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

Natalie & Mark's Engagement Shoot, Stanton Park at Stanton Fitzwarren nr Swindon

Last week I posted a feature on Spittlebrough Wedding Fayre and announced the winners of the engagement shoot competition - Natalie and Mark.  We arranged their shoot at Stanton Park close to the Stanton House Hotel (handy for lunch afterwards!) in Stanton Fitzwarren just north of Swindon on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year this summer.  Fortunately there was plenty of shade where we could cool off and we got some great shots of the two of them.  I'm hugely excited to announce that following their shoot they have booked me for their wedding next year - I can't wait!

Spittleborough Farmhouse Wedding Fayre, Swindon, Wiltshire

Organised by Natalie Lovett at Love to Plan, this was a lovely wedding fayre to be a part of.  A constant stream of future brides came into the marquee and I was able to chat with many couples about their wedding photography and plans for their big day.  Durin the day I ran a little competition for a Bride & Groom to win an engagement shoot with me - the winners were Natalie & Mark and you can read more about their shoot  on the blog very soon!

There was also time between chats to get to know a few of the other suppliers exhibiting that day.  Here are a few images from the event and details of the suppliers are listed where available.  (NB: Not every supplier on the day was captured).  If you are planning on getting married at Spittleborough Farmhouse or any other location near Swindon then please do give me a call to discuss your photography requirements and I'd be happy to provide a quote to you.

My stall for brides to see albums, Wall art products as well as digital slideshow of recent weddings

Sugar delights from Sweet 'n' Tempting

A range of bridal wear, designer rings and accessories

Cakes, pops & treats from Bake A Smile

Fizzy Wizzy Sweet Cart filled with traditional sweets

Robins Flowers: pretty floral displays

Wedding cakes from Aunty Joy's Cakes

Liam from Ecstatic Entertainment, the lovely ladies from Serisa with their handbags and wedding accessories and White Gems unique & decorative items for hire

You can catch me later this month at St Mary's Wedding Fair & Expo, Witney on Sunday September 22nd and Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon  on Sunday September 29th 2013. Do pop along and say hello - I'd love to see you!

Judi x

Supplier details:

Wedding Planner and organiser of the wedding fayre:  Natalie Lovett of Love to Plan (www.lovetoplan.co.uk)
Wedding Photography : Judi Checketts Photography (www.judicheckettsphotography.com)
Florist:  Robbins Flowers (www.robbinsflowers.co.uk)
Cakes, pops & treats from Bake A Smile (www.bakeasmile.co.uk)
Weddings Cakes: Aunty Joys Cakes (auntyjoyscakes.co.uk)
Sweet Buffets:  Sweet "n" Tempting (enquiries@sweetntempting.co.uk)
Sweet Cart: Fizzy Wizzy Sweet Cart (www.fizzywizzysweetcart.com)
Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories:  Serisa (www.serisa.co.uk)
Unique & Decorative Items for Hire: White Gems (www.whitegems-hire.co.uk)
Entertainment:  Liam at Ecstatic Entertainment (01793 671293 or slim@dj.nu.fm)
Wedding Videography: James Fisher at 88 Films (james@88-films.co.uk)

Children's photography at the bluebell woods near Swindon

I've been doing lots of family and children shoots this spring and the bluebells are always a popular theme.  Last month I took Ruby and her mum Paula up to the bluebell woods for a little shoot.  Ruby is only two and as with most two year olds had her own views on how the shoot should go.  Between us we captured some of Ruby's fun-loving personality - and just look how wonderfully her auburn hair is set off against the bluebells.

Children's photography is a great passion for me - as a Mum myself I love capturing these precious images of your children as they grow.  I shoot on location using the natural landscape as coloured by the seasons which brings exciting opportunities and ensures your shoot will be unique to you.

If you would like to have some portrait of your family and children then please do get in touch - I love hearing from clients old and new!   Lifestyle sessions are available at your home or at a location of your choosing. Contact me for more information or visit my website at www.judicheckettsphotography.com to discover more about my lifestyle photography sessions.

Judi  x

Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Oxfordshire 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 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.

Family portrait photography at Coate Water Country Park, Swindon

Early Autumn last year provided some lovely colours for a family lifestyle shoot.  Jayne was keen to have some family portraits done to update their collection and chose to go to Coate Water Country Park near Swindon for their lifestyle shoot.  We had a lovely autumn day - the colours were just starting to take hold on the season and her two boys had plenty of space to run around between shots.  Many parents have concerns on a shoot that their children won't behave or smile for the camera.  This is the joy of a lifestyle shoot - getting young children outside in a location they are comfortable means that there are ALWAYS good pictures to be had. Seriously, all children will spend some of the shoot messing about but equally once they relax and play they will also forget about the camera and the fact they are there to be photographed.  This too is when I am able to capture those natural smiles and not the forced grimace parents dread.

Although most parents are looking for natural images, I always start with a few "safe" images - capturing some relaxed group shots.  This sets the scene and ensures whatever happens those family shots are in the bag, especially before anyone gets muddy or messy; this can add to photos later in the shoot but I need to ensure your clean and tidy shots are covered first!  These images are still relaxed and informal and most families will end up choosing at least one of these images as a framed print.

Here are some favourite images from the day.  If you are looking for some relaxed family portraits then do please get in touch to arrange a lifestyle shoot.

Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Oxfordshire 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 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.