Motherhood Moments - Pregnancy and Newborn Photography

Happy Mother’s Day to all you lovely mummies, grannies and aunties!

I got an email the other day and the subject was ‘Mother’s Day isn’t cancelled’ - it got me thinking that just because we will be spending Mother’s day at home this year doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate!

Being a mummy is a full time job and comes with many magical moments. I hope you get to enjoy spending the day with your family, and your loved ones can spoil you in some small way. Whether it be breakfast in bed, a midday nap, yummy lunch or cake and flowers. Enjoy every minute of being treated, you deserve it!

To celebrate, I reached out to some of the lovely mummies I photographed over the last year and asked them what they enjoyed most about being a parent. I hope you like the feature below and do let me know if any of the answers resonate with you.

Love Emily xx

 
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Mummy Molly, Daughter Berkeley and Baby Griffin.

What is your favourite part of being a mummy? 

The feeling of love that goes beyond anything I could have imagined. Even through tough times, the joy and love for and from my kids remains constant and is something you just have to experience as a mom to understand. 

Do you have a favourite story book you like to read with your baby?

It’s called “Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You” by Nancy Tillman. I cry every time I read it.

What is the most challenging part of motherhood?

I think it’s that you’ll be pushed beyond your limits in every way. Your true character is tested. But you also begin to find yourself because of this too. I’ve learned so much about myself since becoming a mom. 

If you could go back in time and share one piece of advice to your future self what would it be?

I think it would be to just be in the moment with how things actually are. Before becoming a mom, I had a vision of what it would be like and I had a hard time living up to these imaginary expectations instead of just letting myself and my family be exactly how we are. Now I try to let life flow and it’s a beautiful thing!

What helps you through the day?

All the coffee!! And I have to move my body every day. Sometimes I take the kids, but most times I like to sneak away for even just 20 minutes to walk, run, do a yoga video, etc. I find I’m a much more patient mom and wife when I can release some energy in this way. 

Do you work or are you a stay at home mummy? 

I’m an elementary teacher. I’ve always loved my job because I get to share my joy for learning with young students while they share with me different perspectives of life and the world. We get to learn alongside each other every day. Kids bring a happiness to the world like no one else can and how lucky am I to be surrounded by that positive energy every day?! 

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Mummy Charmaine and baby Kian

What is your favourite part of being a mummy? 

Breastfeeding. It's something no one else can do for your baby and it's great forced cuddle time especially for my baby who just wants to crawl around and explore the world. I had major issues with breastfeeding at the start with mastitis that developed into a pus abscess that had to be surgically drained, but I'm glad I pushed through that. No one can provide him with the same comfort. 

Do you have a favourite story book you like to read with your baby?

Our favourite book right now is The Pout Pout Fish. Kian in his earlier months was a very grumpy baby and we received this book as a gift last Christmas. He just learnt to flip pages, so he's more into flipping than listening to us read the book unfortunately.

What is the most challenging part of motherhood?

Not knowing what's the best thing to do for your baby. It's a constant worry every day over the smallest decisions.

If you could go back in time and share one piece of advice to your future self what would it be?

I don't know if I'd know what to say... They say you never can be fully prepared, and it's completely true. If I went back in time and redid the newborn stage again, I think I'd still be lost.

What helps you through the day?

My husband is a godsend.

Do you work or are you a stay at home mummy? 

I used to work as a freelance writer (don't love it but it's pocket money) but it's been hard getting projects because I used to cover events. Pretty much a FTM now

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Mummy Renee & baby Neve

What is your favourite part of being a mummy? 

Watching Neve grow up into her own person and watching her personality take shape.

Do you have a favourite story book you like to read with your baby?

“Why I love my grandma” ... the grandmas are very happy to know it’s Neve’s favourite story book! 

What is the most challenging part of motherhood?

 Not being too hard on myself 

If you could go back in time and share one piece of advice to your future self what would it be?

Be kind to yourself!

What helps you through the day?

Sugar, coffee and Neve’s giggles.  

Do you work or are you a stay at home mummy? 

I am working and although it can be hard balancing mom life and work life, I like the challenge and constant learning! 

 
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Mummy Ida,

Aina and baby

Minna

What is your favourite part of being a mummy? 

The feeling of amazement each and every day when I look at my children. The things they are capable of and how they develop every single day.  

Do you have a favourite story book you like to read with your baby?

For my little baby, the favourite book is "The very hungry caterpillar". She loves turning the pages and get her little fingers involved in the story. My big girl Ainas favourite book right now is "Where the wild things are", she loves the monsters and the feeling of being a little bit scared excites her!

