Real family life. Beautifully & honestly photographed.
No awkward posing. No forced smiles. Just your family being yourselves – the laughter, the chaos & the quiet moments that make your life yours.
I simply step into your world and photograph it as it unfolds.
Years from now, these photographs won’t just show you how things looked – they’ll remind you how it felt.
”He managed to capture their spirit, their sense of wonder, the magical in the mundane and the normal chaos of family life. It is those moments that we will want to look back on in years to come.
Rosie DobsonFamily Photoshoot at Home in Derby
My family photography is about capturing real life as it happens — pancake breakfasts in pyjamas, muddy walks in the woods, board games at the kitchen table, or the beautiful chaos of bedtime.
Instead of directing you, I quietly observe and photograph the moments that unfold naturally.
Inspired by street photography, cinema and the classic work of documentarians like Sally Mann and Alaine Laboile, I bring an artistic eye to highlight the magic of the everyday.
”Captures moments, movements and most importantly, emotions.
ClaireNottingham
And then wraps them all up into gorgeous photos which tell story after story at every turn.
Your session can take place anywhere that feels like your family.
Common choices include:
Your home
Local parks
Woodland walks
Favourite weekend spots
Living in Derbyshire means we’re surrounded by incredible places — from quiet parks to wild countryside.
The best location is wherever your family feels most like themselves.
It’s very simple.
We’ll pick something your family enjoys doing together — a walk, baking, playing in the garden, flying a kite.
Then I’ll quietly document it.
Just real life.
Anything your family enjoy doing together is really helpful. Flying a kite, playing a ball game…. with older families we’ve even played card games for the photo session.
My priority is that you feel relaxed and comfortable for your photos – so what you feel comfortable in is the best advice I can give! After that, try to avoid large logos / text and bold patterns…. although all these rules are there to be broken!
You have a digital gallery where you can download your images and order lab prints.
Please get in touch using the form on the contact page and tell me about your family and requirements and we’ll get the ball rolling.
”Simon captured some wonderful family photos for us during an Autumn day in Markeaton park. We hardly noticed he was there while we entertained our 2 year-old by throwing leaves and climbing on logs, so we were amazed that he managed to capture so many beautiful shots.
Carol, MIke & RobinMarkeaton Park, Derby
Real family life isn’t clinically sharp, evenly lit, or perfectly posed. It’s a little chaotic, a bit messy, and moves fast. I love shooting on 35mm film because it embraces that reality.
I love grain. I love motion blur. I love the deep, scuzzy shadows and the cinematic warmth that digital sensors spend all day trying to fake.
Years from now, these photographs won’t just show you how things looked – they’ll remind you how it felt.
I’m Simon — a documentary photographer based in Derby.
For over 15 years I’ve photographed weddings and families in a natural, storytelling style, focusing on genuine moments rather than staged images. I’m a member of the Family Photojournalist Association, Lifestyle Wedding Photographers Association and have experience with neurodivergent children and Derbyshire LGBT+ accreditation.
If you’d like family photos that feel real, I’d love to hear about your family.
Tell me a little about yourselves and we’ll start planning a session.
