Fiona & Ted

My Partner, Ros, has asked me to share with you some photographs I took last month of her best friend Fiona, who recently became a Grandmother.

I remember the lovely day we spent with four generations of Fiona’s family in Stourbridge. We quickly set up impromptu lighting and tried to grab shots between verses of “the wheels on the bus” and other CBeebies distractions.

Ros and I have now witnessed several of our friends transition into Grandparents, and become consumed by love and fascination for their Grandchildren. These alloparents are the ones sharing secrets (the way my own Grandmother ‘whispered’ to me), playing make believe, becoming magicians, shouting the loudest at sports days and taking many photographs, so eager to share.

“I’ve found through you my magic heart - the kinder, gentler, patient part.” Teri Harrison

Ted was quite definitely the star of the show.

The above images were taken on a full frame Canon 5d Mk IV with a Canon 85mm 1.4 L Lens and a Canon 35mm 1.4 L lens. This shoot took place in Fiona’s home, in a space which had restricted available ambient light, with recesses creating deep shadows. I set up two stands with fluorescent lamps, to give a constant light source. To supplement the fluorescent lamps, I used an on-camera speed light with a soft diffuser - this provided a fill light.

Welcome to the delights and challenges of photography Ted!