About the Sessions

I specialise in lifestyle photography – a contemporary way of capturing real moments and real expressions. The aim is to ensure that you look like you in your photos, and that the memories they bring back in years to come will be authentic.

To keep it simple, I shoot primarily in natural light, both indoors and outdoors, as this is always the most flattering for portraits. If you would prefer a studio-style arrangement, please contact me to discuss the possibilities.

Please contact me for more details or view my detailed pricelist here. Shoot/session locations outside of a 20-mile radius of Bedford will be subject to a mileage fee.

I’d like to book a session with you. How do I do this?
To book, simply call or e-mail me with your ideal dates or availability, and we will put a date in the diary!

The full amount of the session fee is due at the time of booking, and is used to hold your session date. Once payment is received, I will send you a written confirmation of your session date and details. Read more about this in my Terms.

What can I expect at a photo session?
Expect to have a laugh and feel relaxed! I always promise to make it an enjoyable experience. Sessions last 1-2 hours, and start out with any set-ups or styles that you may have specified to me before the session. But don’t worry if you have no ideas for your portraits – you can just let me work my magic!

If your session is for a baby or child, let them be themselves and I’ll anticipate the best moments to take the shots. These photos look nicer than those taken when they are told to “sit still”. There is no time limit on baby and child sessions, to allow for your children to get to know me, breaks, clothing changes and snacks!

If you are taking part in a commercial photo session, be ready to offer any ideas or styles you feel will be best suited to your planned use for the photos.

What should I/we wear?
Click to download your guide to 'What to Wear to a Photo Session'.

We’ve had our session. When will we be able to view our photos?
I will provide an online viewing gallery for looking at your photos - please allow 1-2 weeks for this. I take a lot of time and care to hand retouch the images, including any special requests you may have made for your photos (i.e.: conversion to black-and-white, blemish removal etc).

Once uploaded, your gallery will stay online for 14 days, allowing you to view them at leisure and choose your favourites, as well as sharing them with family, friends and colleagues.

We’d like to order prints/canvasses/albums. What do we need to do?
Each photo in your viewing gallery has a image reference no. beneath it. Please quote these to me over the e-mail, including sizes and formats you'd like (see print pricing here). I will then send you a total price and link for making payment by credit/debit card. Alternatively, I can take your card details over the phone. If you would prefer to pay by cash, please deliver payment to me at this address or post by a very secure means (i.e.: Royal Mail Special Delivery). If you would like to pay by cheque, please make payable to 'ESSENCE' and post to me at this address.

Full payment for your items is due at the time of ordering.

We have placed our order. When can we expect to receive our pictures?
If you have ordered prints, canvasses, albums or gifts, please allow 3-6 weeks for delivery of your photos from the day that you place your order. I inspect all finished products before shipping them to you, so please allow time for any reprints if I’m not happy with the quality. Also, please allow time for the postman!

If you have taken part in a commercial shoot, your images will be delivered to you on CD within 7 days of your order and cleared payment.

If you need your images urgently, you MUST advise me of this at the time of placing your order, so that I can enquire into the possibilities.

All Images Copyright Essence 2008