Child Photographer

The Cotswold

Sensory Friendly Photoshoots

Cheltenham - Gloucestershire - Cotswolds

A different kind of photoshoot experience

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Artistic Child Portraits For Your Family,

Captured In And Around The Beautiful Cotswolds

Storybook Magic

Cinematic, thoughtfully composed images with beautiful light, colour and concept

Imaginative Play

Kids can become heroes, adventurers and storytellers in interactive, fun sessions

No Forced Smiles

Relaxed, natural portraits that let your child’s personality shine

Breathtaking Locations

Stunning and unique Cotswolds backdrops, perfect for exploring and creating magical, memorable photo sessions

Three people lying on green leaves with small white flowers, smiling, heads towards each other.
Young girl dressed in an elaborate orange Victorian-style gown with satin ribbons and lace, wearing a matching wide-brimmed hat with flowers, seated in a dimly lit antique-style room with red wallpaper and framed paintings.
Girl sitting under bridge at night reading illuminated book
Child walking on a muddy path surrounded by moss-covered rocks and trees in a forest.
Child wearing goggles reading a glowing book on a bed.
Child in striped hat holding lantern next to Christmas tree in snow
A young boy with red hair, wearing a white shirt and gray shorts, is crouching by a tree in a forest during daytime. He is near a small campfire with rocks, and sparks are visible, with green foliage and small blue flowers surrounding him.

Photography should be an enjoyable experience for every child, not something overwhelming or stressful. That’s why I offer sensory friendly, child-led photo sessions designed to be relaxed, flexible and free from pressure.

As an autistic photographer and parent, I understand how important it is to create a calm, comfortable environment where children can truly be themselves. Sensory friendly photo shoots aren’t just for autistic children - it benefits all children by allowing them to explore, play and engage at their own pace, without the expectation of sitting still or posing in a certain way.

I tailor each session to each child, choosing suitable locations, giving plenty of time for breaks and using a gentle, patient approach. If a session needs to pause or even try again another day, that’s completely okay - because the best photos come from moments that feel natural, not forced.

Find out more about my sensory friendly photo shoots

Book Your Photo shoot

Full Sessions

Two young girls standing outdoors on a grassy area with trees in the background. One girl is holding binoculars and looking up, while the other girl is standing beside her with a suitcase in her hand.

A relaxed, child-led outdoor photo session capturing genuine moments in beautiful Cotswold locations. Perfect for families wanting a personalised experience with plenty of time for children to feel comfortable.

Signature Sessions

A young girl dressed in an elaborate orange gown with a matching wide-brimmed hat decorated with ribbons and small flowers. She is seated in a vintage-style room with red patterned wallpaper and dim lighting.

Signature Sessions are designed as an experience rather than a standard photo session, bringing together rare and carefully chosen locations with creative, story-led ideas. While your child is immersed in it all, I capture a collection of striking, cinematic fine art portraits that are completely one of a kind.

Mini Sessions

A young girl with curly hair smiling while lying in a field of yellow and purple wildflowers.

A short, seasonal photo session in a set location, offered a few times a year. A simple, relaxed way to capture a small collection of natural images, perfect for marking the moment or updating photos of your children.

Branding Sessions

Child in floral dress sitting on a tree log outdoors with green grass and plants nearby.

Branding Sessions are designed for child-focused businesses looking for natural, engaging imagery that showcases what they offer. Using a relaxed, child-led approach, I capture children interacting with your products or spaces in a genuine way, creating images that feel authentic and appealing.

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Currently Booking Lavender Mini Sessions

At Cotswold Lavender

  • These sessions are quiet, calm, and completely child-led. We spend a short amount of time in the lavender fields at Cotswold Lavender, with no pressure to pose or behave in a certain way. Your child can move, explore, or stay close to you, and I work around them to capture natural moments as they unfold.

  • A mini session is a shorter, simplified version of a full photo shoot. It takes place in a set location at a set time, with everything already planned so you can just arrive and enjoy it. Mini sessions are perfect if you want something quick and seasonal, ideal for updating photos or just capturing a moment in time in a stunning location.

  • They don’t need to. I don’t expect children to stay still, look at the camera, or follow instructions. I adjust to them instead, whether they’re full of energy or shy and reserved. There’s no pressure on them or on you. The session is built in a way that allows me to capture them as they are, without forcing anything.

  • Yes, these sessions are suitable for one to two children. I will capture a mix of individual and sibling images. Additional children will require an additional slot to allow for enough time.

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  • “Kat was so attentive and engaging with my children, she understood very quickly how to get the best shots from them - how to make them personally laugh, smile, play etc. As a result, the photos are so true to my children's characters, their individual personalities really shine through, making these photos such irreplaceable mementos.”

