Summer Time | The Whittingham Summer

I just can not believe the summer is over and we are discussing our autumn shoots! I do love wrapping up warm and getting out but I hate the dark mornings and early evenings. 

Our summer holidays we had thought hard about what location and what would be best! We chose Egypt, we had taken Ellis when he was 10 months old and it was our first family holiday!! I did not listen to any one who pre warned me it would be hard work with a 10 month old.

Ellis cried for the whole flight, a lady seated in front of us was beyond rude it ended in tears (mainly mine).

After reading about the lovely lady that helped a crying baby settle on a plane and then continued to cuddle the baby for the of duration of the flight it brought this flight back to me.

How many times do you see a mother in a tricky situation and want to help and not have the guts to say can I help without offending them. 

It reminded me of all the families that came over to me on this flight and said I was doing a good job and to ignore the rude lady that clearly had forgotten what hard work it can be to have a toddler on a plane. 

We wanted to go back now Ellis is 7 and the added addition of Sadie 4. So we booked the same resort and Ellis worked hard all year to get his swimming up to scratch to go in the sea with Mr W to explore. 

Everyone I told we were going to Egypt were surprised because of Sadie's colouring and how would she cope with the heat. Well my little ginge with factor 100 she was fine! Not a fan of the beach mainly wanted to be the pied piper around the pool rounding all of the children up. 

It was the last summer before Sadie started big girls school. The changes that have happened for Sadie this summer have been massive. Sadie is blossoming every day into a wonderfully funny little girl. 

No more infants for Ellis, he will always love a cuddle with his mummy - sorry I am now just MUM! 

We go camping every year with my family, this year it fell on Mr W 30th birthday so it was special and we were lucky we dodged the rain! 

They will never know how lucky they are to have each other and have these memories - I am happy that I get to capture just a little bit of their childhood! 

They will be grown up before we know it. 

I hope you all had a wonderful summer - We have decided that next year we are going to explore what the UK has to offer............. any recommendations? 

Amy 

P&W XOXO 

The Travelling Circus

On a late August bank holiday weekend we packed up our bags and kids and travelled to the beautiful Cotswold's Village of Shipton-Under-Wychwood for a weekend of fun, festivals and friends. It was the perfect opportunity to take the trunk of dressing up clothes and props and let the kids dress up and have fun. 

The weather on the day of the shoot was terrible, it rained until 5.30pm but as soon as it stopped we made the most of the late summer evening! Sometimes we are so busy photographing clients children or working on other projects that we don't have the time to photograph our own kids or our close friends children having fun together! I have now made a pact with myself to make the time for this more often. 

The shoot ended up being a great portrayal of childhood memories and traditional childhood dressing up themes; Pirates, Indians, gypsy women, lost boys, acrobat, the Ring Master - it was to me like a travelling circus! Stacey P&W