Photoshoots for Families in an Accessible Photostudio
A Special Day in the New Forest
At Our Bench, we offer our guests a unique opportunity to enjoy a photoshoot with Helen, either at our holiday cottages or on location in the New Forest. Helen is a part-time photographer at Renouf Design and one of the photographers for Butterfly Wishes, a national organisation that captures special memories for families of children with life-shortening conditions.
Photos are delivered via an online gallery on Renouf Design once your holiday is over. This gallery can be password-protected on request. There is no charge for the shoot. You can choose 6–8 favourite images from the gallery to print, share, and treasure (if we have permission to share them on our website). Any photos you dislike can be removed from the album.
You are welcome to share the entire album with friends and family. There is no obligation to purchase additional images, but you are welcome to do so. Additional digital images are normally £19.99 each, with prints starting from just £10, delivered directly to your home. Orders can be placed after your holiday.
If you would like to arrange a photoshoot, please let us know when you book your holiday or upon arrival (subject to availability). Since 2020, we also have access to an accessible photography studio less than 2 minutes’ walk from the cottages. This means we can accommodate family photoshoots whatever the weather and, subject to availability, arrange last-minute sessions during your stay.
Some of the Magical Memories We Have Captured
Ruth and Her New Forest Respite Holiday
Ruth, her friends Elizabeth and Geoff, and her carer Florence came for a week’s stay in Bench Cottage. Ruth’s sister arranged a photoshoot to capture memories together and fulfil Ruth’s wish to create images for her personalised Christmas card. We even created Christmas in July, complete with Santa hats!
The Green Family from Australie
Toni, Em, and Beth travelled from Brisbane for a four-week stay over Christmas. Toni had recently lost over 40 kilos, and it was wonderful to capture her alongside her incredible daughters, making the most of their time together in the New Forest.
The Peterson Family Studio Session
The Peterson family—Mum, Dad, Oliver (7), and Louisa (2)—joined us in the Renouf Design studio. Louisa had missed out on baby photos due to hospital stays, so we created fresh memories for them all to enjoy.
The Adachi Family’s Holiday Adventure
The Adachi family—Eunmi, Yosuke, Kai (9), and Haru (7)—visited during August when the heather was in full bloom. Their photos were captured near Whitefield Moor, close to Brockenhurst.
Henry and His Mum’s Horse
Ten-year-old Henry came with his parents and their horse. Despite wet weather, we captured unique photos of them together in the forest, with Mum arriving on horseback for the session.
Bob and Rowena
Bob and Rowena celebrated 50 years of friendship and their 49th wedding anniversary during their stay. Instead of their favourite walk, they chose photos in the cottage garden, where they had made new friends next door.
The Jackson Family
Four generations of the Jackson family stayed in Garden Bench. We visited Woodside Gardens with almost two-year-old Kenny, capturing precious multi-generational memories. In 2025 they returned for another photoshoot at Ober Water, enjoying the accessible forest walk.
Hannah’s Hampshire Holiday
Hannah stayed in Bench Cottage with her carers. She explored Exbury, Monkey World, local attractions, and enjoyed cooking in our accessible kitchen. Her carers requested a photoshoot to surprise her parents with a special anniversary photo.
Wetwheels Adventure
Jane and Henry celebrated Henry’s 70th birthday with a Wetwheels boat trip in Lymington, followed by a studio photoshoot. It was a joy to capture their adventurous spirit on this special trip.
Sisters
Emily, Matt, and their children Lydia and Annie enjoyed a spring holiday in the New Forest. We brought everyone together for a cosy photoshoot, capturing laughter and family joy.
Three Generations
Our cottages often host three generations together. Four-month-old Josie stayed with her mum, dad, and grandma, and we used our nearby accessible studio to capture precious family portraits whatever the weather.
Just the Girls!
Maggie, her wife, daughter, and granddaughters enjoyed “girl time” together on a spring break. Their favourite photoshoot was in our accessible studio, and they loved the whole album so much they purchased every image.
Mike, Julie and Josh
Returning guests Mike, Julie, and Josh enjoyed paddleboarding, riverside walks, and ice creams. We captured relaxed, happy moments together during their stay.
Charlotte and Her Family
Four-year-old Charlotte stayed in Garden Bench with her parents and grandparents. We joined them on a powerchair-friendly forest walk and captured their holiday memories together.
Jack and Chloe
Twins Jack and Chloe had their photos taken in Bench Cottage gardens and our studio. Two years later, we captured updated portraits showing their personalities and growth into teenage years.
Lorraine and Ellen
Lorraine stayed for two weeks with her carer Ellen while work was done at home. Their holiday included a Wetwheels trip, Exbury, New Forest Pedall, and more. We joined them for a forest walk and captured the strong bond of their friendship.
Samantha and Sparky
Samantha became great friends with our dog Sparky. She returned the following year and had a playful photoshoot with him in the studio. Her mum shed happy tears when she saw the images.
Sam and Family
Sam returned for repeat holidays and family photoshoots, first in the studio and later outdoors with grandparents included. Their growing gallery shows how wonderful it is to capture yearly family memories.
Irene and John
Irene and John booked a photoshoot on the Tall Trees Trail near Brockenhurst. Despite the rain, we explored the accessible 1.2km walk, capturing their warmth and smiles in the forest.
Lois and David
Lois and David, staying in Little Bench, had their first professional photoshoot together since David’s diagnosis. We made the most of the sunshine to capture portraits in the cottage garden.
Photoshoots for holiday guests at Our Bench Holiday Cottages offer a wonderful opportunity to capture and preserve the special moments of your stay. Whether you’re celebrating a family gathering, a personal milestone, or simply enjoying your time together, our professional photoshoots create lasting memories. With the New Forest, our gardens, or the indoor studio as your backdrop, everyone can be included—whatever the weather or mobility needs.
Photoshoots for holiday guests at Our Bench Holiday Cottages offer a wonderful opportunity to capture and preserve the special moments of your stay. Whether you are celebrating a family gathering, a personal milestone, or simply enjoying time together, our professional photoshoots create lasting memories. With the New Forest, our cottage gardens, or our wheelchair-accessible indoor studio as a backdrop, your photos become cherished keepsakes that tell the story of your holiday.
Our accessible studio space ensures that everyone can take part, regardless of mobility needs or the weather, making the experience inclusive and enjoyable for all. Let us help you preserve the magic of your holiday with a photoshoot you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Photoshoots are available for all guests stayung in our accessible holiday cottages - or you can book direct with RenoufDesign
Bench Cottage
- Sleeps up to 4
- Profiling bed; head-and-foot riser beds accessible by ceiling hoist
- Second twin bedroom
- Accessible wet room with H-track hoist and changing table
- Height-adjustable washbasin
- Wheelchair-friendly kitchen
- Open plan living space with riser recliner chair
Garden Bench
- Sleeps up to 5
- Profiling bed / carer’s bed with discreet ceiling hoist
- Accessible 2nd bedroom with triple beds
- Three head and foot riser beds & riser recliner chair
- Private, secure garden with sunny patio, dogs welcome
- Traditional wood-burner for winter breaks
- Off road parking with EV charger available
Little Bench
- Sleeps up to 2
- Profiling bed; head-and-foot riser beds accessible by ceiling hoist
- King or twin bed options
- Accessible wet room with optional shower chair
- Riser-recliner chair
- Level access throughout
- Quiet outdoor space & garden to enjoy
