Recently, I had the pleasure of being asked to do a family photo shoot for a beautiful family in Crawley, West Sussex. This Afro-Caribbean family, celebrating a special occasion, was a dream to work with. They were all dressed in white, which provided a striking contrast to the stunning backgrounds at Worth Park in Crawley, that made them stand out beautifully against the outdoor autumnal backdrop. The setting was perfect, with the golden hues of fallen leaves and crisp dry weather highlighting the natural beauty of the season.
The two daughters, dressed in elegant white dresses reminiscent of mini wedding gowns, stole the spotlight from the start. Initially, they were a bit shy, unsure of where to look or how to pose at first. However, it didn’t take long for them to warm up to the camera. Soon, they were enjoying their time in the limelight, striking poses like seasoned young models. Their joy and confidence grew with each click of the shutter, making it easy to capture their personalities and the special bond they share with their parents and each other.
While much of the shoot was spent focusing on the girls, the session was also a celebration of their parents’ wedding anniversary. I made sure to capture some tender moments between the parents, both together as well as individually. These intimate portraits added a beautiful layer to the story of their family, celebrating love, unity, and togetherness.
A More Formal Touch at Their Family Home
After our outdoor session, we returned to their family home in nearby Crawley for some more formal studio portraits. I set up my mini studio in their lounge, and the setup worked perfectly in the space. By this point, the girls were completely at ease and were having way too much fun! They couldn’t help but jump around, laughing and playing, which led to me capturing some truly candid and joyful moments. Their energy was infectious, and those spontaneous moments resulted in some gorgeous, relaxed photos of the whole family.
The home studio session provided a wonderful balance to the day, blending the formality of the studio with the warmth and personality of the family. It was a delight to see the love and connection between them all, and these portraits will no doubt be cherished for years to come.
