km circular route from the car park. For more info click here.
4. Heartwood Forest, near St Albans
Heartwood Forest is a newly planted forest developed by The Woodland Trust. Within it is the ancient woodland called Langley Woods, the best spot for Bluebells. The flowers are protected by roped off pathways so they can be enjoyed by the thousands of visitors who flock here every year without being damaged. There is also plenty to keep little ones entertained including a natural playground, den building areas and the Magical Woods where you can find lovely carved woodland creatures. There is a free car park but it does get busy at weekends, details here.
5. Wendover Woods
Just over the border into Buckinghamshire is beautiful Wendover Woods in the Chilterns Hills. It’s a great spot to see Bluebells. It has a lovely new cafe, natural play areas, a one mile play trail suitable for all ages, Go Ape treetop courses and even its very own Gruffalo. There is a large car park which has a small charge, information here.
6. Gustard Wood
Gustard Wood is one of Hertfordshire’s best kept secret Bluebell Woods and as a result, when the likes of Ashridge and Heartwood are heaving, Gustard Wood is fairly quiet.
This small woodland is on the outskirts of Wheathampstead and the Bluebells are found in Lamer Wood, along a 1.5 mile looped path. It can get very muddy so definitely isn’t suitable for pushchairs or very little legs.
There is no official car park, but there are some handy lay-bys on Lamer Lane, the B651. A great place for refreshments before or afterwards is the nearby Cross Keys Pub.
A lovely 1.5 mile trail is detailed here on the Hertfordshire Walker website, along with a map and GPS information.
7. Tewin Orchard Nature Reserve
This beautiful old style village Orchard bursts into colour in the spring with cherry blossom and Bluebells in the neighbouring ancient Hopkyns Wood. It is a bird watcher’s paradise and even offers Badger watching evenings.
Parking is simply in grass bays to the left of the track and there are no facilities on side. But nearby Tewin Bury Farm Hotel offers traditional delicious English Cream Teas in The Cowshed (a lot posher than it sounds and its a good idea to book) or Breakfast and Lunch in the Farm Shop Bar and Terrace.
More information here.
We hope you find some beautiful spots for enjoying the Bluebells this year. Of course, if you’d like some beautiful photographs taken amongst these stunning flowers you know who to call. We’re running full and mini sessions this year and all the information you need can be found here. We hope to see you in the woods!
How to style your family for an Autumn Photoshoot!
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
Autumn is the most beautiful time for family photos and we’re so lucky here in Berkhamsted and Tring to be surrounded by some stunning woodland, not least the stunning Ashridge Estate.
But what you wear can make a huge difference to how your images turn out. Your clothes can complement those gorgeous Autumn colours and really make them pop. However the wrong choices can fight the eye for attention and make your pictures look messy, dull and a little in time a little dated - and even the best photographer can’t do a huge amount to remedy that.
Earthy, neutral tones help bring out the subtle Autumn colours early on and don’t fight for attention.
Whatever choices you make, it’s important to coordinate. We’re not talking matching outfits, but pick a couple of colours and go with it.
Unsurprisingly, Autumn colours look awesome. The yellows - mustards and chartreuse - which are in all the shops this year, offer a gorgeous colour pop and look gorgeous teamed with denim and navy. Deep autumnal reds, wines and burgandy shades are a little more subtle and also look stunning with the falling leaves. And there are a whole host of neutral shades - camels, creams, dark greens and navy - if you’d like sometime a little more subtle.
Here are some great examples of how yellow and mustard shades can work beautifully. If you’re not brave enough for full on colour then just a scarf with a navy outfit works beautifully.
Keep it simple (and easy…)
It doesn’t have to complicated either. Autumn is the one time I insist on getting family images of my own gang. With two boys and a reluctant husband, precise styling or buying special outfits is never really an option. So every year I stick to the same palette of navy and burgundy. And since my little girl arrived we have added a pop of blush pink (which totally breaks the Autumn colour rules but seems to work…. See the last two Autumn outfits from my own family below.
