A Spring Family Photoshoot in Southend’s Priory Park
On a sunny April mid afternoon, just as I was about to head out for a family photoshoot in Leigh on Sea, I decided to call my clients with a suggestion to delay our session by an hour so the harsh sunlight could soften. Even though they were already on their way, they agreed and turned back home.
That unexpected delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While waiting, they came up with the idea to change locations and start the session at home to capture a few photos with their beloved cats (and their beloved trampoline) before heading to Priory Park in Southend. Normally, I avoid parks for family photography, especially on a busy Saturday afternoon when they are filled with people. But this last minute change worked beautifully.
Priory Park always finds a way to surprise me. Beyond the usual bustling areas, it has lots of hidden treasures in different corners. The secret garden was alive with the colours of spring flowers and quiet pathways led to open green spaces that were perfect for families to play and connect.
The girls, full of beans, came armed with ribbons and hula hoops, ready to make the most of the day. As we roamed around, it was their infectious energy, spontaneity and fun that made it so easy for me to capture their family time. Much credit to parents who just allowed themselves to enjoy and observe, rather than control and overtake. It really seemed like fun for everyone.
We explored the park, finding little nooks that made for picture-perfect backgrounds. It was a team effort, with my clients sharing their ideas and memories, like the impromptu races down the hill or the exact spot dad had his photo taken with his parents when he was a little boy. You know how much I love recreating memories!
At one point, we even bumped into a wedding photographer, obviously we made sure not to crash their photo op 😉
As the session wound down, we ended up by the tranquil weeping willows. With hearts full and memories captured, we said our goodbyes but not before taking a few photos of the parents together. The kids absolutely thought they were missing out! Looking back on the day, it reminds me how vital is to connect with clients’ ideas and visions that it’s not so much about the end result (although important too) but more about how the experience make you feel – and sure, sometimes, children will have off days but as long as we work together, adapt and move on, we will create opportunities to capture those everyday moments, big and small, to treasure for years to come.
If you are thinking about a family photoshoot in Leigh on Sea, Southend or the surrounding areas, let’s create something special together that captures your family’s story exactly as it is. Contact me here to chat about your ideas for a family photos.