The radio playing 'school bag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning'

Her alarm clock rang before 6am. She walked into our bedroom and calmly whispered "mum, are you awake?" It felt like my eyes had been blasted with sand. Even so, the tone of her voice didn't go unnoticed ...this was the new voice of a Year 7'r.

I sat quietly in her bedroom watching her, with my cup of tea in one hand, camera in the other, a range of emotions bubbling quietly away inside of me. Thinking of how proud I was to be her mum and how honoured that she was allowing me the privilege of photographing this part of her journey. I also had a strong feeling of reassurance right there, knowing she'll be fine. More than fine.

My not-so-little girl started secondary school this week. I could write reams here about the first time we met, gazing into those just-born eyes and imagining this day, not so far away. I can't help think about all the kindly souls with their well-meaning advice over the years.

"Raising babies to children to adults is like a time machine whizzing you through the events, the years, the worlds. Then before you know it BAM, you'll be seeing her off to high school, university, a new life." 

For some time now, she's put her hand up to her face whenever I pick up my camera. She's pleaded with me, I've pleaded with her. Using only my eyes lately to freeze time while she's lost in a game or reading a book, when the artist in me is itching to make that image so much more. Casting my mind back to the last time I was allowed to hold up the camera briefly, just before the last bedtime book had ended.

So we made an agreement, she delivered on a promise, that I could photograph her from bed to door, as she leaves for the first time to her new school.

It's a huge change. These 11 year olds of ours are now off embracing the next adventure in their life. But from where I sat, on my own 11-year-old's bed, watching her tying her tie and combing out her bedhead, she was always more ready for this day than her mother was. I'd be wise take my lead from her...


If grandad was an animal he'd be a buffalo - a photo story

There is no doubt in my mind, how incredibly special a bond between a grandparent and child can be. So when JUNO, a magazine with a natural approach to family life, asked me to explore through photographs what this might look like, it was pure joy, if a little emotional at times, to watch some of these relationships unfold for me.

"Having Grandchildren is the best present your own children could ever give you. They are miniature versions of your children, and though they are like them in many ways, they are wonderfully unique"

I asked each of the children and their grandparents the same questions before the photoshoots began. These ranged from wanting to know what kind of animal they might be, how they make them laugh, to the types of inventions they would invent if they could, to make that other person's life more easy or even happier. Their responses were hilarious, intelligent and sometimes reduced me to tears.

"I'd love to invent a flying carpet so that she could see more of the world in the most magical way"

If you scroll through this post, you may notice one of the children featured is my own daughter, Jeanie. I photographed her with her grandparents, my parents. This gave the project an even stronger connection as I rarely photograph my own family in this kind of situation. I found it fascinating to stand back and observe how they responded to the same questions, scene-setting and guidance I give to other families that I photograph. How are they are seeing me right now?  As a photographer, mother or daughter... which role was most present? It was unusual and quite moving for me to shoot.

"If I was a famous inventor, I'd invent a saddle so that I could ride about on grandpa's back"

It is true that grandparents' roles and the relationships our children have with them are different to when we were children, as well as our parents before us. More households than ever have both parents working outside the family home so grandparents are an integral source of childcare to them. But I find it quite amazing how they balance the must-do's and structure of the day given out by the parents (their own children). To still being able to have fun, step back and enjoy sharing so much with their grandchildren.  We should, without question, celebrate them and this special relationship far more than we do.

"My grandad would be a buffalo if he was an animal. He's big and strong and doesn't let anything stand in his way"

So to Miles, Ollie and Jeanie... thank you for sharing your grandparents with me, each in your own special and unique way...

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A photoshoot in the connective and colourful world of babywearing

It was a perfect autumnal day at the Bristol docklands where we'd arranged to meet Katie and her completely gorgeous baby, Juliette. The team at JUNO, a natural parenting magazine, had commissioned me to photograph a feature for their Autumn Extra, which is all about the creative and connective world of babywearing.

I look back and remember placing my now-not-so little baby into a pre-tied sling to go and hang the washing out, breastfeed on the go, even edit the odd photoshoot while she slept contentedly next to me. But the term 'babywearing' as ancient an art form as it is, and the most natural and beautiful way of carrying your child, has become a whole big, colourful world of fabric designs and tying techniques.

I started our day in Bristol faced with wraps in many beautiful fabric prints, surely these can't be turned into safe baby-carrying devices?

Katie of Carry Me Slings offers valuable support to parents new to wearing these wraps and those wanting to try out new sling designs of the already vast choice of options out there. Seeing her in action, twisting and tying these wraps into shape, checking all was safe and secure, it was easy to see why JUNO wanted her as a feature in this particular edition. Watching her apply the different techniques to each wrap ready for the photo essay was mesmerising - we were quiet and still watching her at work. Baby Juliette took it all in her stride as her mother gathered her up in exquisite folds of fabric and settled her into position. Carefree, full of smiles and quite the guru baby-wearing baby.

Watching Katie effortlessly twist and shape these wraps while Juliette sits in them is mesmerising to watch

Not only a sling specialist but more importantly a mother confidently 'wearing' her baby. Listening to Katie explaining the benefits of each sling and watching how Juliette responds to each one is incredible to be part of. So it was no surprise, that when it came to nap time, the right sling for the job came out for demonstrating...

Her little thumb went into her mouth and her eyes became half-closed... "She know's the next wrap I'm going to show you, it's the one she sleeps in"

 

Katie and Juliette for Juno magazineKatie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine

Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazine Katie and Juliette for Juno magazineKatie and Juliette for Juno magazine

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Classroom photography raises funds for school's PTA

I went back into school last term to photograph more children at the heart of classroom learning. It's an amazing feeling to watch and be able to experience first-hand, the magic of learning through their eyes...happening right before my eyes. What also feels amazing is to be able to gift that same school's PTA with some well-needed funds raised from the sales of these photographic prints. As a documentary children (and their families) photographer, I'm forever learning through their play - it is always a privilege to be invited into their world, and this was no exception.

 

classroom photo project

The photos have been bought by the parents and families of these same children, and I'm over the moon that they now own a frozen nano-second of what their child looks and feels like, through their 'wonder-tinted' glasses of their own school's learning and playing environment.

I found myself putting the camera down at certain points during classroom sessions and saying to myself "I never knew that" - it just goes to prove that you're never too old to learn new facts!

classroom photo projectdwynwen-55

I'm absolutely delighted to be able to donate to this group of parents and teachers, who work tirelessly with passion and enthusiasm, to give our children the best of experiences during their school years.  I've seen the incredible energy that these amazing people bring to a school, through my own child's school PTA. So if you're reading this, and think that your school might like to adopt this style of classroom photographic project, then please do get in touch. These are unique documentary photo stories which require time spent over a duration of a few months. This enables me to photograph children as naturally as possible, with minimum disturbance to lessons.

 

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

classroom photo project

 

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