What is the most challenging part of motherhood?

THE NIGHTS! or the feeling of not being there enough for them.

If you could go back in time and share one piece of advice to your future self what would it be?

Even though you are not always around they always know who their mummy is.

What helps you through the day?

A lot of coffee, and looking forward to bedtime snuggles. My older daughters arm around my neck and her telling me she loves me  

Do you work or are you a stay at home mummy? 

I’m a full time working mum, I love what I do, but i’m torn every day between work and not spending enough time with the kids. But I believe that work makes me happy and a better mum for it. 

 

Baby Photographer London, Hertfordshire

I hope you all had a lovely Easter celebrating with your family.

I captured these cute photographs of my son Jack with his Jellycat bunny’s and baby chick in our home. I love the soft whimsical light and airy feel to the images.

Easter is one of my favourite holidays I love all the fun craft making, planning the egg hunts and eating yummy food. My daughter Evie wasn’t feeling well on the day but she still managed to do our little egg hunt around her room and she found her chocolate egg and card from the Easter Bunny. She was so excited.

I hope you all managed to get some cute photographs of the kids.

Take Care

Emily xx

Baby Photography Session in the Studio - Little Samuel

Little Samuel was a joy to have in the studio last week. His laugher and smiles were simply infectious. We had so much fun during the session singing and playing we almost forgot the time.

Nine months is the perfect age to capture your babies portraits. By now they have learnt to sit independently, they can move around and crawl and often can pull themselves up to standing if holding onto something. (They call this stage ‘cruising’ ). I love this age as you can capture some gorgeous expressions and your babies personality shine through in the images. The babies are super cheeky, full of beans and constantly on the move!

Most Often Ask Question:

At what age should I schedule my babies photo session? To be honest, each month throughout your babies first year is full of big milestones and cute developmental changes. From the moment they are born they are growing and changing. From learning to smile, 100 day celebrations, learning to do tummy time and sit up and crawl. There is never a bad age!

During our pre consultation appointment, which can be done on the phone or over a coffee, I get to find out about the family and what your hopes and dreams are from the session. This allows me to help give you advice and recommendations. If you booked a Newborn Photography Session for your baby then I usually suggest a session around the 9 month. If you missed the Newborn Photography Portrait session then capturing your baby just before their 100 day celebration would be a lovely milestone for you. Each family is different and my services are very personalised to cater for your needs.

To ensure we can capture and record those adorable smiles and cheeky expressions, the timing of the sessions is very important. Depending on your babies routine, I suggest booking the session either first thing in the morning or just after they have been feed and they have napped.

A happy baby helps with capturing those Real Magical Moments.

Thank you for all my cuddles little Samuel I can’t wait to meet your older brother and sister.

Love Emily x

A Feminine Maternity Portrait Session

The beautiful Candie, mummy-to-be of twins got in touch as she was really keen to capture some natural, candid and very feminine images of her pregnancy. During our first conservations on the phone we discussed the options to do the session at home, outdoors or at the studio.

Candie loved the idea of the studio with its simple and classic background. I gave lots of recommendations for outfits ideas and hair and make up and suggested we create a Pinterest board for all our ideas for her shoot.

At the beginning of the session we had a lovely cup of tea together to get to know each other and were chatting about her expecting twins. This really help to build her trust and comfort levels.

I adorable these super feminine, natural portraits. I think every mummy-to-be deserves to feel special and beautiful during their pregnancy journey. I love it when my clients are brave enough to proceed with images like these and are proud to capture their gorgeous maternal bodies.

Candie you are truly glowing in these Images. Your going to make an amazing mummy!

I can’t wait to meet the twins soon.

All the best

Emily x

Newborn Photography Harpenden, Hertfordshire

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Newborn Photography at home is one of my favourite types of session. The natural daylight at home provides a soft, natural and fresh look to the photographs. We are lucky that we have such beautiful light in Hertfordshire.

During the portrait session, I love to capture the little details of your newborn baby such as their tiny hands and feet, the flakey skin and wisps of hair. It’s these images that I find most striking and emotional.

One of my favourite poses is the daddy holding the baby he is hands and arms. It’s this image that I find you can see the true size of the baby and just how little they are. I love the warm of daddies big hands and arms securely holding the baby and knowing they will always be protected and safe.

Of course, I ensure I capture those ‘must have images’ of the baby alone bundle up looking adorable, the happy new family together, the sibling images, and the new parents with the little baby too.