Multi-generation photos with two-year-old Frankie

I first met Lynette virtually, when she booked me to give a presentation to her very successful camera club. I spoke about my favourite topic: helping people to relax in front of the camera and engaging with them to generate authentic expressions and interactions.

Lynette is a passionate photographer, with a great eye for capturing connection in portraits, as shown by the examples of her work which she emailed over to me.

However, there’s something that Lynette loves even more than photography, and that’s spending time with her grandson, Frankie.

Frankie is the absolute apple of Lynette’s eye: he’s full of energy and delight in the world around him, and Lynette loves nothing more than watching him grow up (which he’s doing much too quickly!) and trying to capture each milestone as he zips across the viewfinder of her camera (which he does very quickly, too!).

However, the downside of being behind the camera all the time is that you don’t get to be in many of the images. As grandparents in particular know, photographs of the ones we love are the most precious possessions of all. 

Lynette knew she needed to put her camera down and get in some pictures too; she needed to be the one tickling and cuddling and laughing with Frankie. Photographs reinforce memories, which is why it’s so important to be a visible part of your children’s and grandchildren’s life and milestones.

I do understand that being photographed can feel scary – indeed that’s one of the reasons I spent so much time hiding behind the camera as a teen myself. It’s also why I’m so focused on making my studio a relaxed and welcoming environment. When Lynette, and her lovely son and daughter-in-law brought Frankie to the studio, accompanied by Frankie’s ‘Granda’, too, we simply spent an hour or two playing games, singing nursery rhymes and making silly noises.

When he’s spending the day with his Nanny and Granda, Frankie loves to get involved with everything he can, whether that’s helping to cook, mix cement, pick (and taste!) some strawberries and – his favourite – watering the garden.

This lovely family are so lucky to have adorable little Frankie in their lives. And he’s equally lucky to have them: especially his wonderful grandmother, who is going to beautifully record so many moments of his life on camera for all of the family to enjoy in the future.

But on this occasion, I’m very happy that Lynette realised the importance of taking the opportunity to be in the images, too, so that her bond with Frankie will be recorded in the pages of the family’s photo albums as well 🙂

After our photoshoot, Lynette said:

“From the moment I saw Sarah’s gallery on her website two years ago, I knew I wanted her to photograph my little grandson. Once my family agreed, I booked a studio session with Sarah. Inevitably it was delayed a couple of times but Sarah supported us through these disappointments. Sarah makes you feel you are her only client. She is experienced & generous with her time and advice, preparing you so well for the special day, nothing is left to chance. When the studio day finally arrives and you meet Sarah, you feel comfortable as if you already know her. At the Studio I had total confidence that Sarah would capture those special, often fleeting moments with our very lively little toddler. My advice on the day would be: – don’t be afraid to take a break or two & give your little ones some refreshments. Above all trust Sarah, you may think – “I’m not going to look good in this pose”, but … surprise!! – you don’t look good you look fabulous. I am absolutely thrilled with our photographs. Time passes quickly & families change. My advice is: book Sarah for your special moments, you won’t regret it.”

Lynette, family photoshoot client from Faringdon, Oxfordshire

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If you’re interested in family photography in Bicester, Oxfordshire, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).