Simple Steps to Incredible Images

You’ve decided to invest in some professional photos. It’s a great opportunity to capture special moments and you’re looking forward to the images which will make you smile. But are you looking forward to the day itself? For many of us (I admit, I’m including myself) having our photo taken isn’t something we feel particularly positive about. Having the spotlight on ourselves (real or symbolic) can be cringe-inducing, but it doesn’t have to be – and preparation is the key.  

Putting You in the Picture

You’ll only enjoy the experience if you feel confident and comfortable – while it’s my job to do that at the shoot, it helps if you don’t arrive feeling nervous. Let’s talk about what you want.
And even if you don’t know what you want, talking about it before the shoot will help us create a plan together. Having some ideas, knowing what you expect to happen, will take away some nerves – I promise. Choose outfits you look good – and feel great – in.
If you need help choosing, ask someone you trust. 
If you’re going to have group photos, consider whether your outfits will work together; if this is a business shoot, think about your brand colours (you don’t have to wear those colours, but you don’t want to clash with them). And maybe have a change of outfits too. Have “things” which make you happy.  
Particularly if this is a family shoot, entertaining the children will be important. But in any situation, having props around which make your smile – or a have story you can share – will create the atmosphere we want and present you perfectly. How about a pamper?
  Getting your hair done before a shoot is quite normal, how about you take the opportunity to include professional hair and make-up along with your session – that’s a proper pamper. 

Where Will We Go?  Are we indoors or out? Your place or mine? Certainly, someplace special!

My place
, is it the studio you’re after?  
I’ll make you comfortable with everything you need (loo, kettle, settee and toys). We don’t need to worry about the weather, parking is easy and if you let me know beforehand you can bring pets too. For a lot of situations, my studio is the perfect choice.


“Every time I work with Laura, I always feel confident that the end result is going to be more than what I imagined it to be.
Her amazing studio makes me feel very relaxed and at home, and she is always willing to try new, innovative ways to get the perfect photographs for my publicity shots.
Couldn’t recommend enough ☺️ ” Amanda J

“Very professional and friendly service from Laura she makes you feel at ease in her studio, I wouldn’t go anywhere else for studio photos we was so pleased with our family photo and my head shots for my website” Anna P

Your Place.  
Whether it’s your home, work, or somewhere else you’ve chosen, I can bring my camera to you.
  Maybe you’ll feel more comfortable in your own surroundings, or you’d like a location which holds special memories; whatever your reason – you’ll get what you want.
There may be more practicalities to consider when we’re not in the studio – weather, footwear, other people – but we can be flexible if necessary and by talking and planning we can make sure we’re not caught out.

“Had our first photo shoot with Laura yesterday. She is incredibly talented, friendly, professional and is so lovely and kind with the kids making the experience great fun! I highly recommend Laura and will definitely be returning for more photo shoots. Thank you again” Kat M

“I had the most brilliant brand shoot with Laura to update my website and social media photos. We had so much fun at the shoot together, and I cannot tell you how much I adore the finished products. Laura has made me look how I do in my head, but never seem to manage for myself on camera! I'm just delighted - she's amazing, and the whole process was fantastic from start to finish.” Rebecca C

Are you ready?  You see, when you enjoy the process, the photographs are so much better. So my job – apart from pressing the button – is making sure you enjoy the process. (Obviously the button pressing bit is quite important too.) I hope this has helped you feel a little more prepared for your photoshoot – if there’s something you’re unsure about, get in touch – I’d love to help.

Whether you’re selling your house or renting it out for holidays, getting someone to pick your property can have a lot to do with your pictures.

Anyone looking at property online – or in an estate agents window - can be easily wowed by the right images, which is why professional photography is so important.

Whoever you have taking the photographs of your property (and if you’re in Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire, I know someone who can help), there are things you can do before the photographer arrives to make sure you get the best photos.

Staging Your Space for Success

Even if you – or someone else – is living in the property you’re photographing, it’s important to present it so others can see themselves in that space. You’re not looking to create a blank canvas, but somewhere welcoming.

These tips will hopefully guide you to make the most of your space, showing off its best bits while (perhaps) hiding those elements which viewers don’t want to see. 

1. Before You Even Open the Door

Think about how the outside of your property looks.

Taking cars from the front of the house will give a better view.

You should also hide any bins and put away the washing line, hoses or any garden toys.

If you have outdoor furniture, consider setting it as if it’s being used – cushions in place, maybe something on the table, but normally without the parasol up or you’ll only see half the garden. This is all about welcoming viewers in.

2. Bright and Beautiful

Make sure all light bulbs are working and lights are on, even in the middle of a sunny day your house will have shadows and having the lights on will make the property seem much brighter and warmer.

Similarly, all curtains and blinds should be open. Again, creating light in the space is essential and having as much natural light as possible is certainly a preference.

3. The Heart of the Home

Let’s move into the kitchen and make the most of it.

Make sure any bins are hidden and there’s no clutter on the surfaces – that’s tea towels, oven gloves, kitchen roll or chopping boards.

Make sure the sink is clear – hide the soap, draining board and washing up bowl. 

Remove personal clutter, including magnets, notes and planners. We’re trying to encourage someone to imagine themselves in your space – not wonder where your aunt stayed when she sent that postcard from Barcelona.

