When Jane was given a family photoshoot voucher as a gift from her sister, she and her husband Will decided to make the most of it by having their session at home, in the garden they had enjoyed as a family.
Their home is in Oxford, just a stone’s throw from the John Radcliffe Hospital — somewhere that has a particular significance for us too, as both of our daughters were born there. It was lovely to find ourselves back in a familiar part of Oxford, this time for a completely different reason.
There was another reason why this family photoshoot was especially important to Jane and Will. They were preparing to move house, so this was a chance to capture some memories of their family life in a place that had been home.
Making memories at home
We love photographing families in places that are meaningful to them, and there is something particularly special about photographing a family in their own home and garden.
Rather than simply creating beautiful portraits, it means capturing little pieces of family life — the garden where their daughter has played, the familiar surroundings and the place where so many everyday memories have been made.
And, of course, it meant that we could include every member of the family.
35 degrees and a very good sport!
The day of the photoshoot happened to be one of those exceptionally hot summer days, with temperatures reaching around 35°C. Not exactly ideal conditions for running around a garden having your photograph taken!
Despite the heat, their daughter did incredibly well. We kept things relaxed and allowed plenty of time for her to explore, play and simply be herself. Some of our favourite photographs from family sessions are often the ones where children aren’t necessarily looking at the camera at all.
When it’s hot, especially with young children, we don’t expect them to sit still and smile on demand. Instead, we work with them and follow their lead, looking for those natural expressions and little moments that show their personality.
And then there was Tortee…
No family photoshoot would have been complete without Tortee, the other very important member of the family.
At 80 years old, Tortee has certainly earned her place in the family photographs! Including older pets in a family session is something we always encourage. They are such an important part of family life, yet they are often missing from the photographs that end up on the walls.
We loved being able to capture Tortee alongside Jane, Will and their daughter, creating photographs that will hopefully bring back memories of this particular chapter of their lives for many years to come.
Family photography in Oxford
There was something really lovely about this session. It wasn’t just about taking photographs of a family; it was about preserving memories of a home and a moment in their lives that was about to change.
Whether we’re photographing a family in their garden, out enjoying one of Oxfordshire’s beautiful outdoor locations, at home or in our studio, our aim is always to keep things relaxed and enjoyable. Children don’t need to sit perfectly still or pose for every photograph. We want them to have fun, while we capture the connections, personalities and little moments that make your family yours.
For Jane and Will, these photographs will always remind them of their Oxford home, their garden, their daughter — and, of course, 80-year-old Tortee — at this particular point in their family story.
And we hope that, long after they’ve moved house, these photographs will help them remember not just what everyone looked like, but what life felt like there.