    Marnie

  • “These photos made me cry. You were able to capture their personalities as well as their relationship so perfectly. Thank you.”

    Charlene

  • “Kat's photos are truly different and unique. She is amazing with SEN children as my son has autism. She did a mini shoot with us and our photos were amazing!”

    Kate

  • “The session was really relaxed which was super enjoyable for the children and us as parents.”

    Emily

  • “You have literally made my day with these images! They are just perfect in every way.”

    Miriam

Why Choose Me?

Child photographer and son

Hi! I’m Kat

I’m a child photographer based in the beautiful Cotswolds, and I love capturing the magic of childhood through my lens. As a parent and an autistic adult with an autistic son, I know how important it is to create a comfortable, sensory-friendly environment where kids can be themselves. My son, who often inspires my ideas and even models for me, has taught me the value of letting kids’ unique personalities shine through in each photo.

Get to know me

I know that many families can find traditional photo shoots stressful, but I’ve designed my sessions to be the opposite. My approach focuses on natural moments, fun adventures and artistic storytelling. I work with you to create an experience that’s relaxed, enjoyable, and completely tailored to your family.

A flexible and positive photography experience for families, tailored to your child’s individual needs.

I always try my best to create a sensory friendly photo session, providing choices in location, timing and activities to suit your child. As an autistic photographer and parent, with a qualification in Understanding Autism, I bring both professional skill and personal understanding to my work. My aim is to capture beautiful moments while also ensuring everyone feels at ease. With a commitment to positivity and understanding, my photography sessions are designed with your family's comfort at heart.

Child standing in lavender field
Two young girls with dark curly hair smiling and hugging amid blooming tulips in a flower field.
A young boy with red hair wearing a white shirt and orange shorts, playing in a shallow creek with a yellow watering can, in front of a house surrounded by greenery.
Two boys walking on a forest path surrounded by greenery and wildflowers.
Young girl sitting in a forested area wearing a denim jacket
Young child with red hair in an orange sweater walking on train tracks outdoors in a forest.
Two young boys sitting on a swing with a small dog between them in a garden, holding large sunflowers, surrounded by greenery and blooming flowers.
A young girl with blonde hair, wearing floral pants and a green short-sleeved top, stands on a stone pathway holding a large woven basket with a bow. She is facing a bush of pink flowers in a rural village setting with stone houses and greenery.
Two children in red plaid outfits sitting on logs, lit by a glowing book, with Christmas decorations in the background.
A young girl with blonde curly hair smiling in front of holly branches with red berries.
Young boy holding teddy bear, gazing out of a train window, reflection visible on glass.

Why Choose a Photographer Based in the Cotswolds?

Child in green coat sitting on moss-covered stone steps with snowdrop flowers.

  • Handpicked Cotswold Locations To Capture The Best of Each Season

  • Unique Cotswold Backdrops

  • Expert Location Knowledge

The Cotswolds is such a magical place, and it’s the perfect backdrop for creating unique, standout portraits. Being local means I’ve spent so much time exploring this beautiful area with my son, finding amazing hidden spots and testing them out for shoots. From charming villages to dreamy woodlands and rolling hills, I know some of the best places to make your photos truly special.

I’ve also learned how to adapt to the Cotswolds’ ever-changing weather, making the most of every season. Whether it’s a foggy morning that adds a dreamy touch, a frosty day perfect for magical winter scenes, or knowing where to head for golden light on a sunny day, I have the experience to create breathtaking images no matter the conditions.

The natural beauty of the Cotswolds adds so much to your photos - it’s the kind of backdrop that turns portraits into real works of art for your walls.

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  • "We had Christmas photos at Over Farm on probably one of the worst days we could have chosen with all the rain, wind and floods but Kat made it so fun for my girls and they absolutely loved it so much they can't wait to go back again. She captured some beautiful images that we will treasure forever. I can't recommend her enough!"

    Dani

  • "Fabulous mini photo shoot for my two tots in the park, she is great (& very patient!) with kids and the photos were amazing, thank you!"

    Katherine

  • "Kat's photography is truly magical. She is super talented and I'm really pleased with the memories that she's captured."

    Brittany

  • "I would highly recommend Kat for her experience, her patience and professionalism. Thank you for producing some amazing images."

    Amanda

Ready to Book? Let's Make It Happen!

Let’s collaborate to create something truly special, tailored just for you. From unique concepts to relaxed, natural sessions, we’ll work together to bring your vision to life.

Ready to book or want to explore an idea? Contact me today, and let’s start planning your perfect photo shoot!

Child with red hair peering out of a train window labeled 'First Class.'

Kat Purchase Photography Blog