Sitter session with eight-month-old Orla

When Orla had some pictures taken for a Baby of the Month competition, her dad Liam was keen to buy them all.

To his surprise, his partner Corinne was dismissive of the idea.

“What about your friend, Sarah,” he asked, “Isn’t she a photographer? We could take Orla to her studio.”

Again, Corinne was inexplicably dismissive.

What Liam didn’t know was that Corinne had a plan.

She had booked in with me many months ago, and was on a Secret Squirrel mission to get some photos done as a surprise for Liam’s Father’s Day gift.

The couple were headed off to York with Liam’s mum over the Father’s Day weekend, and that’s when Corinne presented him with the images.

Happily, Liam put just as much effort into Corinne’s Mother’s Day gift, commissioning an illustration of her with baby Orla for the occasion.

I know Corinne from Bicester Rabble, an exercise and social group that meets up every Monday night for immersive team games like Frisbee, Capture the Flag and Dodgeball.

I knew Orla would be a delight from what Corinne had told me about her.

From the moment I met her, she was a complete and utter joy.

I enjoyed lots of smiles, grins and interactions with her, including showing off all the things she could do: touching her toes, rolling over and reversing in her walker toy.

She wasn’t shy or fearful about meeting someone new, but instead incredibly curious and keen to engage.

She gets this from both her parents – Corinne is super friendly, laid back and easy going, while Liam loves chatting to new people.

Orla’s beautiful name was Liam’s suggestion.

He wanted to honour his Irish roots, but both he and Corinne agreed they wanted something that was also easy to spell and pronounce.

The couple didn’t want to know their baby’s gender before she was born, as they preferred to have a surprise. 

Liam’s family is full of boys, whereas Corinne’s family is all girls, so both sides were wondering which tradition the new arrival would follow.

When baby was born, Liam announced her arrival with, “It’s an Orla!” – and everyone has been absolutely besotted with her ever since!

Corinne tells me that Orla has been much easier than she’d anticipated, and that motherhood has been more fun than expected, too.

Both Corinne and Liam were very independent before becoming parents, but now Orla is their sole focus.

Corinne told me Orla has brought them closer together, and that she is now the centre of their world.

Liam has been incredible in his new role, and is an active and supportive dad.

He’s looking forward to his first Father’s Day, and I can’t wait to hear his reaction to Corinne’s incredibly sweet and thoughtful surprise gift! 🙂

“Sarah did a shoot for my 8 month old baby for a surprise Father’s Day gift. She was wonderful and made it so fun and relaxed and not forced at all. She stays professional throughout whilst her warm and friendly manner keeps you relaxed and at ease. She really knew how to get my little girl to smile and laugh in front of the camera and enjoy herself. The final pictures were amazing and she really knows what to look for and how to get the best images for what you want. Highly recommend!!!”

Corinne, Sitter Session client from Bicester, Oxfordshire

---

If you’re interested in a family or sitter photography session in Bicester, Oxfordshire, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater AMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

She is the Master Photographers Association Young Families Portrait Photographer of the Year 2022 and Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire) and achieved a Studio Portrait Finalist Award at the 2023 National Competition.