WELCOMING A NEW BABY IS THE BIGGEST BLESSING WHILST ALSO POTENTIALLY ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE TIMES IN YOUR LIFE.
LOVE IS ENOUGH.
Your baby's welcome photos that will last a lifetime.
When you wave your grown child goodbye, and they drive off down the street in their small hatchback with their belongings filled to the boot, a P plate stuck to the window, you'll long for their squishy nose, their newborn pimples, their tiny toes.
In my own experience though, it doesn't take years for that longing to begin... just months.
Through my newborn sessions I aim to provide a relaxed free-flowing approach at documenting the magic of those first few days/weeks, in the hospital, home or somewhere outside.
With me, we move away from structured posing and embrace raw moments of connection and storytelling of life.
Styling Advice
Ultimately how you dress should reflect how you want your images to look and feel.
Cosy and relaxed? Elegant and put together? Raw and earthy? Colourful and bright?
I welcome alllll forms of self expression.
Our postpartum bodies can feel hard to dress so don't put too much pressure on what you are wearing.
Choose something that you're going to feel comfortable in is important.
That might be a beautiful dress, it might be a matching lounge set, it could be a dressing gown! (Not joking... how down to earth and cosy would that be!?)
Build everyone else's outfits to fit with yours! Once your vibe and colours are sorted then think what they can wear to compliment.
My biggest tip if you have no idea where to begin - type "Family Photography session" or similar into Pinterest and start exploring what jumps out at you.
You can get inspo on the vibe of the shoot, and outfit ideas. As well as any particular shots you'd love.
You can always reach out to me as well so that we can collaboratively dream up the session of your dreams that feels like you - send me any inspo pics you find!
Colours and Patterns
I welcome all colour. The trends are really moving towards bold colours.
Again, it all depends how you want your images to look. Are you hanging them in your house? What colours will compliment your home?
The safest colour is white, incorporate neutral colours, different shades of browns.. these tones usually compliment the environment we shoot in and my editing style.
If you're a colour lover and want to get creative or embrace your natural style, absolutely go for it! We can chat personally about your outfits too if you would like! Just send me a message if you want further advice.
Texture
Adding clothing that has texture brings more depth to your images.
Think knitted items, corduroy, lace, linen.
i WILL BRING
I will bring my beautiful collection of blankets to the session to use.
I also am in the process of organising a client wardrobe for newborns so if you are stuck with what to dress them in feel free to ask me what I can offer to borrow.
Accessories
Adding 'props' or accessories to our session can help change the feel of our final images and tie your story together. You may want to include a name plaque, or a sentimental family heriloom like a passed down blanket or toy.
Any special items in their nursery you want to remember or keepsakes you want to pass down.
Things to Avoid
- Remove any chunky smart watches like Garmens, Apple watches, Fitbits...
- Take any hair ties and scruntchies off your wrists
- Remove your sunglasses
- No bulky items in your pockets
- Avoid busy clashing or conflicting outfit choices and colours
- Avoid obvious logo's and print on clothing
THE PROCESS
Before I arrive, if you can try to have baby fed and freshly nappy changed in preparation for our shoot. You can absolutely wait to dress them until I arrive as I know there's often risk of a poo explosion or vomit on their outfit!
Some photographer's want babies to sleep through the session, I don't do any structured poses or move them a whole lot so I leave it up to the parent's preference if they're asleep or awake.
When I arrive to your home I will start by having a chat with you about how everything is going, I always try to ask if there's any particular photos you want to get or things you had in mind for the shoot. From there I like to look around your home to find the best lighting and the most suitable areas to photograph in.
Depending on bub's mood when I arrive I like to start with baby's alone photos first, I do this in hope we can get them done and they can be snuggled and loved on for the rest of the session. If they become unsettled and want to be held, we can move on quickly and try again after some photos being held by Mum or Dad.
Throughout the session I encourage parents to take the opportunity to stop and feed, change or settle baby if needed. If parent's are comfortable, I am also happy to step in and help soothe bub.
THINGS I WANT TO TELL YOU...
DO NOT STRESS ABOUT THE HOUSE
You have just had a baby, please don't feel pressure to have your house sparkling clean.
Some clients talk about how nice it is to have a reason/motivation to make everything clean and look nice. If you aren't in the mood or position for that, just move away any clutter or mess, (even shove it to an unused room) and tidy but do not mop, vacuum and do allll that stuff. We are in control of what is visible in each shot and can fix things in the moment if we need to.
We are led by baby
Part of the beauty of our relaxed approach is letting bubs lead the way. I always allow plenty of time so that if bub's is unsettled throughout our shoot we can take a break, you can offer a feed, a nappy change, a cuddle... whatever you need to do.
Feeding photos are also optional (breast or bottle).
make it fun for siblings
Baby's siblings have just been through a huge life change. Talk to them about the photoshoot prior, explain that Chloe is bringing her camera to take some photos of your family so that you can put them on your walls, for example. Hype how fun this will be. Explain it is a whole family activity. Ask them what games would they like to play during the photoshoot. Age dependant, even give them outfit options to choose from so they feel involved and in control.
MORE ABOUT THE HOUSE
The only thing you need to consider when choosing to have your photos at home is how much natural light your home gets during the day. It doesn't have to be crazy bright, at all, but if your home is quite dark this will effect the image results. We can get around this by shooting close to windows etc if suitable. Please reach out if you're unsure, I am happy to chat about this!
Please know:
I do not take lightly the privilege it is to be welcomed into your home during the fresh newborn days.
I know that everyone's experience is different and for some it can be a vulnerable and anxious time.
I will never attend a newborn session if unwell in any way.
I do not wear perfume or strong fragrances to newborn sessions.
I will wash and/or sanitise my hands on arrival.
I will always ask permission before touching your baby.
Upon request, I am happy to do touch-free newborn sessions where I do not physically touch the newborn at all throughout the session.
I am vaccinated.
If parents have any other requests or preferences I also encourage them to voice them, I am happy to accomodate.