I’ve put together a Pinterest board which you can see here to help you style your shoot. Its full of pins like this:
Mothers' Day - sorted and sourced locally.
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
As a local business, based in Berkhamsted and Tring, we understand the importance of supporting local. So we thought we’d save you the leg work and sort your Mother’s Day gifts whilst also giving some of our local small businesses a shout out.
Say it with words…
First of all lets talk cards. We love Boxmoor based Miss Shelly Designs, whose quirky handcrafted cards offer something a little bit different (www.missshellydesigns.com). Check out her lovely personalised gifts while you’re there including this gorgeous personalised embroidery hoop.
For something a little more typographic, Berko based Bespoke Verse have some cool mothers day inspired cards and gifts, check them out at www.bespokeverse.co.uk.
If you’d prefer to browse in person Creative Collection at 246 High Street in Berkhamsted (the old Mary Brookes site) has a fantastic range of products from local makers including some lovely cards. It’s well worth a browse.
Did someone say Gin?
If your mum is a Gin lover then why not treat her to a gift voucher for the Puddingstone Distillery in Tring, home of Campfire Gin. If you take her along to spend it on a Friday or Saturday you can taste before you buy and make a day out of it with a walk around Wilstone Reservoir afterwards. Or for the full on experience treat her to a distillery tour. Details at www.puddingstonedistillery.com.
Show the love….
Check out this love themed range from new Berkhamsted label Florence and Bear. Their 100% organic cotton T-shirt’s are all about telling the recipient how you feel about them and with a donation of £2 for every T-shirt sold going to MIND Charity, you’ll be spreading the love even further (www.florenceandbear.co.uk).
We also love these prints from local company The Three of Us Prints. Starting from £6 for an A4 print you can buy here.
The gift of time!
What is the one thing that all mums need more of? This year you can give your mum the gift of actual time thanks to Tring based Girl Friday Errands - a personal concierge and errand service. They can take the load off by running day to day errands such as meal prep, waiting in for tradesmen, personal shopping or decluttering to name a few. Vouchers are available by the hour and start from £19 (girlfridayherts.com).
The personal touch
Give a gift as unique as your mum with some beautiful bespoke jewellery from Wigginton based Cold Hands. Louise incorporates finger and hand prints into her hand crafted designs (or even paw prints if your baby is of the furry variety) . Check out her designs at coldhandsjewellery.com or see it in the flesh at Maggie J Jewellers in Tring (who can also take prints.) Cut off date for Mother’s Day orders is March 14th.
Gift an experience…
If you’d like to give your mum a fun afternoon trying something new there are so many choices of fun experiences you can buy locally. We particularly like the fused glass workshops being offered by Berkhamsted’s A Touch of Glass, where you can create your own masterpiece (click here for details). Or how about a workshop making chocolate truffles with Potten End based Yvettes’s Chocolates (£50 for a 2.5 hour session yvetteschocolates.com).
The gift of memories
Put mum centre stage with a gift voucher for a photoshoot with us here at Lightmonkey Photography. Capture those memories now before they all grow that little bit more. We’re running a special promotion with A Mummy and Me or Mini Family Session for just £150, including 5 digital images. You can either take the shoot before Mother’s Day and gift the images (ideal for Grandma!) or gift her a voucher to use when she chooses. You can see some of our family photography here or email us at hello@lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk to book.
Cool maternity clothes - for non-mums mums!
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
For two months I have been scouring the internet and high street for cool maternity clothes that don’t make me feel like a mum! I have to admit that I felt completely overwhelmed when, three months ago, I was faced with the world of maternity wear six years after I thought I’d left all that behind. I had no idea where to start looking for mat clothes that wouldn’t break the bank or my already flagging body confidence. I’d hardly call myself a style icon, but I like nice clothes and like to make an effort - I also like clothes which are a little different which seems to be the hardest thing in mat wear. And even though I’ve been a mum for almost 9 years and I’m almost 3 babies in, I have no intention of turning mumsy!
Forget the high street!
