{family portraits} speediest portrait session takes place in Cheshire on a Saturday morning in November!

Helen, of Verity Plum and chair of the committee at Little Foxes Statham was instrumental in helping me organise a day full of portrait sessions for the children and their families. Perfect timing for Christmas presents for the family we thought!

Helen had booked the first session for herself and Louis and Lottie but having spent most of the time making coffee and trying to find out how the heating worked, there was only about 10 minutes left to actually take the photos.

So, the challenge was on - Helen, looking glam as ever but even more so with her veerrrrry blonde hair, Lottie needed to assemble all three (large) teddy bears and Louis, less than enamoured with the whole idea and more interested in making weird and wonderful faces (he has quite a talent there Helen!). I clicked furiously for a few minutes before the first family turned up and to be honest wasn't entirely sure I'd captured anything worthwhile.

I started editing the pictures last night and actually, I'm pleasantly surprised - what has been captured is a really fun couple of shots of all three - personalities shining through, which is after all everything that we aim for as portrait photographers.

Glad you like them Helen and for anyone else reading who wants a quick (although maybe longer than 10 minutes!) portrait session then you can contact me on 07928 150119 or drop me a line on bridget@maitlandphotography.co.uk . Although based in Warrington, I'm happy to travel throughout Cheshire and the North West.

{portraiture} More from the Portrait Session at Little Foxes, Lymm

Gradually working through the pile of photos to edit from this session last weekend. Here's some more, this time of Olivia, pretty in purple.

{portraiture} Models in the making

I've still got a pile of editing to do after a day of family portraits taken at Little Foxes nursery in Lymm but I've just about finished the set of this little chap - he truly is a model in the making. No shyness, endless poses, questions. Every time I was about to suggest where he put himself he had his own ideas which usually worked far better than any of mine would!

Check back soon for some more images from Saturday!

{portraiture} Megan & Ryan

Today was the long awaited photoshoot with Sarah's Megan and Ryan. Megan goes to school and is the same year as my daughter Megan - they're great friends most of the time although it's difficult to keep up with who is best friends with who these days, it seems to change by the minute!

Ryan is 10 months old and the happiest baby I've come across in a while. His blue eyes are pretty fabulous too!

Thanks for inviting me along Sarah - your kids are gorgeous and I hope you like the results!

Happy Birthday Courtney

Wednesday 16th September saw the temporary cease of hostilities in the Francis household as Courtney's speedy descent into teenage 'ness' stopped for about 24 hours.

The reason? His 11th birthday. And in all the excitement he completely forgot the monosyllabic, grunting, moody persona he's been working hard to perfect and instead we had a happy, smiling, communicative and friendly boy. The boy we know is there all the time, he'd just rather you didn't see it - this would be deeply uncool...

So Happy Birthday Courtney and just remember, it's OK to flash that gorgeous smile whenever you want!