baby and child photography

Smile baby! Newborn, baby and child photography

Is there anything more adorable than a smiling baby?

Lucky for me, I get to meet so many gorgeous little ones in my job in  newborn, baby and child photography.

And since it was World Smile Day recently, I felt it fitting to collate a collection of some of my recent ‘smiley’ portraits for you to enjoy.

To sleep or not to sleep…

The majority of newborn babies I photograph are less than two weeks old. At that age, they typically spend up to 18 hours per day asleep.

So it’s no surprise then that they spend most of the photoshoot blissfully unaware of the flashing camera. Safely in the land of nod.

baby and child photography

But there are always a few cheeky ones!

Sometimes the babies I photograph just refuse to play ball. They’ll be wide awake and taking it all in. This is really lovely if it happens. It gives me the opportunity to capture some great open-eyed shots, like this.

Smile, smile, smile

And if I’m REALLY lucky, they’ll flash me a super-cute smile too!

Babies don’t usually smile before the six-week mark. Anything before that is an unconscious reflex, similar to the jerky arm and leg movements that they do in their first few weeks.

But if they do smile, it’s unbelievably cute! If I can capture any smiling shots for the parents, I always will. Seeing their baby’s smiling face for the very first time is just magic!

Natural smiles are the best!

Older babies, toddlers and young children also regularly give me the most adorable grins.

Unfortunately, as kids get older they learn to give the posed “cheeeeseeee” grins whenever a camera is presented in front of them. This isn’t so great, and it’s one of my daily challenges when working with toddlers and older children.

But capturing a natural smile, when the child’s eyes and entire face light up, is fantastic at any age.

I hope you enjoy the smiles! I love baby and child photography!

If you are expecting a baby and wish to discover more about my newborn photography sessions, visit my Frequently Asked Questions page as well as my Newborn Photography Guide here

Don’t forget to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date. Book around the time of your 20-week scan if possible. Slots do fill up fast!

Until next time,
Karen x


dorset children's photographer

A day in the life of a children's photographer - Pumpkin patch

A day in the life of a Dorset children’s photographer.

So, the sun is shining but there’s a little chill in the air. This can only mean one thing. That summer has passed and autumn is in full swing.

I love those late summer evenings with the golden glow of sunset, but I have to confess I really love autumn too. The colours and bright crisp days are great for a little location photography. Just wrap the kids up warm, hats, scarves and gloves, chunky jumpers, and wellies. It’s a kid’s dream! They love running in the leaves and splashing in puddles (I mean, who doesn’t? If only us grown-ups could get away with it) and generally being kids!

Today I headed off in search of a slightly different type of location. After a quick search on the internet, I found a great “Pick your own” pumpkin farm on the edge of the New Forest in Sopley.

What a great backdrop for a photoshoot and with half term and Halloween just around the corner, it seemed like a great opportunity to get some fun seasonal photos. We followed the pumpkin signs and found it fairly easily, pulled into the carpark, and Wow! Row upon row of pumpkins. It was a photographer’s dream. A photo opportunity around every pumpkin.

The boys had an absolute blast choosing the biggest and best pumpkin. The farm even supply little sledges for you fill with your finds.

Not content with just pumpkin picking, the boys decided to test out their wellies. This meant things were going to get very messy! Well, boys will be boys and I loved the fact that they had so much fun out in the fresh air on their photoshoot. We had plenty of lovely clean shots before the splashing started so mum was pretty relaxed about the mess.

Things quickly got even messier with all three boys enjoying the splashing fun.

We finished off the trip a lovely photo on the farm tractor. The boys had a fantastic photoshoot doing exactly what boys love doing, getting messy!

dorset children's photographer

If you’d like a lovely Autumnal location photoshoot then please get in touch (I promise puddle jumping doesn’t have to be included). What a great way to spend the day making memories with Dorset children’s photographer!

Bye for now

Karen x


Kids photoshoot Dorset

My top tips for photographing reluctant children

Have you ever tried to photograph a child who does NOT want to be photographed? (I presume you are nodding your head right now.)

Yes, it can be very difficult, for sure!

Photographing reluctant children

I have literally photographed thousands of children over the years and, believe me, not all of those have wanted to have their photo taken.

Delaying and avoidance tactics? You name it, I’ve seen it!

You could say that photographing reluctant children is a day to day occurrence for me.

Over the years I’ve developed lots of coping strategies for handling even the most resistant children.

I often see parents getting stressed when their child doesn’t cooperate during a photoshoot. But there really is no point.

I always get the shot I am after eventually. If you heed my tips below you will too!

My three top tips

1. Be prepared to wait

While it can take time to get reluctant children to cooperate, you’ll usually be rewarded for your perseverance and persistence.

Don’t rush the child or make them feel under pressure to perform to the camera.

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait!

2. Let them explore the environment

Whether I’m photographing on location or in my photography studio, the setting is usually new to the child.

So I let the child get comfortable in the surroundings first, before attempting to take their portrait.

I also often pull out props for younger children to climb on – chairs, a rocking horse, or a toy car for example.

Kids photoshoot Dorset

Toys such as teddies and softballs are also good to distract a reluctant child.

If outdoors, encourage them to find sticks or leaves, and run around for a while to burn off some energy before you attempt to take their portrait.

Baby photographer Dorset

3. Make them laugh

If a young child is refusing to look at the camera or, worse, is crying or having a tantrum, I sing!

A quick rendition of ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ or ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ usually induces a smile. Or at least a cursory glance.

And that’s despite my terrible singing voice!

Noisy toys – things that squeak, rattle or jingle – also work well to get them, at least, looking in the right direction.

Cute sitting baby girl in wooded bowl

KW Photography featured in Woman & Home magazine

Today I have some very exciting news. I am in the current edition of the national women’s glossy, ‘Woman & Home’ (March 2016 edition)!!!

‘Meet the new solopreneurs’

I’m featured as part of a positive article about women entrepreneurs and in the article I talk about my journey from working in print production for more than twenty years, to becoming a successful newborn photographer.

Woman and Home is a leading women’s magazine in the UK, read by almost 350,000 women each month.  It covers lifestyle, fashion, business, home and travel stories and is genuinely one of my favourite magazines.

So it’s hugely exciting (and slightly embarrassing!) that I’m in the magazine myself!

I was interviewed for the article and then the magazine came and photographed me at my studio in Poole in mid-December.

While I’m never a fan of photos of myself (I prefer to be behind the camera, as most photographers do!), I’m really pleased with the pictures they took of me and the studio.

I was lucky enough to have the gorgeous baby Lucy join me in the photos. She was a complete star! Big thanks must go to her mum Gemma for bringing her in.

I wonder if any avid Woman & Home readers among you spotted me before you read this?! Ha ha! I would love to know!

Life after Redundancy: A Photographer’s tale

The whole thing came about when I heard that the magazine was looking to feature women who had a positive story to tell about being made redundant.

I’ve previously blogged about my redundancy story, but for those who don’t know; I was made redundant in February 2011 and while it was a shock and a massive blow at the time, I used the opportunity to embark on a completely new career.

I let my passion for photography lead me into a career in newborn photography and, well, the rest they say is history!

Since then I have carved out a niche in newborn and family portrait photography and almost five years later I’m extremely thankful for the way things have turned out. I get to work every day doing something I am so passionate about and absolutely love.

So that is my story.

If you’d like to see how Woman & Home have told it, do grab a copy of the magazine while you can. It’s available from newsagents and supermarkets now. I’m in the March 2016 edition (with Julie Walters on the cover) on page 145-146.

Once you’ve read it, please do comment and let me know what you think.

Until next time,

Karen x