Late August 2020

In late August 2020, I photographed a Large Smiley Day. Photographing a large group is always a pleasure but even more so when it’s the extended family of a family I’ve previously photographed.

The group was made up of grandparents, dogs, 2 families and an uncle in this group of 12. The grandmother wanted updated family photos of everyone together and had already had to wait from booking it in January, until Covid-19 restrictions eased enough to allow large groups to meet together again, in late August . Despite one of her children and their family being confined to their area with a local lockdown in place, the grandmother decided to go ahead any way. Thankfully she did, as a week or 2 later, households were once more under Covid-19 restrictions. What a beautiful day it was for photographing the families in late August 2020.

I love it when a family I’ve photographed comes back with all their extended family. I photographed this family 2 years earlier and the children had all grown and matured so much.

Every family is asked to give their consent by signing a model release form in the meet up/ prep session we have before a “Smiley Day” and one of the families preferred not to have photos shared which we totally respect. So there is no sharing of any of the the big group photos, cousin photos, grandparent and grandchildren photos or their individual photos.

This mum and here fur baby was ok with signing the model release, and I love how these turned out.I took few moments with this fur mummy, and her fur baby who was sadly terminally ill, so she can hold onto their happy memories. In a Smiley Day there’s always a chance to make special photo requests. It’s all about you.

Devastatingly, it was not only this beautiful canine’s last photos that were taken on that day. Smiley Day Photography sends condolences and deepest sympathy to the whole family. I always hope that families have fun together making memories while I capture them for you to hang on your walls and hold onto forever. I’m thankful they made memories together and that they have the photos as a small comfort.