A little more about me…

Hi, I'm Barbara, but everyone calls me Barbs!

I began my journey as a professional dancer so I know what it's like to be in front of the camera. That path then led me into teaching and there is where I fell in love with working with children. There is just something about the innocence of a child and seeing things through their little eyes and curious minds.

After having my two boys, Caspian and Sullivan, I realised the importance of capturing every precious memory and this reignited my lifelong love for photography. Now, I'm incredibly lucky to have the most rewarding job that allows me to capture not only my children's childhood but also the beautiful journeys of so many families.

I hope to meet you soon and capture your unique journey!

Why choose me?

By choosing me as your photographer, you're trusting someone who understands how crucial it is to capture your child's true personality. I focus on fun, candid moments rather than posed, cheesy smiles, making each session magical.

As a parent of two boys, I know the worries about behaving in this sort of setting but please don’t worry, we will always go at your pace and keep it light and fun.

When it comes to newborns, safety is my top priority. I've completed dedicated newborn posing training to ensure I can capture those precious early days with the utmost care, allowing you to relax and enjoy the moment.

While I love the comfort of my home and studio sessions, I'm always happy to shoot on location or bring the studio to your home. This is especially beneficial for new parents who might not be ready to leave their safe space yet.

FAQ’s

  • Newborn sessions are scheduled when your baby is between 2-3 weeks old, as they can reach a deep sleep and stay settled while being positioned. I typically don't photograph newborns after they reach 20 days old. If your baby is older, we can still do a photoshoot, but it will focus more on awake shots rather than the traditional snuggled poses.

  • I always recommend securing your session after your 20-week scan. We'll set a provisional slot based on your due date and since birth is always unpredictable, I keep a flexible schedule with a limited number of newborn sessions each month to ensure a relaxed, baby-led experience with no rushing.

    Once your little one arrives, just let me know, and we’ll finalise the date together.

  • Feel free to bring siblings or other family members to newborn sessions! Just give me a heads-up beforehand so I can plan accordingly.

    Typically, we start with family photos so they can then head out, allowing us to focus on the star of the show. Don’t worry if you don’t have someone to take the other kids away, I’ve got plenty of toys or can even put on a film for them while we finish up. And you? You deserve a break too! Feel free to relax, enjoy a hot cuppa, and recharge while I work my magic.

  • I always recommend bringing snacks to keep little ones happy and if you're not breastfeeding, don't forget baby's milk, it's especially important for newborn sessions to help them drift into that deep sleep we need.

    Feel free to bring any family heirlooms or your child's favorite toy, I love incorporating personal touches into my sessions and as for wardrobe, I have a wide variety to choose from and we'll discuss it ahead of time to ensure we're all happy.

  • I work from my home studio, a cozy space that's constantly getting upgrades. You might catch a glimpse of our friendly dog, but don't worry, the studio is a pet-free zone and has a thorough clean after every session. There is plenty of parking on our drive and in the roads nearby so no need to worry specially if bringing more than one car along.

  • Life can be unpredictable specially when little ones are involved which is why I offer the first reschedule for free as long as you let me know 48 hours before the session. This is so I can give that slot to someone else on my waiting list and make sure the session doesn’t go to waste.

    If you need to reschedule again, it's not a problem but please keep in mind that frequent reschedules or those made with less than 48 hours notice will result in the loss of your deposit, which will need to be repaid to book a new session.

    In the rare event that I need to reschedule your session, I'll let you know as soon as possible and find a new date that works best for you.

  • Once your photos have been fully edited, usually within 2-5 days, you'll receive access to your final gallery. Your gallery will feature a curated selection of photos from our session, all edited and ready for your viewing. This means that once you decide on a package, you'll receive all the chosen photos immediately after the balance goes through—no more waiting required!

  • The size of your final gallery depends on various factors such as the number of people, outfits and props used.

    I always try and narrow it down to the best of the bunch so you are not overwhelmed but please keep that in mind on the day as might make your decision harder if you have a particular package in mind.

  • Absolutely! While your final gallery will be live for only 2 weeks, I'll always keep a backup so, if you decide you want to purchase additional photos later on you can easily do so.

  • While I'm constantly looking for great outdoor locations, I'm always open to suggestions.

    If you have a spot in mind, just give me a shout, and I'll swing by for a look. Trust me, I've done shoots in some unexpected places, like a roundabout! So, don't hesitate to share your ideas.

  • A common question specially as we live in the UK, if it's just a drizzle it usually doesn’t affect much, beach shoots often get a bit wet and parks or woodlands tend to be sheltered. Cloudy weather is actually a photographer's dream as it creates the most beautiful light.

    I always keep an eye on the weather a few days beforehand so we can plan ahead so, if the rain is more substantial we can embrace it with wellies and puddles, or we can reschedule.

    Please note that if you choose to reschedule, I might not be able to fit you in right away, but I’ll do my very best.

  • I do indeed! I love baking so I bake all a the cakes myself and you're welcome to take any leftovers home.

    The cake is uswally plain with a dusting of frosting to keep a neutral look for the photos but, if you have a specific color or style in mind just let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

    If you'd prefer to bring your own cake or if your little one has any allergies just let me know when you book your session.

    I also provide a sprinkled cupcake for any Birthday Sessions.

  • Although I usually work from my home studio in Poole, I'm happy to travel anywhere in Dorset for location shoots.