Cousins Photoshoot with Artie, Rose & Dotty

Best friends Charley and Sarah-Jane are closely connected in a couple of ways. Firstly, they jointly own and run the top-rated dog grooming business, Bubble Bark, through which I first met them.

Secondly, Sarah-Jane is engaged to Charley’s brother, Rhys.

Charley has two little ones – Artie, 8, and Rose, who is 2 – with her husband, Mark. I previously photographed their family just after Rose was born (see the images here).

Earlier this year, Sarah-Jane and Rhys had their first child, daughter Dorothy, known as Dotty (see her newborn photos here). 

So when it came to what to get Charley’s mum (and Sarah-Jane’s future mother-in-law) for her 60th birthday, these friends knew exactly what would be at the top of the birthday girl’s wishlist: beautiful images of all three of her grandchildren together.

To keep it a surprise, Charley and Sarah-Jane organised everything with me secretly, not letting the family know what they were up to.

To make the most of the opportunity, we staggered the two families’ arrival times, so we could capture images of Dotty on her own, as well as Artie and Rose together and individually.

Dotty is racing through her milestones: she can roll over and hold herself up while on her tummy. She’s recently learned how to sit up unaided and is enjoying her new upright view of her surroundings. She doesn’t give out smiles willy nilly – you really need to earn them.

For dad Rhys, the sure-fire way to get a grin from his daughter is by doing a dramatic dance to the Strictly theme tune, something he is getting impressively good at!

Rose loves to sing, and once she gets going she doesn’t want to share the spotlight: she’ll tell you to stop singing if you try to join in!

She also loves Peppa Pig, the Cha Char Chimps (an interactive musical show for little ones), Peter Rabbit and nursery rhymes. Current favourites include Incy Wincy Spider and Wind the Bobbin Up.

For big brother Artie, life is about two things: Lego and Minecraft. If he’s not immersed in one then he’s busy with the other, or at worst, reluctantly pausing his world-building to attend school!

Despite their VERY different interests, these three are as thick as thieves, loving (almost!) every second together. 

That’s something they’ve clearly got in common with the grown-ups in the family, especially their mums. Charley and Sarah-Jane have led the way when it comes to showing how valuable and rewarding deep, long-lasting relationships with friends and family can be.

And when Artie, Rose and Dotty are grown-ups themselves, they’ll be able to look back at these images and remember where it all started 🙂

P.S. This green and white frock is a dress that Charley wore herself as a little girl – what a gorgeous hand-me-down!

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If you’re interested in updating your family photos please do get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn, child, 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).