Mud, mud, glorious mud
Family photography Stubbs Wood, Sevenoaks
I’ve written before about the weather - I’m British and therefore have an innate preoccupation with it(!), even more so now I’m a photographer! In the Winter months it becomes more of a gamble. Not because of the pictures themselves - if you pick a good spot where you can create moments, you will get your shot - but more so because of the comfort of your subjects!
So on a rainy day in November, my client and I were checking the hourly forecast in an attempt to find a dry spell. She has two young children so we weren’t sure how much any of them would enjoy a shoot in the sopping rain...! In the end, she decided to go for it.
So we met at Stubbs Wood in Sevenoaks, a spot between our two homes. Neither of us had been before so it was a gamble but the website promised a variety of trees (which I wanted to ensure we got the autumnal colours as the last of the leaves were dropping) and spectacular views across the Weald. We didn’t make it to the views. In fact, we made it about 5 minutes into the woods as it was so muddy! But the trees were still clinging onto the last of the leaves and the ground was covered in a thick carpet of oranges and yellows (on top of the mud!). Trees were mossy and there were patches of vegetation dotted about. So it was a great spot. And the rain restrained itself to a constant drizzle rather than a downpour.
The two boys, aged 12 months and three years, got stuck straight in. The youngest tried to toddle about in the mud but ended up on his bottom where he would quite happily chew on the leaves in between beaming up at his mummy and daddy. The oldest ran around (as much as you can when your wellies get stuck in the mud) shouting “tornado!” which became a good prompt to look at the camera (perfect substitute for “cheese” which makes everyone’s smile look forced...).
The family walked through the woods and played quite happily while we explored the area to find some good spots for a photo. That said, it’s definitely the images where they are all playing that I love the most.
I’m finding more and more that kids aren’t actually particularly bothered about the weather. It rains? You jump in puddles! It’s windy? You pretend to fly!
If you have a warm coat and your wellies, what more do you need?!
About Stubbs Wood Country Park
Stubbs Wood Country Park is situated just outside Sevenoaks, With a variety of trees including oak, beech, holly, whitebeam, ash, chestnut, hazel and rowan, whatever the time of year, Stubbs Wood is a beautiful spot for a walk.
http://www.kentdowns.org.uk/interactive-map/stubbs-wood-country-park