Some sessions stay with you long after you’ve packed your camera away — and this spring mini session with the Porter family at Trowbarrow Quarry was one of those.

I know this family through my son’s school, which always adds an extra layer of meaning. Being trusted to capture a family you know — not just photograph — is such a privilege. There’s a quiet intimacy to it, a sense of being invited into something real.

Trowbarrow Quarry was the perfect backdrop for their session. Soft spring light, textured rock, pockets of calm and adventure all in one place. The boys instantly made it their own, turning the quarry into a prehistoric playground as we hunted for dinosaurs hidden amongst the rocks. Those little in-between moments — the searching, the wondering, the storytelling — are where the magic always lives.

Kaelan, with his blonde curls and the most angelic expressions, has a way of completely stopping you in your tracks. There’s such a gentleness about him — one of those children who seems to glow quietly rather than demand attention. Reuben, in contrast, carries the unmistakable energy of a big brother who knows his role well: wonderfully protective, attentive, and full of warmth.

We slowed things down for portraits with mum and dad — tender, close moments that felt unposed and honest. The kind of photographs that don’t shout, but whisper. Hands resting, glances exchanged, children leaning in exactly where they belong.

We finished the session with a little picnic nest tucked into the quarry — marshmallow treats, giggles, sticky fingers and that end-of-session calm that comes when everyone has relaxed into being themselves. It was simple, playful and completely them.

Sessions like this are exactly why I love what I do. They’re not about perfection or performance — they’re about connection, presence, and preserving the way this season of family life feels.

If you’d love a gallery of images like this — full of tenderness, personality and real moments — I’d love to hear from you. My Spring Mini Sessions for 2026 will be opening soon, and they’re perfect for families who want something relaxed, meaningful and quietly beautiful.

✨ Get in touch to register your interest or ask any questions — I’d be so happy to chat.