August at Phoebe Berridge Photography

New Beginnings, Back To School & Autumn Adventures

Welcome to the August edition of Moments with Phoebe.

I don't know about you, but I always find August a bit of a strange month.

The summer holidays are in full swing, the days are still long, and yet there's that little feeling that a new season is just around the corner.

As parents, we spend so much of the year looking forward to the summer holidays, and then suddenly we're buying new school shoes, labelling uniform and wondering how another school year has come around so quickly.

It's one of the reasons I love photography so much.

Photographs have a way of freezing moments that otherwise seem to disappear in the blink of an eye. The missing tooth, the favourite teddy, the excitement of starting school, the cuddles that become a little less frequent as children grow older.

These moments may feel ordinary now, but one day they'll become some of your most treasured memories.

New For 2026: Back to School Mini Sessions

This August I'm excited to be launching something brand new.

My Back-to-School Mini Sessions have been designed to celebrate the start of a brand-new school year with simple, timeless portraits of your children.

Whether they're heading off to Nursery for the first time, starting Reception, moving up to Secondary School or preparing for college, every new school year marks another milestone worth remembering.

The idea for these sessions came from my own experience as a step-mum to Coen and Flynn.

Every year it seems to get harder to get a nice photograph of the boys before they head back to school. One doesn't want their photo taken, the other is pulling a face, and before you know it the morning rush has taken over!

Then a few months later the school photographs arrive, and we find ourselves thinking, "Oh..." 🤣

One child looks like they've forgotten how to smile, the other's tie is wonky, someone's jumper is sitting strangely, and it just doesn't quite capture them as we know them.

I wanted to create an opportunity for parents to have beautiful, natural portraits of their children before the school year begins—while the uniforms are still pristine, the shoes are polished and the excitement (or nerves!) of a brand-new school year is still there.

One of the biggest reasons I've decided to offer these sessions is because I know how difficult it can be to get professional photographs of siblings together once they're attending different schools.

These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to capture them together before another school year begins.

And let's be honest... uniforms never stay this clean for long! 🤣

Could Your Outfit Choices Be Ruining Your Photos?

One of the most common questions I receive before family sessions is:

"What should we wear?"

The good news is that you don't need matching white shirts and jeans.

The not-so-good news is that a few outfit choices can unintentionally distract from your photographs.

Large logos, cartoon characters, neon colours and lots of competing patterns can all draw attention away from the people in the image.

Instead, think coordination rather than matching.

Soft neutrals, earthy tones, creams, sage greens, soft blues and blush pinks work beautifully together and help keep the focus exactly where it belongs—on your family.

The best family photographs are the ones where you notice the people first, not the clothes.

 Client Love

One of my favourite parts of every month is hearing from families after they've received their photographs.

This month's review comes from Becky following her newborn session with her two daughters:

"This was our fourth visit to Phoebe for some newborn photos including our two-year-old. The photos, as usual, were absolutely beautiful and Phoebe captured exactly what we wanted.

Phoebe is so patient and always puts us at ease, especially this time with a difficult toddler who did not want to sit for any photos. But Phoebe excelled and got us some gorgeous photos with both our girls that we will cherish forever.

Can't wait to book in again and we would not go anywhere else for our family photos."

Thank you so much, Becky, for your kind words and for trusting me to capture so many special milestones for your family over the years.

Thinking Ahead To First Birthdays

It might sound a little crazy to be talking about first birthdays already, but if your little one is due to turn one this autumn or winter, now is actually the perfect time to start thinking about their Cake Smash or First Birthday Portrait Session.

One of the biggest surprises for many parents is just how quickly the diary fills towards the end of the year.

With Autumn Mini Sessions, Christmas Mini Sessions and family sessions all taking place, weekend availability becomes much more limited than during the quieter months.

If your baby is celebrating their first birthday from October onwards, I'd recommend getting in touch sooner rather than later to secure your preferred date.

Because whether you choose a cake smash, a simple portrait session or family photographs to mark the occasion, turning one is a milestone worth remembering.

