Hi, I'm Ben.
How did I get here?
I initially got into photography seriously in the mid 90's, when I was about 19. I Spent all my money on a film camera and some film... (a trusty Canon AE-1 Program), found an evening class and started getting into developing my own film and prints. I still have all that equipment stored away, when digital cameras came along the convenience and the ease of being able to see your images straight away was obviously a huge plus!
When our son was born in 2011 I really wanted to use my camera to document everything, and of course, to make those images look as good as I could. Even though I'd shot a few weddings (on film!) by this point, I hadn't yet realised how much I would enjoy shooting portraits.
I think, until we had our own children, I would have been pretty terrified about the idea of photographing babies or children, or people in general! But the more I shot, the more I wanted to learn and improve.
We now have three children (Reuben, Ava & Emmy), and since I started working as a photographer in 2012 I've taken a few thousand portraits. That sounds insane, but yep, when I add up all the babies, families, schools, dance schools, proms, weddings, headshots and add in a few pets to the total (dogs and cats are people too right?), that's about the right number!
And so, here I am!
So if you're thinking about a photoshoot and you have young children - don't worry if you have a wild one or are afraid that they will run riot, this is not my first rodeo! I always find a way to get the shots!
If your children are shy or at all nervous, that's fine too. I'll bust out a few of my best dance moves or a few lines from Frozen or Encanto or do whatever I can to put them at ease. (Although I promise never to do any singing or dancing either unless absolutely necessary.)
I'm originally from Kent, just outside South East London or "down south" if you prefer (pronounced: daaaaan saahhf) but we have lived here since 2006, currently in Wistaston which we love. In my spare time I like to...WHAT SPARE TIME I HAVE THREE KIDS!! ;)
It's always fab to hear from families who like my work, so please have a look around and get in touch if you'd like to have a chat some more info or want to book.
Thanks for visiting,
Ben
