Competition Winner Sharon's Outdoor Photoshoot with Lily & Lottie

When Sharon entered my recent competition, I don't think she expected to be walking away with the prize of a free outdoor child portrait photoshoot for her two granddaughters, Lily and Lottie. I was absolutely delighted when her name was drawn, and even more excited when we started planning their session together.

For the photoshoot, we were lucky enough to have access to a friend's beautiful piece of land in Ganstead, just outside of Hull. It's one of those locations that photographers dream about. A huge open field surrounded by farmland, rolling countryside views, and plenty of space for children to run, explore and simply be themselves. The setting couldn't have been more perfect for the kind of outdoor portrait photography I love to create.

We arranged the session for the morning to make the most of the lovely soft light. Morning shoots are often ideal for young children, providing beautiful natural light and a fresh, peaceful atmosphere before the day gets too busy. As I arrived, the countryside was incredibly calm, with the light gently spilling across the fields and creating the perfect backdrop for some timeless portraits.

As every parent, grandparent and children's photographer knows, however, children don't always follow the plan.

While Lily was happy to wander through the field and explore the surroundings, little Lottie had different ideas. She was feeling tired and, quite understandably, wasn't particularly enthusiastic about having her photograph taken that morning. There were moments when she made it very clear she would rather be anywhere else!

But that's the reality of working with young children, and honestly, it's something I've come to embrace over the years. Some of my favourite images have come from sessions that didn't go exactly as expected. Children are beautifully unpredictable, and part of my job as a photographer is adapting to whatever mood they arrive in.

Rather than forcing poses or asking for constant smiles, I prefer to take a relaxed approach. We took our time, allowed the girls to settle into the surroundings, and followed their lead. There were cuddles, little breaks, plenty of reassurance and, yes, a few tears along the way. Between those moments, though, Lottie gave us little glimpses of her personality, and I was able to capture some beautiful photographs that Sharon will treasure.

In fact, some of the most meaningful images from the session weren't the perfectly posed ones at all. They were the small, natural moments between the sisters. The gentle interactions, the curious looks, the laughter when they forgot about the camera, and the quiet moments in between. These are the kinds of photographs that tell a story.

As the session continued into the early afternoon, another challenge arrived. The sun decided to make an appearance.

While sunshine might sound ideal for photography, many people are surprised to learn that harsh midday sunlight is actually a portrait photographer's worst nightmare. Bright overhead sun can create strong shadows under the eyes, cause squinting, and produce high contrast that isn't always flattering in portraits. It can turn a beautiful scene into a technical challenge very quickly.

As the light became stronger, I had to adapt my approach. Instead of continuing out in the open field, I began looking for areas of shade beneath the trees around the edge of the land. These shaded spots acted like a giant natural softbox, diffusing the light and creating much softer, more flattering conditions for portraits.

The trees provided a welcome break from the strong sunlight and allowed me to continue creating the soft, natural look that I strive for in my work. It's a great example of how much planning and problem-solving goes into a session behind the scenes. While clients often see a relaxed photoshoot, photographers are constantly assessing the light, backgrounds, and surroundings to achieve the best possible result.

Once we found the shade, the atmosphere felt much calmer. The girls could relax, and I was able to focus on capturing those precious interactions between them. Some of my favourite images from the day came during these quieter moments, when they forgot about the camera altogether.

This is why I love natural candid shots so much. Children don't need elaborate poses or constant direction. Their personalities shine brightest when they're simply allowed to be themselves. Whether it was a shared smile between sisters, a curious expression, or a fleeting moment of laughter, those genuine interactions told the real story of the day.







The reason I love outdoor portrait photography so much is because children have the freedom to move naturally. They're not confined to a studio space or expected to sit still for long periods. Instead, they can explore, play and interact with their environment. This almost always leads to more genuine expressions and authentic memories being captured.

The location in Ganstead gave us exactly that opportunity. The wide-open field, surrounded by beautiful Yorkshire farmland, provided a stunning natural backdrop without distracting from the girls themselves. The soft morning sunshine added warmth to every image, helping me create the kind of natural candid shots that families love for years to come.

Despite the harsh midday sun making an appearance, I would not choose a studio over this. I love the challenge of trying to create masterful portraits and telling the story of the children.

For Sharon, the photoshoot was about much more than simply winning a competition. It was an opportunity to capture memories of her granddaughters as they are right now. Children grow and change so quickly, and photographs have a way of preserving those fleeting stages that often pass by far too fast.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been trusted to capture those memories for her family.

A huge congratulations again to Sharon for winning the competition. It was such a pleasure spending the morning with Lily and Lottie in the beautiful countryside near Hull. Despite a sleepy start and a few tears, we created a collection of images full of personality, love, and genuine moments that perfectly reflect these two lovely girls.

After all, the best children's portraits aren't about perfect smiles or perfect behaviour. They're about capturing real childhood, and that's exactly what this session was all about.