Tag: Chichester photographer

Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Sabrina & Family

Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Maternity Session

When I first got a message from Sabrina about her pregnancy and ideas for her bump to baby shoot I was most excited! Sabrina wanted to engage in a soft, woodland theme for both sessions, tying in nature as the studio whilst including her partner Olly and their daughter, Winter.

Our first stop was to research the location and discuss what props we would be using. We decided on Brandyhole Copse in Chichester. It was still in bloom with bluebells and had a variety of other foliage spots within a small area, making walking with a small child and a variety of props not too challenging!

Whilst taking a moment with Sabrina and Olly, I chanced a look behind me at Winter who was making herself very comfortable on our luggage of props and photographic equipment! I couldn’t resist the behind the scenes shot!

As a Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer I find myself looking around at shapes…. Natural or man made, abstract or symmetrical it doesn’t matter. I find the beauty of life around us fascinating! Brandyhole Copse is no exception. Nature is it’s own artist.

One of the reasons for planning a shoot in advance is to get an idea for what the client wants from their pictures. Sabrina was very open to me unleashing my creativity with her to capture the memory of her with her blossoming bump. While Winter had a cheeky chocolate break, Sabrina kindly braved the fragrant pond while I sought reflections and symmetry!

I think we may also have invented “Extreme Maternity Photography”. On walking around a log bridge, we all walked under, around and past this log, our conversation going from: “we shouldn’t”, “should we”, “oh no, I can’t ask a pregnant woman to do that” to “maybe, though, it could work” and “let’s do it”. No pregnant women were harmed in the making of this shot!!

Another prop that was included for this shoot was a small teepee, bought with the intention of being used on both shoots. Settling Winter into her new den we embarked on the final stage of this maternity session, with the last of the bluebells and homemade bunting decorating the scene.

Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Newborn Session

After what seemed like a few short weeks, I was reunited with Sabrina, Olly and Winter. This time, they had Baby Sky in arms and an extra name on the bunting! In keeping with the theme and styling of the maternity session, we embraced the changing textures of Brandyhole Copse and set about creating some newborn images of Sky, as well as some natural, lifestyle portraits of the four of them.

Giving Winter some time to introduce me to her baby sister was lovely. She was incredibly in to her sister, then as young children often are, easily distracted by treats and snacks in the next moment! We worked with the mood of the little ones as ultimately it needs to be fun for them. Snuggles and cuddles while Sky was awake. Hunting for Fairies when Winter was playful. Baskets and textures when Sky was asleep.

Going back to the theme of using nature as the studio, while Sky was being changed and fed I set up a basket ready to hold her. We soon discovered that Sky wasn’t a swaddler… Not in the woods on a warm day anyway!

Within my role as a Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer, when working with babies, it is always my objective to work in a safe and secure manner, ensuring baby is safe from harm, comfortable and has it’s needs met. This may mean that the shoot takes longer than a normal portrait session, it may also mean that some planned shots don’t happen. It’s baby first throughout. We were very lucky that Sky was comfortable in the fresh air and snuggled into the the natural basket as planned.

Bringing in the teepee again, we took a few moments to capture some images within it’s folds once Winter had a little nose to see what her sister was up to in her basket!

Sabrina, it was most lovely meeting you and your family and engaging in a Bump to Baby shoot out in the fresh air surrounded by beautiful nature. I hope your family is growing well and that we shall see each other soon for the next portrait session

Big Love,

Fiona xx

FionaMillsArt | Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Sabrina & Family | Brandyhole Copse

Sussex Newborn Photographer | Baby Evie

You may remember a post from a couple of years ago featuring Rose Lorena? Here’s a reminder of that shoot. Now, Rose has welcomed a baby sister, Evie, and how cute is she! Here’s some images from our session as a Sussex Newborn Photographer…

It’s incredible how much like her bigger sister, Evie is visually. Although, where Rose loved to be swaddled, Evie loves to spread, as seen in the image above! I brought some props back for this shoot that I had used with Rose to create some images that linked back to that time…although, this time I couldn’t help but include the cutest elephant that Rose had gifted her baby sister…on this occasion it appeared that Evie just wasn’t interested in her sibling’s snuggles!! It was great to catch Rose too, who was zooming about at high speed during our morning together!! What a great little character she is developing, full of curiosity and energy! It’s a real honour to see families grow and develop over time.

