Welcome to my family portrait gallery! Whether you love to the timeless charm of studio portraits or the natural beauty of outdoor shoots, I specialise in capturing relaxed, heartfelt moments that show your family’s unique bond. Best of all, every photography package includes all your high-resolution digital photos at no extra cost. So you can treasure every special memory. Once you’ve selected the perfect setting for your family, explore the links below to discover my studio and location photoshoot options. Find the style that best suits you and let’s start planning your perfect family photoshoot.

Black & White vs Colour Photography

In professional photography, two groups stand out. First, purists admire the elegant simplicity of black and white. Second, enthusiasts revel in the vibrant colors. I am a family portrait photographer. I capture people of all ages and styles, including pregnant women, newborns, and families. Often, my clients ask, "Are portraits better in black and white?" So, which is it?

My gallery features a lot of black and white photos, and they hold a special place in my heart. They mark the beginning of my photography journey, where I would shoot, develop, and eagerly await the images to appear in the darkroom. While my methods have evolved over the years, my love for capturing moments in black and white hasn’t changed. Every photo I create still gets my personal touch. Each one is hand-toned, and there’s something that computers just can’t replicate.

I always include black and white photos in your family collection for free. During viewings, it’s always wonderful to hear the reactions from families. Seeing the proud smiles on parents' faces and hearing their words of praise makes my day. If you're curious about trying out some black and white photography or just want to learn more about the process, here are my top five tips for creating beautiful black and white family portraits.

5 Tips for Beautiful Black & White Family Portrait Photography

Through years of experience, I’ve learned how to truly capture the magic of black and white photos. Here's how I create them:

1. Preparation is Key Black and white photography isn’t something I decide after the shot. It's part of my planning process from the beginning. I set up my camera and lighting specifically for black and white shots. This way, I can fine-tune everything to get the most striking, dramatic results from the moment I press the shutter.
2. Learn to See in Black and White Creating powerful black and white images requires an understanding of light, shadow, and contrast. I aim to "see" the potential of each scene in shades of grey before I even shoot. Adjusting the settings and angles to make it more dramatic, enhancing the depth and mood.
3. Keep Backgrounds Simple Black and white photography tends to be less forgiving than colour images. A busy background can distract from the subjects. That’s why I make sure backgrounds are clean and simple, allowing the focus to remain on your family and the emotions of the moment.
4. Subtle Contrasts are Key Not every black and white image needs to have high contrast. In fact, subtle contrasts can create even more depth and interest. Soft, smooth, and delicate lighting, adds a timeless, gentle feel to the portrait.
5. Lighting is Everything Lighting plays a huge role, whether I’m in the studio or outdoors. In the studio, I carefully adjust the direction and intensity of light to create mood and texture. For outdoor shoots, autumn and winter light are ideal, with their natural contrasts and striking shadows, which help create that classic black-and-white look.

Bonus Tip – Nature Almost Always Looks Better in Colour When it comes to backgrounds with rich textures, like fields of flowers or grassy meadows, black and white can take make them feel busy. Flowers, in particular, should radiate with their natural colours. For these types of settings, it’s best to stick with colour photography. If you’re keen on black and white, I recommend studio sessions or autumn outdoor shoots, where the strong light and natural elements enhance the mood.

What Kit do I use:

I have always shot with pro Nikon equipment. The digital sensors in their cameras are top exceptional. They're perfect for family photos. Want to try taking family shots?  This article from Nikon offers great tips

Some of the modern Nikon lenses are fantastic. But, I love my fixed lenses and the fact that I can still use the old mounts. Using a combination of both during your family photo shoot helps to create the best images.

I still adore my Bowens lights because they give me great results in the studio. Recently, I've also become a huge fan of my new Godox kit for using on location. This kit is great for shooting on location. It's small, light, and easy to carry. It offers me a lot of flexibility and options to explore different creative ideas. 

And lastly, my favourite piece of kit in my studio is my purpose built LuxS wall mount for my studio lights. The boom arm gives me full control over my lighting. It also keeps stands and cables safely away from your little ones.

To find out more and chat about your dream photoshoot, please get in touch!

For full pricing, package details, and everything included in my Buckinghamshire family photography sessions, please visit my Family Photoshoot Packages Page.