Cumbria's Family Photographer

I was ballsy in my decision to begin a photography career at 18, let alone committing to my ethos of becoming Cumbrias family photographer with meaning and heart. I did not want to be a one-off photographer, charging ridiculous fees and being a one shot wonder. I wanted to build a returning loyal client based that returned.

Building a returning client base relies on many aspects:

• reliability

• consistency

• work ethic

• pricing

BUT the most importantly for me was CONNECTION!

In the beginning, like most starting out I priced as a novice photographer and focused on building relationships that would lead to repeat custom and word of mouth referrals. Within 3 years I went from photographing 1 wedding to 15. Since then I never looked back.

Let me be honest though, I am not just about weddings, I always knew I wanted Clare Gelderd Photography to be Cumbrias family photographer, from bridal to boudoir to bump to birth to christening to 1st birthday (and so on), even through to funerals and celebrations of life ( see The Birds and The Bees Celebrant for the future of life celebrations) - I am sure you get the gist. Within this lies one huge factor, CONNECTION.

2025 was my 15th year in business, surviving Covid19, recessions, and everyday business crap that comes along with running a successful business. During my 15th year in business I spend a lot of time taking in what I have built. With returning customers and their extended families working with me too. Connections that make future portrait sessions an absolute dream, children coming for their 3rd, 4th, 5th portrait sessions with me and knowing my name. Parent, grandparents, aunties and uncles having meaningful conversations as we've known each other for so long. Receiving new enquiries internationally off the back of the relationships I have built.

Here is the things, it has never been about money (whilst I know we all NEED it to live). It has always been about leaving a legacy of positive impact on others. People feeling save, content and able to express themselves as authentically as they need to in my presence. I love seeing those around me grow, flourish, improve, I enjoy giving advice including hard truths, but most of all I treasure helping and guiding others through life - because god it can throw some curve balls.

Being a Lake District Portrait photographer enables me to be part of stories, family stories, your stories. Moments in time, good and bad that once passed are only a memory. Unfortunately memories fade as we age, digital content, photographs and artwork can be a lasting moment once passed.

But the biggest honour in life, leaving a legacy. Not of financial gains, or of fame. But rooms of people who will speak good of you after your time comes to an end. My career has always been so much more than, 'just a photographer', all too often I think I do not express this enough. This is something I am hoping to express more in the future.

Connection, confidence and cohesion are three benefits to returning to the same Cumbrian business owner. Approaching a photographer and film-maker is exactly the same, yet somewhat more important. Photography can be intimate and I do not just mean boudoir and birth photography, I mean those precious moments that unfold in front of the camera.
I am blessed to have witnessed some of the most joyous, moving and precious moments anyone will process in life. Documenting your moments consistently is a pleasure and tells a real story.

See Clemmie, who I knew before she was born, today attended her very own 3rd birthday portrait session with her dog Polly. Clemmies story began with me back in 2017 when her parents secured me as their wedding photographer in Lancashire at Mercure Dunkenhalgh
long before Clemmie was even thought about. Since working with Leanne and Josh, and sticking to my ethos of putting connection at the heart of my business, I have photographed nearly every memorable moment in their families life. As well as this I have gained further meaningful connections with their friends and family.

Clemmie and her family are just one of many families I work with year on year, capturing those precious moments.
I love seeing all the little ones grow up and change, I love laughing with parents about recent disasters, challenges and celebrating the wins in life. I treasure those connections where we 'check in' with each other regardless of the 'working relationship' being at the start of our story.

It has always been about more than 'just photography'.