As a Sussex Newborn Photographer, I endeavour to include all those little details that grow and change so quickly… The button nose, wrinkled hands and feet, and tose lovely, fleshy rolls that make a baby so squidgeable (is that even a word?!)!!

To complete the collection following our Newborn Shoot, those precious memories are placed into a Baby Book, made by Graphistudio. These details of our gorgeous babies change so so fast it is so important to create a tangible memory for parents to look back on for years to come. Here’s a peek at the album received by Laura & Rob…

I’m looking forward to capturing the next chapter of Laura & Rob’s lives… whatever that is and when ever it happens 😉 😉

xX Fiona Xx

FionaMillsArt | Sussex Newborn Photographer | Baby Evie

Southend Barns | Wedding Photographer | Geoff & Jess

Wow. I cannot believe it has taken me nearly 11 months to write this blog! This year has been busy!! You may remember this lovely couple from their engagement shoot last year at Bishop’s Palace Gardens? Click here for a refresher.

Geoff and Jess have had an amazing love story. They met two Novembers ago when Jess arrived for a job interview in Geoff’s company. It seemed their informal interview lasted a lot longer than half an hour and by the end of the month they were a formal couple!! In May the following year (2016) I met them, newly engaged, to document this exciting part of their life. Between us we had an army of mutual friends and wonderfully hit it off from the beginning! In fact, Geoff and Jess even asked my husband and I to have the very responsible job of their “pre-maritals”. This is when a couple marrying have sessions prior to their wedding, over a variety of subjects, to open up the opportunity for any tricky issues, unexpected areas of difficulty, or potential challenging hotspots of the future to be brought to attention. Enabling us all to discuss and support this in a safe environment.

Fast forward to November of last year (still 2016) Geoff and Jess had arrived at their wedding day. Their ceremony was booked at Chichester Baptist Church where they had both started attending as a couple, followed by the reception at the stunning Southend Barns. As Jess and her bridal party were busy preparing at a good friend’s house, Geoff and his family were ensuring the church was all set up and ready to go.

These stunning flowers and floral displays were created by Bridal Flowers Direct. A perfect tone to complement the bright autumnal colours around and I just love these personalised robes, ideal for a chilly November morning.

I absolutely adore the moments when the girls get their first peek of Jess in her dress. The emotion is evident!

The image below is a personal favourite of mine. Jess is alone in the room while the make-up artist provides some finishing touches. The simplicity and serenity of this shot is what draws me. It also happens to have been awarded a Merit in a Regional Print Competition with the Master Photographers Association, and as well has received a Highly Commended Award in a National, monthly Master Photographers Association competition.

The service at Chichester Baptist Church was a very personal service with people conducting different parts of the ceremony that they have close relationships with. A great testimony to their faith. I loved how Geoff chose his Dad to be his Best Man. What a touching gesture.

While the guests enjoyed a light fish and chip tea at the church, Mr & Mrs Youngs and I popped to Southend Barns a little early to take some quiet moments for their portraits. Although in the midst of a downpour, the great thing about Southend Barns as a wedding venue is the abundance of photogenic indoor space as well as their stunning outdoor space. Once the guests arrived they were treated to mulled cider by the Field & Fork catering team to warm themselves back up before supper.

The venue was dressed to perfection with lovely book related touches and quotes and name placings, menus and table decor all linking back to the stunning bridal bouquet. The speeches had everyone laughing out loud, especially when Jess’ Dad, Pete, brought out the “Sofa Fund” box and various other props to help them prepare for married life.

The Killer Groove played a lively, party-starting set in the evening, but not before Jess’ sister, Ciara, sung them in for their first dance. The party was stomping with a full dancefloor and lots of sweaty bodies!!

Geoff and Jess decided to upgrade their album choice to include their entire day in print (not just the highlights) by having a Graphistudio Duet Album. There’s some more details of what this entails here, but I think you’ll agree from the picture below that it looks stunning, bringing in details from their wedding invitations and colours from their day to really personalise their albums. Something to treasure and look back on forever.

