Beyond the chaos: Why timeless elegance matters

In family photography right now there is a trend you will see everywhere: the “embrace the chaos” approach. Galleries are filled with blurred motion, messiness and deliberately imperfect moments – all under the banner of “authentic storytelling”. It is easy to see why it resonates: parents are under pressure to present picture-perfect lives. So the counter-movement feels refreshing – a way of saying “real life is enough”.

Here is the truth: chaos ages quickly. “Embrace the chaos” may feel novel at the moment, but in ten years’ time it is not likely to hold the kind of emotional or aesthetic value you hoped for. Children deserve to see themselves not only as part of the chaos and bustle, but as treasured, confident individuals. Photographs that lack intention often do a disservice to the child’s sense of self and to the family’s legacy.

My philosophy is different. I believe authenticity and elegance can live side by side. A photograph can capture genuine laughter, tender embraces, or spirited play without sacrificing craft. With careful direction where it helps, and space to be yourself where it matters, I create pictures that feel both true and timeless.

You are presented with a gallery you will be proud to display not just this year, but for decades – a legacy of belonging that your children will carry forward. Because the story of your family deserves to be told with honestly, but also with the kind of beauty that endures.