Autumn Mini Sessions Are Now Open

Autumn Mini Sessions officially launched at the end of July and I'm so excited to see bookings already coming in.

These sessions are always one of my favourites, combining beautiful autumn colours, family cuddles, dogs welcome and, of course, plenty of leaf throwing fun.

If you've been meaning to take a look, now is the perfect time to check the remaining availability.

Phoebe's Favourite

This month's favourite is simple:

Getting in the photo.

As parents, we're often the ones taking the photographs rather than being in them.

So this month, I challenge you to hand the camera to someone else, set up the self-timer or ask for a quick family photograph.

Not because it needs to be perfect.

Not because everyone is looking at the camera.

But because one day your children will treasure seeing you in their memories.

Looking Ahead

As we head into the second half of the year, there's plenty happening at Phoebe Berridge Photography.

🎒 Back To School Mini Sessions are now open for booking and are perfect for capturing the excitement of a brand-new school year.

🍂 Autumn Mini Sessions have officially launched and are already filling up.

🎄 Christmas Mini Sessions may still feel a little way off, but November will be here before we know it!

The final few months of the year are always some of my favourites, filled with milestones, family memories and plenty of familiar faces returning to the studio.

I can't wait to capture more special moments with you all.

Phoebe x

Things I Don't Expect from A SEN Family Photoshoot

One of the biggest concerns I hear from parents before booking a family photoshoot is:

"I don't know if my child will manage it."

Sometimes that concern comes from previous experiences.

Sometimes it's because their child has additional needs, and they worry about how a photographer might react if things don't go to plan.

And sometimes it's simply because life looks a little different for their family.

If that's you, I want to reassure you of something important.

When it comes to photographing children with additional needs, there are a lot of things I don't expect.

I Don't Expect Eye Contact

Not every child feels comfortable making eye contact.

And that's okay.

A photograph doesn't need eye contact to tell a story.

Some of the most beautiful images come from children simply being themselves, whether they're looking at Mum, Dad, a favourite toy, or something that has captured their attention in the distance.

I Don't Expect Children to Sit Still

Children are meant to move.

They are meant to explore, investigate and experience the world around them.

This is especially true for many children with additional needs.

I would much rather photograph a child happily exploring than force them into a pose that makes them uncomfortable.

I Don't Expect Smiles on Demand

One of the biggest misconceptions about family photography is that every image needs a huge smile.

It doesn't.

Some children show happiness differently.

Some children need time to warm up.

Some children may never smile directly at the camera.

And that's completely okay.

The goal is capturing genuine moments, not forced ones.

I Don't Expect Immediate Trust

Meeting a new person can be overwhelming.

Meeting a new person who has a camera can feel even more overwhelming.

I don't expect children to instantly engage with me.

Some children will chat to me straight away.

Others may need time to observe from a distance first.

Both are perfectly normal.

I Don't Expect Perfection

Family life isn't perfect.

Children aren't perfect.

Sessions aren't perfect.

And honestly, that's where the magic usually happens.

The giggles, the cuddles, the movement, the little moments in between—those are often the photographs families treasure most.

What I Do Expect

I expect children to be themselves.

I expect families to love their children exactly as they are.

I expect there to be moments of connection.

And I expect to create photographs that tell your family's story.

Because a successful session isn't measured by how many times a child looked at the camera.

It's measured by whether we've captured who they are.

Communication Makes a Huge Difference

Before any session, I always encourage parents to tell me about their child.

Do they have a favourite toy?

A special interest?

A comfort items?

Are there any sensory sensitivities I should be aware of?

The more I know, the better I can adapt the session around your family.

Because every child is different.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Your Family Deserves to Be In Photographs Too

I've spoken to parents who have put off booking family photographs for years because they worried it would be too difficult.

But your family deserves to have memories captured too.

Not when things become easier.

Not when routines change.

Not when life feels more manageable.

Now.

Because your story matters exactly as it is.

And one day, these photographs will become some of the most treasured things you own.

Phoebe Berridge Photography

Child-led family, new born and baby photography in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Cambridgeshire.