A Magical Day in Lapland UK

Every now and then I post some personal pics on the blog and as it's nearly Christmas I thought I'd share some especially festive images captured during my family's recent trip to Lapland UK.  I have always wanted to take the family to the real Lapland as I've always thought it would be an incredible location for children's photography, but having heard accounts about the biting sub zero temperatures and limited daylight I decided it really wasn't the place for my tantrum loving two year old!

I had heard glowing reports about Lapland UK from an old colleague of mine who visited a few years back and had read brilliant reports in a couple of the Sunday supps, so when I started to seek the Christmas spirit last month I headed straight for the venue's website and booked my six and two year old sons in for a visit.

A few days after booking, the boys received their beautifully presented, personalised invitations from Father Christmas.  What a magical moment it was when my oldest son spotted a trail of glitter across our fireplace hearth and followed it behind the grate and up, up, UP the chimney to find his invitation...lovely!!  A week later we made the journey down to Kent (my homeland - so good to be back!) and wound our way around the wonderfully twisty, tree lined country lanes that lead to the Bewl Water location of Lapland UK.  From the moment we stepped out of the car the magic truly began...and the many, many photo opportunities too!

After being greeted and kept entertained by a band of brilliantly talented elves we stepped through a giant wooden door that lead us into what I can only describe as Narnia...a snow laden forest of fir trees hosted by traditionally dressed guides.  We were then taken on a magical, interactive tour that saw the boys making teddy bears in the elves' toy factory and decorating gingerbread in Mother Christmas's kitchen.  The highlight for me was the wonderfully festive central area where we ice skated, enjoyed a traditional meal in the log cabin restaurant, met some incredibly patient and well mannered huskies, and enjoyed mugs of hot chocolate and warming lingonberry juice.  As a family we forgot all the worries of everyday life and soaked in the magical atmosphere.

I am always on the hunt for new and interesting backdrops for my on location children's photography and Lapland UK was the dream ticket.  We were blessed with glorious weather for our visit and the low morning sunlight just added to the sparkling beauty of the snow sprinkled setting.  I had to force myself to take my camera away from my eye throughout our visit to take everything in, but I still managed to capture some photos of my family that I know we'll treasure for a long time.  My favourite has to be the shot of my eldest son being led down the snowy path by two elves to Father Christmas's cabin - we felt as if we were the only people for miles around....a truly personal experience that I'm sure we'll all remember for a long time.

I hope you enjoy these festive on location children's portrait photos from my family's visit to Lapland UK.  I can't recommend a visit highly enough and am already planning our return trip next year!

To see more examples of my work as a natural light children's photographer please visit my website at www.SophieHewittPhotography.co.uk

For more information about Lapland UK check our their website at www.LaplandUK.co.uk

Merry Christmas to you all!

All images copyright Sophie Hewitt Photography 2012

Fairy Wings & Pretty Things

Now that the weather has turned well and truly chilly I thought I would share some wonderfully wintry images that I shot back in October.  

Lisa had booked a children's photo shoot with her beautiful daughter Libby as a surprise for her husband's birthday present.  We met on a very chilly day during the half term holiday at the stunning location of Walton Hall in Warwickshire.  As soon as Libby stepped out of the car I knew the family photo shoot was going to be special.  Immaculately dressed in vintage colours and accessorised with fairy wings and wellies, Libby looked amazing!  With the temperature nearing zero we cracked on with the on location shoot, making use of the many lovely lakeside and woodland settings that Walton Hall has to offer.  

Now for those of you who are familiar with my work you'll know that I usually focus exclusively on black and white children's photography, but there are occasions when I get on a shoot and I see the glory on colour.  This children's photo shoot was one such occasion; the beautiful autumnal colours of the leaves on the ground toned perfectly with the muted colours of Libby's outfit.  So here, for the first time on the blog, are some colour images!

I know I often say this, but this really was one of my favourite shoots of the year.  The images show the pure beauty of on-location, natural light children's photography and they perfectly illustrate my simple approach to children's portraiture.

If you'd like to see more examples of my work as a children's photographer in Stratford Upon Avon , Warwickshire and the surrounding areas, please visit my website at www.sophiehewittphotography.co.uk 

Keep visiting the blog for special offers in the new year!