Nancy Straughan Lifestyle and Product Photography

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Nancy Straughan Lifestyle and Product Photography

Lifestyle and Product Photographer. Stylist for brands and interiors. Creative business mentor. I'm based in the North East but available to shoot remotely.

https://www.nancy-straughan.com Hello and welcome! My name is Nancy I'm a stylist and photographer living in north east England. I champion real living and I'm also passionate about authenticity and beauty in the everyday. I love to create lifestyle imagery that shows products in their best light, homes where families gather, and events that inspire.

24/04/2026

STOP. Don’t scroll past this level of cuteness 🚨 Plus a story of hope.

So Laurie turned two back in the beginning of January right before his big sister‘s mental breakdown. January and February were the hardest times in our family and I knew we were in no position to celebrate anything. Fast forward a few months and we see little glimmers returning. All the work I have put into helping Peggy get better (although life will ultimately always be harder for her) meant that we were finally able to celebrate Laurie turning two. It was definitely the best decision to wait. All I wanted was a simple party full of traditional birthday joy, the kind we used to have when we were kids. We threw a party for a select few pals that cost next to nothing… but somehow meant everything 💛

No over-the-top theme, no big spend just an old-school birthday with a few friends, eco-friendly bits, homemade touches, and all the joy you can imagine. Turns out you don’t need much to make magic happen ✨

And honestly? He’s still the most perfect little boy and brother in the world… I’m just lucky I get to be his mum 🥹

09/03/2026

I need a pet duck, I’m not kidding.

Peggy’s year are hatching and caring for ducklings this month (honestly, primary school magic at its finest), and this weekend one of her best friends had her name drawn to bring the fluffballs home. Which obviously meant…we popped round for cuddles.

Tiny heartbeats. Downy feathers against rosy cheeks. The gentlest hands learning how to hold something so small and so precious.

There is something about watching your children cradle new life that slows everything right down. No rush. No noise. Just morning light and the quiet joy of it all.

Core memory: unlocked 🤍

21/02/2026

Some days feel impossible. This wasn’t one of them. We spent a day at over half term and it ended up being exactly what we needed.

If you follow along, you’ll know Peggy is neurodivergent and after the Christmas holidays entered burnout. Things are better (for now) but still unpredictable at times, and winter especially has been tricky with sensory struggles around clothing. So I was a little nervous heading out. But nature really is healing.

The fresh air, the freedom to move at her own pace, and the sheer openness of the Deer Park felt regulating for all of us. There’s something about being outdoors, without pressure or rush, that just helps.

We’ve been to Ruby Castle quite a few times now and I knew that we needed to make the most of a sun filled day out there during the February Half Term. The Family Explorer Ticket gives access to the castle, Deer Park and Walled Gardens, plus the Servant School Activity Trail and the Plotters’ Forest Dragon Quest Trail. It’s £60 online for two adults and two children, and everything felt easy and light hearted which is just what we needed.

The Servant School trail inside the castle was a lovely way to explore the rooms, collecting stamps after each activity in the rooms, for some unknown reason cleaning the books with special brushes in the library was the biggest hit. I would never be able to get Peggy to clean at home, but there we are! Outside, the Dragon Quest trail through the castle like adventure playground was a big hit. Plenty of space, plenty to look at, no need to hurry.

Raby Castle itself is incredible. Built in the 14th century by the Neville family, it’s one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England, and you can really feel the history as you walk around. It wasn’t about ticking everything off. It was about a gentle day, taking things as they came. If you’re in the North East and looking for a family day out that gives you room to breathe, this is a lovely option.

North East family days out. outdoor family time. neurodivergent family life. sensory aware outings

12/02/2026

The trolls reminded me that thoughts aren’t facts. There’s a childhood part of me that believes the nasty things people may say. I think that can be a normal response but it’s so important to remind ourselves that only people who are closest to us, the people who spend time with us often, truly know us.

I wanted to say thank you for the support that came from my last post, and also to be clear about something important.

When a post reaches a wide audience, it means people with very different perspectives see it. Some responses were thoughtful and supportive. Others were hurtful, accusatory, and completely inappropriate.

I’m not planning to share more personal details about our family or our daughter’s situation. Our priority is her wellbeing and protecting her privacy. That means keeping certain things off social media and out of public debate.

What I will continue to do is talk honestly about neurodivergence, burnout, and the need for understanding and compassion, not judgment. Sharing our experiences has helped many people feel seen and that matters deeply to me, but it does not mean we owe anyone intimate access to our lives.

If you choose to follow this account, please do it in a way that respects everyone and recognises that real families are behind these posts. There are so many beautiful families struggling with the exact same issues we’re facing.

Thank you to those who have engaged with care. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reply to all the comments and messages, it all got to be too much but I’ve learned how to better protect my own sanity.

30/01/2026

Here’s why I disappeared. I wrote this post because this is our reality right now, people are asking how we are and it’s getting harder to describe.

This is what burnout can look like in a child. This is what it can look like in a family. We’re taking things moment by moment. Measuring progress in tiny wins most people never have to think about. Yesterday I was looking a child happily wearing a jumper and I felt envious. Seeing parents taking their kids into school, walking along the street like it’s no big deal, why can’t we do that?

I worry about exactly what is going on. Is she autistic, is it ADHD or PDA or all three? Did she develop undiagnosed PANS/PANDAS after a strep infection when she was four? Will she always have to battle with such severe anxiety and panic attacks?

