Sophie came to the studio at the end of January, so it was a bit chilly!

She played outside for a little while and found various things fascinating. When I start photographing young children they are very curious about it, and so I show them their photo on the back of the camera and ask their approval, which I am happy to say I always get.

Children then soon forget I am taking their photo and they play looking up every now and then to see if I am still paying attention to them. All children like attention if it's gentle and friendly.

So it's nice when Sophie looks at me and the camera, and how relaxed she is.

It starts to snow slightly, you can see it in this photo, so we go inside to the studio and get some toys and books out.

Sophie's favourite teddy. I never tell children what to do I just let them be, and play with them which is a delight.

When the session is over I offer to hold Sophie's hand to walk to the car. When she takes it happily and doesn't want to go, I feel the session has been a success because it's as important to enjoy being photographed as it is to enjoy looking at the photos themselves. They do go hand in hand.

Sophie's portraits were made into a book as a present. The Queensberry Press Books are beautiful, it's always a thrill for me to design and order these for clients. Sarah chose the photos she wanted in the book, 36 altogether and I created a layout for her to preview.

Sarah had plenty of choice over the colour of the book, and she chose Pacific which was perfect. We also then added a Maya case which is shown with the little clasp. It's a lovely way to keep the book safe.

Sarah was delighted with the book, as I was and let me know last week that the birthday present was a great success. Queensberry press books are a great way to keep your photos, Sarah was able to have 36 images in her book for the same price as ordering 36 separate prints at 9x6 inches, so it's actually very good value too.

I photographed Harry for the first time in April 2008. We went for a wander around my woodland.

He did what all children do, explored, played, found sticks.

Harry came back to my new studio at Derwent Reservoir this April, and he's still very keen on sticks, or rather challenging logs. How the little boy that was has transformed into the savvy 6 year old.

He came with his cousin.

We were caught in very brief but exciting hail stones.

It's ok for a savvy 6 year old to be cuddled.

I have photographed this little girl three times now. In 2006, 2008 and 2009 and probably again this year. I wonder how she will have changed.

This is her before her little sister was born.

Here is her little sister.

And here is her little sister the following year as she grows up and can now play with her too.

In three years these two will have grown up a lot, its a privilege for me to be able to photograph them regularly.

These photos were taken at my studio last year. It's a nice contrast to move from outdoor shots to the studio.

When I am photographing you it's very important that you feel relaxed and comfortable so we go with the flow and see what happens.

I photographed this couple at their wedding a few years ago in Northumberland. It was lovely to see them again this summer at my new studio at Cronkley.They didn't want to do any indoor photos so we went straight out for our walk from the studio a few yards to this spot and then off into the wood and along the shore of the Reservoir. It was a beautiful hot August day and for a couple who live and work in London it was an opportunity to chill.

Children know how to have fun, go with the flow and they find things of interest everywhere around them. I like to think I am like that too.

He had picked up a piece of grass and was so intent upon it. I was crouching down on one knee and he wandered over towards me. I didn't know if I would get this shot as he was moving and was rather close. I am so glad it worked. I love the light, the shapes, the intensity. One of my great joys with photography is the unexpected moment. The composition which you couldn't design yourself but in the freezing of the moment in the photograph it gives you the time over and over again to savour it.

Katy and Jonathan were married a few years ago now, I photographed their wedding. So it was lovely to see them again with their children. All my wedding clients receive complimentary portrait sessions and the majority use them when they have children rather than a pre-wedding shoot. I love this because when I started out in photography years ago I very much wanted to be the family photographer. The person the family turns to when they want photography to record their family history.

We went outside shortly after doing some indoor photos on the 'bean bag' settee I have. Children are so expressive as their feelings change from moment to moment. I photograph children by watching and waiting to see what happens. As long as they are playing and enjoying themselves with a bit of exploration and wonder thrown in it gives me all the material I need.

If my memory is correct I think we were all listening to an aeroplane far overhead. She stopped to listen intently. Her blue coat is very beautiful.