Anna has an individual approach to social portrait photography which is very much in vogue. She calls it "lifestyle" photography: the art of capturing the way people feel – not just how they look. A photoshoot is fun for everyone, especially Anna, and results in relaxed and spontaneous images that mirror today's informal lifestyle.

Anna can shoot indoors in her fabulous new photographic studio or outdoors in the wilds of Scotland. In her experience people often said they wanted formal images, wearing formal clothes, shot in a studio. But she found, time and time again, that people always preferred the shots taken in inspirational locations such as woodland and beaches wearing casual clothes. Her studio location is perfect, as it is set in a large garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh comprising woodland, field and garden.

People are natural today with light make-up and wear casual rather than formal clothes. They want the same look in their pictures: to be themselves, interacting with their families, not just staring into the camera. While everyone, especially the children, is enjoying the experience Anna is capturing the fun. Kids have got a short attention span so she is used to working quickly and keeping things moving.

Before the shoot gets underway she encourages people to choose their own special places to add meaning to their photographs. This way people always have unique images which can even be designed to complement the colours of their homes. She also advises on clothing, and finds out as far as possible who the pictures are for, where they are going to be hung, whether they may be displayed in an album, and whether there is a possible preference for black and white, or colour images. (All images are shot digitally however, hence can be in colour or monochrome).

She encourages women to bring along makeup, which Anna can help apply to enhance the portraits, and a variety of clothing options (see the fact sheets for additional suggestions). She recommends allowing three hours for a photoshoot (studio and outdoors) which gives plenty of time for relaxed photography and a coffee break.

The images are ready for viewing about a week later when Anna will help you design a bespoke portrait album or frame the images, singly or in multiframes. Choosing a few images, when you love all of them, is harder than you might think!

Many people never get round to organising a portrait photoshoot for their families and regret it. Anna has taken photographs of people since the age of 9 when she was thrilled to receive a camera as a Birthday present. Her photographs are the most precious thing she owns as she has countless happy memories of her family, friends and travels…….She sincerely recommends you photograph the people you value before the moment has passed!