Lucy & Ted

There is something truly magical about spring. While the trees are still waiting to unfurl their leaves, the world begins to wake up in a riot of colour. Delicate blossom dances in the breeze, daffodils brighten every corner, and gardens burst into life after the quiet of winter.

This beautiful spring morning spent with Lucy and her horses, Ted and William, was a perfect reminder of why this season is one of my favourite times of year for portrait sessions.

Lucy was the lucky winner of my competition at Burghley Horse Trials, and I was delighted to travel to her beautiful home in Lincolnshire to create her prize-winning portrait experience.

From the moment I arrived, I knew we were in for something special. The morning blessed us with some beautiful morning light, highlighting the incredible work that Lucy's mum, Jane, has put into creating such a stunning garden space. Every corner seemed to offer a new splash of colour, from clouds of blossom overhead to vibrant daffodils lining the pathways.

We began at the front of the house, where Lucy was joined briefly by her dad, Mike, for a few family photographs. These little moments are always so special and often become some of the most treasured images from a shoot.

The beauty of spring was evident everywhere we looked. Although the trees were still bare, the gardens felt alive with colour and promise, creating the most beautiful backdrop for our portraits.

Lucy shares a wonderful bond with both of her horses.

Ted, her handsome 16-year-old dark bay dressage horse and all-round best friend, has been part of her life for 11 years. Together they enjoy everything from dressage to long hacks, including regular rides along the beach.

William, now an incredible 30 years old, has been with Lucy since he was 11. Their partnership spans nearly two decades and is a beautiful example of the lifelong connections we build with our horses.

We moved through the gardens, stopping in the enchanting bee garden where blossom trees and drifts of daffodils created a sea of soft spring colour. Lucy was also joined by her two gorgeous Golden Labradors, Fleur and Arnie, who brought plenty of personality and smiles to the session.

From there, we wandered onto the immaculate lawn, surrounded by tulips just beginning to bloom, before finishing beside the charming pond. Every location offered something different, yet each perfectly captured the joy and freshness that spring brings.

As a photographer, manicured gardens are one of my absolute favourite places to work. They provide elegance, colour and variety, and this garden was simply a dream. Everywhere you looked there was another beautiful backdrop waiting to be discovered.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing photographs transformed into heirloom pieces that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Following their portrait session, Lucy chose a beautiful album to accompany the gorgeous framed print included in her prize. Together, they tell the story of a very special chapter with Ted, William, Fleur and Arnie, preserving memories that will only become more valuable with time.

After viewing her finished artwork, Lucy shared these lovely words:

"Thank you again for the opportunity to experience your at home photo shoot! Feel very lucky to have been your Burghley winner... I never win any of these competitions usually so what a fab prize!

The whole experience from start to finish was amazing. Your empathy and understanding when we had to reschedule our shoot and even shuffling the final shoot day by a day to work with the weather was much appreciated and gave us some absolutely beautiful memories, so thank you.

The quality of the images, album and frames is fantastic!

The feeling you created in the slideshow at our private viewing brought tears to my eyes. It really showed the love and connection we share with our favourite four-legged friends."

Words like these mean the world to me because they perfectly capture why I do what I do.

Spring may arrive before the leaves appear on the trees, but it offers some of the most colourful and beautiful backdrops of the entire year. Blossom, daffodils, tulips and fresh green growth create a wonderful sense of life, joy and renewal that photographs so beautifully.

If you'd love to celebrate the bond you share with your horse or dog through timeless artwork, I'd love to help you create something truly special.

Get in touch to learn more about commissioning your own bespoke portrait experience and turning your memories into artwork that will be treasured for generations.