Newborn Photography
Newborns must be photographed within the first 2 weeks of life. As they are still very sleepy and have the ability to curl, which is what makes the newborn portraits so amazing and unique. This very small, curly and sleepy newborn will be gone after the first 2 weeks and they start to be more easily awoken and are awake for much longer periods of time. This makes the session much harder to do and more upsetting to the baby. These are some of the reason we only do these distinctive and very special session before the all important 2 week mark.
It’s best to schedule your newborn session while you are still pregnant. A good time to book is 25 to 35 weeks gestation; this is, incidentally, the best time for maternity portraits as well. At this stage we can ‘pencil’ in a tentative date. Obviously, expected due dates and actual delivery dates can vary greatly, your baby can come anywhere between 2 weeks earlier and 2 weeks later than this date. If you book with enough notice we can be sure to fit you into our schedule. If you wait till you get home from the hospital you will lose track of time and most likely won’t think of your newborn session till your baby is a month old. At that time, the all important time frame will have been missed. Once you give birth, please call us within the first few days and we will confirm a final date for your session.
All newborn sessions are held in my home studio, where all the blankets and props are on hand and where we can control all external factors which need to be controlled for the newborn shoot. We use natural light for all newborn photography; it’s the softest and has that nice gentle glow that makes the newborn portraits so incredible.
Maternity Photography
It’s best to schedule your maternity session when you are about 26 to 30 weeks. As it’s often a good time to have your session is at 36 to 38 weeks. At this stage your baby belly is big enough to have a beautiful round shape but you aren’t big enough to be uncomfortable. Of course this does depend on how big or small your belly really is. If you are particularly small you may like to have your session later or on the other hand if your belly is on the large side you may like to have your portraits taken earlier. But I don’t suggest maternity photos to be taken before 32 weeks as a rule.
You may have your portraits taken inside my studio or outside on location. The beautiful glowing light of the late afternoon, in warmer weather can be so lovely and serene and really portray the feeling of expectation and joy of the impending birth. Alternatively the privacy and controlled lighting that the studio provides can create dramatic strong portraiture and offers more privacy if you would like some more skin showing with lots of belly shots included.
You may include your partner and any other children in your maternity session. If you include children in your session I try to keep the session as simple and quick as possible as little one’s don’t like to sit around for a long time and get bored with it all quickly.
Concept Photography
Although we do specialise in the maternity and newborn market we do enjoy shooting other sessions and these are well run productions. We don’t just book any session; I plan and execute specialized photography sessions for children and families. I will set up a whole tea party for the children in an orchard. Or take my antique sofa out into a field for a family session. Or hang a chandelier from a large red gum for that quirky teenage shoot. I like the unusual and this is shown in my art.
Occasionally we have creative and unique sessions planned for children and families. These are very limited and usually offered for one time only. We have tea parties in orchards and families in fields with antique lounges, anything a little bit artsy and out of the ordinary.
Every month we hold on-location mini sessions for babies in local pharmacies and baby stores. These sessions are set up with props suitable to certain themes which change each month. There is no appointment necessary, just come along and grab a number, it’s very quick and a great affordable photo alternative to the traditional studio session.
These monthly on-location mini sessions as well as other special portrait sessions and other up to the minute ideas are announced on Facebook. So pop over to our fan page to keep up with all the information and studio happenings.