We’ve had to let go of what life is supposed to look like and meeting our daughter where she is. Some days are brutal. Some days are manageable. All of it is exhausting.
If you’re dealing with anything similar, you’re not alone. And if your child struggles in ways others don’t see or understand, I see you.

We don’t have answers yet. We’re just doing everything we can, advocating hard, and getting through each day as it comes.

06/01/2026

Happy birthday to my lovely little boy. Laurie is two!

I’ve never really spoken about Laurie‘s birth story before, it was semi traumatic, especially when compared to Peggy‘s very calm positive water birth. It’s surprising how I’m still triggered every time I go past the hospital, even though it wasn’t *that* bad in the grand scheme of things.

He has always been such a happy little boy, although I can tell we are entering the terrible twos. 🫠 Those first hours after he was born I wouldn’t let him be anywhere but right on me, I really didn’t want him to leave my side. It’s funny how the shock of having your first baby is so overwhelming – you’re not really sure what to do and I just wanted space. But with Laurie, I felt so much more confident and just wanted to hold him all the time. Maybe less so now he’s getting a bit shouty!

03/12/2025

I think a lot of us are feeling this right now, like we’ve lost the rhythm of how to do Instagram.

Life with young kids is full, beautiful and completely overwhelming most of the time. Between work, school runs, family life, and trying to carve out a bit of quiet for me (ha!), it’s no wonder social media slips down the list.
I’m learning to be okay with that. To post when I can, and to let it go when I can’t.
Maybe this season isn’t about growth or strategy, but about gentleness. About showing up when we have something real to share and trusting that it’s enough.

If you’re in this stage too juggling, creating, parenting, remembering yourself somewhere in the middle. I see you. You’re doing great. 🤍

14/10/2025

The last early autumn prettiness before the dark moody months begin (I’m actually excited) 🌸💀

Escaping to a local dahlia farm to pick flowers, no big plans, just doing something NICE. Peggy’s been so worn out from school lately; she’s PDA and finds the school week such a mountain to climb. By mid week (sometimes even Monday), she’s running on empty, and honestly, so am I.

We’ve learnt to make our weekends gentler. No pressure to do anything, just walks, playgrounds, picking flowers, being outside, and letting the world feel a bit quieter. It’s not always picture-perfect (there are meltdowns and crying and plenty of sighs). Im still trying to figure out what downtime means for Peggy as she is so “fizzy” I rarely see her relaxing.

Sometimes slowing down isn’t about being dreamy or aesthetic, it’s about survival, and finding peace in between the chaos. And mainly for us that’s…forcing her to zone out in front of the tv for a few hours. Screen time ain’t a thing in our house 🤷🏻‍♀️

23/09/2025

37 🎂 Currently accepting cake, compliments, and unsolicited life advice while wearing this incredibly stylish hat. Another year older, still no idea what I’m doing to be honest but at least the hat hides my greys. 🎈

04/09/2025

Do you love beautiful photography but feel lost when it comes to styling and shooting them yourself? You’re not alone, I’ve heard this from so many creatives.

Over the years I’ve spoken to so many people who tell me they love beautiful photography but feel completely lost when it comes to styling and making their images look polished. That’s exactly why I created Style, Shoot, Sell. It’s not just another online course. It’s a supportive photography course that brings together styling theory, storytelling, and practical photography skills to help you create images that stop people in their tracks.

SSS - my signature course that combines: 📷 Demystify your equipment: learn what you really need, how to use it, and how to set up a studio that works at home. 📷 Discover the theory behind great styling, watch me build images step by step, and get guides + checklists you can copy.
📷 Props 101: style discovery, storytelling, mood-setting, and my pro hacks all in one module. 📷 Storytelling tutorials - from composing the shot and styling your subject to lighting, colour, and feeling.
📷 Edit like a pro. from quick fixes and color correction to crafting mood and storytelling through editing.
📷 Weekly 1-2-1 feedback and live group calls so you’re never left stuck.

This October, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned from 10+ years of photographing and styling for brands so that you can: ✅ Feel confident creating your own beautiful imagery ✅ Take polished photos that actually sell ✅ Tell visual stories that stop people in their tracks

Whether you’re a beginner or someone ready to refine your skills, you’ll finish the 4 weeks with a portfolio of images you love and the confidence to keep creating.

The course begins this October, and early bird pricing ends in 10 days so don’t wait.  🔗 Tap the link in bio to grab your spot.

03/09/2025

This summer, we gave ourselves permission to slow right down — and it’s changed everything for us.

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel like you’re walking a tightrope every day. The pressure to do all the things, see all the people, keep up with everyone else — it can be exhausting.
This year we stripped it all back. No packed calendar, no rushing from place to place. Just slow (ish) mornings, quiet local adventures, and a lot of breathing space for me and the kids.

Our visit to was a perfect example — open fields, gardens for exploring, time to connect, and of course it wasn’t all perfect and that’s ok. Peggy had a few meltdowns but we left knowing that we’d enjoyed our time together. It was one of those days where we all got something from the day and we were (somewhat!) regulated.

If you needed a reminder that less really can be more — here it is.
👇 Tell me — how do you keep things simple for your family?  Your tips might inspire another parent who really needs it today.

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Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE22DL

Website

http://nancy-straughan.com/

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