It was cold. Not crisp and photogenic cold — no, it was the damp kind that clings to your knees and makes you question every decision that led to standing in a soggy garden with a camera. But here’s the thing: when you’re photographing people who love each other, really love each other, it doesn’t matter. Somehow the warmth they carry with them radiates out and fills the frame.
This shoot with Loretta, her mum Jan, and her daughter Jess? It was the perfect example of that.
Now, if you’ve followed my work for a while, you’ll probably recognise them. I first photographed this trio just after Loretta’s wedding, when Jess was still a teeny bundle of baby — and somehow, in the blink of an eye and roughly a dozen portrait sessions later, here we are: three generations, three enormous personalities, and one incredible red coat.
Loretta is a natural show-off. I say that with deep affection — she’s magnetic in front of the camera. There’s a sort of old-school Hollywood confidence about her. It must run in the family because Jan has exactly the same spark. And little Jess? She’s already picked up the baton and is running full pelt with it. At one point she actually ran full pelt across a field in a blur of curls and crimson wool. Couldn’t have staged it better if I tried.
A legacy of laughter and love, beautifully framed. Loretta, Jan and Jess—three incredible women, one unforgettable portrait. This is why I do what I do.
Speaking of that coat — the coat! Jess turned up in this glorious, structured red number, complete with matching bow and the kind of attitude that says, “Yes, I know I look fantastic. Shall we begin?” It popped beautifully in the soft daylight, especially against the gentle green-and-gold of late autumn.
We moved between daylight portraits, a few cheeky setups with the Elinchrom THREEs (honestly, I’m obsessed — small, reliable, powerful), and some classic studio setups. Loretta wore the most elegant, simple white outfit for the studio portraits. Effortless and graceful — it allowed all the focus to fall on her eyes, her energy, her natural poise. And when I say natural, I mean we were crying laughing for 90% of the session. They are hilarious together. There was no “warm up” phase — it was full volume joy from the first frame.
And that’s the thing with family shoots. This is where I started. It’s what I’ve done since the beginning, and it’s still the heart of what I love. Yes, I shoot portraits for all sorts of reasons now — editorial, commercial, conceptual — but these family stories? This legacy stuff? It’s my bread and butter. It’s real. It matters. And I’ll never get tired of it.
To Loretta, Jan, and Jess — thank you for bringing your sparkle and your silliness, your glamour and your giggles, your love and your laughter. You lit up the camera, the studio, and the damp grey weather.
I can’t wait for the next one.