Julie's Newborn Lifestyle Shoot

• Having a baby would have to be one of the biggest things to ever happen to you and your family.  It is life changing in every way imaginable.  There are so many emotions that hit you when that tiny bundle is placed on your chest screaming its wee lungs out.  Babies are miracles, sheer and utter miracles.  You created this tiny human being!  Simply incredible. 
  
  Yes those first few weeks are hard while you battle sleep deprivation, breastfeeding and everything else that comes with a brand new baby.  Who has time to think about photos?  And then before you know it, that tiny ball of fury that was placed on your chest is now scooting around the park on her balance bike and you wondered where the time went.  And why you didn’t have any photos taken of her scrunched up on a bean bag or with you gazing into her eyes or cradled in her Dads big strong arms. 
  
  I can’t remember the newborn days with my daughter very well, it was a complete haze of sleepless nights, breastfeeding dramas and a good dose of anxiety.  There are photos of course, I still couldn’t help myself in that regard…..but oh how I wish I had arranged for someone to come into my home and freeze those early moments in time for me.   Ok, so I've made up for lost time as my girl has got older, I calculated I took around 5000 photos of her over her first two years so there are memories galore.  But those first two weeks..... Nada. 
  
  So what is newborn lifestyle photography? My newborn lifestyle photo sessions are a bit different from your normal newborn shoot.  To start with they are done in your home and not in a studio setting.  My sessions can be done from birth right up until your baby is 12 weeks old but if you are specifically wanting photos of your baby naked and curled up on a bean bag then it is recommended you book your session in before your baby is two weeks old.   Babies 5-12 days old are still very sleepy and easy to pose as they don't wake as easily.  Of course, there is always the odd exception to the rule!  So while there is some posing during the session, it is really centred on capturing those precious moments with Mum, Dad, siblings and even Grandparents.  I arrive at your house armed with my camera, newborn posing pod, blankets and wraps and for the following 2-3 hours I make myself at home and capture as many moments as I can of you and your newborn baby.  Because it’s true what they say, before you know it the newborn stage is over and you will want it back!  I make my sessions as relaxed and informal as I can.  It is a privilege for me to come in to your home and photograph this special time.
  
  A few weeks ago I had a photo session with Julie and her family.  They have just welcomed baby No. 3, a beautiful little girl called Beth.  Beth was around 4 weeks old when I caught up with them so the photo session was always going to be more lifestyle than posed due to her age.   Julie is Mum to Callum and James too, they are typical 3 and 4 year old boys - busy and boisterous!   And they think photo sessions are boring.  Most men do ;)   Usually I have a rough plan in place when I turn up to a photo shoot but for this session, they all went flying out the window within minutes of me arriving! It was a lifestyle shoot through and through.  No posing, all just fleeting moments of absolute loveliness in amongst the chaos.  It really was fabulous!   It made me think outside the square and I enjoyed the session so much.   I left Julie's house feeling like I'd just run a marathon but completely in awe of this lovely lady who juggles 2 full on pre-school boys and a newborn baby girl.  I really felt like I captured the true essence of her family and she has very kindly let me share a few photos with you.
  
  Thanks Julie – your family is divine J
  
  

Callum adored his baby sister, he wasn't far from her side through the whole shoot. 

How cute is this!