NCT ABERDEEN MINI SESSIONS - OCTOBER

The NCT mini session photo fundraiser event is such good fun! I love meeting lots of lovely new families, and getting the opportunity to photograph some existing clients again, knowing that the images we create are often Christmas gifts. I took the mini sessions to my home town of Culter this year, and it served as the perfect backdrop for giggly smiles and mischief making. Thank you to all the families who take up these slots every year - they help raise vital funds for the Aberdeen branch, meaning they can do more awesome work supporting local parents. 

Here's just a little glimpse of what we got up to! 

NCT Aberdeen Mini Sessions - Aberdeen Family Photographer

There was an abundance of cute at the NCT Aberdeen mini sessions a few weeks ago, and this gorgeous brother and sister pair were no exception. Chloe's curls are just to die for! Here's just a few images from their mini session. Mini session vouchers are now available for Christmas - pop me an email if you'd like more information! 

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY - NCT ABERDEEN PHOTO FUNDRAISER

Oh it's been quiet here, I am sorry! September/October was a super busy time, and I've neglected my poor old blog. .But, I'm looking forward to showing you lots of gorgeous images, starting with this beautiful threesome who came to see me as part of the NCT Aberdeen Photo Fundraiser event! Every year, local photographers help to raise money to help support local parents across the region, and it's always really popular, with slots selling out in less than 2 hours this year! Thank you to everyone who purchased a slot, which helped the branch raise hundreds for their support groups and services

5 Things to Do in the Easter Holidays around Aberdeen

The first week of the Easter holidays is drawing to a close, and the second week looms ahead. If you have kids off school or nursery, you will be very likely looking for something to fill the days to get you all out of the house! If you haven't already made plans, here are 5 suggestions of family activities in and around Aberdeen

Go on an Egg Hunt

If you don't have the time nor energy to organise your own, why not pop along to one of the many egg hunts on over the next week? Between Friday 14th and Sunday 16th, you will find the Easter Bunny at numerous National Trust properties across Aberdeenshire, including Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle. You can find your closest egg hunt here  

Take a trip to a farm

With lots of spring babies arriving, now is a great time to take a trip to one of the local farms to see the animals and get some fresh air. Doonies Farm is now open for visitors, and you can read a little bit more about visiting over on the local Tots2travel blog 

Newton Dee Farm is just off North Deeside Road in Bieldside, and is a quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With lambs, pigs and calves to see, a small play park, shop, cafe with  yummy cakes, bakes + lunches, and a bakery all on site, it's a great way to spend an hour or two with the little ones (open Tuesday - Saturday)

A little further along the road, just outside Peterculter, is Easter Anguston Farm, where you can meet an array of animals, grab a snack from the cafe and enjoy a wander round the grounds. 

Horsing around

Near Aboyne, Belwade Farm is a horse sanctuary/rescue centre that is open to visitors all year round (Wednesday-Sunday, check website for times). As well as seeing the horses, there is a cafe (can you see there is a theme to my suggestions, the chance for a cup of tea is a must!), visitor centre, nature trails, stone circle and from May onwards, a very special Fairy Trail. Well worth the drive out, and you can stop off for ice cream in Banchory on the way home! 

Have fun with fossils! 

Down at Aberdeen Science Centre, you can pop in for some fossil fun on Friday 14th April. With Dino dig pits, make your own fossil workshops, storytelling sessions and more, there is an activity to suit all age ranges. See website for full details

Cinema Date 

Ok, so it's possibly the lazy option!  But there's lots on at the cinema this coming week for little ones including Smurfs 3, The Boss Baby, or Peppa Pig - My First Cinema Experience. There's still a  bit of disagreement between my 2 and 4 year old as to which we will see, so I may have to make the executive decision....wish me luck!

Let me know if you have any other suggestions of things to do with kids in Aberdeen over on the Facebook page - what's your favourite day out? 

Family Photography in Aberdeen - Luke

Luke and his baby sister were meant to come and see me at the NCT Aberdeen photo fundraiser sessions, but unfortunately the weather got the better of us. Thankfully our second attempt along the railway line in Peterculter was far more successful, and I thought I'd share a wee snippet from their session with you all! (check who has gotten so big since I did her newborn session!)

NCT Aberdeen Photo Fundraiser

I've been volunteering with the local Aberdeen branch of the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) since my first baby Toby was born (a whole 4 years now!). It's been an amazing way to make new friends, and help make a difference to parents in the area - whether that be helping at the sling library or organising fundraising events. We've been running successful photo fundraisers for a couple of years, but we decided to chance the weather last October and offer 2 days of outdoor mini sessions. Not only did it help to raise vital funds for charity, it meant Christmas presents for Mums and Grans were sorted in one fell swoop! If you haven't heard of the NCT or what it provides for parents in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, you can pop over to their Facebook page

I had an amazing time meeting over 20 families across the 2 days, with lots of happy, smiley little ones all ready to rock their sessions. Here's just a small selection of images - it was almost impossible to choose a couple of favourites!

Could these two be any more handsome? 

Jasper and Callum both rocking a good knitted jumper - is there anything cuter? 

I know, I know....I've got to stop with the cute....

More? Oh go on then....

I'm looking forward to doing another photo fundraiser day for NCT Aberdeen next weekend, in advance of Mothers Day at the end of March. The slots are currently sold out, but you can email aberdeen@nct.org.uk to be put on the waiting list!

familyphotographerinaberdeen

Aberdeen Family Photographer - Outdoor Photography in Aberdeen

Toddlers often (always?) have their opinions on what they do and don't want to do. I have a wide reaching repetoire of songs/silly noises/tv theme tunes/jokes and dance moves to get them on side, that I am ready to utilise no matter how daft it makes me look! I didn't need any of them for the beautiful Miss India though - she was an absolute superstar from start to finish 

Here's just a small selection from our session in Johnston Gardens back in November

Aberdeen Family Photography - Outdoor Family Session

Sometimes as a photographer, you strike really, really lucky, and this was the case for Sarah's family photography session in Aberdeen. The light was gorgeous, and her daughters were impeccably behaved, making my job of capturing beautiful images of them all, super easy. I had such a hard time whittling down their gallery, but here is a small selection from the time we spent together 

"Sometimes when you pick up your child you can feel the map of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of your skin in the nape of their neck. This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood - finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without.”

Family Photography Aberdeen - Outdoor photo session with A+A

I was so lucky with the Aberdeen weather over the autumn. While it was a grey and overcast day on the morning of twins A+A's session with their mum and dad, the light in Johnston Gardens was beautiful and we had a great hour or so playing in the park, looking for magical trees and getting in to mischief! 

Outdoor family sessions are a great way to get some amazing images whilst letting the kids blow off steam at the same time - and as a busy family, you don't want your photo sessions to feel like a chore. I do my very best to make it as enjoyable as possible for all involved, so you have some lovely memories to look back on! Why not pop me a message to discuss your family session? 

 

Babywearing Photography - Rachael

Another of my big passions is babywearing, so when I get to combine it with photography, it makes me very happy indeed. Rachael joined me for a babywearing session and we headed off down to the River Dee to capture some images of her and her beautiful boy. Babywearing makes getting around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire super easy - wherever you can go, baby can too! For local sling advice and support for you and your baby, visit Sling Fling   

Here's just a couple of images from their mini session - and Rachaels thoughts immediately after her session 

"Thank you for today Vivienne. I'm always a bit uncomfortable getting my photo taken at the best of times, but you put me and Braydon at ease and I really enjoyed it. 

I absolutely adore the photo you shared. Such a special moment of me and my boy that I will cherish forever and I can't wait to see the others"

 

Baby Photography in Aberdeen - Konrad at 4 months

With two other beautiful children, and always being on the other side of the camera in family photos, Konrads mummy wanted to have a special session, just for her and her baby boy. With a lot of cuddles, milk and silly songs, we had a wonderful morning together. Even though naptime was beckoning, baby K was able to turn it on for the camera, but I love the natural images of him and his gorgeous mama the most. 

I'm happy to photograph babies of any age, so don't feel like you have to delay a session till your baby is x amount of months. With my lifestyle at home or outdoor sessions, we can work with your baby to get the best images possible. Get in touch to find out more about a session for you and your family in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire. 

Here's just a small selection from their gallery - isn't K the cutest?