The COVID-19 pandemic - what a strange time of life trying to comprehend what changes needed to happen (and so very quickly!) all in the name of our safety and wellbeing.  I was like many other working parents and suddenly, overnight, I was catapulted into a new career (and into one, I’d personally never choose!) and became my daughter’s school teacher.  

Whilst sitting here and thinking about what’s happened over the last 12-14 weeks, I realise that I am (one of) her main teachers in life, but have never been her greatest influence academically - thankfully, that was always left to the professionals! Having stepped into their shoes for the last few months I can safely say I take my hat off to teachers and believe whole-heartedly they deserve every second of six weeks off.

Don’t get me wrong, we have had a lovely time learning together and (at times) have really indulged in having some fun, but Nieve (my daughter) is the ultimate social butterfly - she meets a new ‘best friend’ wherever we go. She needs other people in her life and so, not having her friends and family around when she wants it has been really tough on her manage, and for me to witness too. My escape and freedom is my camera and when you have a moody 6 year old who has been brought up with a camera in her face like Nieve has, as well as her life changing overnight like mine did, I understand her outbursts of “stop taking photos of me!” and so my snapping about the house became somewhat tainted.

So as soon as lockdown started to ease, and I was able to get out with my camera and see some more new faces in friends, family and clients (abiding by the social distance rule of course), moving to take Doorstep Portraits was a natural next step for me - it was a little piece of normality for me and by god, it felt good! As they say, ‘you don’t realise what you have until its gone’ but I knew I had the best job in the world, I just didn’t think anyone could take it away from me.  And with Nieve now back to school (home-schooling wasn’t for either of us!), here I am with fire in my belly (and one that’s slightly bigger after lockdown too!) ready and raring to get back to a new kind of normal.

What I loved most about my doorstep portraits was hearing the different reasons everyone had for wanting to capture their little part of history, whether it was a pregnancy bump, a new born, memories to show their children (and grandchildren!) in years to come.

And for every doorstep portrait I took, I promised to make a £5 contribution to 4Louis, a charity that’s very close to my own heart and this weekend I make a donation on behalf of all my clients of £100 .  4Louis supply many hospitals throughout the UK with memory boxes for parents who have lost a child at any stage through pregnancy and cuddle cots for the babies who were born sleeping.  During the Covid pandemic, they also provided memory boxes to families who had lost a love one to the horrible disease.

Now that lockdown has eased again, I expect I’ll be doing less doorstep portraits and hopefully more location shoots over the coming weeks and months. And I for one - can’t wait! Thank you all for your continued love and support.

Em x

Hi all! Much like the rest of you, I’ve really felt the pressure build over these last few days. What it means for me, my family, my work - you guys! - so I wanted to process it all before posting something. 

After lots of reading and (probably too much!) news watching, I thought it was best to clarify the options you have if you’re booked with me (I known many of you may be feeling anxious or unsettled) and also, other bits you may need to consider so hopefully find helpful. 

For now, as far as I’m concerned it’s still a case as everything being ‘business as usual’. I know there’s been guidance (not enforcement) on limiting unnecessary social gatherings but for as long as the venues are open and going ahead, I still have every intention of carrying out my work with the same amount of joy and passion as I always do. I love my job, love what I do and love the people I do it for - this pesky virus hasn’t changed that! 

Personally, I’m being really mindful of how I’m spending my time and will largely be self-isolating (where and when I can) in an attempt to minimise any risk there is of me coming in contacting with the virus. But (and it’s a big but!), if I do start to show any symptoms then the best, and most responsible, thing to do will be to arrange replacement cover for your big day. I’m lucky enough to know many other photographers who I’d be happy to recommend in a flash so if we find ourselves in that position, be assured that I’ll work with you to find a fantastic replacement.

If your 2020 wedding is postponed for whatever reason, then naturally, I will be as accommodating as possible and will happily transfer your booking to another date, subject to my availability and of course, all monies would be transferred seamlessly over to a new date. If we did have to cross that bridge, then I’d work with you to hopefully get as many of your original suppliers sync’d as best as you could.

So yes, it’s unsettling times for us all - but to my bride and grooms, if I can make just one reassurance that might help you sleep easier at night, be assured that for as long as your day is going ahead, then so am I and we’ll make it more memorable than ever! 💪🏼 

Until then though, you can find me at the sink washing my hands to the tune of happy birthday. Twice (obviously!)