Family Time

December is a family time for me, my  very last photo session was a babies first Christmas on December the 21st. Then I was free from work to spend quality time with my family or so I thought.

The bug hit them first of all my wee daughter , then my husband had man flu, Then my 14 year old who insisted while whining on the couch  that he was brave and wouldn't give in, finally on Christmas eve my 17 year old . As for me on Christmas eve I whizzed off down to Brighton to collect my eldest son and whizzed back again to Essex getting back early hours of Christmas morning.

Christmas eve Brighton

I set out the present that had taken 5 days to wrap with a fair amount of Sellotape stress under the tree and retired to bed for an hour or two.

My little girl woke me at a sensible time of 08.30 to declare Father Christmas had been she duly then woke all her brothers who then came downstairs and demolished my hours if not days of delicate wrapped presents with ribbons and tags , the room was a mass of screwed up paper in less than 10 minutes.

At this point I did silently wonder why I didn't just  leave all the gifts in carrier bags.

Then it was off to the kitchen for me to tackle the turkey and the stuffing the pigs in jackets and roast potato,s oh and the starters. The dinning room table needed dressing with all these ill men it was left to me.

Being family time it meant collecting my  less abled mother from her home to bring her to ours for the day this was made  10x worse because of the ice.

The master piece was ready to serve and my family just kind of sat there  just staring with ohh we dont feel like dinner GRRRRRR. Half a ton of washing up later it was time to escort mother back across the frozen ice  this took two people and more than an hour.

I finally sit down at 20.00 thinking oh yes some me time when 3 boys appear at the living room door and declare they are hungry.

I some how pictured myself  in cosy clothing with a fluffy blanket a box of chocolates and the Christmas tree lights gentle twinkling around the quiet room. How wrong my dream was by now i was fit to scream.

I have come up with a plan for Christmas 2011 its called go on strike. I wont be cooking dinner they can have a buffet and help themselves . I will ask for some good books and retreat to the bedroom with a bottle of wine and box of chocolates .

Heres to Bliss

Christmas Cheer.

Those tangled lights

Not amused

THE JOY OF A NEW LIFE

Baby Alistar 7 days old 

For awhile now I have been trying to specialize in the areas of maternity and new born baby picture, I now aim to take this further offering maternity sessions right through to babies first or second year, returning to take pictures of baby and family every three months. The early years to me as a mother are some of the most precious years, The joy of watching your child turn into a little person, Those wonderful little mile stones from first smile to branching out into the world with first steps.

Of course these session could be booked after the second year for a session on the same day each year until the child reach,s 18 I feel this would make an amazing family  history book, To capture the way the family change and grow from maternity through to adulthood. Just contact me if you would like to arrange a wonderful pictorial family history.

So how and what is involved with taking images of a wee little one. For a start for me as a photographer there is nothing so special about taking babies first portrait. It is an honour when parents ring me and ask me to take these pictures. My youngest little one this year was just 4 hours old. There is something amazing about a new born a miracle we take for granted, but babies soon lose that little newborn look within 7 to 8 days its gone forever.

To photograph babies means I have to be flexible. Its best to schedule the session for just after a feed although of course new borns  have no idea when lunch time is let alone night time . I know how  difficult being a new parent is this is why I come to you, There is no time limit on the session as your little  baby hasnt a clue on time. While I am with you  its fine to take a break for feeding in fact sometimes this is a great time to get some beautiful images of the closeness of mother and baby. Just recently two of my new mothers have asked me to take images of them breast feeding and believe me that are wonderful close moments capture forever.

I ask that the room is warm enough for baby to be comfy with no clothing on, and special outfits put out as plenty of time  for clothing changes, I need a little space but not much. I try not to use flash but do use a modeling light. I bring  soft white clean blankets with me and its really helpful if dad is present just to hold these up a little. The session is relaxed with plenty of input from mum and dad as to what type of images they  would like.

Unfortunately it can be pot luck to get a picture of a newborn whom has their eyes open after all the first 10 days or so are spent doing what babies do best feeding and sleeping.

As a mum myself I understand completely that your baby is the best baby in the world, I also understand how important and precious the first few weeks are.

To arrange a baby session to fit around your needs please do feel free to contact me for a chat

Below are  some beautiful little bundles of joy I have photographed in the last 6 months as you can see each one is a unique little miracle  and a pleasure to photograph

Baby Josh aged 4 days

Baby Hector 10 days old

Baby Sienna 4 hours old

Baby Ethan 10 days old

A WET AND DISMAL SEPTEMBER

Well what an end to summer a rather abrupt one wasnt it. The nights are now pulling in at 3 minutes per day and I must admit to switching on my central heating on a fair few chilly evenings and mornings.

