Want a family photoshoot but hate the thought of having your photo taken? Then read on... | Julie Grant, family photographer, Loughborough

This is me.

This photograph was taken by my lovely friend, Alison Mazzilli.  Alison wanted to meet the new baby and while she was here I asked her to take some photographs for me. At the time, I felt horrible.

Ellie was only 6 weeks old, my skin was awful, I felt fat and I was exhausted. I really didn’t want to be photographed but knew it was an important milestone to capture. 7 years on and this is one of my all time favourite pictures! Firstly, I didn’t look anywhere near as bad I thought I did - my hair was thick and shiny from pregnancy and my clothes hid the bulges. Alison also captured me looking down so you couldn’t see the two suitcases under my eyes! But this isn’t why I love it.

I love it because it captured a precious time for me and Ellie.

It was a time when I was so incredibly happy and looking at this photograph gives me the warm and fuzzies. I’m sure that Ellie will come to love this photograph as much as I do.

It’s probably of no surprise to you when I say that most of my clients (particularly women) don't like having their photograph taken either.

I find it really interesting that in my photography career to date, I’ve only come across one child that didn't like being in front of the camera (and she was a teen).  I wonder at what point we become self conscious and worried about what we look like?

I know my children (9 and 7) love to look at photographs of themselves - they also enjoy looking at photos of me.  Not once have they said "Mummy, you've got bags under your eyes" or "your bum looks big" or "how many chins are you hiding there?" and yet these are things that we seem to see when looking at ourselves. Did you know that children who grow up with family photos on the walls are more confident and self assured as adults? By seeing how much they are loved they learn to love themselves.

Think about your own family photos from when you were a child.

When you look at them do you spend time looking at the flaws? or are you taken back to when times were happy and carefree? I bet they bring lots of memories flooding back. I’m sure they probably make you smile and that you love to look at them.

It’s your responsibility as a parent to create this legacy for your child.

Think about your favourite photo of yourself - why do you like it? Do you have an emotional attachment to it?  It was probably taken on a day when you were having fun and were happy... my family sessions are always fun and happy!

I get so many people saying - can you concentrate on the kids? I don't really want to be in them.  This is fine by the way - I have no problem just photographing the children.  But what I find is that the kids are having fun and the parents/grandparents are interacting with them and suddenly the parents are jumping into the photos without even thinking about it.  During my Photo Shoots everyone just gets lost in the moment - and this is what I'm photographing - these moments between you and your beautiful family.

I’m capturing your memories so that you can keep them safe to remember them at future family gatherings and special events to come.

They will look at them and be flooded with happy memories of the wonderful childhood that you gave them.  And you'll probably look at them in 10 years time and think - you know what? I actually looked pretty good!

Don’t wait for the right time, you will always find a reason for it not to be.

Feel the fear and do it anyway! Go on, book that shoot - I promise to make you feel fabulous!

Let's make 2021 a year to remember for the right reasons - get in touch to register your interest.

The photo shoot was relaxed and natural and Julie was great with the children, they were being usual 1 and 5 year old storming about the place but Julie was so calm and friendly to them, they really enjoyed themselves and the images she took brought tears to my eyes! They are so precious, I will cherish them forever.  The service we received was professional and warm and I would wholehearted recommend Julie. The best photos I have of my family. Thank you xxx

— Natalie

Julie has been a family photographer for over 5 years specialising in outdoor shoots that are a fun and memorable experience.