Doorstep portraits – Christmas, is certainly a strange title for end of January blog, but I thought it may catch your attention.

Firstly, I do want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year (as happy as it can be)!

Yes…I am completely aware of it being end of January. However, with the news at the beginning of the year, homeschooling has completely took over our household. Any evening work has been placed on hold and replaced with a large glass of wine and early nights. That’s until we managed to get some sort of routine going. Although I am still working through this routine.

So, here I am (currently 11.58pm trying desperately to catch up with writing my blogs).

WHAT IS DOORSTEP PORTRAITS?

If you’ve not heard of door step portraits before, it started back in the first lockdown of 2020. When the Coronavirus pandemic has brought everything to halt, we found ourselves clapping for NHS and key workers, painting rainbows and forced to stop seeing our family and friends. Our studios also had to close and that’s where door step portraits were born. I’d say it was the perfect way to document a part of “the year we all stayed home”. 

So I had an idea, to do the same for the people in my neighbourhood. But during the most magical time of the year: Christmas. With many people still working from home and many venues closed, it was the perfect pick me up for everyone. A perfectly safe way to capture you and your family in the comfort of your own front door. Whilst still being able to social distance, making it fun and safe at the same time.

A BIG THANK YOU 

I must say it was so much fun capturing these photographs, seeing all the excitement on children’s faces, all ready for Christmas is truly joyful. Particularly in such difficult times. With everyone getting their decks out, wearing Christmas jumpers and outfits, the Christmas spirit was certainly in the air.

So I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone taking part and trusting me to create these gorgeous memories for you. And I will certainly be doing them towards the end of this year.

Anna x

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog and if you have any questions or would like to enquire about door step portrait or any other shoots please get in touch. 

Choosing what to wear to a photography session, can be some what stressful! So, in this “what to wear to your summer photo shoot” blog. I would like to take that stress away. And help you with choosing something comfortable but practical and works perfectly well with the chosen location.

Firstly, I have to say, I can’t express enough how excited I am to be back to photographing all the families and little babies (safely of course).

Summer time is also one of my favourite seasons, those beautiful warm evenings, all the flowers, the sunset, it just makes my heart sing.

Below I have put together some tips for choosing a summer wardrobe with a family photo shoot in mind.

I hope you’ve found this “what to wear to your summer photo shoot” blog useful. Below you’ll find some kids clothing inspirations, from 4 different retailers. You can click on the photo and it will take you through to the retailer website.

For any more information or if you would like to book a photo shoot just leave a comment or drop me a message I would be very happy to help.

So I am going to admit as a professional photographer, I’ve always been totally rubbish at taking more professional photos with my phone. Knowing what I can do with my camera, always stopped me from trying to do a better job.

But, since the lockdown I’ve been working on improving my smartphone photography skills.

I have to admit they don’t turn out the same as they do with my big camera. But I’ve managed to capture some lovely memories of the kids and be happy with the result.

I hope this has been helpful and you can create some gorgeous memories with your kids whilst in lockdown and afterwards. I would love to see what you’ve come up with <3. 

Anna x

I’ve been sat here wondering if to add a number to this blog, such as “Top 10 gifts”. However, I am going to take the number out. Maybe I’ll come back to it and add more every year. After all, I’m not sure if you can summarise it down to just “Top 10”. There’s just so many “Perfect Christmas gifts for expectant mums”.

I thought I would start writing about the presents that I would have enjoyed. I must admit, as a previously expectant mum, my head always wondered when asked what I wanted, whilst pregnant. Do I ask for practical gifts or something to treat me and the baby?!

The gift of making memories and lovely keepsakes

Accessories – there are some gorgeous and meaningful accessories for mums to be. Pandora have an amazing collection of charms for expectant mums. You may also find a big variety of accessories on Etsy.  

Personalised Scan Print Frame – this is another thoughtful and beautiful gift. Somewhere to display the first photos of the baby.

‘A Letter to My Mum’ Poem Picture – this is a gorgeous gift that will make any expectant mum tear up with happy tears. A perfect gift to make a mum to be, feel special. 

Practical but perfect Christmas gifts

A Maternity Total Body Pillow – as much as this is practical, it’s going to be one of the best gifts. Comfort is everything during pregnancy and getting comfortable at night becomes a real struggle. It’s what we think about a lot during pregnancy, comfort and a good night sleep. I loved using the JoJo Maman BeBe Microbean Maternity Sleep Pillow. However there are plenty more you can purchase in other places including Amazon.

A Feeding Pillow – now this one I guess is maybe a bit strange for a Christmas gift. And you may need to know the person well before you buy it. Not everyone breastfeeds, but from personal experience and friends too, it has been one of the best gifts. They are also used for helping mums hold their babies in the first days, and are super comfortable to use. There is plenty of choice on Amazon.

Gift Vouchers – whether it’s for a super market, a shopping mall or Amazon vouchers. This is a simple but a fantastic gift. You can then be sure that the mum to be will be able to spend it just how she wants.

Groegg – A night light with a thermometer. This is a lovely practical gift to help parents. Not only does it tell you the temperature. The colour of the light changes if the temperature is too low or too high in the babies room. It’s a practical gift but some what luxurious. You can purchase the GroEgg from the company directly or other retailers such as Boots, John Lewis, Amazon and more.

Meal Vouchers – when you first have a baby, thinking of what to cook is the last thing on your mind. Getting a take out can also be costly. Of course we all have chips and other frozen items, but it just doesn’t always do it. Marks & Spencers have delicious ‘Dine in for two’ meals that both mum and dad would enjoy in the first few days of having a baby.  You can also send a gift card from Hello Fresh. Parents can redeem it when they need to (please check if there’s a time limit).

Changing Bag – a lovely changing bag is a great gift. We love our handbags, and changing bags are not an exception. After all, we will be carrying it everywhere on a daily basis. I adore Cath Kidston changing bags, not only are they beautiful but fantastic quality too.

Hair appointment – our hair does tend to get ruined after pregnancy for a while. A hair appointment voucher would be the perfect present for an expectant mum. She can go treat herself when ever she wants. Tammie and her team at Quiffs and Curls and Bentley’s Hair Salon are amazing if you’re in Barnsley area. 

Bath oils and creams – there are thousands of oils and creams you could gift this Christmas to an expectant mum. My favourite are, Neal’s Yard and Bloom and Blossom product range. You can choose either individual products or sets.

I hope this has given you plenty of ideas for when looking at “Perfect Christmas Gifts for Expectant Mums”.

I would love to hear from you, your ideas and what you think, so please pop a comment below.

Anna