A 10-Minute Story: The Bernardis Family & A “Pinch Me” Moment with Heartful Magazine

Some sessions stay with you long after the shutter clicks.
Not because they were perfectly styled or meticulously planned—but because they were real. Honest. Full of life.

The Bernardis family session was exactly that.

Last year, I offered a series of Childhood Mini Sessions for the children of Gaza—short, 10-minute sessions with a simple intention: to raise funds for organisations like War Child and Save the Children. Instead of a session fee, families donated, and together we created something meaningful beyond photographs.

The Bernardis family were one of those families.

The Magic of Shooting at Half Moon Bay: Why I Love This Location

There are some places that simply feel different.

Places where the light softens, the air feels calmer, and time seems to slow just enough for you to notice the little things.

For me, Half Moon Bay is one of those places.

It’s where I return to again and again to photograph motherhood and family stories—because there is something quietly magical about it.

Words can’t even begin to describe how much I loved documenting Jessie and her boys at their Motherhood Mini Session at Half Moon Bay last year. At the time, Jessie’s youngest - Finley - was just 3 months old and both boys looked super cute in matching tops. Even mum had her own version and they all looked adorable.

We met on a bright spring morning, the sea breeze blowing in our hair and the waves providing a calming soundtrack. As this was a motherhood mini session we focused our time documenting Jessie and the boys, however, I let Dad get in a few shots at the end as I couldn’t let them go without getting a few shots of them altogether.

Charlie was a little shy to start with but I think those first few photos of him cosying up to mum and Finley are some of my faves. It was such a relaxed mini session - just capturing them in my favourite location together and nothing makes me happier than that. Here’s to more of this - drift wood seats, golden grasses, a beach full of pebbles and shells, rosy cheeks and eskimo kisses.

xx

During 2022, I decided that I really wanted to capture the early stages of motherhood and add some maternity images to my portfolio. I put out a model call in later February via my Instagram account and thankfully a previous client - the lovely Rebecca - passed the info on (Lancaster’s a small place so it’s very much word of mouth) and the beautiful Emily responded to my call.