Child Portraits among the poppies at Faringdon Folly, Oxfordshire

Earlier this month the poppies were in glorious display at Faringdon Folly.  Too good an opportunity to miss, I headed up there with with Eddie and his mum for a few photos amongst the brilliant red colour. I tried a slightly different approach to my usual shoots here - more emphasis on the posing to camera. Let me know what you think of the results in the comments below.  It was hard work for little Eddie but he did really well, especially considering how hot it was.

Photographing children in natural locations gives a strong link to their (and often your) childhood memories of favourite places spent with their family.  It also allows them to relax and be themselves in a familiar environment. As a children's photographer this gives me wide scope to capture lots of images with them.  If you are looking for some great natural portraits of your children in the countryside then consider a location shoot.  More information is available on my website or email me for further details.

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 

Pippa's Maternity Shoot at home near Faringdon, Oxfordshire

I arranged Pippa's maternity shoot just 2 weeks before her due date, and it turned out we did it just in time as baby Kaitlin was born a week later!  The shoot was done at their home and incorporated a couple of outfit changes to give variety to the images and show off her gorgeous bump.  Here are a selection of Pippa's maternity images.

Maternity shoots are best done at 32-36 weeks and are often combined with a newborn booking.  If you are expecting a baby and would like some photographs to celebrate this special time please do get in touch to arrange a shoot or an informal chat.

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

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