October at Phoebe Berridge Photography

September always seems to disappear in the blink of an eye!

After a lovely summer, the kids headed back to school in September and, after a few weeks of finding our feet again, I think we’re finally back into some sort of routine — hopefully you are too.

There’s something about September that always feels like a bit of a reset. Back to normal working weeks, school runs, after-school clubs and actually knowing what day of the week it is again. 😂

And now October is here which, if you’ve followed Phoebe Berridge Photography for a while, you’ll probably already know is one of my favourite months of the year.

I absolutely love autumn. The cooler days, cosy evenings, chunky knits and, of course, all those gorgeous colours starting to appear outside.

It also marks the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year for me as a family and newborn photographer here in Bedfordshire.

Autumn Minis are almost here, Christmas Mini preparations are well underway and the studio diary is filling with lots of lovely babies and families in between.

So grab a cuppa and have a little catch-up on everything happening at PBP this October.

Autumn Mini season is almost here 🍂

October means one thing at PBP Autumn Minis!

This year’s Autumn Mini Sessions are taking place on 17th & 18th October, and I honestly cannot wait.

There is something so lovely about photographing families outdoors at this time of year. Cosy layers, little boots, cuddles, crunchy leaves and all of those warm autumn colours make such a gorgeous backdrop without us needing to create anything artificial.

It’s one of the reasons autumn family photography will always be a favourite of mine.

If you're already booked in for an Autumn Mini, keep an eye on your inbox as I'll be sending everything you need to know ahead of your session, including those all-important final details.

Now we just need October to deliver those gorgeous autumn colours for us!

Behind the scenes at PBP

While October might look very autumnal from the outside, behind the studio doors things are already looking a little more… Christmassy. 🎄

I know. Christmas already!

There’s so much that happens before the first family walks through the door for their Christmas Mini Session.

Set preparation, styling, checking props, preparing client information, answering outfit questions and making sure all the little details are ready for what is always an incredibly busy few weeks in the studio.

It's one of those parts of running a photography business that you don't necessarily see when you look at the finished photographs.

By the time Christmas Mini season actually arrives, I've already been thinking about Christmas for MONTHS.

The Christmas chaos has officially begun although I'm still not quite ready for the Christmas songs yet. 😂

The Christmas countdown is on 🎄

This year's Christmas Mini Sessions have had such an incredible response.

The original dates sold out and, after lots of messages from families who had missed out, I added an additional date to the diary.

Christmas Minis are always such a special part of my year because I get to see so many familiar faces coming back through the studio doors.

Some of the children I photograph at Christmas are little ones I've photographed since they were newborns, and watching them change each year is one of the loveliest parts of doing this job.

If you're already booked for your 2026 Christmas Mini, don't worry about remembering everything just yet. I'll be sending information out before your session with everything you need to know.

What should we wear for Christmas Minis?

This is probably one of the questions I get asked most before any family photography session!

The biggest thing to remember is that you don't all need to match.

Instead, think coordinating rather than matching.

Soft knits, creams, warm neutrals and earthy tones photograph beautifully. Mixing slightly different shades and textures between everyone creates a much softer, more natural finished look than putting everyone in exactly the same thing.

I'd avoid large logos, characters and particularly busy patterns where possible, as these can quickly become the focus of the photograph.

And when it comes to little ones, comfort wins every time.

The most beautiful outfit in the world isn't worth much if your toddler has decided they absolutely hate wearing it. 😂

Choose something they can move around and be themselves in — happy, comfortable children will always photograph beautifully.

Expecting a winter baby? 🤍

Amongst all the autumn and Christmas madness, my usual maternity, newborn and baby sessions are still taking place too.

If you're expecting a baby in November, December or early 2027, now is a really good time to start thinking about booking your newborn photography session.

You don't need to wait until your baby arrives.

When you book a newborn session with me, I reserve space in my diary around your due date. Once your little one decides to make their appearance, we'll arrange the actual date for you to come into my home studio in Ickwell, Bedfordshire.

I generally recommend newborn photographs are taken during those first few weeks, but sessions are completely baby-led.

There's plenty of time for feeding, changing, cuddling and settling. Your baby hasn't read my diary and definitely doesn't care that we've scheduled photographs for that morning so we work around them!

There's never any rush.

A Christmas present they'll actually keep

October also tends to be the month when Christmas shopping starts creeping onto everyone's to-do lists.

If you're struggling with what to buy someone who genuinely doesn't need more "stuff", a photography gift voucher can be a lovely alternative.

They're particularly lovely for new parents, grandparents or families who are always saying:

"We really need some nice photos of us all together."

Because they'll probably forget another candle.

They won't forget these.

Have you heard about PBP Memory Credits?

If you've recently spotted me talking about Memory Credits, they're my new way of saying thank you when you recommend Phoebe Berridge Photography to your friends and family.

When somebody books through your recommendation, they receive £25 off their session and you receive a £25 Memory Credit.

Your Memory Credit can then be put towards a future photography session, additional digital photographs or prints.

So if you've ever recommended me in a local Facebook group, sent my details to a pregnant friend or told another mum at school about your session, firstly — thank you.

Word of mouth continues to be such an important part of my little business, and Memory Credits are my way of giving a little something back.

Looking ahead…

There is plenty happening over the next few months at PBP:

🍂 OCTOBER
Autumn Mini Sessions
17th & 18th October

🎄 NOVEMBER
Christmas Mini season begins
21st, 22nd & 28th November

✨ DECEMBER
The final Christmas Minis
5th December
Plus the last studio sessions before Christmas

🤍 JANUARY – MARCH 2027
The diary is open for maternity, newborn, baby and family photography sessions.

🌿 SPRING 2027
Spring Minis will be returning, with dates and booking details coming in the New Year.

See you soon 🤍

The next few months are going to be busy, slightly chaotic and filled with lots and lots of photographs — exactly how this time of year usually looks at PBP.

Whether you're coming to see me for Autumn Minis, returning for another year of Christmas photographs, preparing to welcome a new baby or simply following along from home, thank you for continuing to support Phoebe Berridge Photography.

Every booking, recommendation, comment, share and familiar face coming back through the studio doors means so much.

Here's to a lovely October.

Phoebe x

Phoebe Berridge Photography
Newborn, baby, maternity & family photographer in Ickwell, Bedfordshire
Photographing families across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Cambridgeshire