I have photographed Bella a number of times now over recent years and every time, even though she gets older - and technically should become more self conscious and therefore trickier to capture relaxed and herself - she remains a portrait photographer’s dream exactly because she is so completely honest in front of the camera. This time it was a particularly special moment in her childhood, her 12th birthday celebrations, marking this watershed moment before becoming a tenneager.

I arrived a little bit before the party so Bella and I could do some portraits together visiting a nearby bit of woodland. Then it was back to the house to receive five 12 year old guests for some group shots involving an armchair, some gymnastics, and a mini, followed by some fab decopatch (thoroughly recommended - www.thedecopatchplace.co.uk - ) afternoon tea and cake, playing with the cats (12 year old girls and cats go together) and a bit of dancing to One Direction…  And if you don’t know who they are, you’re not 12.

I’m looking forward to taking some more photographs of Bella soon when the bluebells appear so watch this space for that…