I love the winter (really, I do).
What better time to be a photographer in Suffolk? The countryside in this part of the world is so beautiful, and in the colder months there’s nothing better than the sound of crisp leaves under your feet.
The image above is from a shoot taken a few years ago now, outside The Wentworth Hotel and I think it really epitomises just how much fun portraits can be (even in adverse weather conditions!)
It’s a shame that with Christmas fast approaching, and the quest for that all-important knock-out gift weighing on our minds that we often forget to take the time to stop and appreciate the natural world around us.
And, that’s what’s great about my job – the whole focus of it is capturing families in beautiful settings, producing images that highlight the season as well as the dynamic of the household I’m working with.
Being a portrait photographer (whether its children, adults or a mixture of the two), you’d think I’d be the one fed up of standing in the cold whilst I encourage the grumpy toddlers to run around in the leaves or along the rough shoreline at either Aldeburgh or Southwold – not at all! (most of them aren’t actually grumpy for a start – they love it!) Yet, being based in such a beautiful part of the world allows me the freedom to create wonderful family portraits with different people every day of the week.
In the run up to Christmas, and with the snow falling outside it can be easy to find lots of things to complain about. If anything, this time of year makes me stop and take in my surroundings and situation more than any other – I help people create the perfect Christmas gift for their loved ones, all the while allowing them a fun family day out!
This year, if you feel like you’re walking on thin ice and want to surprise someone with that extra special present, I snow full well that a family portrait package with me will cure all of those winter blues.