The wet weather has meant a few rescheduled lifestyle sessions , and a few indoor sessions
One of my favourite sessions this month was a family and bump session we did actually manage a few outdoor  pictures in the harsh low sunlight until the dark clouds decided to water the grass yet again.

Now i am looking forward to shooting a new little person.

September sees me going out for some street photography both locally and in London and Brighton, capturing people  unaware complete strangers I will never know. I love this kind of photography and capturing  different moods of people, Its like a little snap shot on British life. I recommend going with a friend if this is not practical then  use a zoom lens so  your intended subject is not aware your near them.

Isnt it against the law ?I hear you cry, well no not if your in a public place, This excludes railway stations and underground, Most public places your fine in but you must not course a nuisance, Basically do not follow people around and dont be to intrusive with your camera distance is better then close up. There are plenty of websites offerring guide lines for candid/street photography.

Street shot Witham

Witham

Candid London

Candid London

Candid London

I have also been adding a little more art to my own images now I have CS5, This can be time consuming but great fun, 

An image of a street entertainer in London

mixture of 5 images 

A view of London and hand drawn window .

Also this month as you may have seen on my facebook profile. I had my picture taken with my daughter . Its not often I get my picture taken so Thanks to Robbo and the GNPC studio

My girl and I

So rolling in to October when mother natures studio is at her best, So why not put on your wellies hats n scarfs and book a fun outdoor photo session with the backdrop of golden Autumn hues. A few dates are booked on the mornings of the 24th and 25th as I am doing lifestyle session at Westonbirt The national Arboretum, supposedly the most spectacular Autumn colour in the UK. If your in the area and would like an afternoon session at the Arboretum then please do contact me  ASAP

Well bye bye September remembered for her rain and roll on October

A photo session with a VIP

On Friday September the 3rd I had a very important rendezvous with a VIP named Aidan. Aidan is 14 and since the age of 8 has been having on going treatment for his illness, The treatment now is not working and Aidan is fully aware he will be saying goodbye to this world.

I first met Aidan a few months ago at Barts hospital , His parents had approached me as Aidan wanted a photo session,. On meeting Aidan I was in awe of this bright cheeky young man who told me "your not the only photographer I am meeting I have got to find the right one".

Well I got a call last week from Aidan's parents to ask if I would do Aidan's photo session and where he wanted it done which was Dungeness in Kent.

I arrived at Dungeness at 10:30am the weather was fine the sky was blue, Aidan loves this place its special to him. we had a wonderful photo session. Aidan wore a variety of hats , we had a super model session and a family lifestyle session.

I didn't charge a fee just petrol and picture prices Aidan's family treated me to a meal in the pilot Inn.
At Aidan's request his images will not be hosted for public viewing until after he has gone. He has given me a letter which contains what he wants written on my blog and is picking what image he wants blogged.

For me as a photographer it was a very strange feeling knowing  that no doubt this would be the last time Aidan would be photographed. Aidan himself directed most of the session it involved mirrors and feather boa,s and posh frocks for his mum and sister.

I call Aidan a VIP not because he is famous or well known but because he is so brave and light hearted and fun.

Addie I know your read this I want to tell you that you really touched my heart that your wisdom is beyond your years and that you are the bravest nicest person I have ever ever had the pleasure of coming across.

That we sat on the walk way you hugged me and told me not to be sad you had a great life and now you had never got to worry about who to marry or  what job to have or credit card bills.

Thank you for your email and I am so glad your thrilled by your pictures

I dedicate this image to you Addie where we sat on the walk way with my broken filter which I wont be replacing. Like you said somethings happen because they need to happen and sometimes bad things happen yet they can be beautiful things we just dont know it at the time

For Aidan

All image remain copyrighted to Andrea Abbott

Lifestyle photo session in the country park

This morning I had the great Pleasure of working with family R. A local family whom had been rather disappointed with the images  received from a studio session with another photographer.

The image were not bad the family just didnt feel they captured true feelings and emotions. The studio images were also very posed making the family feel stiff and not at all relaxed.

Mrs R approached me a week ago asking if I could photograph her  family, Of course I could,
All though the sky this morning was slightly overcast we didnt have rain and the sun  did keep breaking through.
 The family decided the best location for them would be the country park as this would allow the children to  play and run around. I was assisted today by Jeff Schwingen. Jeff is a great photographer but lacks confidence so I hope working with me this year will make Jeff see just how great he is.

We started the photo session with some must have images that are wanted by the family.

