Tween photoshoot with nine-year-old Emily and her mum Claire

Claire was looking for a fun, confidence-boosting experience for her nine-year-old daughter, Emily, and came up with the perfect idea: a tween photoshoot at my Bicester photography studio. Not only would Emily get to wear all her favourite clothes, but she’d have fun creating a series of images that she (and her family) can keep forever.

Emily is bright, energetic and characterful. Claire told me she loves her daughter’s energy and enthusiasm for everything, from being in the outdoors through to trying new things, whether that’s axe throwing or paddle boarding.

Indeed, during our pre-shoot phone call, Emily told me she was nervous about falling off the paddle board when she gave the sport a go for the first time that weekend. However, in the end she fell off six times and each one was a little less scary than the last. By the end, she was pushing the paddle board away so she could swim amongst the reeds for a little longer – a great way to cool off during the July heatwave!

Emily loves margarita pizza and the colour yellow. She also loves being a big sister, especially as it means being able to tell four-year-old Isla what to do (although little Isla likes to make her own mind up, too!). Emily told me that being a good big sister involves being kind, fair, fun and sympathetic, which all sound like very positive and mature attributes indeed!

Emily turns 10 next month and is very much looking forward to a trip to Harry Potter World, followed by a sleepover with a cousin.

For Claire, the perfect day would involve waking up in her native New Zealand. She would spend the day with her parents at their local beach and maybe re-inflate the blow-up shark they left behind during their visit when Emily was a two-year-old toddler!

Back here in the UK, Claire and Emily are currently looking after a friend’s pet, Harry the Hamster. He probably thinks he’s back in the dessert after the recent heatwave! Emily’s clear fondness for little Harry meant it was no surprise that she’d like to work with animals when she’s older, perhaps as a zoo-keeper. When she gets there she’d very much like to focus on pandas, because “they’re so cute and fluffy and deserve lots of love!”

Claire and Emily live in Hertfordshire, so to make the most of their time with me in Oxfordshire, the family booked in to stay nearby overnight. The day before, they went to see the brilliant Giffords Circus in Henley-on-Thames, which the whole family loved.

Then, it was off home to dodge the raindrops by watching a movie together and giving Harry the Hamster one last cuddle before he goes back to his own home tomorrow, too. 🙂

After our photoshoot, Claire said:

“I booked Sarah for a photo shoot with my daughter. We had previously had a family photo session a few years before which was quite stressful, and as a result we all looked quite awkward, so I was really drawn by Sarah’s relaxed approach. Sarah’s service was very professional from start to finish. We had a phone call before the shoot to get to know each other, and she send through a beautiful welcome pack with lots of helpful information to help make the day a success. She made the day really fun with lots of laughs, and as a result we have genuine smiles and great photos to keep. Highly recommend Sarah!”

Claire, Tween Photoshoot client from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

If you’re interested in tween, teenager or makeover photoshoots, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is a qualified professional photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.