Everyone who has been a parent knows that those early days go by in the blink of an eye. The things you treasure so much – the smell of a baby’s skin, the feel of his or her little body cuddled against yours – become distant but cherished memories as your children quickly change and grow. Let us be there at the beginning of your little one’s journey to capture this time of beauty and innocence in professional photographs that you and your loved ones will treasure.

We offer two types of newborn photography – lifestyle and posed. To help you decide between the two distinct styles, we are happy to answer any questions you might have and offer advice about which will be the right fit for you.

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Lifestyle

Lifestyle photographs capture real moments in your newborn baby’s life. This candid, personal approach might include baby’s interaction with Mom, Dad or siblings, and it is an excellent way to express the pure love and emotion of these early days with your little one. A lifestyle photo session takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, and it might be the best choice for babies who are less likely to submit to the difficulties of posing.

For posed photographs, think of your newborn baby as the work of art he or she is. We’ll use props such as hats, blankets, baskets, pillows and other items to carefully place your sleeping baby into poses that make him or her look like a perfect, living doll. Expect posed photographs of your little one to take a bit longer and require a bit more effort; allow at least three hours for the session. Getting your baby into those picturesque poses will take a good deal of patience, but the end result will be well worth the time. This approach is ideal for newborns who are calm-natured and love to sleep.  

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Chances are, your baby has been bombarded by amateur photographers since the moment he or she was born. With so many photos being taken by so many people, you might wonder why you need to spend the time and money to hire a professional photographer. The simple answer is that photography is an art form, and professional photographers are artists with skill, experience and training in their field. While it’s true that anyone can take a snapshot, don’t leave this very important assignment up to a grandparent or a sleep-deprived dad.

"A professional’s unique, artistic vision can make the difference between You have a lot to worry about at this busy time in your life, and our experience working with newborns ensures that the experience will be as stress-free as possible for your baby – and for you. In addition, our expertise in posing newborns, using props and retouching images provides value you’ll see in every frame as you select from among the prints, albums, baby announcements and other products we offer. 

It’s best to book your baby’s photo session two months before your due date.

We know that once your baby is born, you'll have a lot on your mind, and selecting a photographer might not be first on your list. That’s why it’s best to book your baby’s photo session between two and four months before your due date. Once your little one makes his big entrance, let us know the news, and we will coordinate with you to choose a day for the photo session. Newborn photographs should be taken before the baby is two weeks old, and ideally within the first nine days. Babies younger than 10 days old are less fussy, sleep deeply, and are not yet affected by infant acne – making it more likely that you'll get the results you want.

Newborn sessions are held in Jacqui Simpson's home studio, located 20 minutes north of Brisbane, and images are captured using studio lights as well as natural window light.

We know that it might be difficult to predict when your baby will want to eat and sleep during those first few days, but ideally, your baby should be fed, changed and sleepy before the photo session begins. Sleeping newborns produce the best photographs, so try to time your baby’s naps accordingly. If you want to include any special props, be sure to lay those out in a place where you can access them easily. And don't forget to turn up the heat – a warm baby is a comfortable, sleepy baby!

We understand that your baby’s first photo shoot can be a stressful time for you. Baby may not be cooperating, and you'll worry that the session will be a bust. Also, watching someone else handle and pose your baby could bring out your mommy instincts. The first rule of newborn photography is to relax, and the second rule is to have patience. If you are tense, your baby will sense that, and your little one might have trouble going into the deep sleep we'd like. So take a deep breath, think calming thoughts, and take your baby’s lead. We are happy to take the time we need for baby to be fed, changed, comforted, and lulled to sleep so the artistic magic can begin. Because of this, we require that you allow two hours for posed photographs and at least one hour for lifestyle photographs.