From the moment I arrived at the venue, I could see this would be a lively evening. Mexican hats and colourful décor set the tone, and the food looked incredible, especially the jalapeño poppers, which were a big hit with guests. The Legra Tap & Kitchen team had everything laid out perfectly, with plenty of space for guests to mingle, relax, and later, dance.

For this type of reception, I use two DSLRs with a 35mm, 85mm, and telephoto lens. I worked without flash, relying on natural light for that timeless, authentic look. Shooting with a wide aperture allowed me to create beautiful background blur, perfect for intimate portraits and storytelling shots.

This one was jungle-themed, with stuffed lions and tigers watching over a crowd of happy kids and chatting adults. The birthday boy was dressed to impress, although, like a true one-year-old, he slept through a good chunk of the party. He did, however, wake up just in time for the cake, a brilliantly themed jungle number complete with a big green leaf and tiny safari animals.

As a birthday photographer in Leigh-on-Sea, I’ve been to my fair share of first birthday celebrations, and they never fail to deliver in terms of atmosphere. There’s always a great mix of guests, family, friends, other little ones, and this party was no different. Everyone had made an effort too. People were dressed up, the decorations were spot-on, and the buffet was absolutely on point (I may or may not have made eye contact with a pizza slice mid-shot).