There is a reason why the studio is so busy in the run-up to Christmas: lots of my clients buy artwork and photography experiences for Christmas gifts as they are very personal gifts and cost-effective too! There are so many options when it comes to buying photography-based gifts - there is something for everyone! Your Own Images There is no better time than now to purchase extra prints or wall art from this year's family portrait session for Grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents or friends.  It’s the most cost-effective way to purchase lots of your Christmas gifts in one go.  To View More >>

Hello my lovely readers! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to my heart: the enchanting world of black and white photography. You might wonder, “Why black and white when the world is so full of colour?” Well, let’s explore the magic that this timeless style brings to capturing those precious moments in life. The Timeless Appeal Black and white photography has a timeless quality that’s simply unmatched. It takes us back to the golden era of photography, where each image was a cherished piece of art. When it comes to portraits, this classic style adds To View More >>

As the festive season twinkles on the horizon, we all start to ponder the age-old questions: “What’s the perfect gift for that one person who is really difficult to buy for?” "What do you get the person who seems to have everything?"  Well, I’ve got a delightful solution that’s sure to bring smiles and warm hearts all round – Portrait Experience Gift Certificates! Why Gift Certificates Make Wonderful Gifts Gift certificates are like little envelopes of joy, offering something far more special than just a present – they offer experiences, memories, To View More >>

Although older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease) are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19, the virus can infect people of all ages.  Newborns and pregnant women are always considered at risk and therefore we must collectively protect each other. I want to re-assure all of my clients that I follow good hygiene practice at all times to keep you and your babies safe, but at this time, I would like to take a moment to re-iterate the most important points and a couple of extra measures that I have put in place for To View More >>

As you know, safety is at the heart of everything I do in my business, and especially when photographing young children and babies; I’ve posted a number of times about safe handling and photographic techniques I use for newborn photoshoots. This month, I decided to take things a step further and update my first aid knowledge, so I attended a Mini First Aid class. These classes are designed with new parents and grandparents in mind and are focussed on first aid techniques for children – which are often a bit different to the way you would treat an adult. Specifically, the class covered To View More >>

Amanda was a little nervous when she arrived for her bump photoshoot, but as the session progressed and we got to know each other, she really relaxed and actually enjoyed the session, so much that she left me a little review on Facebook:  "Had our maternity shoot with Jackie. Was nervous but Jackie made me feel really at ease and the pictures we received are lovely. Looking forward to newborn shoot once baby arrives. Thank you Jackie" I think you'll agree, she had nothing to worry about - she looks gorgeous! To View More >>

I am delighted to welcome Becky Jarratt - Treasure Chest Peer Supporter and ABM Breastfeeding Counsellor as today's guest blogger! Treasure Chest York offers a support network for breastfeeding mums across the York area, for more information including details of support group meetings visit their website: http://www.treasurechest.org.uk/home/4566365112 If you need any support or advice about breastfeeding, you can also contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212 Preparing for Breastfeeding: Expectations The thought of having a baby brings so many different emotions To View More >>

I To View More >>

I was chatting to another mum the other day about baby photography and during our conversation it slowly dawned on me that, having only seen the finished beautiful photos of babies on my website and across the Internet, she and many other mums out there had no idea how these images were actually created safely, so I thought a little series of blog posts might be useful.  As we know, newborns are very delicate, they have poor muscle control and a strong moro reflex (an involuntary response to feeling unsupported) necessitating great care and patience during a photo session. They To View More >>

I have a very natural style with my photography and I love to use natural products wherever possible. Today I have been busy making a very special little something for my newborn photo sessions - fluff! To steal a famous retailer's catchphrase, 'this is not just any fluff ...', this is the first fleece from a very special alpaca.  A little while ago, our daughter and I had a little trip out to take an alpaca for a walk with Jacki at Beacon Alpacas. It was a beautiful day and we both really enjoyed meeting these lovely animals. Their fur is incredibly soft, as "it has less scales To View More >>