365 Days of Summer!

Who doesn't love a good birthday celebration - especially when it is someone's very FIRST birthday!

Take a look at how cute this shoot was! Little Summer was a treasure to photograph, enjoying every prop and present that she got her hands on! Mum had done the most amazing job with all the finishing touches for some perfect outfits - including the best tu-tu I think I have ever seen!

If you would like to capture your wee one's first birthday - or any other special occasion - please get in touch! info@vanillamoonphotography,com

For client view, click.

The Sixtieth Birthday Surprise 🎂 🎉

It's not everyday that you turn sixty or have such unexpected guests to your party. The recent Birthday celebrations I covered were particularly special, as the surprise-surprise siblings had traveled from all over the UK - and one in particular had flown all the way from Australia to be with her sister for her big day. The look of surprise on Jan's face was definitely worth the 10,500 mile trip. Happy Birthday Jan!

If you have a celebration or big event coming up and would like to capture the moment forever, get in touch - info@vanillamoonphotography.com

School Dayz 🚸

I'm sure it was only just yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time?! Looking down into those questioning baby blue eyes, I knew that from that day on I would always be there for my beautiful little angel. It sounds like a cliché - but under these circumstances, it's allowed.  Where have the last four and 3/4 years gone?  Full of learning, exploring, craziness, happiness, tears, joy, not to mention mess...and now, she's about to hit one of the biggest milestone of all. She's starting Primary School.  

For me it is the realisation that she is actually growing up that I am finding hard to grasp. Little Miss Independent - perhaps a little too independent sometimes - but she is still my baby.  She is stepping out into the world for the first time and I wont be there with her.  She will be, for a few hours a day, someone else's responsibility - someone else will be there to answer her never-ending questions, show her right from wrong and help set her on a path that will pave the way to a bright future.  All these things that fill my day and make this whole crazy parenting experience so worth while.  

I can remember my first day at school.  I remember being so excited and meeting my first best friend, Kristy Parkes (we're still mates over thirty years later!) We went off to play in the sand together, leaving our mums all teary eyed at the door. I expect much the same will happen in two weeks time.

When I was at school, my Dad once said to me - 'these are the best days of your life, enjoy them'. Actually, I only slightly agree with him.  School days were great, but the best days of my life started the moment I became a parent.  A whole new responsibility that hit me so hard and I was expected to know how to deal with it.  But deal with it I did, because of that primal instinct to love, nurture and care for the little life that we created.  I want to fill each day with wonder and I yearn for my children to question everything, try new things and for that shining star of a personality to burst out and show its true colours.

Each day I help fill with new challenges to embrace - and that will never change, but it's time to let go a little...just a little and let her start exploring by herself.  This is just a new challenge; the next step, the next chapter. 

So, go out in to the world, little Emilia! Enjoy it, learn, play, make new friends and above all have fun - and, if you're anything like I was, be a bit rebellious too!

If your little ones are starting school this August and you want to capture those first precious moments as they head off into the big world of education, get in touch to take advantage of my special discounted portrait session at just £35. Sessions start during first week of school.    Email info@vanillamoonphotography.com or purchase directly through the online shop! 

A new Paige in Angela's book of life 🎁

It's always great getting things for free but it's an even better feeling to be the one who gives. Lucky Angela was the most recent Facebook model call winner and got the opportunity to have a free newborn shoot with her beautiful little baby girl, Paige.

What a gorgeous little bundle she was to photograph! Congratulations to mum and dad on their beautiful new arrival ❤

If you want to be in with the chance of a free shoot, like and follow the Vanilla Moon Photography Facebook page and you might just be the next top model.

Client view, click here

Summer Time in Bloom 🌼

Summer is by far my favorite time of year. The gorgeous array of flora and fauna, the dreamy sunny meadows and the beautiful rolling green hills that surround the photo studio are the perfect backdrop for a summer outdoor photo shoot. When lovely mum-to-be Iona got in touch and asked me to do a maternity shoot for her, my heart lifted! Knowing the endless shoot locations the Scottish Borders has to offer at this time of year, I couldn't wait to get snapping.

It is always good to get Dad and the big brother involved the shoot too. The pride on their faces is plain to see and was a delight to capture.

I cant wait to meet their little arrival (very soon) as I'm lucky enough to be doing a newborn shoot for the family when they make their grand entrance into the world.

Client view, click here

Growing up - fast! From tummy to toddler 👶

One of the best things about being a photographer is seeing the small changes in such a short period of time - especially when it comes to children and how quickly they grow up! As parents, we sometime forget and may even take for granted that these little people don't stay little for very long.

Desiree first came to see me when she was 34 weeks pregnant after she booked me for a maternity shoot. 

A little over a month later, she returned with a beautiful bundle of joy, Georgia. Pretty in pink, she was a gorgeous little button and a dream to photograph.

A year passed by in a blink of an eye, and Georgia, along with her Mum and Dad and big brother, returned to the studio for her one year Birthday shoot.

If you want to capture those precious fleeting moments that can sometimes pass us by, get in touch - info@vanillamoonphotography.com

Client view, click here

"Welcome to the Hotel Gleneagles..."

What a fantastic family portrait shoot with the Wongs. They had arrived at Gleneagles Hotel for a week long trip to Scotland and found their perfect spot for a unique shoot in their idyllic grounds. I was honored to be asked to capture some holiday memories for them.  A great location and an energetic family made for a fun photo shoot. These are by far the furthest traveled clients I've had so far (over 9500km) .

For client view, click.

Batman and Batgirl Tie the Knot!

Where to begin with Michael and Nicola's beautiful wedding?  It was a dream day from start to finish and I loved covering every minute of it!  The couple chose a Batman theme - and the detail was amazing! Even the flowers were made from Batman comics!  Their chosen venue, Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, was as fun and quirky as they were and suited them perfectly.

I have to say it is up there with the best weddings I have covered - Michael and Nicola, thank you so much for asking me to photograph your wedding, it was an absolute honour!

Check back soon for the gallery link!

Smile and Let the Good Times Roll!

To say I had fun on this shoot would be a massive understatement!! I laughed so much my face ached the next day!! What good fun it was with a really happy family - and such wonderful photos for them to cherish!

For client view, click.

Precious Times..

It was so lovely to see this wonderful family again last weekend.  This has been our third photoshoot now and it has been amazing to see the family grow - something very special that my job allows me to capture.

For client view, click.

Miles of Smiles!

What a great end to photographing the Beltane this year! For me this has been a fabulous event to capture.  I really hope you've all enjoyed viewing the images as much as I have taking them!

For the rest of my images from Saturday and to order prints, please click here.

You will be required to enter your email address which will be used to let you know the expiry on the gallery you have signed up to view.

All images are watermarked and are the Copyright of Vanilla Moon Photography.  Images should not be removed from the website or gallery without permission.

Email addresses are added to the Vanilla Moon Mailing List, unless otherwise requested.

Fancy Dress Parade...

Where do I even begin with last night's parade?! Maybe the size of the storyboard below is testament to how much I thoroughly enjoyed covering the event.  I smiled so much my face hurt! What a good laugh it was - such a great atmosphere and an event enjoyed by all.   Including a fancy dressed photographer.....!

To see all images and order prints, click here.

You will be required to enter your email address which will be used to let you know the expiry on the gallery you have signed up to view.

All images are watermarked and are the Copyright of Vanilla Moon Photography.  Images should not be removed from the website or gallery without permission.

Email addresses are added to the Vanilla Moon Mailing List, unless otherwise requested.

The Cutest Ride Out...Ever!

Oh, my goodness!! How absolutely adorable was tonight's ride-out! It looked so much fun, too! The delight on the kiddies faces was...well, a picture!

To see the rest of the gallery where you can order prints, click here.

You will be required to enter your email address which will be used to let you know the expiry on the gallery you have signed up to view.

All images are watermarked and are the Copyright of Vanilla Moon Photography.  Images should not be removed from the website or gallery without permission.

Email addresses are added to the Vanilla Moon Mailing List, unless otherwise requested.

Riding of the Marches...

Well the weather held out for tonight's ride out - and we even got a break in the clouds as the riders crossed the Tweed!

As ever it was a great spectacle to photograph.  There are lots of images in the gallery, which can be ordered as prints or online/Facebook images - for the entire gallery Please click here!

You will be required to enter your email address which will be used to let you know the expiry on the gallery you have signed up to view.

All images are watermarked and are the Copyright of Vanilla Moon Photography.  Images should not be removed from the website or gallery without permission.

Email addresses are added to the Vanilla Moon Mailing List, unless otherwise requested.

Sunshine, Funshine!

What a great start it has been for the Beltane so far!

The evening sun certainly shone down on all those taking part in the Beltane races tonight!

If you would like to order a print of your wee one, please add image to cart and use the crop tool so that I can see who your child is.

I ask that all viewers respect my Copyright and do not remove images from the gallery.  If you would like an image for your Facebook, please email me.  However, note that images that contain children other than your own cannot be used on your personal Facebook unless written parental permission is received.

To access the gallery please click.

You will be required to enter your email address which will be used to let you know the expiry on the gallery you have signed up to view.

All images are watermarked and are the Copyright of Vanilla Moon Photography.  Images should not be removed from the website or gallery without permission.

Email addresses are added to the Vanilla Moon Mailing List, unless otherwise requested.

Hidden History

I've always loved Scotland for its rich heritage, so being asked to photograph the recently restored Torwoodlee Tower in Galashiels was a dream job for me.  Situated not far from the busy A72, it amazes me how many people must pass this tower on a daily basis and not even know of its existenceThe tower dates back to 1601 and is part of the Pringle Estate.  Its history also plays a part in the celebrations of the Galashiels Braw Lad and Braw Lass - the chosen representatives for this year's celebrations came along to the unveiling. More information can be found on the BBC's website

Happy Birthday Theo!

I was so happy to see this wee man back for a photoshoot at the weekend! I have been so lucky to photograph him since he was a tiny newborn.  Here he is, just about to turn one - Happy Birthday Theo! I hope you have the most amazing day! :) XX

For client view, click.

...and a sneaky reminder of Theo when he first visited the studio....so sweeeet!! X

New Life....

I loved having little baby Izzy over at the studio.  What a sweet little thing she was. She slept like an angel through her session and totally rocked the camera!

For client view, click.

When the Weatherman Says it's Raining...

It's always an honour when clients return for session.  I met wee Sarah last year when she was just 18 months old.  It was brilliant to catch up with her again for another shoot.  She is such fun to photograph, full of energy and enthusiasm....and she certainly didn't mind the rain!

For client view, click.

Sisterly Love

I just can't get over how adorable these two sisters were! I've always loved doing sibling sessions and this one was definitely one of the cutest!

For client view, click.