Speaking of forever…. things seem to happen in November for this couple as their first baby is due this November!! Here is a little peek from their Bump Shoot at West Dean Gardens, I will be sure to keep you updated when Baby Youngs is here and the Bump to Baby blog is up! Most importantly, however…. these fabulous Youngs have also asked my husband and I to be Godparents. What an absolute honour and I cannot truly convey how much of a friendship we have built up since meeting for that engagement shoot back in May ’16! This is perhaps the thing I love most about my job, is the relationships that can truly develop from something so personal as taking someones photograph.

xX Fiona Xx

FionaMillsArt | Southend Barns Wedding Photographer | Geoff & Jess

West Sussex Photographer | Natasha & Neale Petworth Park

West Sussex Photographer | Natasha & Neale Petworth Park

Natasha and I met at a wedding fair about a year or so ago. We’ve been back and forth a number of times creating plans, timelines, looking at album ideas and generally getting plans ready for their wedding day. It wasn’t until I met Neale further down the line that we realised that Neale had been Best Man at a wedding I shot some 6 or 7 years ago (long before I started blogging!)

When planning their test shoot, Natasha said she’d really like to have it at Petworth Park, as it was one of those places they often visit together. I’m all for experiencing locations I’ve not seen before and I’m very glad to have made the trip.

One of the main aims for me when meeting a couple for their pre-wedding shoot is to increase their comfort and confidence in front of the camera (and me!) Wedding days are so busy with your guests all wanting to talk, drink, dance and be with you I would much rather spend less time on the “formal” portraits enabling their day to flow and be enjoyed with minimal interruptions by me. Having this time means I really can spend 10-15 mins here and there on your wedding day creating your portraits as you will have already learnt posing tips and got over touching each other in public (unless you love a bit of a PDA, then you’ll have no probs!)

One thing I loved about shooting Natasha and Neale is that they are sooo comfortable with one another. I often shoot from a distance, so I have no way of knowing what they are saying, but I just loved how much they laugh together!

As a West Sussex Photographer, I cannot believe I had not visited Petworth Park before. The views are incredible. When Neale said there would be deer, I didn’t realise he meant HUNDREDS of deer. Herds of the things, seemingly oblivious to us traipsing through their home trying to capture them in the background. Be warned, with hundreds of deer come thousands of deer-poop (not good for a photographer who likes to lay on the ground a lot!

Natasha and Neale make such a gorgeous couple together. Despite Neales best efforts to not look at the camera EVER he managed a grand job of looking natural and relaxed. Natasha will make the most stunning bride, I cannot wait to see her in her wedding dress as she prepares to marry Neale at Farbridge Wedding Venue this summer.

The other thing I ask couples to practise is *THE KISS* Swooping kisses, lifting kisses, looking-at-each-other-almost-there kisses. They all rock! Not that I’m a secret voyeur, I’m usually looking away or at a safe distance with my long lens, but that newly married kiss you’re gonna do at the end of the aisle in front of your guests is totally worth practising, right?!

This was an ace pre-wedding shoot. I can’t wait for the real deal!

Big love

Fiona xx

FionaMillsArt | West Sussex Photographer | Natasha & Neale Petworth Park

Sussex Photographer | India & Russell’s pre-wedding shoot

I just love it when the seasons come together to create the ultimate in high blooms! When planning in the diary for a pre-wedding test shoot for India and Russell I was hoping for the Bluebells to still be around, we could not have timed it better to get the maximum carpeting that surrounded us in the quiet spot of Angmering Park Estate.

India and Russell were using their pre-wedding shoot as a two-fold exercise. Firstly, as part of the complementary service I offer all my wedding clients, we invest a little time into getting comfortable in front of the camera and I, talking through good and bad posing techniques, hand signal communication I might use on the day and generally getting ourselves more acquainted with one another. Secondly, they loved the idea of using their images in an album which they will use as a guest signing book on their wedding day. As a Sussex Photographer seeing my work in print and displayed as it is meant to is one of the reasons I do what I do.

With that in mind we set about using the textures and landscapes of the Bluebell Woods. I honestly don’t think there is another wild flower that leaves me in utter awe like this one. India and Russell looked great together as they posed and played around with each other. It was brilliant to see their personalities come out as our session developed and the camera became less of a “thing”! I can see their wedding day is going to be filled with great love and laughter!

