Questions About Family Photography

Some sessions are cosy, intimate and quiet. Sweet and gentle. Some sessions are wild.

Kids quickly seem to figure out that I am a very silly person who doesn’t mind pretending to be stuck in one’s jumper.

The main thing is that I try to be present & aware of all the ‘little things’ that happen spontaneously. I also respect the boundaries set by little people. With kindness and an open heart, little kids always help me create photos that I could never have even thought of myself. It's always so exciting to see what happens.

I am intentional about certain things, like where the sun is or how to direct the shoot, making transitions smooth and easy for the kids so they can truly be themselves!

The other very helpful thing is that the session feels 'easy' because you simply just focus on your favourite people, and I do the rest...miraculously, having your photo taken doesn’t seem so strange anymore.

Making you look great is easy. Angles, where the light is and anticipating your movement is what it’s all about. Post-production techniques are super important, too. Colour management is a big thing, and telling your story is important. It's the editing down that takes years of experience.

Then, of course, a bit of retouching. Only a little, never too much.

The main thing is the connection between you all. Your children will cherish these photos for years to come. Heirlooms that you can share with the generations that follow are irreplaceable and make having your photos taken special.

Time is fleeting.

As the saying about the 'wonder years' goes: “The days are long, the years are short”.

Love Shikha x

I am a mama, too.

You are perfect just the way you are! Everyone is different, and that is a good thing.

It’s not uncommon for me to arrive at the newborn baby's family home only to find everyone in tears. This is normal. No one could have told us what sleep deprivation and so much change can do to us. Having a baby is wildly terrifying and out-of-this-world amazing, both realities are transformative and can both be true at the same time.

Simply put, a new chapter in your life has begun and I love capturing this special time.

In terms of ‘wild kids’…well, I grew up in a house with 150 children. I’d regularly put twenty, under-seven-year-olds to bed.

We will be fine!

For context….Please feel free to read more about how I was raised. This is part of my blog of silly biographical stories about being raised in a hippy cult.

:)

You could stay in your pyjamas, and your photos would still be beautiful.
Because truly, it’s not about what you wear—it’s about the connection between you and your little ones. That’s where the magic lives.

Once you’ve booked, I’ll send over a thoughtfully created guide filled with styling tips and gentle advice. While clothing isn’t everything, earthy tones, natural textures, and flowing fabrics can help you feel relaxed and beautifully in tune with the environment we’ll be photographing in.

And I’m here to help as much—or as little—as you’d like. We can chat on WhatsApp, and I’m more than happy to send links, ideas, or even create a bespoke mood board just for you. If it’s helpful, I can also bring along a few clothing options to your session.

This whole process should feel easy and enjoyable. You’re never on your own with any of it.

All you need to do is book your session via my booking calendar. After that, I’ll be in touch with everything you need to feel prepared, inspired, and supported every step of the way.

I’m all yours.

x

Yes, of course you can:)

We can chat about suitable times and dates, working around nap times and how you like to live your lives. It’s what works best for you.

Your booking date can be provisional, and we can find a suitable date for you and me.

Also, should you need to postpone your session for any other more spontaneous reason, then that is not a problem either!

Many things, like the weather or feeling unwell, can derail all the best laid plans.

I am very relaxed, and we can work together to make our session wonderful and easygoing.

Luckily, I was able to fulfil my dream of being a photographer very early on.

I have been capturing photos for most of my life. Since I was 6 years old, to be exact.

I am now 45.

I have captured millions of photos and met thousands of lovely families.

It feels amazing to be invited back to people’s homes, sometimes over the space of two decades when I'd first visited the parent's homes to do a newborn session and then many times again…until that little squishy human ended up going off to uni.

In terms of career … I have been published, lectured at uni for 14 years, travelled the world, worked in studios, and owned a studio. Photographed the 1%, royalty and the grandkids of some very crazy musical legends.

As a young adult, I assisted for months, working with fashion and advertising agencies in Europe. Of course, I went to uni to study photography. I worked within fashion and found my love for creative art direction. I use those skills in another business I own.

When I was pregnant and missed working, I felt the need to create collaborations that positively impact women and children. Hence, I loved setting up a project for the Children’s Hospice south-west. I thankfully was able to do this with the wonderful Sarah Jeffs.

We called it ‘Positive Image Art’ and raised a lot of money for the kids. Another project was for the Bristol maternity unit. Great partnerships and kindness mean a lot to me.

I also owned a photography school. Mainly teaching people who are accomplished professionals in their fields, who then became photographers, too. Some are now working internationally and locally. Some are represented in galleries like Tate or are being published by Condé Nast or National Geographic.

Unlearning and relearning this wonderful craft in many different forms is what I like to do.

I have worked in many different photo industries. Working in fashion, advertising and also lifestyle.

I love playing around with ideas, setting up (spontaneously) creative scenarios, and seeing what simply happens.

I specialise in darkroom development, hence my love for black-and-white photography.

I made my digital filters before it was a thing. And I am a retoucher and editor.

The thing I am always working on is allowing myself to keep an open mind. I love people. I always try to see the best in them, and I think that helps when working as a portrait photographer.

Also, I am half German and half Greek, and I was raised in India, England, Germany, Greece, Spain and in Italy.

Love Shikha x

I offer flexible payment options like Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal to make things easier for you.

If you’d like to set up a payment plan, just send me a quick email, and I’ll be happy to arrange it for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Love,
Shikha x