Whether you’re at the maternity, new addition or “zoo” stage or beyond (they say one’s a pet, two’s a zoo), a family session is about capturing your family’s particular flavour of energy and connection right now.

I’m a firm believer in the documentary approach to family photography as a way to capture the real, collective ‘you’ as a family. How you interact together, your connection with each other, your humour - your own unique brand of chaos.

Your family is constantly evolving and a family photo session is the perfect way to capture you as you are NOW. A snapshot in time that will only become more precious as everyone grows up.

My mum booked us all in at a high street photographer’s studio when I was about 17. We were cajoled into a formulaic composition and snapped a few times under studio lighting. I can’t remember how everyone else looked, but I was SO awkward! Needless to say, I didn’t treasure the resulting images (although my Nanna kept a copy on her mantlepiece forever).

Our session will not be like that experience! Although there will be many photos to be treasured by grandparents, I can promise you that.

My point is that these sessions are not prescriptive or formulaic. We’ll choose a location that is meaningful, fun or easy to get to - maybe that’s at home or the park round the corner. Or we could pile into the car/ onto the tube and set off on a great adventure.

There aren’t any rules - except to have fun and take the opportunity for lots of snuggles and giggles with the ones you love.