Why Maternity Photos are Important!

The Importance of Maternity Photos

Being pregnant can bring a lot of difficult trials but it's an amazing time in your life.  It is a time of anticipation as you prepare to meet your little bundle of joy. It’s a time where you become strong – stronger than you ever thought you could possibly be. During this time, you create your initial bond with your child that will continue throughout your entire lives.

There are very few women who actually feel like they are beautiful while they are pregnant – especially during the first pregnancy. However, the miracle of pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Swollen feet, stretch marks, and hormone changes aside – you are growing a real live human being inside of you. All of those side effects come from different things your body has to do to help nourish and protect your baby.

You are beautiful, and you should take the time to celebrate these changes and this amazing moment in your life. These photos will be a great gift to pass down to your child as an heirloom of your first memories with them. This is something they can treasure forever.

I usually aim to take photos around the 32 week mark.  I know what it feels like when your pregnant, conscious of your changing body shape but I photograph you in the most flattering poses. 

To celebrate Spring and new life, book a newborn session and receive a FREE maternity session. 

Boys and their Toys!

I don't know about you but these school holidays I've been trying to get my son outside playing in this gorgeous Spring weather.  I had a great shoot with a friend's son down at the local skate park and boy can this dude acid drop!  Thanks 'K' for not landing on top of me as you went over me with those awesome air jumps! Sick!!

Model Cars!

What man doesn't remember making model cars and painting them when they were a boy?

Family Beach Photo Shoot!

I love it when I catch up with returning client's and see how much their children have grown.  It's been two years since this family's last photo shoot and these boys have grown so much!

We had lot's of fun down the beach, jumping in the huge puddle that the previous night's downpour had left, building sandcastles and playing in the playground.

Smiles!

A smile is the light of the window of your soul!

BFF's!

It's the times we're so crazy,
that people think we're high.
It's the times we laugh so hard,
we can't help but cry.
It's all the inside jokes
and "remember whens".
those are all the reasons
that we're best friends!

- Unknown

Playing in the rocks, splashing water, feeling the sand beneath your toes,  and being with friends and family are what childhood memories are made of!

Toddler Kisses!

Don't you just love those Toddler kisses? 

Spring has Sprung!

Oh the light ..... Spring has sprung!  A beautiful time to have your family photos taken. 

We Are Family!

A preview from a previous photo shoot of a gorgeous family.....

Using Props!

Photographing 'Lifestyle' means real, natural, as the story unfolds in front of you.  Sometimes though, to help a child feel comfortable in front of the camera, I occasionally use minimal props to help them feel at ease.  Props can show a particular stage of your child's development and what child doesn't love to show off their toys.   Older children "Tweens" or Teenagers love to be able to express their own ideas on how they would like themselves to be portrayed.  It can help build their self confidence in front of the camera if they've been able to use a prop that they love.  For boys it could be their skateboard, bike, fishing rod, Lego, etc., for girls it could be their favourite dress, make-up, flowers or their own ideas.  This little girl wanted to show off her new vintage dresses and she was so thrilled with the outcome!

Oliver's Facial Odyssey

Going through old photos with a girlfriend and we discovered these little gems!  Boy is he going to hate her at his 21st!!!!

How to get Those Natural Smiles!

You never know what to expect from kids on the day of your photo shoot.  At home they're adorable, laughing, beautiful natural smiles and then comes the day of the photo shoot, off goes the charm and they freeze in front of the camera!  Kids are unpredictable, we want to avoid the forced smiles so here's some things you can do:

Before I commence a photo shoot I try and get to know them, break the ice so to speak.  I'll ask them questions about their favourite movie, TV show, toy character, school, anything where they forget they’re in front of the camera.   I might even ask them to show me their room and what child doesn't love showing off their toys?  I then let them play....let them be themselves and not force them to smile or "Say Cheese" shots. 

I might ask them to tell me their favourite icecream flavour and suggest disgusting combinations like spaghetti sauce with chocolate sprinkles, you'd be amazed at flavour combinations kids can make up!  This always gets a natural laugh.  Try out a couple of jokes with them.  During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.

If all else fails we might have to have the lollypops on standby!

My Boys!

Dusting off the cobwebs from the archives, I stumbled across these images of my two favourite boys!  One of my favourite things to do is to look through the old photos and see how much my family has changed and grown. 

What to do if Baby isn't Co-operating!

Newborns are a miracle and we want to show our new little bundle looking peaceful and relaxed when they have their first photos taken.  We've all seen those photos of new little babies posed in baskets, boxes and all sorts of poses that just seem as though they are the perfect baby, cooperating with every photo you wish to get.  Unfortunately this doesn't always happen and this is where lifestyle photography comes into play. 

Crying is a natural, real emotion that all newborns have for most of their first few months of life. Embrace this moment in time. It won’t be long before you forget how their little forehead wrinkled up whenever they screamed, or how their toes would get all stretched out and tense when he was upset. Let me capture those little details.  You want your photos to evoke real emotion and demonstrate the love you have for your child as you try to soothe them.  These tender moments are just as important, if not more so, than the sleeping, posed photos.

A newborn photo session is to preserve those first memories of your newborn's life.  Whilst posed photos can be cute, in years to come you're not going to look back and think wow, look how my baby was able to do this great pose!  The memories you'll have will be you comforting your baby, humming a lullaby to settle them and them gazing into your eyes with amazement and love.  

It's snow time!

One of the joys of having children is watching your child exude happiness playing in the snow.  We visited Donna Buang, an hour and a half out of Melbourne.  It was freezing but it's one time you can throw things at one another and not get in trouble! 

The Rains are here!

Well it's Winter here in Melbourne and the weather is especially cold, rainy and dreary.  I caught up with my niece yesterday at a family get together but inclement weather forced us to stay inside in the warmth of the house. 

Family Lifestyle Photography Melbourne

"A Mother understands what a child does not say."

Cruisin' down the Highway!

What better way to spend a day during school holidays but to go for a drive with the family down the Great Ocean Road and end up in Lorne here in Victoria.   It may not be Summer in Melbourne at the moment but the scenery was spectacular and to top it off a beautiful rainbow appeared.

A Letter to my Son!

You're not so little anymore and seems like this has happened overnight.  I still remember you as a baby, so little, cuddled up next to me when you were born.  It was the day I treasure, the day I met you and I became a Mum.   I know I can't always be there for you and see and share with you the things you are yet to do but I'm always with you and hope I've taught you well. 

You've lost your childish grin and looking more and more like a teenager before my eyes...yes a teenager!    The coming years will sometimes seem confusing, your emotions running high and insecurity about your friends, school work, etc. but this is you growing into the man you're going to be.  You can do anything you set your mind too.  Keep that determination you have, it's finding your passion and working towards it.  I believe you are destined for so many great things in this world, be you and follow your dreams.  You have a kind heart, a loyal heart, intelligent, caring and oh so handsome...which scares me a bit as the girls will be chasing you soon....not too soon I hope! 

Always remember I'm here for you and love you with all my heart, never forget that!  

Luv Mumxxx

The gall of a seagull!

Seagull,

yummy bread,

can't wait,

get in straight,

greedy grab,

off we go!