The White Family

I recently had the pleasure of spending a morning with the lovely White family at their beautiful home in Kirkby-La-Thorpe. This session was mainly focused on mum and daughter, Helen and Emily, although Dad, Phil, was “dragged in” for a few shots too.

One of the real joys of this family’s home is their horses grazing just in the back garden. Riley and Dennis were absolute stars, and we were able to create a variety of portraits using the big tree in the paddock, the stables, and a charming timber outbuilding as backdrops. There’s something truly special about capturing people with their horses right where they live – it makes the images feel so personal and full of life.



We finished the session with a flourish: Helen and Emily in stunning ball gowns. I don’t often get to photograph ball gowns, so this was a real highlight for me – full of drama, elegance, and a little bit of magic!

Dog Lottie was also part of the fun, happily assisting me throughout the morning, ensuring no moment was without a wagging tail nearby.



I was thrilled that one of the images from this session was submitted to the Equestrian & Country Photographer of the Year Awards and received a Merit in the Equine Portrait category. I was even awarded overall winner of Equestrian & Country Photographer of the Year 2025.

For Emily, who will be travelling to Australia later this year, having these portraits to take with her is especially meaningful – a way to carry memories of her horse and family with her while she’s away.

And of course, as always, a successful session was helped along by plenty of coffee and biscuits – essential fuel for a morning of capturing beautiful moments!



Working with families like the Whites, in their own home and with their beloved animals, is why I love what I do. The morning was full of laughter, love, and plenty of gorgeous images to treasure for years to come.