Cheslyn Gardens Portrait Session – Jack and Lily

12th September 2016

I’ve photographed Olly, Jenni and their son Jack on numerous occasions, including their wedding last November. This time, however, there was another addition to the family…gorgeous Lily! It was a chilly autumn day but the kids didn’t mind. Jenni grew up in Bushey and they got married at The Grove, a beautiful manor house in Watford. I knew they wanted to stay fairly local so we went to a picturesque park in Nascot Wood called Cheslyn Gardens.

Photographing Families at Cheslyn Gardens

This 3.5 acre botanical garden is a bit of a hidden gem nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside. The park boasts a small aviary, pretty pond with benches overlooking the water and lots of colourful, exotic plants. I used the foliage to frame the family and add depth to the images and the small steps varied helped me to vary the height of the childrens and create interesting compositions. To keep the kids entertained, Jenni brought a bubble machine along and we got some beautiful candid shots as they tried to catch and pop the bubbles. As with all the families I photograph, I avoid awkward poses and get parents to play with the kids to make them comfortable and make the images look as natural as possible. Jack’s dad threw him up in the air and tickled his belly which elicited some gorgeous smiles!

Cheslyn Gardens is a colourful place to go for a family portrait session all year round so I don’t think this will be my last visit. Dog are also allowed in the park so it’s a great spot if you want to include them in your shoot. Well done to Jack and Lily for all those big smiles…they were a joy to photograph.

Check out Patsy and Joe’s Engagement Session at Cheslyn House & Gardens