Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask a Professional Photographer

My dog won’t sit still. Can you really get good photographs?

Absolutely! In fact, we’re set up for exactly this. Most dogs don’t sit still, especially lively breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Cockapoos, but that’s part of their charm. Our aim isn’t to make your dog behave like a completely different dog. It’s to capture their real personality. We’ve invested in professional lighting and cameras that let us freeze movement and still get beautiful, pin-sharp pictures, even when your dog is bouncing around. So if they’re full of beans, don’t hide it. Let’s capture that character!

My husband hates having his photograph taken. How do you deal with reluctant dads?

You’re certainly not alone! Lots of adults dislike having their photograph taken, and dads can be particularly reluctant. Part of the problem is that we’re used to seeing ourselves in the mirror, which shows us a reversed image. A photograph can therefore look slightly unfamiliar, even when everyone else thinks it’s lovely. My job is to help you relax, use beautiful lighting and capture natural expressions. But I also encourage you to think ahead: a photograph with your children or grandchildren may become a treasured piece of family history in 10, 20 or 30 years. It’s honestly unbelievable how often someone tells me they don’t want to be in the photographs. We’ll take just one towards the end, and when they see it, they’ll say, ‘Oh, actually, that’s really nice!’ I hear that almost every day. So even if you’re not keen, give it a go. You might surprise yourself.

My children never sit still. How will you get a lovely family photograph?

I always say to parents, ‘We’re not shooting a movie. We only need that split second!’ Everyone doesn’t need to behave perfectly for an hour. It’s my job to bring everything together for one lovely moment. I might be squeaking a toy for the dog, playing peekaboo with the baby and winding up the older children with something like, ‘Is Dad going to start tickling you?’ All while getting Mum and Dad laughing too. Then suddenly it happens: everyone is engaged, the expressions are natural and I’ve captured the moment. It’s a little like conducting an orchestra, and it’s one of the parts of photography I enjoy most.

What should we wear for our family photo shoot?

Bring a few different outfits, especially for the children. For group shots, it’s worth having a quick family chat so your colours coordinate without everyone needing to match. Blacks, whites, blues and greens can work beautifully; I like a mixture of lighter and darker colours for contrast. Too many clashing colours or busy patterns can distract in a group portrait. But for individual photographs, anything goes! Bring football shirts, favourite jackets, fancy dress or something wonderfully wacky that shows your personality. Think about what matters to you now: if skiing is a big part of your family life, a photograph in your ski gear could remind you of those holidays years down the line. And if you’re unsure, just bung it in the car. We’ll work out together what looks best when you arrive.

My teenager doesn’t want family photographs taken. How do you get them to cooperate?

Some teenagers arrive excited; others look like they’d rather be anywhere else! My advice is to give them some warning and reassure them that this isn’t like school photographs. There’ll be no sitting with a cheesy grin for an hour. The sessions are relaxed and we have a laugh. If they want a few cool, serious or moody photographs, that’s absolutely fine. Often, while we’re chatting and joking, they’ll smile naturally without even realising. That’s when I get the photograph! I can’t promise every teenager will arrive enthusiastic, but in my experience they often enjoy it much more than they expected. Get them through the studio door and let me take it from there.

What’s the best age to have professional photographs taken of my baby?

Babies change incredibly quickly, so there isn’t one perfect age. For newborn photographs, around 10 to 14 days is a lovely stage, when they still have those tiny newborn features. Around 12 weeks, many babies start lifting their heads and pushing up on their tummies, so we can capture more expressions and interaction. Around six or seven months, sitting up opens up even more possibilities. If your baby is nearly but not quite sitting independently, we can work safely with appropriate support. And around their first birthday, a cake smash and splash session can be great fun. We can take beautiful pictures at any age, but don’t keep putting it off: you can’t go back and capture those little stages later.

My dog is nervous around strangers and unfamiliar places. Will they be okay in the studio?

Most dogs settle into our studio surprisingly well, but we always allow plenty of time and never rush. When your dog arrives, we’ll let them have a sniff around, get used to the surroundings and get to know me. We have treats and toys to help them feel comfortable. Some dogs are ready straight away, while others need longer, and that’s fine. I’ve photographed thousands of dogs, and it’s rare that we can’t get some lovely pictures. The secret is simple: we work to your dog’s timetable, not ours. If they need a break, they get one; we won’t force a nervous dog to do something they’re uncomfortable with.

We’ve never had family photographs taken before. What actually happens when we arrive?

A lot of families have never had professional portraits taken, and one of the nicest things I hear as they leave is, ‘Oh my goodness, that was good fun. I wasn’t expecting that!’ We don’t rush you through the door and immediately tell everyone to sit down and smile. We take time to get to know everyone and build up gradually, depending on the ages of the children and how they’re feeling. It’s a relaxed experience, often with plenty of play and laughter, so the photographs feel like you rather than something forced.

