portraits
Lucy J has an amazing eye for a shot; her compositions always have that ideal backdrop and wonderful light. Her energy, enthusiasm and warmth make being her subject a pleasure and the results are beautiful: natural photographs that perfectly capture our characters and the fun we had.
Portrait Photography
Whether you’re after Family Photos, professional portraits or personal, environmental reportage shots or photos of the furrier members of your family, I’m here to help.
I work with you to suggest creative ideas for the shoot, wardrobe and location – whether it’s at your home, workplace or favourite hangout.
I bring lighting and backdrops when needed to enhance the environment and build the story & scene around you.
Following our fabulous shoot, I edit and deliver the final images in a gallery, as well as a selection of fine art prints, that we can all be proud of to stand the test of time.
Documentary ‘ Day in the Life’ Shoots
‘Day in the Life’ shoots, are exactly what they say on the tin – the opportunity for me to document a day in your family’s life observing and photographing every little bit of it.
Unlike the family portrait sessions, there’s no posing or picturesque backdrop selected, no lighting set ups and I don’t give directions. I will be with you and your family from the moment the children get up to the time they go to bed. The pictures taken will be a true representation of your family doing what they do – from the tender moments to the tantrums – capturing the fun & the emotions as well as the humdrum of the day – real life remembered with images printed in a fine art album or collage after the shoot.
Your Investment
Individual Portrait Sessions start at £250
Family Portrait Sessions start at £450
‘Slice of Life’ Photoshoots from £550
Documentary ‘Day in the Life’ Photoshoots from £850
…plus other lovely things you can add on…
Albums from £250
Print Boxes from £150
Collage Print from £75
Happy to do mugs & jigsaws too, if you fancy those…
...incredible ability...
Lucy has the most incredible ability to capture natural images and she really did help us as a family to relax, be ourselves and have fun while she worked with us – no other photographer has ever managed to get all of us looking good at the same time!
Sarah Linton, Family Photos
FAQ’s
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SHOOTING STYLE?
I have a natural, relaxed reportage style. Having studied Documentary Photography & Photojournalism, I use this storytelling style on all my shoots to capture you in your own environment – whether that’s your home, workplace, or favourite hangout. I’m not a huge fan of having my photo taken and feel the best portraits and photos come when you are relaxed and just enjoying the experience rather than worrying about the camera. So, I have quite a few techniques to ensure that we get gorgeous photos on the day and work with the light and location to get the best out of everything to deliver a set of photos that we can all be happy with.
HOW LONG DO THE PORTRAIT SESSIONS TAKE?
For individual portraits or smaller family shoots, I usually allow two hours, and would arrive half an hour before that time to set up. For Family Sessions, anything between 2 – 4 hours is good to cover a selection of individual and group photos. And then for the Documentary ‘Day’ Sessions, these are a full day, but obviously I’m flexible and we would work around times that suit; I do allow a bit of extra time for a cuppa and even a slice of cake too obviously… (I can bring the cake!)
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
I know there are a whole heap of answers I could offer to this question, and for Family Shoots, I have a Pinterest board that I can share to offer some suggestions. However, I personally feel that you should wear whatever you and your family feel great in – and something that will remind you when you look back on the photos in years to come, of that time in your life. Who doesn’t love to see old pics with fantastic fashion faux pas from days gone by? However, there are a few tricks to help us all out in terms of more flattering colours and shapes, so we can chat about those secrets before the shoot.
DO YOU TRAVEL FOR SHOOTS?
Yes – I’m always happy to travel. Reasonable travel costs are charged if you are more than an hour’s drive from where I live in Suffolk. Travel is charged at £0.45 per mile on these occasions.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY 'DAY IN THE LIFE' SESSIONS?
‘Day in the Life’ shoots can be done anywhere. I arrive as your day starts following you wherever it may take you. If you’re going to the park, the shops, a sports match, or out for tea, then I’ll be there to snap it all up. Or, if your day involves staying at home doing the washing up, taking the dog for a walk, changing nappies whilst keeping an eye on the toddler roaming about, whilst the rest of the family watch cartoons, bake up a feast or play games, then these are priceless days to document as well.
This session is a long one; it’s great for families with more than one child and for parents who would like a set of photos that show the detailed intricacies of their relationships with their children. I will be there to catch the many faces of family life from sleepy morning faces, laughing lunchtime faces, grumpy afternoon faces, and all of the weird faces in between…
DO YOU OFFER SHORTER 'DAY IN THE LIFE' SESSIONS?
Yes indeed I do – I offer ‘Slice of Life’ sessions at £550 which usually take between 4-5 hours – working out which slice of the day you would like me to capture – whether that’s the morning as you wake up and go about your day – or arrive around lunchtime to cover the latter part of your day until bedtime. Still bringing the unscripted, authentic and emotive storytelling style to the pics – but just in a shorter space of time.
ARE PRINTS OR ALBUMS INCLUDED IN THE PORTRAIT SESSIONS?
For the individual portrait shoots, I don’t include any album or prints with this – but all of the images are available in your own password protected gallery, and you can order professional Fine Art prints direct from Loxley Colour through the site.
For the family portrait shoots, I offer a fine art print box in additionto the package – as I feel it’s important to have these images on paper, rather than just left on a hard drive circling about somewhere in space…
For the ‘Day in the Life’ Documentary Sessions, I include either a collage or an album with this shoot – and we can discuss which you would prefer when booking the shoot.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? (THE GEEKY BIT)
For Portrait shoots, I have 2 Digital SLR camera’s – Canon 5D MKIV & Canon 5D MKIII. I tend to use either a 50mm or 85mm prime lens. In my kitbag I carry a full complement of lenses including 35mm, 50mm, 85mm (Prime Lenses) & 16-35mm, 24-70mm & 70-200mm lenses so that I have every eventuality covered. I also use off-camera flash and Elinchrom lights when required.
For the Documentary sessions – I don’t use any additional lighting – but just use the natural light available throughout the day and switch between my 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 70-200mm lenses.
I also have a selection of backdrops and full Bowens lighting set up for the more formal corporate headshots.
DO YOU EDIT THE PHOTOS?
Yes, I edit all of the photos individual using Lightroom and Photoshop to ensure a consistent style and quality throughout.
HOW CAN I BOOK A PORTRAIT SESSION?
If you want to book me, which is a fabulous thing to do, please just let me know! Give me a call, email me or fill out the CONTACT FORM and we can go from there.
It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.