It makes me so sad to say this as I’m a huge advocate of shopping local and supporting our flagging high streets but there is NOTHING when it comes to maternity wear actually in the shops. If you know of a local gem, please comment and let me know and I’ll be down there with my credit card as quickly as I can waddle. But, apart from my local Jojo Maman Bebe, who didn't have my size, and a frankly poor selection at Hemel Hempstead H&M everything seems to be online.
Top of the shops
To save you the leg work, or risk of RSI, here are my best finds in terms of shops with Maternity Wear. All of my purchases have been made online despite my best efforts to shop locally.
Very early on a friend of mine told me to check out New Look’s maternity range. I must admit it isn’t somewhere I would usually shop. Go back 20 years and you couldn’t get me out of there, but it must be at least 15 years since I crossed the threshold. But she was right, its a veritable treasure-trove and won’t break the bank. The mat wear is well made, fitted the pregnant body well and was more than suitable for a 30-something (old enough not to reveal her real age). It is totally incongruous with the rest of their range but there you go! And their maternity t-shirts fit beautifully round and under the bump (unlike some that hang downwards.) I snagged a pair of their maternity dungarees before they sold out and have lived in them ever since (Next and Asos sell similar ones now for around £40.). Unlike their standard clothes the maternity range are generously sized so size down.
My second surprise shop, again somewhere I feel a little old to shop nowadays, is Topshop. My lovely hairdresser, who is a month or so further along than me, tipped me off about some super comfy jeans, in their Joni range. I’ve just ordered my second pair as they stay up, stretch and feel a little like PJs as they’re that super comfy. I opted for the over -the-bump style as I HATE the under-the-bump style but they come in all colours, styles and length. Sizing is big. My only bugbear with Topshop is that postage is slow and expensive.
My third favourite new maternity clothes store is ASOS, somewhere I do actually still shop regularly. They have a huge range here and if you are on the other side of 35 like me there is a lot of cropped tops and mini skirts to scroll past, but if you take the time there are some real gems to be found. I have to say that the sizing is HUGE! - I’ve sent size 6 tops back as they hang off me (and i’m definitely no longer a size 6!).
Another big surprise for me has been Dorothy Perkins. I used to love that shop but it has definitely gone downhill in the last 10 years, so much so that I never bother looking anymore. However their online maternity range is fantastic. There are some really nice pieces and its well worth taking a look. I lived from 11 to 18 weeks in a pair of their black maternity jeggings - once the hairband around the waistband trick stopped working!
Other places to check out are Seraphine (beautiful clothes but a little more pricey, I also have my eye on one of their lovely skin-to-skin tops for once baby is here), Jojo Maman Bebe (who can be a little too classic but have some nice spring jumpers at the moment) and Next who now sell a really useful range of third party clothes if you’re feeling lazy.
If you have any maternity wear gems please share them in the comments!
Lightmonkey offer both Maternity and Newborn photoshoots - please click here for our homepage and more information.
Finally revealed - Lightmonkey's new home!
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
This blog post is one that’s been coming for about six months, but we’ve been so busy taking and editing your beautiful pictures we just haven’t got around to it.
But now, finally, we can reveal some pictures of Lightmonkey Photography’s gorgeous new home.
As many of you will know, for five years Lightmonkey was run from a home studio at Rachel’s house. There, the company grew from small, part-time start-up, run around nap times and nursery runs - to a full time business to which our lovely clients keep coming back year after year.
In 2018 we welcomed Ceri and around then we started hunting for a new home.
We saw A LOT of properties, but we just couldn’t match the cosy, homeliness that worked so well in our home studio. We wanted somewhere that dads felt comfortable having a snooze during a newborn session (sorry, but it is always the dads!). We wanted somewhere toddlers could run around and play between shots and somewhere that felt familiar and safe - not a cold impersonal studio.
We finally found our perfect home last summer, in The Old Silk Mill, in Tring. Its simple, modern, white and grey styling in the communal areas looks like something straight from Shoreditch and the studio itself was a blank canvas. We’ve been able to bring in the cosy touches, props, toys and lovely coffee that greeted you back in Northchurch - but with more space and practicality.
