A portrait session with Fayann Smith of October Collective

“If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels” — Tennessee Williams 

Fayann is one of the three female artists who call themselves October! Collective who are spearheading the launch of the first permanent art quarter in Venice launched during the biennale titled Giudecca Art District. Fayann has composed the soundtr…

Fayann is one of the three female artists who call themselves October! Collective who are spearheading the launch of the first permanent art quarter in Venice launched during the biennale titled Giudecca Art District. Fayann has composed the soundtrack for the district’s flagship installation titled Body As Home that is a timely exploration of self-discovery, identity, migration and search for the meaning of home.

Body as Home

A portrait session with Fayann Smith

Fayann is one of the three female artists who call themselves October! Collective who are spearheading the launch of the first permanent art quarter in Venice launched during the biennale titled Giudecca Art District. Fayann has composed the soundtrack for the district’s flagship installation titled Body As Home that is a timely exploration of self-discovery, identity, migration and search for the meaning of home. Body as Home was shot in four countries, and explores the concept of home in “regard of geographical location and how our identities are formed by our own understanding of home.”

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If you go down to the woods today...

Each season has a colour, a smell, a sound, a feeling. The end of April and into the first week of May is typically bluebell season. I was in Emmetts Garden in Kent running mini photos sessions in their bluebell woods this last weekend. Perfect and affordable gifts - the sessions were for a maximum of 3 siblings and cost £97 for 30 minutes giving you 6 fully edited high resolution images. I am running a similar set up in the lavender fields of Kent this July - please email me to register interest.

Magic hour

With the magic hour of summer evenings drawing near I am starting after school kids portrait sessions in and around Blackheath and Greenwich or a nearby location you love. Sessions are £250 all inclusive which give a relaxed and fun hour of photography with me and then 30 high resolution edited digital files of the session. Perfect to save and print as and when you wish ♡
Please DM to lodge your interest and for available sessions. Sessions typically will start 5pm, 6.30pm, 8pm over May, June and July

Bluebell Woods this spring...

I am running mini photos sessions this spring in a Bluebell Wood (possibly Emmetts Garden, Kent or Scathes Wood at Ightham Moat, Kent).... on the 27th and 28th April. The sessions are for a maximum of 3 siblings and cost £97 for 30 mins which includes 5 fully edited high resolution digital images. I have up to 10 sessions available each day starting at 10am. Please DM me to register your interest... ❤️

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This is what makes my heart full..

Revealing the best of you, showcasing you and giving you your time to shine.

These photos were created for Olga and new venture as a naturopathic doctor.

Letting pictures tell your story..


I’m offering a significant discount on portrait and personal branding photo sessions for local entrepreneurs in the south east London area. I have 2 places i’m offering at £197 where I will work with you to create a unique set of portraits and personal branding imagery for your business which tells your unique story. You will take home approximately 30 images to help promote your business online and grow your brand.
If you know anyone who would like to take advantage of this offer please share and send them this offer or DM me.

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personal branding photography sessions at alexandradao.com

personal branding photography sessions at alexandradao.com

Capturing a moment, with Lynn Barber

“I learned not to trust people; I learned not to believe what they say but to watch what they do; I learned to suspect that anyone and everyone is capable of 'living a lie'. I came to believe that other people - even when you think you know them well - are ultimately unknowable.” Lynn Barber, An Education.

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Lynn Barber, by her own admission, has always suffered from a compelling sense of nosiness. An exceptionally inquisitive child she constantly questioned everyone she knew about imitate details of their lives. This talent for nosiness, coupled with her unusual lack of the very English fear of social embarrassment, turned out to be the perfect qualification for a celebrity interviewer. 

The strongest ties..

Invisible threads are the strongest ties //Friedrich Nietzsche

Last Sunday's delightful afternoon with Hannah and her gorgeous brood...

If you are interested in family photo sessions, whatever the occasion, whether it's a 1st birthday party, a golden wedding anniversary, an engagement, a wedding, or for no reason whatsoever other than capturing a moment in time, a day, the light, a smell, a colour, a feeling, an age, a look:  all the things in which our memories are stored.. then please call me to find out more! 07875 195876

Human love

“A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.” Graham Greene

Family photo sessions at a location that you love, or in your home...

If you'd like to arrange a session for your own family, then please get in touch via my contact form and I can send you more information. Or give me a call on 07875 195876 if you'd like to chat things through..

Flow and patience

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” // Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad

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An angel at play...

"We do the odd family selfie but they never turn out like this. Cannot thank Alex enough! A wonderful photographer not just for being skilled with a camera but because of the way she connects with her subjects. My son and I hate being in front of a camera, but Alex's photographs seem to tell a very different story. She made us feel comfortable enough to behave naturally despite the camera and then quietly captured some perfect moments that we'll treasure forever. The 'in between moments' she captured of my daughter were the biggest surprise though. Alex conjured up images of an angel at play in a bucolic idyll when the reality was the edge of the heath by a busy road! I'm really in awe of her talent to be honest :) " Vanita James

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Such a sweet testimonial i want to share..

.. in case any wonders what it's like having a family photo session with me:

"Myself and my children recently had some family portraits taken by Alex, none of us are particularly at ease in front of a camera but the photo shoot was just so relaxed and natural that we barely felt we were being photographed at all.  This was by far the nicest and most relaxed photo shoot I have ever been too and has resulted in the most beautiful and natural family photographs we have.  Alex has a wonderful gentle nature and it was a absolute pleasure to spend time with her.  Thank you Alex."