The Boys

Boys having fun

The family soon all relaxed Granddad was a great sport and Little R kept me busy. Uncle C was just a gem with the children and great and getting them to runaround and have fun. It certainly was a fun session and the R family were just excellent and a pleasure to photograph.

Together

The idea of a lifestyle photo session is to use the great outside  as the studio,.Allowing people to feel more relaxed and letting children behave in a natural way , In to days case  running  around and having fun, Which is how children should be. I never  say cheese which is why I capture the natural person. 

Todays session for me was fun the R family are such a lovely family and the children just adorable, full of beans running here there and everywhere. 

She did smile everytime she ran away from the camera 

The youngest little one laughed her head off every time she ran in the opposite direction to the camera. As you can see though  some nice natural shots were still managed.

Last but not least is the little man that kept me on my toes, such a fun great little one to work with. Even if did shot everyone with the bubble gun.

Little live wire

Thank you to Mr and Mrs R it was a pleasure to photograph you ,your children and your lovely Grandchildren. I hope you enjoy this sneak preview 

All images are copyrighted to Andrea's photography and are low res for web hosting

Final images are high res and printed by a master printer

Finding new places

Well I felt like doing some landscape photography and having really exhausted flat Essex, I decided to venture into the Chilterns. First stop was Pitstone and the little 13 century church . which is open on Sundays and Bank holidays from May until September.

Next port of call was the windmill with a nice walk across the countryside , taking in a pleasant view, We then made our way to Ivinghoe beacon, a good hill climb.

Stopping off at Whipsnade and The Chiltern gateway to fly a kite. Certainly different from Essex. It was also wonderful to watch the Red tailed Kites flying freely across the downs.

I normally take a holiday in July but this year has been fairly busy especially weekends and it looks as if 2011 and 2012 are going to be busier. I already have bookings for both years 12 bookings for 2011 and 5 already for 2012.

The good thing is my new passport arrived today so now to plan a trip I have promised myself for a long time which will be to Norway  around March 2011. I have been working out the places I want to go which include Finnmark for the Northern lights, Lofoten for whale  watching Svalbard island for Polar bears, the Fjord and oh so  much more


The best thing is I could not have achieve my dream without the support from friends . One of my biggest supporters and  the guy who made me believe in myself is my friend and fellow photographer Jeff Turnbull, whom  did tell me "Andrea this year is going to be great for you", did I believe Jeff at the time,no I didnt. Oh how wrong I was Thanks to his encouragement I have gone forward  not just with photo sessions and sales but also with the sales of my ICM images  which people in the USA cant seem to get enough off just recently .I decided to do a limit addition of an ICM print limited to just 10 canvas wraps including a certificate with the number of the print on so far I have sold 5 prints at just over five hundred pound each. This is just amazing and  each person whom purchased them has written back to me saying how thrilled they are with them. In fact 2 people put in further orders for different ICM prints .

Without the  encourage meant from Jeff and the others on the mentoring workshop I would never have achieved this so my Thanks goes to Sam Carter, David Tyrer, Ross Dean ,Gary Wilson and  not forgetting James Neale . Great photographer, great friends and a huge support

In Between The Rain

What a miserable few days we have had here in Essex grey skies rain,thunder,hail,wind and more rain. On the plus side my grass now looks a nice shade of green instead of burnt brown and my flowers certainly look a little perky.

Wednesday I took and afternoon trip out with my friend Amanda (click to see her images). We went to the lovely Mersea Island off the coast of Essex, Mersea is connected to the mainland via a causeway that can flood at high tide. Mersea is nestle between the Blackwater and Colne estuaries about 9 miles south east of Colchester . A wonderful little place to visit both East and West Mersea are different, with sandy beach,s as well as salt flats and marsh land. The weather was kind to us although we had cloud we didnt get any rain.

Thursday started off looking as if it may have been a fine day. I took a drive out through the Rodings and into Chelmsford by following the A1060  just before Chelmsford at the Writtle roundabout we found a field of wildflowers and sunflowers, Just had time to stop pick some flowers and get a few quick shots before the heavens decided to open and the rain came down and down and down.

Thursday night cleared allowing me to go out to  do some long exposures of the meteor showers and an extra added bonus of having the Northern lights intruded on my images. This we didnt know at the time as appeared to the naked eye as just intermittent random flashing across the night sky .

30 minute exposure capturing meteors.

8 minute exposure capturing the Northern lights Aurora Borealis.

To end my week Friday bought Thunder storms and more rain through out most of the day, A very cloudy night. Saturday looks much the same as well