We have convenient lift access, space for pushchairs, snacks, hot drinks and a comfy sofa to chill out on between shots. There are also some lovely natural light areas in and around the building which have proved perfect for the natural headshots that we take for our business clients. And we have plenty of space for our ever growing collection of props and outfits. Downstairs we have the fabulous Doodle Caboodle play cafe which is ideal for siblings during a Newborn Session or a post shoot bite to eat. We can even order up some delicious food to the studio if our sofa proves far too comfy.
Thankfully our clients so far seem to love it as much as us. If you want more info on the studio, or where to find us, you can visit our studio website page here.
Here are some lovely behind the scenes pictures to give you an idea of just what we get up to in there.
We hope to see you there soon!
Going green....
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
Here at Lightmonkey the only lasting impact we want to make is on our clients - when they’re wowed by their beautiful images. Other than that we’d like to leave very little trace.
Over the last year or so we’re been slowly trying to make the business a little more environmentally friendly. We’ve always recycled everything we possibly can, from our paper backdrops right down to the Nespresso capsules from the coffee machine. But we’ve become a little more serious and trying to make the studio zero waste.
We’ve spoken with suppliers about the origins of our packaging and eagle eyes regulars may have noticed a switch from “jiffy’ postage bags with plastic lining to brown cardboard postage boxes. Sure, they’re not as slick looking, but it’s what’s inside that counts, right?
And inside those innocuous brown boxes, holding your beautiful pictures, you’ll find our gift boxes which are 100% recyclable and already made from 40% recycled materials. We like to think you’ll keep and reuse the cute monkey ribbon holding it all together…
We’ve also withdrawn USBs as standard from our packages and replaced them with a waste-free download that won’t end up in landfill. We’ll still supply them on request, but won’t send them out unwanted.
There may be a few more changes as the year goes on, and if you’ve noticed a way we can change please do let us know - we love hearing client feedback!
What is a "Personal Branding" photoshoot anyway?
Berkhamsted and Tring Headshot Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Headshot and Branding photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
What is the difference between headshot photography and personal branding? Bit of a confusing term isn’t it. Gone are the days when a headshot meant a stiff, informal portrait against a plain studio backdrop. Sure, we still do these, and in some professions its just what’s needed.
But if you run your own small business and your USP is you, then you need photography that shows the real you! That’s what sets you apart and that’s what clients need to see.
A personal branding session starts with an informal consultation where we learn all about you, your business and what you want to portray to your clients. We learn your brand image, branding, colours, your values, attitudes, where your clients hang out, where they shop etc etc. We talk about what you should wear for the shoot to communicate this and can even arrange hair and make-up should you choose. And then we take beautiful pictures to communicate exactly what your business is about.
We can use your workplace as a background, a brand-relevant cafe or bar, an office space or even the great outdoors if its appropriate for your brand. The idea is that everything in that image - from what’s in your cup, to the colour of your decor reflects your brands and draws your client in. When you have a business thats personal then it helps the client to relate to you. This also creates a great opportunity for brand collaboration on social media once your images are ready to share. Often after a shoot we have have four or five local brands buzzing about the shoot online - which is our favourite way to work, supporting and promoting other awesome local brands.
Having the right imagery online can make a huge difference to your clients. In these days of faceless online communication there is nothing better for making an instant connection than showing the face and personality behind a business to anyone who is thinking of working with you.
If you’d like to find out more about Personal Branding and Headshot Photography drop us an email to hello@lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk or visit our website www.lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk/biz
We have a special offer running for January and February 2020 on our Silver Collection, at the special price of £199 including a free social media pack.
The rubbish reality of being born in January!
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
It’s widely agreed that having a January birthday sucks! Everyone seems to be either partied out, seriously feeling the post Christmas pinch or they’ve given up *sugar/alcohol/meat/life (*delete as appropriate). It’s no better being the parent of a January born as you have to stump up for yet more presents and fund a party after the most decadent month of the year.
