1. By moving out of the studio and into the garden, we benefit from the injection of colour from the beautiful spring flowers, but the wide open spaces give the children (and, therefore, me!) more scope to run around and it can be quite exhausting to pin them down. Toys offered a welcome distraction and we had most success with toys and objects that were new to them, such as the croquet hoops.

2. Daniel has just come out of a stage of not wanting to be photographed and, thanks to years of coaxing by his mum, now wants to say, “Cheese!” at every opportunity. The key here was to give him time to relax and start playing, and try to catch him unawares.

3. Elena, on the other hand, is the most serious-looking two-year-old I’ve ever met! Although we did get her to smile in the end, Mum was more than happy with the serious shots. Catherine told me, “These photos sum her up perfectly and when I look at them I see echoes of me at the same age and also my late mother and grandmother.”

Whether they’re overly serious or too obliging with the cheesy grins, it’s a real pleasure to photograph kids with character and we’re already planning the next shoot!

When you’re in the car, do you ever find yourself admiring the view and wishing you had your camera with you? One Saturday a few weeks ago, it was my turn to do the early morning journey to take my daughter to work in Henley.  On the way back I was drawn to the view of the river but realised I didn’t have my camera with me.  I decided to use my phone and surprised myself with the results.  Then, I went back via Marlow and spotted the rowing club preparing to go out so I took a few more photos.

Mobile cameras are getting better and better so next time you see something that catches your eye, just reach for your phone!

Gemma and Paul are getting married next month and I am very excited to be photographing them at these beautiful venues.  Gemma’s grandparents got married at the same church and she and Paul are keen to repeat history by posing at the door and by the lych gate.  The first thing I noticed as I walked up to the church was scaffolding which I was told will be there on the day.  One way to solve the problem is to photograph Gemma and Paul at the gate facing the church.  Hopefully you will agree the view through the gate looking away from the church is also pretty. 

I hadn’t been to Old Luxters Barn before.  It is well worth a visit.   There is a countryside mural on the wall inside which, as you can see, works very well as a backdrop.

I have been photographing boots and shoes for www.lamapeach.com for the Autumn/Winter 2010 display book.   The boots and shoes are sold in top London stores and range in price from £200 – £350.  However, if you really want to get your hands on this vintage footwear, visit the website direct or talk to my lovely friend Geraldine Pipping at Scarlett Monroe in Marlow, Buckinghamshire – www.scarlettmonroe.com.

L-R: Mary Fraser (Success Network), Ginette Gower (Thames Valley Chamber), Ute Wieczorek-King (Success Network), Henrietta Bailey (BusinessLink), Shemila Tharani (BusinessLink).

Success Network has recently announced that collaboration is its theme for 2010 but the concept is not a new one.  In 2009, one of the group’s Inner Circles (peer-support business clubs), of which I’m a member, worked together to produce an e-book of success ‘recipes’ to inspire other women who are starting out in business.  We’re not profiting from this book, which is available to download free of charge from the Success Network website.

He was such a good boy.  All that water and not a tear!

Congratulations to his parents Becky and Gavin for a lovely day.

These two are my favourites … You can find the rest of the images here.

Last week I spent a couple of days in Cornwall and had a chance to meet my nephew for the first time. Although he was about to go to bed and the light was fading fast I managed to grab a few shots of this gorgeous boy. I am sure his parents won’t mind me saying that their garden is less than landscaped so finding an uncluttered background was tricky. I got around this by throwing the background out of focus which also drew attention to his cute face. Plus, keeping Max in one place wasn’t easy either. I spotted the cardbox box and popped him in it. Turning the image antique sepia gives it a timeless feel and also disguises the fact that the box was bright yellow which clashed with his babygrow!

Lorna Weller has recently launched herself as a virtual assistant.  She is also a Mum, a great friend and the most camera shy person I know!  After a cup of tea and a bit of persuasion that even at 40+ she really did need a photo of her on her website I found a spot in my garden and took this image.  It certainly makes her more approachable than the arty shot of a pot of pencils she was going to ‘hide’ behind!

Read on and you will see as well as having a wonderful bubbly personality Lorna has a wealth of experience in business so please bear her mind the next time you need a solution to your admin problems.  You can call her on 07940 198980 or email lorna.weller@googlemail.com

 Where were you born?

Greenock, Scotland and I still feel as excited as I did as a child any time I go “north of the border”.

Where do you live?

Bourne End, Bucks – living by the Thames calls to me on a summer’s day.

Favourite Place to Eat?

Now I’ve reached 40+  I try to arrange a real treat once or twice a year and Sunday lunch at Cliveden has proved a great favourite – combining the grandeur and luxury of the dining experience with such a lovely setting and the choice of following lunch with a stroll through the grounds, or tea in the library.

What do you do?

After working for the last 18 years as a senior PA at a subsidiary of ICI in Slough where I joined to work for the Managing Director, I was made redundant at the beginning of the year.   I have really enjoyed having some time out and am now setting up as a Freelance PA / Virtual Administrator.   I am finding that my vast experience of office procedures, PC skills and event management are just as useful to small local businesses.   I love the diversity of working with different small businesses, by helping with their admin, routine or otherwise, it frees them up to do what they do best, and of course I love the flexibility it gives me.  I can be contacted at lorna.weller@googlemail.com.

What is your favourite movie?

Out of Africa – I’d let Robert Redford wash my hair any day!

Favourite Food?

Dare I say mint chocolate chip ice cream, but to prove I do have some sophistication my favourite drink is definitely champagne.

Best piece of advice?

Always smile when answering the phone – even if you can’t be seen the tone is instantly set.

What was the last book you read?

An hilarious booked called “I don’t know how she does it”; about a city broker juggling life as a working mother.   It was full of recognisable situations in a working mother’s life.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

Where do I start? – I had the most amazing time on a safari in Kenya which literally was a dream come true.   A couple of years ago I had a wonderful holiday with a couple of best friends and our kids at a villa in Spain – just playing in the pool all day or snoozing in the olive grove – bliss!  But I couldn’t possibly not mention Scotland with all its rugged beauty.

What do you hate most?

The increase in gun/knife crime, and the fact that so many kids get involved in alcohol/drugs – it’s a huge worry for parents.  We do, however, have to learn to let them go although we will always worry about them.

What do you value most?

My friends.   Childhood friends – we have supported each other through our own teens, marriages, divorces, children.  Local friends I’ve met through the children’s schools and friends from my marriage that I see infrequently but nevertheless still have a strong bond with.

Who or What has been the biggest influence on your life?

My mother – although she died when I was only 10 I think of her as a real go-getter.   In her youth she played hockey for Scotland, was a county tennis and badminton player and loved mountain climbing (something I’d be absolutely terrified to do).  She was a Land Girl during  WW2 and I wish she’d lived long enough to share her memories with me.  I know she wouldn’t take no for an answer, thought there was a solution to every problem and was always positive.  Unfortunately, she died aged 45 of breast cancer before they had the treatments they do now.   I try to remain true to some her beliefs and principles.