Family Swift | Portrait

Louise got in touch a little while back wanting to book a family shoot. The family have been living in New Zealand for the last few years, and while out there had started a tradition of regular family shoots with their favourite photographer Sally. Alas Sally proved too expensive to fly over now that the family have come back to blighty, so after a facebook status asking for recommendations, a few of my staunch supporters put us in touch.

We went out to Langsett Barn and had fun playing with stone throwing, tree climbing, squirrel hunting and a little light field trespassing. The boys were super cute together - and I had a lot of fun (especially when I realised I'd just scampered up a tree with massive camera in hand - I do love a good tree climb).

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2014

Family Ryder | Portrait

The Ryder family were the winners of my free portrait shoot held last month. I like giving away free shoots every now and then, it helps me in the process of keeping work and income as separate things (we all need to work, we all need an income, but when the two are too intertwined I get a bit miserable).

Co-incidentally and unbeknownst to me they had also just had a baby - perfect timing! So we got on with capturing this little monkey in her various states of wriggly awake time and floppy sleepiness. Jen and James are a pretty playful couple so we had fun cutting out shapes and gathering bedding to make a couple of make-believe scenarios for an oblivious babe.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2014

Family Heath | Portrait Shoot Winners

Last Autumn I ran a facebook free portrait shoot competition. The winners were the Heath family but what with weddings, weather and wintriness we only just found a good time to get it done. I met Stephen at a wedding a couple of years ago where he was providing the early evening entertainment belting out some classic numbers that had plenty of people on their feet singing along.

It was lovely to meet his family and go for a walk in the woods. His eldest daughter was just like all 2-3 year olds I've done portaits with ... determined to be herself and knowing of exactly what she did and didn't want to do. It's good to remember at these moments to let the child lead - too much pre determined expectation doesn't tend to get results - so we 'kept walking' as that's what she wanted to do, and shot around that.

I'll be setting up another free shoot on facebook in the coming weeks - keep your eyes peeled.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2014