Your Family, As It Really Is

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Real moments, not rehearsed ones

The photos we treasure most are rarely the ones where everyone is lined up and smiling at the camera. They are the ones that bring a moment straight back: the belly laugh, the muddy wellies, the little hand holding a bigger one on the way home.

That is what I set out to capture. My approach is documentary, which means I spend most of a session quietly observing and photographing what happens naturally, stepping in with a gentle prompt now and then to get things going. You get to enjoy time together as a family, and I make sure it is all there to look back on.

I am Josh, a photographer based in Riccall, just outside York. I work with families across York, Selby and North Yorkshire, and every session is shaped around how your family actually spends its time.

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Outdoor sessions around York

Some families are happiest out in the fresh air, and York is full of beautiful places to explore. We might wander through a favourite park, head out onto open countryside, or kick through autumn leaves in the woods. Wherever we go, I will keep things moving so the children stay busy and the pictures stay natural.

Popular choices include Rowntree Park, the Museum Gardens and the riverside in York, along with Skipwith Common and the countryside around Riccall and Selby. Already have a special spot in mind, like the beach you visit every summer or the field behind your house? I would love to hear about it.

Outdoor sessions work beautifully all year round. Spring blossom, long summer evenings, golden autumn light and crisp winter walks all bring something different, and I can help you choose the best time of day for your location.

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At home sessions

Home is where so much of family life happens, and it is often where children feel most relaxed. An at-home session might include pancakes in the kitchen, a pillow fort in the living room, bath time or a bedtime story. These are the everyday routines that change so quickly, and they are some of the most precious to have on camera.

Please do not worry about having a show home. I am there to photograph your family, not your skirting boards, and a little lived-in mess is part of the story. I work with natural light wherever possible, so a morning or early afternoon session usually suits most homes best.

At-home sessions are also a lovely choice for new babies, families with young toddlers, or anyone who would rather avoid the British weather.

How a session works

01

Get in touch

Send me a message with a little about your family and what you are hoping for. I will reply with available dates and answer any questions.

02

Plan together

Once you have booked, you will receive my session preparation guide, with tips on what to wear, how to talk to the children about the day, and ideas for activities. We will agree the location and time that suit you best.

03

Enjoy your session

On the day, relax and be yourselves. I am calm and patient with little ones, and there is never any rush. Snack breaks, nappy changes and the occasional wobble are all completely normal.

04

Receive your gallery

Your edited images will arrive in a private online gallery within a few weeks, ready to download, share and keep. Prints, canvases and albums can be ordered straight from the gallery whenever you like.

Family photography packages

All packages include a private online gallery with high resolution downloads and a personal printing licence, so you are free to print your images wherever you like.

Snapshot Package

30 minutes at the outdoor location of your choice or in your home, giving plenty of time for everyone to settle in and for real moments to happen. Includes around 25 edited images.

Story Package

A longer 60 minute session for those who want to tell the fuller story. Perfect for milestones, extended family gatherings or a day in the life at home. Includes your complete edited gallery.

Snapshot Package
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from £275What you get:
30 minute session

25 edited images downloadable via private gallery

Location of your choice (Within 10 miles of York)

Story Package
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from £400What you get:
60 minute session

Full gallery of images

Location of your choice (Within 10 miles of York)

Extras and good to know

01

Full gallery upgrade

Love more images than your package includes? Upgrade to your full gallery for £75.

02

Larger groups

Packages cover up to six people. Additional family members are £10 per person.

03

Travel

Travel is free within 10 miles of York. For locations further afield, just ask.

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Prints & products

Prints, canvases and albums can be ordered through my online print store once your gallery is ready.
FAQs
The answers to your questions
What should we wear?
Comfortable clothes you feel like yourselves in. Coordinating colours work better than matching outfits, and try to avoid clothes with large logos/lettering. You will find plenty of ideas in the preparation guide I send after booking.
My children will not sit still. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Documentary sessions are built around children being themselves, so there is no need for them to sit still or perform for the camera.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the forecast looks poor for an outdoor session, we can move the date at no extra cost or switch to an at-home session instead. A little drizzle can make for some wonderful pictures, though.
Can we include grandparents or the dog?
Of course. Packages cover up to six people, with additional family members at £10 each. Pets are always welcome and do not count towards the total.
How do I book?
Get in touch using the contact form with your preferred dates and a little about your family. [A booking fee of £75 secures your date, with the balance due before the session.]
Ready to capture your family story?
Whether it is a stroll through the park or a slow Sunday morning at home, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch to check availability and let us create something you will treasure for years.