FAQS
Tell me a bit about yourself please!
Hi, I'm Laura! Before taking up photography full time I used to be a primary school teacher until I left the profession a few years ago so that I could spend more time with my two young children and start up this business in 2013. I still love interacting with children through my photography and meeting new families is my favourite part of this job. I have a very relaxed and friendly approach to my photography so if there's anything at all you want to know then please just ask!
What is your style?
My photographic style is very much a lifestyle based approach. This means taking natural photos of children having fun and being themselves, in beautiful, usually outdoor, surroundings. I try to avoid much posing (although of course if you'd like a more traditional posed family photo that's fine too) and instead I prefer to watch you interacting and having fun as a family and take photos of this. If your children are anything like mine, the worst thing you can possibly do is stick them in front of a camera and tell them to smile!
Hi, I'm Laura! Before taking up photography full time I used to be a primary school teacher until I left the profession a few years ago so that I could spend more time with my two young children and start up this business in 2013. I still love interacting with children through my photography and meeting new families is my favourite part of this job. I have a very relaxed and friendly approach to my photography so if there's anything at all you want to know then please just ask!
What is your style?
My photographic style is very much a lifestyle based approach. This means taking natural photos of children having fun and being themselves, in beautiful, usually outdoor, surroundings. I try to avoid much posing (although of course if you'd like a more traditional posed family photo that's fine too) and instead I prefer to watch you interacting and having fun as a family and take photos of this. If your children are anything like mine, the worst thing you can possibly do is stick them in front of a camera and tell them to smile!
Where are you based? Where do photo shoots take place? How long is a photo shoot?
I'm based in Eastburn, West Yorkshire. This means I'm within easy reach of places like Skipton, Ilkley, Silsden, North Leeds and the surrounding areas in both North and West Yorkshire. I'm happy to travel approximately 30 minutes drive from BD20 which gives us plenty of lovely options. I never shoot in a studio, instead photo sessions take place on location, usually outdoors, or, in the case of young babies, in the comfort of your own home. If you have somewhere outdoors in mind for a photo session I'm happy to discuss this with you, or I have a list of ideas which I will discuss with you when you are in the process of making your booking. I'm very happy to be able to offer photo shoots within the beautiful Bolton Abbey Estate, having agreed a deal with the very lovely management there - please check out my Bolton Abbey page for more details as they do differ slightly from my other photo shoots. Photo shoots are usually about an hour and a half long, however I don't clock watch and the children are very much in charge!
Which days are you available? How far in advance do I need to book?
I'm available 7 days a week, though my weekend slots do get booked up quite far in advance - often by a few months during peak periods. My mid week dates are usually only booked up by two or three weeks in advance, but please note my mid week dates are term term only.
Help! I've booked a photo shoot with you for my child but they're poorly. Can I reschedule?
Don't worry! As a mother myself I understand that children get ill! Just get in touch with me as soon as possible and let me know so we can reschedule to a later date at no additional cost.
Help! I've booked an outdoor photo shoot with you and it's raining - what happens now?
As we live in England this does inevitably happen sometimes - the one downside to photographing outdoors, but I think it's worth it for the end result! If the weather forecast is particularly awful in advance or we wake up on the morning of the shoot and it's raining then we can speak on the phone and jointly decide what we want to do. If it's raining at the time when the photo shoot is scheduled for we will reschedule a convenient date for you as soon as possible, possibly even later on in the day if we are both free and the weather clears. As long as it's not actually raining then the shoot can go ahead - grey, cloudy and muddy aren't a problem! Those conditions can actually look great - wellies, hat and coat and lots of puddle jumping can make for lovely photos capturing children being children!
I do sometimes have clients ask if I can do the photo shoot at their house if it is raining, rather than reschedule. I have to be honest and say that it is never my preferred option as lighting and background are more restricted than outdoors, however if you feel that your house is suitable then I am happy to this would be your preference.
Do you photograph newborns and young babies?
Yes! I love doing newborn photo shoots in the comfort of you own home. My general advice is that once they can confidently sit unaided then they are ready for an outdoor shoot. Before this age the photo shoot can take place in your own home and I will bring all the equipment that we need to get some great photos of your new arrival. Should you wish to book a baby session or simply find out some more details then please contact me for further details. Please note that for the "sleepy" newborn photos that are very popular then the photo shoot should ideally take place before the baby is 2 weeks old so booking in advance is highly recommended so that I can put your due date in my diary and we'll then arrange a firm date once you've given birth.
I'd like to book a photo shoot - what happens next?
Great! Please get in touch using the Contact Me page or Facebook to book a date. Please note a deposit of £45 is payable to secure the booking, with the remaining balance due on or before the day of the photo shoot. I will email you a link to an online booking form to fill in a few details on about your shoot as well as a link to information on the lovely selection of locations that I use. If booking a shoot then please also make sure to check out my "What to Expect" page for lots of information you will hopefully find helpful.
Do you do gift vouchers?
Yes, I do! Please see my gift voucher page for full details.
How do I get my photos? Can I buy my prints through you?
As part of the fixed price for the photo shoot you will receive the digital files of your edited photos in a beautiful password protected online gallery, from where you can download them for your unlimited personal use so that you can get them printed anywhere you like. Friends and family can also download their own copies if you'd like at no extra cost - simply send the link and password to anyone you'd like to have access to the gallery. If you'd like to purchase your prints through me then yes, you can, but you absolutely don't have to! Ordering prints via your online gallery is incredibly easy - payment is managed through your gallery and your order will then be sent directly through to one of the Uk's top pro printing labs and delivered directly to you. I'm in control of the prices and I keep them as low as possible so that my clients are able to have access to pro quality prints at very low prices. If you'd prefer to order from elsewhere then that's absolutely fine and I'm happy to make recommendations for places that I use personally.
Are you available for other types of photography?
I am yes - although I mainly specialise in children's photography I always happy to consider other types of photo shoots. Amongst the other assignments I have done recently are corporate work, landscape photography for a website, headshots and property photography for holiday home marketing materials. If you have something in mind then please do feel free to get in touch to see how I might be able to help you out with your photographic requirements.
Please see my full terms and conditions or contact me for further information.