Here are a few images from a recent shoot with Leicester Prep School, Stoneygate College. And yes, they’re of the lovely Claudia (you have to admit she’s a pretty good model and model release is never a problem). I’ve always been a great believer that school and nursery photography doesn’t have to be mottled backgrounds and pasted on smiles – so give the pictures a modern look whilst making it enjoyable and painless for the children – as well as myself. I was surprised to count the other day that I will have done over 30 nursery and school shoots by the end of this year and hope to build on this success into next year.

I stumbled across this blog about archive images from the BBC’s Face-to-Face series that was originally aired between 1959-1963. I’d seen footage of the cringy Hancock interview and a few others before but the stills work well on their own, particularly the darkened studio shots with the isolated lighting on the subject. The Martin Luther King image is also interesting as he’s almost framed by the statue and producer.

These are a few  shots from a recent  family shoot working the excellent wedding specialists Abraxas Photography. It can be tricky sometimes shooting very little ones but Harrison was an absolute pleasure with lots of smiles over the hour-long shoot.

I’m really excited to tell you that I now have the use of an excellent new studio facility on the Queens Road in Leicester for family and children’s portrait photography. It’s an old school hall with more space than I know what to do with! It can hold multiple backdrops, has a full professional lighting set up, a waiting area with leather chairs and dedicated changing/make-up room. There’s also plenty of private parking behind the building.

It’s absolutely ideal for families in Leicestershire that want professional portrait photography at reasonable costs in a relaxed and informal environment.

I shall be open for business at weekends and evenings when most portrait customers want to book but also during the week (all subject to availability of course). Studio portrait sessions last approximately one hour and please call 07739 035923 or email nick@osbornephotography.co.uk if you’d like a full pricelist or to book your session. You can also see a description of portrait products I offer here.

Here are some off duty shots taken whilst visiting the Browne family in deepest Wales over the New Year. I love this style of photography when you catch children in their own environment and enjoying their favourite activities, whether throwing stones in the stream or releasing bubbles across the hills. There’s the full range of emotions and it’s lovely to capture these moods so you see your children just as they are.

I’ve been keeping busy throughout November and December with, amongst other things, lots of nursery shoots. To be accurate, 12 nurseries shot over three weeks with over 400 children and 100 staff.

Despite a few hiccups out of my control, like my computer giving up in week one and no post getting to my printers in Mansfield for a week due to snow(!),  we’re on course to get all products back well before Christmas. A big thank you to all of the nurseries involved if you’re reading this. And a special mention to some of the parents at Broughton Astley Tots Group for offering and granting model release to enable me to add to my nursery gallery, much appreciated.

I recently had a great day working with the charity Dore on their brand ePace. We spent the morning in a local school showing staff and children using the new product, followed by team profile shots and capturing general office activity for PR and marketing purposes. For these profile shots I used a two-light set up (main light with large softbox) and Lastolite Hilite.

I hope if you’ve got this far you’ve seen details of the half term offer between 18th – 22nd October. I’m offering the best 5 digital images from a shoot for only £65, with the usual prints, frames and canvases also available with a 10% discount if bought with the digital images. The photo shoots can be at your home, in the studio or on location in somewhere like a park or gardens.

The bookings I’ve taken so far are a mix of all three which is great news. I’m particularly looking forward to the trip to Bradgate Park, whatever the weather… There are still available slots across all days except Friday so please call me on 07739 035923 or email nick@osbornephotography.co.uk if you’re interested.

The summer’s as good a time as ever to update your website so I’ve started the process by adding to some of the galleries. Good news is I’ve received model release for a few more school and nursery portraits so you now see more of a selection now from formal(ish) school studio shots to the natural nursery playtime images here.

The Events gallery has also been updated to include some recent work for the University of Leicester amongst others. I shall continue to add more work during holiday periods so do come back…

I thought I’d let you know how I was getting on with my nursery photography. I’ve recently finished shoots at two nurseries in Market Harborough and Branston; and have bookings in the summer and autumn for at least four more local nurseries. And a booking for next March, which is pretty impressive planning on the nursery’s behalf!

So far, there seems to be an event split between studio shoots and the natural playtime pictures – both have their place and it all depends on the style and look the nursery and parents are going for. I’m limited with what I can show online as it all depends on parents consent for model release but I shall add images to the portfolio as and when.