I truly am honoured and humbled any time a family trusts me with these precious memory 'seeds'. These first days and weeks with your newborn may seem small now, but over the years, with the proper care and attention needed in the early days, these memories will grow into the sturdy roots of your family tree.

Babies grow and change so much in just the first year of life but it's the small details of the wrinkly toes, teeny-tiny fingernails, flaky skin and wispy hair that quickly fade over a few short months. I love to capture all these small details, along with portraits of your baby, and lots of snuggles and cuddles so they can see just how much they were loved!

Here’s a few tips to help you get ready for this special time, so we can get the most out of our time together….

Printed photo of newborn baby with the family

1 - Relax

You may be feeling a little unsure of how the morning will go and how the the photos will turn out. But rest assured, I’m going to take great care of you all and tell you exactly what to do to get the best photos. All you need to do is relax and love on your little one.

2 - Baby will be calling the shots

Your baby will be running the show and calling the shots. Every baby is different so we’re going to work in with what they need on the morning. If they need to sleep, we’ll photograph them sleeping. If they need to feed, we can also capture that special bond if you feel comfortable (and if not, we’ll just take a break until they’re finished). And if they’re simply wide awake and curious, they photos of their eyes and expressions will be priceless. I won’t make your baby do anything they don’t want to do - we’ll let them take the lead.

Photo of mum looking at photos from her newborn photo session

3 - Have one or two outfits ready to go

If you’re unsure of what to wear, feel free to have one or two outfit options put aside and I’ll be happy to guide you with what will work best when I arrive. And the same goes for baby - a simple onsie will be great, but if you have some other options we can discuss what will look best.

4 - Declutter

Please know that your home does not have to look picture-perfect to create beautiful photos. You’ve just had a baby, and if your home looks anything like mine did - you’ll have baby stuff everywhere. That’s totally fine. Just have the main shooting areas in your home decluttered - these are usually the master bedroom, nursery and loungeroom. If it’s okay with you, I’m happy to potter around and move things that may be a distraction - and I’ll be sure to put everything back when we’re done.

5 -Treat Yourself

I'm sure the last few days or weeks feel like a blur, and you may have not had time to spoil yourself. Your hands are going to be in the photos, so a simple manicure along with a quick at-home facial the day before will help you feel amazing for your photos.

6 - Have a plan

Talk with your partner about how you'll be wanting to remember this fleeting family moment so that you're both on the same page. Imagine a few years ahead to baby's first day of kindy, and you want to look back to what seemed like only yesterday, to relive their very first days. Where will those memories be kept safe? How will you be enjoying them? Perhaps you’ll be enjoying them everyday as artwork on your wall, or you can reminisce together as you leaf through a family photo album - the first chapter of many in your unfolding story.

Here’s a little video walkthrough of one of my Deluxe Albums so you can see the types of photos we’ll be capturing for you….

“Photography is like time travel. It’s not until future years that we understand just how important these memories are. We have to take the time today, to create the memories we want to be enjoying and sharing tomorrow.”

— Janelle