Family & Couples
Life is messy, funny, beautiful, and worth remembering. Whether it’s just the two of you, a growing gang of little ones, or grandparents in the mix, my sessions are all about capturing connection. Real moments, real laughter, real love - the things you’ll want to look back on for years to come.
No stiff poses. No “everyone smile at the camera.” Just time to be yourselves. Couples can relax into each other, kids can run wild, dogs can join in, and grandparents are always welcome in the cuddle pile. I’ll be there with my camera, quietly capturing the chaos and the calm, so you can just enjoy it.
Session options
Storytelling Session — 1 hour
One relaxed hour where kids can be kids, couples can simply enjoy each other, dogs chase sticks, and grandparents squeeze into the cuddle pile. Real laughs, real life, beautifully captured in a place you love — beach, forest, or your own sofa.
Day in the Life Documentary — 3 hours
Pancake noses, sofa forts, bedtime stories, or just a slow Sunday together. Ordinary things that feel extraordinary once they’re gone. I’ll tag along for three hours and capture the rhythm of your day so you can see your life from the outside.
A relaxed, documentary approach — no awkward posing
A location that feels like you (home, outdoors, or both)
A private online gallery you can share with loved ones
High-resolution images ready to print, plus web-sized versions for easy sharing
Your finished gallery delivered within 2–4 weeks
First Birthday Cake Smash — 45 mins
We start tidy, we end covered in frosting. A mix of classic portraits, cake chaos, and a bubbly clean-up splash. Milestone memories made (without you having to juggle a camera).
What’s included in every session
Lets capture your story
Whether it’s celebrating your love, documenting the everyday, or marking a milestone, these sessions are about the real stuff — the hugs, the belly laughs, the little details that make life yours.
Testimonials
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Danielle
"I would highly recommend Joanna May Photography! We had our first ever natural shoot and it was amazing. We took our 2 children & dog. Jo was amazing with all of us. We were all a bit awkward but Jo made us feel totally comfortable. We absolutely love the images we got, we were blown away by them! When we sent them around our family they honestly thought that we had sent images from a magazine it wasn’t until they looked they realised it was us! Thank you again, we can’t wait for more shoots in the future".
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Sian
"We had the most wonderful experience during our beach photoshoot. From start to finish, it felt so natural and relaxed - just us being ourselves as a family, rather than stiffly posing for the camera. It was such a refreshing change! When we received our gallery, we were genuinely blown away. The photos were not only beautifully captured, but they looked like they belonged in a magazine - so stunning! Joanna was absolutely lovely - warm, professional, and incredibly talented. She made us feel completely at ease, was fantastic with our dog, and captured the most precious moments. If you’re someone who feels a bit awkward in front of the camera or prefers natural shots over traditional posing, I HIGHLY recommend booking with Joanna. She has a real gift for capturing special moments just as they are. Thank you again for such a magical experience - we’ll treasure these photos forever".
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Tilly
"I was so pleased with the experience that Jo gave myself and the patience she had with Tilly with her only being 9 months old at the time. I absolutely loved the fact that Jo had done her research and had so many ideas but was very happy to incorporate any that I had too. The discovery call we had prior to the session really helped with this too, as it helped with what to expect. The final photos were just what I was hoping for, capturing my lovely girl purely as she is, unapologetically confident, a little bit boisterous and an all around happy girl. I would absolutely recommend anyone who would like a pet photoshoot to go to Jo as she is such a diverse and understanding photographer. She captures the purest moments and documents the true personality of your pet".
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Jessica
“Had an amazing day with Jo, she put me and my teenagers at ease. Came up with loads of suggestions of good shots. Really enjoyed our shoot and looking forward to seeing our pics. 100% recommend”.
View my work.
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Danielle beach shoot
Sandy toes, big smiles and a whole lot of giggles. I loved capturing Danielle and her gorgeous family at Jackson’s Bay in Barry. The boys had the best time collecting shells and playing on the beach.
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Lauren and Tom shoot
This family session was such a lovely one to photograph. The whole morning was really relaxed and natural. Baby Emrys snoozed away while Oshian showed how proud he is to be a big brother. I love capturing these everyday moments - cuddles on the sofa, tiny hands being held, and the start of this new chapter as a family of four.
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The Beynon Family at Porthkerry Park
The Beynon family came together at Porthkerry Park for a fun and relaxed outdoor session, celebrating three generations with natural portraits full of love and laughter.
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Noah Cake Smash
Noah’s 1st birthday was celebrated with the sweetest (and messiest!) cake smash. Full of giggles, icing-covered hands, and moments to treasure forever.