What if my children aren’t on their best behaviour on the day?

Children are children. Sometimes they’re interested in everything except having their photograph taken, especially toddlers! Older children can usually understand what’s happening, but toddlers often don’t know why they’re here and don’t want to be told to sit still. So we turn it into a game. We let them play, interact naturally and enjoy themselves. Sometimes an older brother or sister can join in, perhaps giving the little one a kiss or simply playing beside them. The aim is to capture real moments and real personalities, not staged behaviour.

How long does a photo session take? Will the children last?

It depends on the children’s ages. We normally allow around an hour, and older children can generally enjoy the whole session if we need that time. Babies are different. I always suggest that parents assume we have about half an hour of good baby time, so I try to photograph everything involving the baby first. Any extra time they happily give us is a bonus. If there are older siblings, we can take their individual pictures later. That way, even if the baby has nodded off, we’ve already captured the important baby photographs.

Should we practise smiles or poses before we come?

Please don’t practise smiles! That’s one of the quickest ways to end up with cheesy grins. Parents understandably say things like ‘Say cheese!’ or ‘Give me your biggest smile!’, but the best expressions are genuine. My job is to make people feel relaxed, have a laugh and smile naturally rather than ask them to perform a smile. If I’ve got a superpower as a photographer, it’s getting those natural smiles from people who didn’t expect to enjoy having their picture taken.

Can we have a big family group photograph as well as smaller groups and individual pictures?

Yes. The key is planning the order rather than starting with the biggest group before everyone has settled in. If several families are coming together, we might have the first family arrive, take their portraits, then welcome the next family and build towards the big group. Families don’t necessarily all have to arrive at the same time. We also think about babies and toddlers: we don’t want the big photograph right at the beginning before everyone is relaxed, but we don’t want to leave it so late that the baby is exhausted. Sometimes a family with a baby arrives ten minutes later so we can time their photographs and the big group for when the baby is happiest. It’s all about coordinating everyone.

How quickly will we get to see our photographs after the shoot?

Before you leave the studio, I like to show you a selection of photographs on the back of my camera. I want you to go home knowing we’ve captured some lovely pictures rather than wondering whether we’ve got the shot. Afterwards, we carefully narrow the pictures down and do initial adjustments and basic retouching for the viewing. We have plenty of viewing appointments, so sometimes you can come back within a few days; sometimes it’s a little longer, depending on your diary and ours. You shouldn’t have to wait too long, and when you return you can relax and enjoy seeing the images.

Can we bring our dog along to our family photo shoot?

Absolutely. I actively encourage it! People sometimes worry their dog will be hyper or disrupt the session, but your dog is part of the family, just like the children. Our cameras and lighting can capture movement, so the dog doesn’t have to sit like a statue. For group photographs, Mum, Dad or an older child can gently hold the dog, and sometimes a favourite treat helps us get that split second we need. The dog doesn’t have to be in every picture: we can photograph the children, the parents and the dog separately, and then bring everyone together. Definitely bring the dog. That complete family picture may be one you treasure for years.

What happens if my children won’t sit still, won’t smile, or simply don’t want to cooperate during the photo shoot?

We don’t expect children to perform on command. I use games, chat and little distractions to help them settle, and we take pictures as they become comfortable. Often the best smiles happen when no one is asking for them. We’ll work with your children rather than trying to force them into a pose.

What happens if my dog won’t sit still or behave during the photo shoot?

That’s absolutely fine. Dogs have personalities, and I want to photograph the real dog you know at home. Our equipment can freeze movement, so a lively dog can make wonderful pictures. We use toys, treats and patience, and take breaks whenever we need to.

Can we bring different clothes or props to the shoot?

Of course. You’re welcome to bring outfits and personal items that mean something to you. We’ll look at what you’ve brought and choose what works best for different photographs without spending the entire session changing clothes.

What’s the secret to getting beautiful, natural photographs of babies when they’re so unpredictable?

We plan around the baby, rather than expecting the baby to follow our plans! For newborns, it can help to feed them before you arrive, and bring milk or a bottle so we can pause if necessary. With older babies, aim for the time of day when they’re normally happiest and well rested. If their routine changes, tell us and we’ll do our best to adapt.

Should we wait until the children are older or everything is perfect before booking photographs?

I really wouldn’t wait for perfection. Missing teeth, new braces, funny hairstyles and those slightly awkward stages are part of your family’s story. Years later, those details can be exactly what makes a photograph special. Children change too quickly to keep putting it off.

Can grandparents come and be photographed with the grandchildren?

Absolutely. Those photographs can mean a huge amount to the whole family. We can take grandparents with all the grandchildren, smaller combinations and individual family portraits, depending on who comes along. Let us know your group size so we can plan.

Do you photograph couples as well as families?

