Lockdown Babies

I can’t tell you how happy I am that the studio is open again and it almost feels (dare I say it) fairly normal in the world of photography for me right now. We’ve missed out on so much over the past 12 months and newborn babies have come in for their ‘newborn’ shoots at a few months old. Those that were born during the early stages of lockdown in 2020 are now reaching the age of one and have spent most of their whole life in isolation, unable to attend baby groups and socialise. New mums & dads have missed out on meeting other new parents which means less cake and coffee chats... which really means less peer support. Let’s hope this is the start of the new beginning and baby focussed services will stay open and parents & babies alike can get the valued company and support that is needed.

So what does this mean for me and the baby photography business? Well basically we have found ourselves working with ‘older’ newborns and have found that it is achievable though may take a little longer. I’ve also found that first birthday and sitter shoots need extra care and attention to help baby feel at ease in a strange new place. The lack of opportunity to socialise can make them a bit more wary of their surroundings. Usually babies under one are super smiley and engaging but a whole year without much interaction with others can have an impact. This isn’t always the case but it is something I’m aware of and that’s why my sessions may take a bit longer than usual.

Time is needed to help baby feel comfortable and that can mean not even picking up the camera for a short while. Sitting on the floor, singing songs, clapping together and playing peekaboo are some of the ways in which I use in the studio to establish a safe and warm environment. I am baby led and a positive experience for everyone involved is my number one priority… the photos come second!

Here are some first birthday photos that I love.. I am also finding that these shoots are really good for 2 year olds too…

Check out my Cake Smash page for all the creative sets I have put together… all sets are designed with your child in mind and most are unique to each individual shoot.

look for the rainbow 20/20

Twenty twenty has been one heck of a storm that we have all been riding. Some of us have boats and some of us have barely struggled to get through on a pool float. What ever it’s been for you remember there is always a rainbow after every storm..

Kindness has been the positive this year and I’ve seen it everywhere.. neighbours who barely spoke before looking out for each other, strangers doing other people’s shopping, a smile and a wave across the street and anything possible just to show others that we are still here and we still care… and we really do!

Spending most of the year unable to work has been a massive struggle on many levels but it’s enabled me to spend much precious time with my little one, throw myself into home schooling (which I secretly enjoyed), slow down in ways that I would never have thought possible and I got creative documenting our lives during lockdown. I’m so thankful to all of you that didn’t demand refunds and felt able to wait for your shoots, to all the bride and grooms that had to cancel this year but worked with me to change their date, to everyone that booked a Xmas mini, recommended me to a friend, pressed like on insta / facebook or shared a post. Because of YOU I still have my business and for that I am truly grateful.

I’m also thankful to all the people have worked relentlessly to keep us going: our nurses, doctors, admin staff, care workers, teachers, paramedics, fire service, police, shop assistants, delivery drivers and the third sector including millions of volunteers that have stepped up to make sure those most vulnerable have some support. I hope that the new year gives you the break you do desperately need and deserve.

Despite being closed, geographically restricted or rained off for most of the year I managed to shoot some babies, capture some families, shoot one wedding, run numerous successful Xmas minis with the wonderful Pinewood Christmas Trees, started doing some corporate work though Kelly Brightman Photography, carried out some personal projects like the anti racism campaign for Caerphilly Black Lives Matter, did complimentary doorstep portraits in my area and have ironically met and engaged with so many more people than ever (socially distanced of course!). I haven’t made much money this year and have done a lot of this work for free to keep me sane and help other people out but I have gained a much broader outlook, which has made me feel richer for having met, talked and worked with you.

THANK-YOU to everyone, but especially to my husband Mark for being my rock and holding me up when things have gotten too much, to Dan for enabling me to see life positively through the eyes of a 5 year old and to Charlotte for being the bestest friend a girl could wish for despite the miles between us.

Here’s to a stronger, more cohesive, kinder and most importantly healthier 2021

with a lot of love…

"The Streets are Full with Love and Community"

The Queen was bang on in her speech last night when she said that the streets are full of love. Yes we are socially distancing and no we can’t hug our loved ones… we can’t even share a bottle of wine or a have a pot of tea together but we can celebrate all that’s good in the world together and that’s what we did yesterday afternoon to show our appreciation to the heroes of WW2 and our Victory in Europe 75 years ago.

Our street, like thousands of others in the UK celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day 2020 by having a socially distanced street party. Sadly I have heard through friends and social media that not all streets in our town followed the rules and many rightly feel highly upset and angry about this.. let me reassure you that our street certainly did follow the guidelines, everyone stuck to their own piece of land, brought their own drink and food. The only things we shared were smiles, music and chat. We even had a life size Dalek join us! Some of us even danced and still maintained the 2 meter rule.

Some dressed up and we all made an effort. It was a gorgeous sunny day, full of joy, music, respect. Completely intergenerational from babies to people in the 80’s. Even my mum, who is wheelchair bound and doesn’t go out joined in.

Big thanks to everyone that allowed me to take their photos and I really enjoyed seeing all the pictures of the WW2 heroes on my street.. your dads, granddads and uncles… amazing! Also a specially HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Victoria who turned 75 yesterday… born on VE day itself… not a bad birthday to share!

Here are our socially distanced best bits: