Bubbles, Hay Bales & Giggles: Portraits at the Nursery

There are few things more joyful than spending a morning with nursery-age children — and this year's portrait sessions were no exception. I had so much fun capturing the little personalities of the children at this lovely countryside nursery, set among fields and farmland. It was my second year working with them, and I truly hope it's the second of many more to come.

This year, I decided to lean into a more candid, natural style of photography. Rather than formal portraits, I wanted to capture real moments — joy, curiosity, and the genuine expressions that come when children are just being themselves. To fit with the nursery’s rustic surroundings, I set up a simple scene: a hay bale, placed on a plain white backdrop with space for the children to sit, play, and move freely.

To help bring out their natural energy (not that they needed much help!), we introduced a bubble machine — and it was a hit. As the bubbles floated and swirled around them, the children lit up with excitement. They were jumping, laughing, chasing, completely unselfconscious, and totally in the moment. Watching their expressions shift from surprise to wonder to sheer delight was a dream to photograph.

One of my favourite parts of working with young children is seeing how their personalities start to shine once they get used to having me around. At first, some were a little shy, but within minutes they were giggling, talking to me about the bubbles, and happily posing without even realising it. That trust, that ease — it makes all the difference in creating portraits that really feel alive.

I spent two mornings at nursery, camera in hand, following the rhythm of their morning and soaking in the energy of it all. It wasn’t just work — it was a genuine pleasure. There's something incredibly grounding and heartwarming about spending time in that world of imagination, play, and honest emotion. My own children attend nursery here, and it was funny watching them show off that Mummy was at nursery that day! They really are very cute sometimes.

Photographing young children isn’t always predictable, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s about being ready to capture the fleeting moments — a wide-eyed look, a spontaneous laugh, or the way a child turns toward the sunlight with bubbles in their hair.

I'm already looking forward to returning next year and seeing how much they've grown — and meeting the new faces too. A huge thank you to the nursery staff and families for welcoming me back. It’s a privilege to be a small part of these early memories.