The Shoot
Pregnancy shoot is usually between 2-3 hours. I like to take the photographs at around 36 weeks when your belly is beautiful and round but you’re not too close to your due date. I love photographing pregnant women outside especially at dusk or dawn when the light has a beautiful glow. It is lovely to choose a location that is special to you and reflects your personality. I have lots of suggestions if you need some ideas and inspiration. Simplicity and comfort is the key is choosing what to wear. Stretchy fabrics, jeans, black tops, linen shirts, sarongs. I have some material to drape around your tummy that you are more than welcome to borrow.
Birth…. Who would pass up the opportunity of welcoming a baby into the world? What an honour. The time of the birth of our babies is one of the very few events in life that we don’t have any control over. I will be on call from 37-42 weeks 24 hours a day and work around this exciting occasion to the best of my ability. Your expectations will be thoroughly discussed prior to the birth. I realise that this is such an intimate and momentous occasion and you don’t want just anybody in your birth space. Therefore building a good rapport with you is of the upmost importance to me. I shoot in a photojournalistic style, a ‘fly on the wall’ capturing your journey as it unfolds. I quietly go about my work, without saying a word. My background in midwifery helps me to understand the birth process and capture it in a unique and inspiring manner. I am currently working on an exhibition and a book on homebirth called ‘In Awe of Woman’. If you are planning a homebirth and would love to be an integral part of changing the cultural norm of where we birth I would love to hear from you.
Newborn shoots are usually between 2-3 hours. Every moment is an opportunity for a photo, whether they are sleeping, having a cuddle, a cry, or perhaps the beautiful tender time during breastfeeding. Newborns are best photographed within the first 10 days of life. They are still so tiny, flexible and not so aware of their surroundings. Once again, simplicity and comfort is the key is choosing what to wear. Jeans, black or white tops. Babies photograph beautifully with a simple singlet or nothing at all, that way we can capture their beautiful chubby rolls. I will bring a few props with me such as some beautiful fabrics, and soft blankets. If you have anything special you would like to include in the photos (a beautiful bonnet, a special teddy bear, a hand knitted rug) we can work out a way to use it.
Close to Mama’s Heart- Breastfeeding shoot is usually between 1-2 hours. The image of a woman breastfeeding her baby or child is something so incredibly special and an image that I love to freeze in time with my camera. My background in midwifery has led me to have an understanding of the complicated physiological process that is breastfeeding but more importantly being a Mum myself, has imprinted on my life the close emotional bond that ties a mother and child through the breastfeeding years. My camera and I will capture the incredible way our bodies are created to nurture our children and the beautiful bond that breastfeeding enhances. I can do location breastfeeding shoots or can come to you and shoot in the comfort of your own home.