January borns are in good company with some famous faces sharing the worst birthday month - Bradley Cooper, Blue Ivy Carter, Kate Middleton, Orlando Bloom, Oprah, JT and Emma Bunton. But that’s no consolation when no-one will share your cake!
But we have some news that may make you feel a little better. To celebrate all your lovely January borns we’re offering a special discount for children born in January!
Newborn - For brand new January bubbas - born or due in January 2020 we’re offering a special January Newborn Package for £220 - which includes your shoot and five digital images.
Cake Smash - For your soon-to-be one years olds - we’re offering a special Cake Smash package for £199, which includes your cake, your photoshoot and five digital images.
Birthday session - And for all your other January borns we’re offering special birthday studio shoots for £189. This includes your shoot, five digital images and balloons/glitter as you choose - there may even be dancing if you’re lucky!.
If you’d like to book or would like more info, please drop us an email to hello@lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk.
And Happy Birthday!!!
What to wear... for an Autumn Photoshoot!
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
Autumn is the most beautiful time for family photos and we’re so lucky here in Berkhamsted and Tring to be surrounded by some stunning woodland.
But what you wear can make a huge difference to how your pictures turn out. Your clothes can complement those gorgeous Autumn colours and really make them pop. However the wrong choices can fight the eye for attention and make your pictures look messy - and even the best photographer can’t do a huge amount to remedy that.
Whatever choices you make, it’s important to coordinate. We’re not talking matching outfits, but pick a couple of colours and go with it.
Unsurprisingly, Autumn colours look awesome. The yellows - mustards and chartreuse - which are in all the shops this year, offer a gorgeous colour pop and look gorgeous teamed with denim and navy. Deep autumnal reds, wines and burgandy shades are a little more subtle and also look stunning with the falling leaves. And there are a whole host of neutral shades - camels, creams, dark greens and navy - if you’d like sometime a little more subtle.
I’ve put together a Pinterest board which you can see here to help you style your shoot. Its full of pins like this:
When you book I’ll also send you some handy hints and tips.
We still have a couple of slots left for Autumn mini sessions. Details are below. If you’d like to find out more please get in touch here.
Behind the scenes.... at a family photoshoot.
Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.
Ever seen a perfectly posed family photograph and longed for something similar for your wall? Only to look across at your own toddler/child/teen (delete as appropriate) who is currently whining, covered in lunch and eyeing you with as much attitude as a mini Kardashian?
Yep, us too. The fear is real! However much you want a gorgeous pic of your (sometimes but not always gorgeous) rabble the question of whether it would actually be possible (and not just disintegrate into a frankly embarrassing and stressful disaster) is a very valid one.
But, to let you into a secret, we have actual. magical. powers. when it comes to photographing families (otherwise known as patience, bribery and sometimes Photoshop, but don’t tell anyone!) Every single family who walks through our doors has the same concerns and every single time they leave with images that they will treasure forever. We capture the smiles, wipe away the snot, dance around until they giggle and run around the studio like lunatics collecting up children and putting them back in front of the camera. Ceri has even been known to put smelly socks on my head and make enough bottom jokes to make the most timid six-year-old boy smile.
Just to show you the reality behind a shoot we thought we’d share some behind the scenes pics from a Family Session last week. Now, this isn’t a normal family, this is one of my favourite client families and they have four (yes four) gorgeous boys. Including twins. So this is reality. And so, so much fun.
We’ve been photographing the lovely King family since baby number two, Douglas, arrived. It’s always so much fun, and slightly chaotic but always in a lovely way. Everyone pitches in and we end up with some gorgeous shots. That is the real beauty of there being two of us here at Lightmonkey - it takes the stress off mum and dad a little and we always have an extra pair of hands.
And here are a few of the gorgeous finished images!
If you’d like us to capture your family’s milestones drop us an email to hello@lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk or click here.
A tale of three babies...
Berkhamsted Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their Tring based photography Studio.
