What an absolute pleasure it was to be asked to be a Buxton family photographer for the Woods family.

Every time a family gets in touch, I’m delighted not only that they’ve realised the importance of family photos, but they’ve entrusted me with capturing them.

As I always say, these moments won’t last forever, and you really can’t put a price on how valuable they will be in years to come.

This family photoshoot was even more special given grandparents David and Gracita were involved, on a rare occasion when their four children (plus the grandkids) were all together. In fact, this was the first time the kids had met their youngest cousin, the newest addition to the family who was born in Australia.

Nine adults and five kids isn’t your typical family photoshoot, but having so many family members involved makes it even more fun for me.

The more people there are, the easier it is for me to blend in. Everyone is more relaxed around close family. Plus the parents are far too busy trying to herd the kids up to worry about being self-conscious in front of the camera. A win-win for me and my style of documentary family photography.

The shoot was great fun – first at Buxton Lodge, the holiday house the family had rented for New Year, then in the Pavilion Gardens just down the road.

I love the park – it’s so big that there’s a mini train track running through it – although bobble hats and gloves were essential on a chilly December morning.

Luckily, we could all warm up inside the historic pavilion, a Grade II-listed building which is more than 150 years old, for coffees and hot chocolates.

This was the perfect Buxton family photography session – relaxed, informal and no-one caring about the camera.

It was proof of what I’m always banging on about: family photos are best when they’re not organised.

You have a great time; I take photos. It’s that simple.

Ps. A big thank you to Dave Boam for lending me a Fujifilm lens to help me with the shoot – after I managed to break mine 😉

It’s always a privilege to be a family photographer, but it makes what I do so much more meaningful when I get lovely reviews like this…