Looking back to February
Wow how quickly is this year flying by? I can’t believe we are almost into July. So I thought this was a great time to take a look back to one of my favourite photo shoots of the year so far and with one of the loveliest families too.
100th Birthday
When I was approached and asked if I could photograph Elsie’s 100th Birthday celebrations I had to say yes. After all it’s not every day you turn 100. Her family talked about her with such love and admiration and on meeting her I could see exactly why.
The location
The family and myself arrived ahead of time at The Bridgewood Manor Hotel which designed around a beautiful inner courtyard providing a tranquil area to sit in the summer months and during colder months you can cosy up by one of the open fires.
Elsie’s daughters had arranged to have two rooms available on the day, one for a few family photographs around comfortable seating and a grand fire place and then another for everyone to sit together and enjoy a meal. The table was beautifully laid with the biggest birthday balloons you have ever seen. Of course reading 100.
Flowers and Cakes
Elsie’s daughter Susie was making the finishing touches to the cake display when I arrived. Placing pretty pink roses around the sweet little cakes, shaped like parcels. These were provided by Betty’s of York and they even included two chocolate gluten and dairy free options.
Elsie arrives
As soon as Elsie walked in with her granddaughter Katie and husband Paul everyone couldn’t stop smiling. That’s because she herself never stops smiling. Elsie celebrated with her three daughters Carol, Susie, and Roma and their husbands. Her grandchildren Ben, Jenna, Katie, Paul, Alex, Will and Matt, and lets not forget those great grandchildren Ella and Oscar.
The letter from the Queen
Of course when you turn 100 years old you receive a letter from the Queen and I had always wondered what this would look like and how her signature would appear inside. The card itself had a lovely picture of Queen Elizabeth on the front. Inside, the royal crest was printed at the top, followed by a congratulations. With a gold tassel separating the pages and the Queens signature hand written very neatly at the bottom. This was proudly passed around and we took a few pictures of Elsie holding this.
Generations in one photo shoot
Carol, Elsie’s daughter had emailed me in the buildup to the special day and we had talked through the combinations of photographs to capture on the day. I didn’t realise just how much of a natural poser Elsie would be, it was very easy to see her character and personality shining through in these.
I took a few photographs of Elsie with her three daughters, where they gave her the biggest hugs and all burst out laughing. Then with their families, a few of Elsie alone, and with her grandchildren. Bringing everyone together for a big generation photograph. The outtakes were very funny too, I know that Elsie and her family found them very amusing, seeing everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves.
Review
A few day’s after receiving the complete package of photographs on a beautifully engraved USB with framed print. Carol sent me a lovely email thanking me.
“Hi Alison, received the USB and beautiful framed photograph today via Katie. Mum was also with us today so we were able to view the photos together. They are lovely and you managed to capture the joy and happiness of the day. Thank you so much for your hard work in producing such special memories and presenting them in such a beautiful way”
I will say what I said to Carol and that is, that it was my pleasure to be apart of such a special family day.
A professional photographer based in Kent
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