This includes pet clutter. Food bowls, beds and toys should all be hidden – the buyer (or renter) won’t be sharing with your Buddy and might even be put off by animals (obviously, it’s just because they’ve never him).

Empty your washing machine and tumble drier – then hide the washing instead of hanging it out, of course.

And, make sure cleaning products – cloths, sprays, all of it – are also hidden (just think of all the fun you’ll have finding all these things once the photographer has gone!)

4. The Smallest Rooms

Well, whether they’re the smallest rooms or not, bathrooms will still need to be in order.

Make sure they’re clean and tidy – this may seem obvious but sometimes the family bathroom is used mostly by children and, well, it might need some attention!

Clear things round the sink and bath (yes - flannels, toothpaste and brushes, shower gel and even rubber ducks), remove mats, used towels and make sure the toilet seat is down.

Again, hide the cleaning products, and the bin too. 

5. Sitting, Dining, Sleeping Spaces… Everywhere Else!

Clean and tidy is obviously what we’re aiming for!

Get rid of clutter including personal pictures and rugs which can make your room seem smaller. You may even want to consider hiding those extra pieces of furniture which, when gone, will suddenly make the room seem much bigger (the cat’s favourite footstool or the extra table which keeps your tea always in reach).

Take throws from sofas and make sure cushions are tidy. 

Do you want flowers to brighten the space?

Are desks and tables tidy? You may want to present them as ready to use – as long as they aren’t cluttered. 

Make the bed – and make it look great, think about the colour of the bedding and how it looks in the room. Do you have extra cushions or throws? Again, we need to be tidy not cluttered!  

Are there things under your bed? On top of your wardrobe? Piled on the bedside cabinet? Left on the floor? Of course not – you’ve hidden it all (I know your cupboards are getting full, just wait ‘til you start the proper clear out!)

Are you ready?

The right photographs will make your property stand out, get more interest – make more money. The right staging is an essential part of that process. Your property is probably one of your biggest investments – it’s worth your time to make it look as good as you can.

And, of course, when you’re investing in professional photography for your property pictures, you want to make sure you get the best results.

Do you have any other tips about presenting your property? Or any stories about interesting things you saw when looking round someone’s place – we won’t tell, promise. If you’d like to talk about presenting your property for sale or rental, get in touch – I’d love to help.

One of the joys of Spring, for me, is the chance to get out into the sunshine with my camera. (Obviously I take my camera out in the colder months, but I’m less likely to have company when it’s wet and muddy.)

As the weather starts to settle (let’s be positive here!), I can book in your photoshoots with a reasonable expectation of sunshine, so let me tell you how these location shoots work.

Business or Family, This is About Finding Your Place

Firstly, I can be flexible. 

Before any shoot we’ll talk about what it is you want to get out of it, who’s involved, what their needs are and if there are any specific shots you want. We’ll talk about where the shoot should take place – it may be your home, office or property; or it may be a favourite family place, a corporate event – or even afternoon tea?

I know the place is important, but the people are more important. Making you comfortable is an essential part of my job, which means we’ll talk through options for bad weather, we’ll talk about outfits which will look great but be comfortable, if this is for your business – we’ll talk through who hates having their photo taken and how we can keep them happy.

Anyway, this is all just words, let me tell you about a couple of my recent shoots and you’ll see what I mean.

Into the Woods – With the L Family

I love working at Evenley Wood Garden; this is a beautiful space and in Spring the light is stunning.

Of course, there is a risk that it’ll be wet or muddy – so we kept an eye on the forecast and I was able to offer the family reassurance that we could rearrange if the weather made it necessary. There was no need for that though, everything was excellent. (This is actually a fact… another photographer we bumped into agreed it was the perfect location for a perfect family - without prompting! Happy dance.)

With parents, grandparents and the two children, I knew I’d have plenty of opportunities to snap and, I think it’s fair to say, everyone enjoyed it. (Random fact, sometimes the hardest people to please are the parents because they’re too busy worrying… Let me reassure you parents, you don’t worry about how your offspring are behaving on a photoshoot – it’s not your problem. I’ve done this before, and we all know they behave better for other people, right!)

The thing is, a beautiful day with people you love in a gorgeous space is bound to result in stunning photographs – this day did not disappoint. 

Then Down to Work – I went back to school 

Sometimes, it’s about getting into your space, and this is something else.

Having been invited to photograph a local primary school, I had a fantastic opportunity to document everything which makes the school special. 

In some ways, it was very much like any corporate or business photoshoot – we wanted to demonstrate the atmosphere, the facilities and people as well as the locations. In other ways it was quite different – ensuring DBS certification, considering privacy aspects and working with children of course.

Understanding what the school wanted to achieve with the photography was obviously essential – but then, creating the space where we could achieve that while the school day happened around us was a whole other concern.

I love this kind of work, ensuring we’ve got a clear vision and providing the photographs which capture not only a brand but the feelings they inspire – perfect.

Once the school received the images, they were immediately able to use them on social media, and they’ll be updated to their website really soon.

Find Your Happy Space 

Getting out on a location shoot can be incredibly flexible and fun. 

While for certain situations the studio will always make sense, at this time of year it’s great to be able to consider the opportunities afforded by the places which are important to us. 

Why don’t you share your favourite locations, maybe somewhere you’d love to be snapped? And, if you’re inspired to create some of your own incredible images, get in touch – I’d love to help.