Despite the tiredness kicking in (modelling is hard work you know!) India and Russell willingly agreed to go on another journey with me, this time to a glamorous lay-by in Houghton while the Rape Fields were in full bloom…. I take all my clients to the fanciest places!! I’m so glad we made that quick stop as the contrast of the yellow against the session in the Bluebells is so bold and colourful! I love it!

The main difficulty after the images are ready is choosing favourites for the signing book! I think you will agree that the GoBook by Graphistudio in Italy is a perfect album for this purpose. Encased in a Box Frame that will stand upright displaying their favourite image on the front, they will treasure for years the messages of love and congratulations from their wedding day.

I’m looking forward to their wedding day, capturing more of those precious memories!

Big Love, Fiona x

FionaMillsArt | Sussex Photographer

Rustington Newborn Photographer | West Sussex | Baby Flora

Rustington Newborn Photographer | Baby Flora

You may remember Matt and Jen from my recent blog about their September wedding in Pulborough, or even their LIve Proposal? Those with eagle eyes may have also clocked a very graceful bump that Jen was sporting under that Grecian wedding dress? Here’s a quick reminder….

Well, Baby Flora was born a few weeks early just before Christmas. It was lovely to go back to see Matt, Jen and Stanley as they welcomed the new baby and set up her very first photoshoot at 14 days old!

Most babies are still very sleepy at this age and as a Rustington Newborn Photographer, I often find them easily (but slowly and gently) manipulated into comfortable curled up and cutesy sleeping positions in baskets and wraps… Flora however was mostly raring to go. Awake for much of the session, she seemed to want to know what was happening around her! She was also a “stretcher”…. after the confines of the womb, some babies just love to stretch out! The suitcases worked well for this as she had room to move!

Matt and Jen have an awesome feature wall, so understandably I was eager to work this into the shots. Stanley and Flora snuggled nicely while the cat looked on… whether interested in the new family member or the smell of treats placed nearby, who knows, but I loved him featuring in the fold. Stanley’s ever changing expressions I just adored too 🙂

I love both colour and black and white when planning my newborn photography sessions, and as you can see here, they both work very well.

To finish their collection, Matt and Jen received a lovely Baby Book by Graphistudio. Handmade in Italy, with soft to touch box and book covers in a colour theme chosen by them, the images are printed on Tintoretto paper which complements the soft feel of a newborn session.

What an honour to have captured so many poignant memories in the last year with them. I’m really looking forward to seeing this family grow (and maybe even finish their house?!!)

Fiona xx

FionaMillsArt | Rustington Newborn Photographer

Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Arundel

Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer | Arundel, Swanbourne Lake

After a false start or two with heavy rain, Chris, Vanya and I managed to find a dry day to embark on their maternity shoot. As a Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer I feel most lucky with our local surroundings. Arundel being one. Off we headed with our scarves and hats to trek around Swanbourne Lake on a sunny, Autumn morning.

Vanya, like me, is Bulgarian (well, half really. Scotland claims the other half of me), but as I’m out of practise with my lingo it was great to dust off the mother-tongue for a couple of hours during our session… but not all the time, that wouldn’t have been fair on Chris! Swanbourne Lake in Autumn was looking so photogenic. As a West Sussex Photographer, I should use it far more than I do. The colours as we walked around the lake were just breathtaking!

As you can see, Vanya carries her pregnancy beautifully. It is clear from the adoration in Chris’ eyes that they are very much in love. I loved the bareness of the trees as we walked round Swanbourne Lake. I found myself reminded of old film black and whites photos that I used to take before we all went digital mad! The images below really lent themselves to a vintage-film-look.

After one lap we detoured back to theirs to finish off the shoot in a slightly warmer environment. Being a Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer means I’m always on the lookout for interesting backgrounds, alternative shots and humorous moments (Chris certainly didn’t fail to disappoint with the humour!) The striking red wood panelling was incredible (I love those lines!) The simplicity of bare walls and clear space was a perfect contrast to the twisting chaos of the woodland shots from earlier.

I’m looking forward to hearing the news of a new baby soon so we can embark on the next stage…. the newborn shoot, where I get to cuddle a teeny one!!

Fiona xx

FionaMillsArt | Chichester Bump to Baby Photographer