If there is anything us Newborn Photographers love (more than newborn snuggles which are pretty damn hard to beat) it’s when those fresh little bundles toddle back into the studio, all grown up, for a visit. We love seeing how their personalities have evolved and whether they resemble those precious little babies that we cuddled to sleep and carefully posed.
Now I know we’re not supposed to have favourites, but sometimes a family walks through our studio door that we instantly adore. And this was exactly what happened back in February 2015 when the Walkers brought their first brand new bundle Zoe in for a newborn shoot. Back when Lightmonkey Photography was just Rachel and the business was in its first year.
Zoe rocked her newborn session (once we got her to sleep) and chatting to Mum Zoe and Dad Andrew over coffee was far too lovely to seem like work.
It was such a treat to capture Zoe smashing up her cake 12 months later and then doting over her baby brother Louis, when he arrived in September 2017. I can honestly say she was the most compliant two year old we have ever met. Then came Louis’ cake smash, which he tackled with a little more attitude than his sister!
It was such a lovely surprise when Kim got in touch in touch in June this year to book a Newborn Shoot for baby number 3. And gorgeous little Tess didn’t disappoint - with her big brother’s sleepiness and her big sister’s calm and curious nature she was a superstar and Rachel didn’t really want to give her back!
The proudest big sister and brother!
Possibly the cutest thing was watching Zoe and Louis with Tess. I’m pretty sure they are going to be the best big brother and sister and I can’t wait to watch them helping out their little sister at her cake smash next year!
If you’d like us to capture your family’s milestones drop us an email to hello@lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk or click here.
Leaves are falling, Autumn is calling... for family photoshoots!
Autumn is the most beautiful time of year for a family photoshoot…
Read MoreIs a relaxing holiday with children possible?
A review of Sani Resort Greece - a gem of a family destination
In my life as a mum and a family photographer in Berkhamsted, this is a debate that often comes up. It's a frequent discussion I have with clients - how life changes after children and the biggest bugbear is losing any hope of relaxation ever again.
In a previous life I was a magazine journalist and one of the many hats I wore was "Travel Writer". So what better place than here to share my finds with my lovely clients - and boy is this a find!
Every year, since my own two monkeys arrived, we have scoured the internet for a holiday destination that might help us have that mystical and elusive relaxing family holiday. We've tried hotels, self-catering, villas - with and without long-suffering grandparents (aka take-along babysitters) - but this year we struck gold.
In June we jetted off to the Greek resort of Sani (http://www.sani-resort.com). It's basically a five-star baby heaven, where they cater for your baby's every whim. This kind of place that would have had us running for the hills five years ago (pre-children) when we favoured five-star, adult-only, boutique style hotels in exotic and far flung locations. But hey, things change.
It's not cheap, but it's worth it. Our boys were just four and almost two, so pretty full on, but I literally can't fault this resort. They have four accommodations - Sani Beach Hotel (where we stayed), The Sani Beach Club, Porto Sani Village and Sani Asterias Suites. We had a beautiful ground floor suite - my youngest slept in a cot in our room and my oldest had a bed in the living room area.
A travel cot was waiting for O when we arrived and a bed guard and blackout curtains were delivered within an hour or two of us enquiring. Literally nothing is too much trouble. The hotel's restaurants includes a toddler menu, with seven or eight options - which can be served whole or pureed. Something I have never seen before which seems a fantastic idea if you're travelling with a weaning baby.
From the beach hotel there are two beautiful white sand beaches which are raked to stepford-standard perfection every morning. They have super-comfy loungers, with food and drink service and a fabulous service called "Babe Watch" where they watch your children for you. Yup, you read that right, there are two lovely Greek ladies who genuinely seem to love children and sit there all day, under an umbrella willing to share their beach toys with your little ones.
When it comes to food time they have a system called "dine around". The resort is set around a pretty harbour and most of the restaurants are included in this scheme whereby you have an allowance to spend on a meal, instead of staying in your hotel every night. There is a fabulous selection of restaurants and we had some delicious meals. We particularly enjoyed Ergon which served Greek tapas, and the boys especially loved tucking into all the shared dishes.
