The Lees Family

One of the biggest worries I hear from families before a portrait session is this:

"The children won't behave."

Or...

"The pony won't stand still."

Or sometimes it's, "You'll never get them all looking the same way!"



My answer is always the same...

Good.

Because some of the very best portraits come from embracing a little bit of chaos.

Recently, I photographed the loveliest family after they won a portrait session at the Meynell Pony Club Christmas Show with the most adorable fancy dress costume. Their pony, Frankie, came dressed as a snowman, and honestly, it was impossible not to love their costume.

When I started to plan our portrait session, it quickly became obvious that this wasn't just about photographing one pony.

It was about photographing their family.

Their daughter Elsie & Frankie, the wonderful little Welsh Section A, was of course the star of the show, but he wasn't the only important member of the household. We also included mum Becky's much-loved veteran pony Rose, her sweet little Shetland companion Monty and, perhaps my favourite surprise of the day...

Goujon the pet chicken.

Quite possibly the greatest chicken name I've ever heard!

One of Elsie's biggest wishes was to have a portrait with Frankie and Goujon together. It might sound like an unusual request, but that's exactly what makes family portrait sessions so personal. Years from now, those photographs won't just remind them what everyone looked like. They'll remind them of this chapter of family life.

The biggest misconception about family portrait sessions is that everyone needs to behave perfectly.

They don't.

Children wriggle.

Ponies get distracted.

Dogs wander off.

Chickens decide they're on the run. 

And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Over the years I've photographed horses, dogs, goats, sheep, cows, chickens and plenty of other four-legged (and feathered!) family members alongside families of every shape and size. My sessions are relaxed because they need to be. We work with the personalities in front of us rather than expecting anyone to perform.

That relaxed approach is what allows genuine smiles, real laughter and authentic moments to happen naturally.

Those are always the photographs families treasure most.

Your Family's Story Deserves To Be Remembered

Family life doesn't stay the same for very long.

Children grow up and outgrow their ponies.

The animals who fill your fields and your home become part of your family's story in ways that are impossible to put into words.

One day, you'll look back at these portraits and see far more than smiling faces. You'll remember the little pony who patiently stood while your daughter wrapped her arms around his neck. You'll laugh about insisting the chicken had to be included. You'll remember exactly what this season of life felt like.

If you've been waiting until everyone is older, calmer or better behaved before booking a family portrait session, don't.

Real life isn't perfectly posed, and that's exactly what makes it beautiful.

I'd love to help you create artwork that celebrates your whole family — horses, children, dogs, chickens and all. Because these wonderfully chaotic days are often the ones you'll miss the most.