Exeter Family Photographer

On a hilltop in wet October, the wind was wild. It was Sunday morning. We all gathered together to celebrate the birth of the gorgeous Baby Bee. As a photojournalist family photographer, I naturally document the family occasion as it unfolds.

Of course, this event was a delayed event due to Covid19. That was all quickly forgotten, as we huddled in Pinhoe church, near Exeter. We sang at the top of our voices, led by the guitar-swinging vicar. It was a joyous occasion, full of laughter and love.

Taking family photographs is always heartwarming and I know it’s really important to families to have the celebration visually documented. A bit like a wedding, that you know these new family photos are going to be seen again and again. These family photographs will be treasured and become an heirloom that is passed on through the generations. This is a new chapter in The Elston family album.

After the church, we wound are way around the wiggly Devon lanes, until we arrived at the ancient village of Poltimore. With bouncy castles, cream tea and an urn full of tea, this was perhaps the perfect setting. The ancient trees in Poltimore bobbed in the wind, but the village hall was warm and ringing with laughter. Children ran wild, cake covered in Bee’s were eaten, cream tea was devoured and snooker was played.

You could hear everyone say – It’s so good to be back together, we have missed the family meet ups. As I turned to leave, I looked back to see the smiling faces, the kids running wild and free. Wow I have missed these moments. It made me realise just how important photographs have become, because time passes so quickly. Kids grow so fast, the days feel endless sometimes. But the time ticks on. As I left the Christening, I decided I need to take more photos of my own family. The everyday, the occasions but most all the fleeting moments. Among the busyness I don’t want to forget how the children really are. For me that was the positive part of lockdown. Everything was put on pause and we all had to slow down.