There are dozens of activities to entertain children too, there is a nursery and a kids club from age 4. We didn't try either of these as we felt our oldest was a little young for the kids club having not yet started school - but the kids there seemed to love it. There is also a packed sports timetable, evening entrainment and a bike and scooter hire shop who hire out adult scooters as well as children's (so. much. fun.)
Amazingly, on a holiday with a four and almost two-year-old I read three books! To me that's a sign of a very successful holiday. The boys also had a blast and there is no doubt we'll be heading back again soon.
Rachel Powell is a family and newborn photographer based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. To find out more click here.
Old friends and new additions...
I was honoured when I was recently asked to capture a school reunion between Berkhamsted mummy Catherine and two of her school friends, Laura and Katie. They've been friends since attending high school together in Kent, but now live in different parts of the country.
Completely by chance, they all fell pregnant within a couple of months of one another and this reunion was a little bit special as they were introducing their little ones to each other.
The photoshoot was booked by Katie as a gift for the others (what a lovely friend!), and they decided on a Lifestyle shoot at Catherine's house in Berkhamsted so they got as much time to catch up as possible.
That's the beauty of lifestyle shoots - I come to you - so you and your children have all the comforts of home and children are sometimes more relaxed in their own environment. You don't have to have a huge home - one of my all-time favourite lifestyle shoots was done in a lovely old two-up, two-down victorian terrace.
We used the natural window light in Grace's nursery and some beautiful Quentin Blake wallpaper that I might have to find a home for in my own house!
I took some pictures of the babies kicking about and playing together before moving out into the garden to get some group shots, for the friends to remember their special reunion by.
Find out more about lifestyle shoots in Berkhamsted and the surrounding areas with Lightmonkey Photography here.
The tale of a 10 baby shoot
A few weeks ago I was asked to photograph a Berkhamsted NCT group of 10 gorgeous mums and their babies. Yup, that's right, 10 babies and one shoot - a definite first for me. Being a photographer in Berkhamsted obviously I see a lot of babies - but 10 in one go? I've never refused a challenge yet!
Nicola, a previous client, got in touch to ask if i'd be happy to photograph her NCT friends as a lifestyle shoot at her beautiful home in Berkhamsted. The babies were all aged around six months, but one of the families is moving away so they wanted a picture of all of the babies together.
We started with some individual shots of the mums and babies to warm everyone up in Nicola's gorgeous garden.
It was one of the hottest days of the year with temperatures in their mid-30s, so we were quite glad to get outside and enjoy the shade in the garden.
Once the smiles were flowing we got all the babies together for a lovely group shot, but not before I'd had a little go at walking on water - just to prove I really do go above and beyond the call of duty for my clients (thanks for the picture Emily).
Walking on water, you got it
It was such a pleasure to meet such a lovely group of mums and the babies were so good. It seems like a 10 baby shoot was a bit of a cinch, maybe we should try 11 next time!
If you're interested in a shoot with your friends or family please check out my gallery here or contact me here.
Adventures out of the studio...
It's so nice to get out of the studio at this time of year - whether its out on a location shoot into the gorgeous Hertfordshire countryside, or to visit my lovely clients in their own home, which is how we choose to shoot this gorgeous family.
Leoni brought her beautiful newborn daughter Florence for a newborn shoot last month. Sometimes babies just won't sleep for their newborn shoot, no matter how well mum prepares them, no matter how tired they are or how many sleepy tricks I pull out of my sleeve (and believe me I have many!) they just won't shut those cute little eyes.
It might be that they're hitting their 10-day growth spurt early, they have a little reflux, an undiagnosed problem like tongue tie or oral thrush. But sometimes they're just asserting their little personalities.
Florence decided that me and the studio were far more exciting than sleep and, thank you very much, but she would stay awake.
The beautiful, but very awake, Florence
We got a few beautiful awake shots and some stunning pictures of her and her big sister but I didn't have the variety that I like to provide to my clients. So I decided that we would try again another day. It's rare, but it happens.
