Friday Foto - Why I love this image

Today's image is from a shoot I did a while ago - I'm preparing some images for my professional qualifications and in doing so revisiting some older images for evaluation.  This one was taken during a shoot I did to raise money for a charity - and as with most shoots of toddlers they tend to do their own thing a lot of the time and you are watching and waiting to capture a unique moment.  This was taken near the end of the session and the little boy was holding a dandelion when he decided to turn and run away from me.  Knowing I didn't have much time it was a rare occasion when I quickly flicked the settings to auto to capture the moment.  As many Mum's of small boys will tell you - this capture's perfectly what we see of our young children so much of the time and so provides a timeless image and memory.

Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  170 mm
Aperture: F2.8
Exposure:  1/1600
Iso: 400

Shot in auto 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

Friday Foto - why I love this image

This week I've chosen a boudoir shot - I love the silhouette of this shape.  This lady is not a model but the pose and lighting are extremely flattering.  It creates a slimming effect and the eye is drawn to the curves of her body.

Boudoir shoots are highly popular with women of all ages from brides-to-be as a wedding gift to their husbands, to the older woman celebrating her body for herself.  It can be a very powerful and empowering experience which gives you great images of yourself to last a lifetime.  I love these sessions and if you are interested in a boudoir shoot please get in touch for more information.

Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  75 mm
Aperture: F2.8
Exposure:  1/100
Iso: 1600

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

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