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.

Liz and Tom were married at Hexham Registry Office in the sumer and then in the evening arranged a wonderful reception in Simonburn Village. A lovely small village in Northumberland with cafe and church great to stop off at for a bit of tranquility and cake of course.

On the way to Simonburn the couple had dinner at The George Hotel, Chollerford.

A relaxing summer evening in a beautiful country cottage garden.

The ceilidh came to entice the guests who were so happy chatting and eating lovely puddings! Walking gently through the village streets with music, how nice it was.

The guests are ready to head off to the dancing a short walk away...

I wonder if this little boy will remember this?

Leaving the wedding I walked back through the village past the now quiet garden, only a few birds chirping still.

I photographed Katie's wedding in 2000 and Jane her sister is the bridesmaid on the right in the car.

It was lovely then to photograph Jane's wedding 10 years later in 2010 at St Oswin's Church Wylam.

It was December 2010 with sharp and bright winter light.

Confetti lines are wonderful, I love photographing them and it's a great way to mark the new life of the married couple as they leave the church.

Removing confetti in the soft sheltered natural light of the vintage car.

Langley an iconic venue for Weddings.

Jane and Frans wanted to walk up to the castle.

Warm, red, cosy intimate inside the castle, the perfect contrast.

Studio portraits are natural, unposed and spontaneous so that the children can relax enjoy the experience and receive some positive attention which they love.

All children have their own personality, so allowing them the space to play, allows their individuality to shine through.

Why make your children look 'corporate' for photo sessions by putting them into white shirts and denim. The patterns and colours become part of the composition. Lovely.

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.

Vicky and Craig's wedding at Langley castle was a rich feast of colour and texture. The castle is beautiful and Vicky had added an array of naturally inspired flowers, mosses, and butterfly's. Really lovely.

The ceremony took place in the drawing room which was flooded with sunlight.

Opportunities to be outside and to bask a little in the March warmth!

Then up onto the roof of the castle which gives great views all around for those brave enough to look over the edge.

Vicky's ideas and attention to detail were a delight. Wonderful colours !

The Castle now offers a great mix of traditional 'baronial' with the lovely new addition of the contemporary light "pavilion" where the wedding guests were dining.

I photographed Max's christening at Slaley Church and then we went back to the house for some photos. The light was lovely.

Henrietta and Alastair were married in the Great Hall at Matfen Hall which gives a fabulous entry for the bride and bridesmaids. But first some getting ready time in the Hotel.

I work quietly, taking shots unobtrusively and then a moment when Henrietta looks at me and smiles.

It's a lovely bedroom full of natural light from it's large windows. Gorgeous.

For each wedding I receive a list of the group photos the couple would like. I like to let the group get comfortable.

Coming down the stairs into the great Hall is a lovely entrance to the ceremony. These photos were taken without needing to ask anyone to pause.

Going with the flow, in this case some spontaneous confetti throwing.

And then some more confetti throwing.

Matfen Hall gardens are very pretty so we made use of the dappled light and shade.

My favourite kind of portrait, beautiful light, unaware of the camera.

Langley castle on a bright crisp day. Bride looking stunning.

The groom meeting his groomsmen at the front of Langley Castle. Informal photos show how everyone is feeling.

Some trepidation among the pageboys!

Entry into the ceremony room is always beautifully choreographed by the Hotel staff.

And then outside into the bright sunshine.

Lovely late afternoon sunshine.

Laura and Euan were married at Hexham Abbey. The groomsmen got ready at Slaley hall Hotel so I spent a little bit of time with them before moving on to see Laura.

Laura's dress suited her perfectly.

It's starting to feel 'real'. It's always an exciting time for me too to head off to the ceremony.

Wedding's at the Abbey are special and attract attention.

Heading off to the reception at the Hexham Hydro Hall, I love photos from inside the car and the beautiful smell of the vintage leather seats.

The Hydro Hall looked beautiful with wonderful flower arrangements.

The evening dancing was a ceilidh, a brilliant end to a wonderful wedding.

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.