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Family Photographer Chichester | The Youngs

I’m very fortunate in my line of work. I get to meet some awesome people, and when I’m really lucky, these awesome people become my friends! Take the Youngs family for instance… Despite having many mutual friends, we met properly on their Engagement shoot. This led to shooting their wedding (and even doing some solid marriage prep with them in the interim, cause, you know… I’m a guru 😉 LOL!!)

Fast forward a little, along came their first bump to baby shoot with Amos, to whom I’m now a proud Godmother! Here’s a little throwback to those sessions with a peek at their totally bespoke Graphistudio Album to preserve that moment:

My friendship with the Youngs has continued to grow stronger, we even managed a cheeky Caribbean Cruise together last year where they announced their pregnancy with Baby no.2! My family photographer Chichester brain kicks in so we’re already planning the next shoot whilst sipping a mojito (me) and ice water (Jess) in the presence of the turquoise Caribbean waters!

Jess’ first experience with childbirth was traumatic which led to some adjusting as she prepared for the next one. In my mind, I wanted her to reclaim her power as a woman, to feel like a strong Queen who was in charge of her body and this beautiful change that was happening. Photography for me isn’t just about capturing a moment in time, it’s psychological. I want my subjects to feel empowered and stronger by the journey we take together to create these photographs.

The first part of this was to get Jess on her own, I wanted the first session to be ALL about her. The buzz words in my head were: Queen; Warrior; Strong; Gentle; Sensual; Feminine; Maternal; Expectant… I wanted her to claim these words as hers and own them. So, with that in mind, off to West Wittering we went…

The weather was just perfect! A cool sea breeze, warm sun on our faces. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

The next session was in the studio… we wanted to just quickly capture a moment with Amos and his parents before little one arrived! This was quite a funny session as my girls and Amos adore each other, so the concept that this was a photoshoot came with its challenges haha… who wants their photo taken when you could just play instead!!

The day of Josiah’s birth came! This was brilliant news! Jess felt empowered, in control and superbly happy to have had a more positive experience second time around. It also came with a brand new Godson for me!! As with all things babies, you can’t really control when they come or when you’re going to feel up for visitors, so with careful (ish) planning around my holiday plans, I was able to swing by to see Josiah and capture a quick newborn portrait on the way to the airport. What a cute and cheeky looking chappy he is (and I wasn’t late for my flight either!!)

Capturing your life and those that are important to you within it is high on my list of things to do within my work, be it a standard family shoot, something more creative, considered and empowering, or just something totally on the fly to create that legacy of memories to look back on in years to come. What’s on your list to capture that you haven’t yet? Give me a shout, we can make it happen!

xX Fiona Xx

Family Photographer Chichester | The Youngs

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