A natural, baby led approach to newborn photography.
Having newborn photos taken can seem like quite a daunting task for many but I can be a very lovely simple couple of hours to sit back and enjoy some sweet moments with your new baby. I love that newborn stage, I loved it with my own babies and now I love being able to photograph yours. There is something incredibly special about those early days. However for a long time I didn’t offer newborn photography, something about the traditional style of newborn photography just didn’t sit well with me. All the wrapping, all the props, baskets buckets, butterfly wings, it just isn’t me. I say that with the highest respect for photographers that do. It is hard work but they somehow work their magic and create incredibly beautiful images.
Before having my own kids, I was lucky enough to work in a studio that didn’t expect us to wrap or dress babies up so I already had plenty of experience looking for connections and offering gentle prompts for posing and set ups. However once I had my own children something really clicked for me. I realised that photographing babies in your own home is truly unique & special. Even when it’s chaos, even if its not your forever home, it tells a story of where you are in your life when baby was born. Their first home, those early days of sleepless nights and drowsy days. Connections being made, getting to know each other, routines slowly slowly developing.
I never made it to a studio for newborn photographs with my own kids. I used to berate myself for it. Then I looked back on what I had done at home, were they perfect? No far from it, but they were us and I love them. They are my babies, my home and our connections. There is an emotion, a feeling in the images I truly never actually expected. It is my hope that that is what you get from a newborn session.
What will happen in your newborn shoot:
My approach is very baby led. If babe wants to be in your arms all the time, then they will be. If we can get a few minutes of them laying on their own, we will. If baby needs a feed, a change they get it. I see no point in making them wait. Keep them comfortable. They can be asleep, they can be awake. There are no expectations when I come to your home. It can be a mess, it can be immaculate or something in between.
We will move around your home. It’s very normal to start in your living space but we could move to one of the bedrooms, have you kick off your shoes, sit up on a bed together. If baby is happy to lie down for a few minutes on their own they will. Mostly you will take turns holding baby. If they have there own nursery amazing. If you have any blankets, outfits, teddies or gifts you would like to include we will feature them in a few images. However for the most part we keep things really simple. I will look for spaces with the best light, offer gentle prompts that promote connection between you all.
What won’t happen in your newborn shoot:
Extensive posing or use of endless props and set ups. Its just not me, I don’t have the patience and that comes from not really seeing the need. They are magic just as they are. I will not place your baby in a bucket. We might wrap them, but only in a very natural way that you may be doing already. There will be no rush. It’s very normal for a session to run over an hour, in all honesty, it’s more likely to be 1.5 hours, sometimes even longer if baby is having a hungry day. However I am conscious, you are tired, you’ve recently had major life change, so I try not to over stay too. It is a fine balance!
Finding the right photographer for your newborn shoot is important. If you loved a more styled shoot and know you will love those perfectly posed shots, then I am not the photographer for you. There are however some insanely talented photographers all over Ireland that can do this for you. If however, you love the idea of not leaving your home and your little newborn bubble, you are open to images that show connection over perfection, that tell your unique story and capture the warmth & chaos of their little world, then please give me a buzz, I will honestly be honored to be invited in to that special space.
