Mayor’s dinner tickets on sale
O, how do you get 16 very young children to all sit still – and smile at the camera – all at the same time...?
Most parents find it hard to get the perfect picture of one child at a time.
But then Jo Rutherford, of Jo Rutherford Photography, just loves a challenge.
She said: “Last year I was approached by a group of mums who met through groups that they attended with their babies. They asked if I would photograph 10 of the little ones as they were all turning one around the same time.
“I’m always up for a challenge with my photography so I agreed and one morning we managed to get all of the children together and with lots of singing and encouragement from the parents we got the shot!
“Twelve months on I thought it would be lovely to see if we could do it again.
“The group of little friends had grown and this time they were all mobile so the first attempt was a little chaotic and resulted in a trip outside and a lot of fun in a muddy puddle – but no photograph!
“So we did some photoshop wizardry, and photographed all the children one weekend as individuals and small groups and this is the result! It’s lovely to think we are going to try and do this every year so this little group of friends have a record of their friendship.
“The sofa is not really that big – honest!”
Jo has been a full-time photographer now for almost two years and opened her studio on Birkdale Trading Estate in 2012.
She photographs newborns, children and families both in the studio and on location and is the current Northwest Photographer of the Year.
Before that she worked as a physiotherapist at Southport Hospital.
So what is her secret for keeping children still and calm for their portraits?
“Talking gently and quietly often works,” she said. “And telling stories about the little bird who lives inside my camera!
“I have a drawer full of colourful stickers which are great rewards – I don’t think I have ever met a child who doesn’t like stickers.
‘‘And a few adults love them too!” TICKETS are now available for this year’s Mayor of Sefton charity cabaret dinner.
The formal dinner takes place on Saturday, March 14, at Formby Hall Golf and Resort Spa.
All money which is raised on the evening itself goes to the Mayor of Sefton’s Charity Fund, which is annually dispersed throughout the borough to local charities.
The dinner starts with a drinks reception at 6.30pm accompanied by music before guests enjoy a three-course meal.
Other entertainment includes a DJ until the early hours of the morning, a tombola stall, a charity raffle, and a short auction with a special compere.
Tickets for the event are priced at £35 per person and can be purchased individually or for tables of either eight or 10 people.
To make a booking please call 0151 934 2062 or email mayorsoffice@ sefton.gov.uk.