As we had a couple of shots in the studio we decided to reshoot at Leoni's home and do a lifestyle shoot. So last weekend, one month on, I paid the family a visit.
Big sister Iris was on hand to show me around and we had a lot of fun playing in the garden and she proudly showed me her dolls house and fairies.
We also got some lovely Daddy and baby shots which were a bonus as Dad couldn't make it to the original newborn shoot.
Lifestyle shoots are a lovely, natural alternative if the studio isn't for you and you don't have to have a huge, bright, neutral house - we can make use of the available light and the unique features that make your home just that. For more information visit www.lightmonkeyphotography.co.uk.
Mums get the best smiles - even royal ones!
So The Duchess of Cambridge decided to take her own "Official" photographs - good on her. This might sound strange from someone who makes their living photographing other people's children, but I can completely understand her decision. And you know what, they are lovely photographs, that she, her family and royal fans will treasure. You see, as my clients will tell you, mums get the best smiles, and the best giggles!
Image taken by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
But this wasn't about getting the best smiles out of the royal babies, I suspect it was about normality, privacy and Catherine, as a mum, maintaining control in one of the few places she can.
Why would she invite yet another photographer into her children's lives? And you know what, I hope she keeps this up. It lovely to see the smiles that George reserves for his mum and baby sister, and only she can capture those. There can't have been a parent in the world who saw the TV footage of Prince William arriving with Prince George at the hospital, who wasn't touched when George, a little overwhelmed by the crowd, reached up his arms to be carried by his dad. Acting like a normal 20-month-old with his father, who is obviously there every day, to pick him up when he tumbles and tuck him in.
For the first time in history maybe these royal children can have a lovely, relatively normal childhood, a proper relationship with their parents - something William's mother tried so hard for with her boys. I hope they can keep it up, even if it means keeping the 'pro' photographers away.
Come on Catherine, show us some more pictures of those gorgeous children!
Rachel Powell, Lightmonkey Photograhy,
Berkhamsted based newborn and family photographer
Why you MUST photograph your pregnancy.
My one pregnant pic - to be fair he was 10lb2!
My biggest regret from my two pregnancies isn’t eating so much that I put on three stone (not including baby!), nor forgetting to use my bio oil to prevent stretch marks or even ignoring the very good advice to enjoy my sleep while I could (really, listen to that one) - it’s the lack of photographs.
As a newborn and family photographer I treasure photographs, yet I have just one of my first pregnancy. I felt like a huge, inflated whale and I just couldn’t bear the thought of evidence of me looking like that. I live in Berkhamsted (aka nappy valley) so I was hardly unique in being pregnant, and I obviously wasn’t that huge because people on the tube seemed to happily ignore my bump *clears throat*.
“I wish I had some photographs to document that amazing thing that my body did”
But now, almost two years after my last pregnancy ended and near as damn it to my pre-pregnancy size, I wish I had some photographs to document that amazing thing that my body did. I would love to look at them now. It’s amazing the transformation you go through and never again will your body do that.
Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a BANPAS seminar on maternity photography with the award winning photographer Damian McGillicuddy. He captured some stunning images of our beautiful model Louise and I was so jealous of those images she’ll have. I so wish I’d had a professional shoot, with someone who knew how to pose and light a pregnant body, to celebrate that amazing thing my body was doing. Damien put Louise completely at ease, and despite being 32 weeks pregnant I’m pretty sure she felt stunning.
A gorgeous mummy-to-be from Lightmonkey Photography
Now I’m not saying you must write a blank cheque to the nearest professional photographer and bare all, but do take some photos. You can always do it yourself at home. Why not take one picture a month to show your growing tummy? Find a plain wall in your house and stand in the same spot in the same top once a month and document your tummy growing. Pinterest is full of DIY pregnancy picture ideas to remember this special time. If you hate them now, you don’t have to show them to anyone, just keep them safe, look at them again in two years and I promise you’ll treasure them.
Lightmonkey Photography is a Berkhamsted based newborn and family photographer. We offer maternity shoots for free when you book a newborn session. Click here for more information.