Friday Foto - why I love this image

Welcome to this special Friday blog post where I select a favourite photograph and give you the story behind the image. Today's image is to cheer up a cold wet January day with the hope Spring is on its way!

One area I specialise in as a photographer is child portraits - I largely shoot lifestyle images which means these are relaxed portraits of children in their natural environment.  There are some great studio photographers out there but I find the smiles I can capture by taking a child to the woods or big gardens are so much more real.  And parents crave this - an image of their child looking happy and enjoying life.

One tricky element in a lifestyle shot is to control all the aspects of light, background and composition as the child is much more free to move around and those precious moments when the perfect shot comes together may only be there for a moment.

Very small children can change from big smiles to huge tears in the shortest of times as most mothers will testify.  This shot was taken of little Ruby on a day where she wasn't feeling so inclined to show off her beautiful smile.  It hadn't helped getting a little lost on route to finding those bluebells in the woods near Marlborough! However a little patience and I managed a few winning shots.

What makes the image special to me is that it was an occasion when all the elements did come together. Her outfit is a perfect colour combination for bluebells, the light is soft and flattering and we have a beautiful big smile straight into camera.  The short depth of field creates separation from the background to make her stand out in the picture.   A little post-production colour correction and cropping helps the final composition and provides a photograph I was delighted with.

If you are looking to have some child portraits done in the spring this year then late April is the time to book in for a shoot and capture the bluebells.


Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  70 mm
Aperture: F2.8
Exposure:  1/1250
Iso: 400

Shot in manual mode, no flash


Judi x



Judi is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider commissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light and countryside landscapes, Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

More information is available on the website www.judicheckettsphotography.com or contact Judi via email

Award-winning photography with The Guild

I decided last Spring to join The Guild of Professional Photographers - a UK professional body for international photographers covering all genres i.e. wedding, family portrait, children, pets, equine etc.  There are many good reasons for a photographer to be a member of such an organisation - a place to talk with other like-minded professionals, get business as well as technical advice and most organisations additionally offer a monthly competition leading up to a photographer of the year title for one lucky entrant.  This is a chance to show off your best work and get validation for your efforts - or failing that some good feedback on why you didn't quite make the grade!

I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by my limited experience so far of The Guild. members are welcoming and friendly and there are good forums to be part of on private Facebook groups where people share experiences and knowledge freely.  I even entered a few images into the IOM (image of the month) competition and was rewarded with a number of bronze and one prized silver bar.   Entries are scored so anything achieving a certain "bar" standard is deemed to have achieved a professional standard.  Above this images are classified as BRONZE - being of a "strong professional standard", SILVER - images that are "well crafted at professional level" (difficult to achieve) or GOLD - images of particular distinction (very rare).  The aim therefore is get above the bar and achieve a certificate of recognition. Out of 750+ entries each month, around 20 will achieve a silver bar and usually only 1 a gold bar and maybe about 10% achieve a bronze bar. So as you can see the competition is quite tough.

I was pleased therefore in my first month of entering to achieve a silver and two bronze awards in the people category!  Subsequents entries all posted good bronze awards too.  The aim for 2014 is now to enter each month and achieve more silver awards and hopefully a coveted gold!

Here are all my entries that won a bar certificate from last year's Image of the Month competition.

Judi x



Judi is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider commissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light and countryside landscapes, Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

More information is available on the website www.judicheckettsphotography.com or contact Judi via email

Newborn Photography in Swindon - introducing baby Aman

I was delighted to meet Aman when he was just 7 days old.  Previously I had done a maternity shoot with Mum Sheena (which can be viewed here) and it wasn't long after that Aman announced his arrival. Newborn photography requires a lot of patience to get them settled and sleeping but Aman was very easy to work with.  As you can see, he's a bit of a cutie and I enjoyed a little baby cuddle after the shoot.  Newborns change so much during the first weeks of their life, let alone the first year, that it really is great to capture this precious time before if disappears in a blur of sleepless nights!

Newborn shoots are best done when they are 7-10 days old if you want to get those lovely peaceful sleeping shots and ideally booked while you are still pregnant (after your 20 week scan is perfect) so time can be blocked out to ensure availability as they rarely arrive of their due date!  As your baby gets older the sleeping poses can be more difficult to achieve but baby sessions can be held at any time to capture those magic moments of your new child during their first year.  For more information on my baby sessions see details on my website.

Judi x


Judi is a wedding and lifestyle family photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider commissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

More information is available on the website www.judicheckettsphotography.com or contact Judi via email

Friday Foto - why I love this image

Welcome to the third week of my new blog feature - so far people seem to be really enjoying it so here's my choice for this week's image.

I have selected this black and white portrait shot which is typical of the type of shot I'm looking for on a wedding day after the getting ready shots. The bride's expression capture's a moment where she is in her own thoughts and a little smile of what's to come. Critically the light falls flattering on her face but quickly drops away to separate her from the background.  The lighting leaves just enough shadow on her face to give it shape and form.  Shot on a 70-200mm lens this allows the photographer to capture the image whilst being far enough away so as to leave the bride unaware the shot has been taken.

Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  200mm
Aperture: F2.8
Exposure:  1/250
Iso: 320

Shot in natural light, no flash


Judi x



Judi is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider commissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

More information is available on the website www.judicheckettsphotography.com or contact Judi via email

Business Portraits - Is it time your image had a make over?

There's no better time to enhance your business communications with an up-to-date business portrait than right now. The New Year signals a fresh outlook - reports everywhere tells us people are looking to start the year with change.  Maybe you are looking for a new job, taking up a new hobby, getting a different hairstyle or seeking a new romantic adventure either way its an exciting time of year for embarking on a new venture.  And for businesses its a great time to connect with people who are looking for something fresh and new.

A business portrait or headshot used on marketing materials and social media sites is a powerful business tool.  Done well, it will help market you and your business. We all like to know who we’re doing business with and in today's market an online presence is key. With company websites, Facebook, Twitter, Google and LinkedIn plus traditional printed marketing materials there’s every reason to present the right image.  Does your profile reflect the person you are now - or is it a shot from 10 years ago, or maybe even a hazy, out-of focus selfie from your mobile phone?


The ideal headshot shows elements of your character - your friendliness, approachability and professionalism.  It can also show off your creativity, flair and quirkiness but must be appropriate to the job you do and the impression you wish to create.  No longer are stuffy portraits sat behind a desk acceptable, today's business portrait has a fresh and inspiring look that seeks to communicate with the modern world we live in and present a unique image.

It reflects more than just a physical likeness and communicates your professionalism and identity. It will raise your profile to those within your own business and beyond and encourage people to engage and network with you, even if you have never met them.  With the right approach it becomes part of your brand.  We all know people like to do business with people they know, like and trust –  does your business portrait currently reflect this? 

Once you've booked yourself in for a shoot its important think about what to wear.  Although by its very nature the shot is simply of your head and shoulders,  different styling will convey a different impression and thus how you are perceived.  Consider how you wear your hair - its probably best not to get a completely new hair style done for your shoot but go with something that you are comfortable with.  If you have long hair you may opt to have some shots with your hair up or tied back and some with it down to create different looks.

Similarly think about your neck area - you may opt to wear a scarf or collared jacket.  Consider also high necked jumpers versus v-neck with a elegant piece of jewellery. Different looks will suit different body shapes and create a different image.  I am always willing to discuss styling choices with clients prior to their shoot and recommend having two different outfits available.  Incorporating a change of outfit for your shoot will give you more options when you come to select your chosen images.

My images will show a relaxed but professional you. I take a little time to get to know a bit about you and your business role to ensure the portrait created for you reflects this.  There will be no formal pen holding or stiff poses but a refreshing and approachable image that says ‘come and talk to me”.

As we start a new year does your business portrait need a makeover?  If so then contact me to arrange a date for your headshot shoot.  You can also view more examples of my work on my website.

Judi x



Judi is a wedding and family lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.  You can find out more about Judi and her work on her website http://www.judicheckettsphotography.com

Friday Foto - why I love this image

Here's the second of my new blog feature on the story behind the images. This week's image is from an engagement shoot.

Engagement photos need to be romantic - they are after all portraying two people who are about to promise to spend the rest of their lives together.  Capturing such an image that is both romantic without being overly posed  - or worse just plain cheesy - requires a couple to be comfortable with both their environment, their photographer and each other (yes, I have done shoots with couples who barely wanted to touch each other!).

This shot of Emma and Mike captures them both in a loving moment at Faringdon Folly, a place that is special to them both.  I had noticed the sweeping tree shape while I was checking out the location before they arrived.  It creates a beautiful frame for the image and I shot it from both sides - but preferring this image not just because of the light falling on them so flatteringly but also the foliage and purple flowers in the foreground which adds extra dimension to what otherwise could be a flat one dimensional shot.  Its tempting to concentrate on close-up headshots with couples but using the location, especially when its a place with great meaning to the couple, creates a more memorable and meaningful image.

All my wedding couples get a complimentary print from their engagement shoot and Emma took a while to decide which image to select but I was pleased this ended up being her chosen one.


Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  70mm
Aperture: F5.6
Exposure:  1/640
Iso: 250

Shot in manual mode, no flash.



Judi x



Judi is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

Tom & Kat's Wedding at Friar's Court, Oxfordshire

Last summer I had the pleasure of being the photographer for Tom & Kat on their wedding day.  We had such gorgeous weather last July I was excited that Tom & Kat were going to have a fantastic day of summer sunshine as they celebrated their special day at the beautiful Friar's Court in Clanfield.  This is a lovely country house wedding venue with a great outdoor area for the ceremony, a spacious barn for the wedding breakfast and some fantastic gardens to for guest to mingle around - it was a delight to photograph.

I hope you enjoy these images.

If you are getting married at Friar's Court then I'd love to be there to capture your day for you - give me a call and we can discuss your wedding photography over a cup of coffee.

Judi x

Judi is a lifestyle and wedding photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.

See more of my work on my website 
You can also find me on Facebook