Tension built at the beginning of February in the anticipation of the Guild of Photographer Award night where the top professional photographers gathered to celebrate their achievements throughout the year.  As a newborn and baby photographer, I had been entering the monthly competitions for that genre, in the hope that I would pick up some recognition and some awards.  Towards the end of the year you add up your points from the images that won Bronze, Silver and Gold and if you get enough points, you might achieve the coveted 'Photographers Bar' which is a tough Award to receive. 

In November I knew that all my hard work had been rewarded, as I managed to get the points needed. Little did I know just how difficult this award is to get! 

Unfortunately I was not able to attend the Guild of Photographers Award ceremony, but eagerly waited for the results to be announced on the website on the Monday.  To my great surprise not only did I win 'The Photographers Bar' but found out that only 75 photographers from all genres of photography internationally achieved this award.  It did not end there, I also received a certificate which awarded me with 'International Top Ten Photographer in the Newborn and Baby Category.  Top Ten Internationally!  I am truly shocked and so totally delighted to have been awarded these prestigious awards.

I would like to thank every single client who's images helped me to achieve this and below you can see the winning images.  ​See if you can see your winning image! x

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Mother's Day is just a month away (26th March), have you thought about a very special gift? How about a photoshoot for your wife or partner or perhaps ladies you can drop a massive hint to your loved ones. The gift of a photoshoot with your children will last longer than a box of chocolates! 

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I am normally very proud at creating those once in a lifetime newborn and baby photographs for my clients, but this Christmas has been one of the most exciting times, as I have been able to be a part of capturing something particular special for a client.  

Steve and Sophie came to my photography studio back in February 2015 to have their maternity images done. Then following the birth of their newborn son Harrision, I had the privilege of taking the newborn images as well. So when Steve contacted me at the beginning of November 2016 to ask me for my help I was absolutely delighted!!!

As a special Christmas surprise Steve wanted to propose to his beautiful girlfriend Sophie. Steve had the idea including Harrison, their 8 month old baby boy, in the proposal plans and he wanted me to photograph Harrison with the special message that Sophie would have on Christmas day.  The idea was for me to create an image that could be made into a puzzle for Sophie to have pieces throughout December in her advent calendar, and then the special message being revealed on Christmas Day! So after a few ideas between myself and Steve, we came up with the image below.   I had the puzzle produced and delivered it to Steve and he did the rest!
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I was so excited to see a post from Sophie on Facebook with a half completed puzzle and couldn't wait for the announcement on the big day. I am so pleased that this all worked out so brilliantly and of course Sophie said YES!  

Thanks to Sophie McDowell for letting me share her pictures.

I am certainly loving the pure, clean and simple creams, whites and neutral colour pallet I have been using in my newborn sessions lately. This little dude came to me recently and it was a pleasure to capture images of him during those precious 2 weeks of birth. Here are a few of the type of poses and simple props I am using at the moment.  I of course still add the odd splash of colour and still add the odd darker background image for variety to the gallery but most of your new babies gallery will be filled with these lovely simple images.

What a busy year 2015 has been.  I have seen lots of newborns being photographed and this year especially has seen lots returning to have their babies first smiler, sitter and first birthday sessions.  The launch of the baby plan at the end of the year gives incentives to those who have either had their newborn sessions and would like to see their babies grow throughout the next 12-18 months or those who might have missed the precious newborn session to have the next stages captured.  Take a look at my baby milestone plan on the website.

I am looking forward not only in photographing more newborns and babies but also I am having a new photography studio built here in Somerset, so it will double my current space and hopefully be ready in late Spring.

I would like to thank all of those clients who entrusted their most precious newborns to me and I hope to see you returning in 2016.  

Here is just a selection of the images from 2015.

I love capturing all of the tiny details during a newborn sessions, those little details fade so quickly as they grow and it is so important to remind yourself just how small and delicate they were in those first few days.  Here are some of Summer's tiny little hands, lips and toes.....adorable!

This sweet little bundle of goodness came to see me at my photography studio in Bridgwater recently for her newborn photography session.  She has been very popular on my Facebook page and now mummy and daddy have seen all of the images I thought I would share some more from the selection. 

If you like these images please feel free to comment in the comments section below and explore my website! 

Mum to be, not one but two!!!
I am so excited about sharing this post as you will be seeing a lot more over the next year, not just of mum and dad but the fact that this lovely couple who came to my Bridgwater Studio for their maternity photo session also have booked a whole years worth of sessions and the exciting news is it is twins!!! So I will be tracking them throughout the year for their newborn photographs as well as 3 month, 6 month and years birthday celebrations (can you imagine twins and a cake smash)! The twins are due at the end of July and I am sure I am just one person amongst many that can't wait to meet them (gender still a surprise!)  

We managed to do two maternity photography shoots, one at my Somerset photography studio, including my garden and then another sunset shoot which was in a lovely field just around the corner in Moorland, near Bridgwater.  It is such a lovely place for a sunset maternity shoot.

So pleased that in the first month of joining The Guild of Photographers and entering 3 images in their monthly competition I was awarded 2 Bronze awards. I am so pleased that my images are being recognised by fellow professional photographers in the specialist area of newborn photography!