Yes. Couples are very welcome, whether it’s to celebrate a special occasion or simply because you haven’t had a lovely photograph together for years. We’ll keep things relaxed and find a style that feels natural to you both.

What happens if we’re running late for our photo shoot?

Please call or WhatsApp us as soon as you realise you’re running late and give us an estimated arrival time. We’ll always do what we can, but if another booking follows yours we may have to shorten the session. Aiming to arrive a little early is the easiest way to avoid stress.

How far in advance do we need to book?

Weekday appointments are often easier to arrange. Popular weekends and after-school sessions can book up much further ahead, sometimes by a couple of months. If you’ve got a particular date in mind, get in touch early so we can check what is available.

Do we have to choose a photography package before our shoot?

No. You can see your photographs first, then decide what you’d love to have. We offer digital images, prints and framed wall portraits, so you can choose what suits your home and budget at the viewing.

How much do photographs cost, and can we spread the payments?

We have a range of print, digital and wall-art options, and we’ll explain the prices so you can decide what works for you. Interest-free monthly payment options are available on qualifying purchases, and you don’t have to choose a package before seeing your photographs.

What happens if I come to my viewing and don’t like any of my photographs?

I try to show you a few pictures on the back of the camera during the shoot, so you know we’re getting somewhere. Very occasionally a child is poorly, has missed a nap or just isn’t having a good day. If we genuinely haven’t captured photographs you’re happy with, we’ll discuss bringing you back for a complimentary reshoot.

I’m worried about how I look in photographs. Can you help?

Lots of people feel that way. Good lighting, gentle guidance and a relaxed atmosphere make a big difference. You don’t need to arrive knowing how to pose; that’s my job. We’ll work towards photographs that look like you on a really good day.

Are there any hidden costs or pressure to buy at the viewing?

Our aim is to make everything clear before you make a decision. There is a range of photographs and packages to choose from, and you only buy what you want. If you’re working to a budget, tell us and we can show you the appropriate options.

My child has additional needs or sensory sensitivities. Can you accommodate them?

Please tell us about anything that would help your child feel comfortable. We can adjust the pace, allow extra settling time and work around what your child enjoys or finds difficult. Our goal is a welcoming experience, not a demand to sit still and smile.

My dog is frightened or reactive. Is a studio shoot still possible?

It may well be. Every dog is different, so it’s best to talk to us before booking about their particular triggers, how they respond to strangers and whether other animals are a problem. We can then discuss whether a quiet, carefully planned session would be suitable and safe.

Do we have to look at the camera and smile in every picture?

Not at all. Some of my favourite photographs are parents looking at their children, children playing together or a dog interacting with its owner. We’ll take a mixture of natural moments and more traditional portraits, according to your preferences.

Can you help us choose the right size of framed portrait for our wall?

Yes. At the viewing we can discuss where you’d like your portrait to hang, the size of the space and what kind of frame suits your home. If you’ve got a photograph of your wall or its measurements, bring them along.

How long will our finished photographs take?

Times depend on what you order. Digital collections can normally be prepared more quickly than bespoke framed wall art. As a guide, digital orders may take around two weeks, while framed wall portraits often take four to five weeks. We’ll give you a clearer estimate when you order.

Why book a professional portrait shoot when our phones take such good photographs?

Phone pictures are brilliant for everyday moments, and you should take lots of them. A professional session offers something different: flattering light, carefully composed group portraits, specialist equipment and, most importantly, someone focused on bringing everyone together in the photograph. It also means the person usually behind the phone gets to be in the picture.

Can I bring my dog and children together for one portrait?

Absolutely. We can make photographs of the children, the dog and the whole family together, then try other combinations. There’s no need for everyone, including the dog, to sit perfectly still for the whole session.

What happens at the viewing appointment?

You’ll come back to see a carefully selected collection of photographs from your shoot. We’ll help you compare favourites and decide whether you’d prefer digital images, prints, wall art or a combination. It’s your opportunity to enjoy the photographs and choose what you love.

Do you offer weekend photo shoots?

Yes, we do have weekend appointments, although they tend to be popular and may book up well ahead. If you have limited availability, it’s worth contacting us as early as possible so we can find a suitable time.

Can you create beautiful portraits with AI instead of a photo shoot?

AI can create striking images, but it isn’t a substitute for capturing your actual family, your dog’s character or the way everyone interacts together. I believe there’s something irreplaceable about having a real photograph of a real moment in your lives.

When is the best time to come in for a maternity photo shoot?

The usual sweet spot is between 28 and 34 weeks, with around 30–32 weeks ideal for many mums. The bump is normally beautifully visible, while you’re often still fairly comfortable moving around. If you’re expecting twins, earlier — perhaps 24–28 weeks — can be sensible. Towards the very end of pregnancy the bump may sit lower and you may feel less comfortable, so it’s worth getting in touch during your second trimester to secure a date.