Why you should or shouldn't have a first look and bridal photos before your wedding ceremony?

Have you heard of doing a first look for your wedding? Rather than the traditional approach of seeing each other down the aisle before having bridal photos, you do all of your photos before the ceremony and have a reveal where you see each other all dressed up for the first time on the day.

There are some pros and cons to doing first looks. I love both options and will always go with whatever the individual couple wants to do. If you’re on the fence here are some really good points to consider before making a decision. All of the photos in this blog post are from weddings with first looks.

Better light after your ceremony

I know some photographers prefer to do bridal photos after the ceremony. This is because the later in the day you do your photos the better the lighting is going to be. Say your ceremony is at 3 pm, which is pretty standard, that would mean your bridal photos would most likely be either 1-2 pm or 4-5 pm. The closer to sunset time the better but it doesn’t mean that doing photos earlier in the day is going to give you bad photos. Talk to your photographer about finding a location with some shade or tree cover, or do what we did and take most of your photos inside a building. If you’re still worried about the lighting in your photos, work into your timeline 15 minutes for sunset photos, this will give you another opportunity for great photos!

Take away the nerves

If you’re not really into old traditions and wanting a more relaxed approach then doing a first look will be perfect for you. Seeing each other sooner will ease any nerves and you’ll have more fun during the ceremony.

Photos first, party later

Personally, for our wedding we did a first look purely because we wanted to do photos for a shorter amount of time so that we could party and be with our guests (ironic that the photographer wants less photos for her own wedding day, right)! Even an hour away from your guests for bridal photos can feel like a long time and can leave couples feeling like they didn’t get to talk to everyone on their wedding day.

My favourite photo sessions with pet dogs!

We love our furry companions, so much that we treat them as if they are members of our families. Our two cats Maple and Fig will always be our ‘firstborn babies’ even after/if we have children.

When clients ask if they bring pets along to their sessions it’s a big YES from me. I’ll usually suggest bringing along an extra person to help lead your dog if you know they will get really excited during the photo shoot. Most of the locations I use are dog friendly or have a car park nearby so it makes it easier to bring them along even if it’s just for some of the photos. Here are some of my favourite shots from photoshoots (and weddings) with dogs! Take your pick and vote for the best-photographed doggo.

Tips for making your photoshoot with a toddler and newborn easier!

You’ve just welcomed your baby into the world and you’d love to document this special time with your growing family, but you’re not sure how to make this happen with a toddler or older children. The first few weeks are an adjusting period for everyone in your family, which is why I love and highly recommend doing your newborn photos at your home. Being at home takes the stress out of having to prepare a day bag of snacks, spare clothes, toys, nappies etc. Even the thought of trying to get everyone dressed and into the car on time is enough to put parents off leaving the house in those first few weeks.

LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER HELP OUT

The best thing about coming into your home is we can stop and start photos again at any time. If you need to change and feed your newborn halfway through the session your photographer and partner can entertain your toddler with fun photo ideas in the meantime. Some helpful hints I use with children are “let’s read a book with Dad” or “can you show me your favourite toy”? This gets them excited and gives you a 5-minute breather from photos.

MAKE IT FUN AND LIGHTHEARTED

The last thing young children want to do is be told to sit still and smile at the camera. It’s a rare moment when this happens! You’ll see at the beginning of this blog post I got a great photo of their toddler looking at the camera and smiling. This was at the start of our photoshoot which is often when I can grab their attention straight away for that key shot, the rest of the session you’ve got to go with the flow while making it fun and interesting. To mix things up try taking photos in a different room, this is often a good way to reset your toddler’s attention span. Also, give them a break while you have some photos separately with your newborn.

How to choose your perfect wedding venue?

You’re engaged, congratulations! Now you get to plan the biggest party of your life - your wedding day. It can be overwhelming all of the decision makings but there are loads of resources and tips out there for free to get you started. I’ve put together some tips on how to choose the best wedding venue as this is usually the first big decision to make.

Ohariu Farm wedding venue Wellington

Ohariu Farm wedding reception Wellington

KNOW YOUR STYLE AND VISION

What is your decor style and aesthetic for your wedding? Are you leaning towards elegant and modern, traditional or relaxed, rustic and retro, outdoors or indoors etc? Perhaps start looking for inspiration on Pinterest and get a feel for the overall look you like. When you start to visit venues or look online you’ll begin to build a picture of whether or not your vision fits with the space.

Foxglove Wellington wedding venue

Foxglove Wellington reception venue

BUDGET

First things first, let’s talk budget! For our wedding we originally wanted to make it happen with 20k, we quickly realised for what we wanted that wasn’t realistic and it ended up being 30k. Start with categorising the ‘must haves’ first and then work your way down the list. The most expensive things for our wedding were the venue, food, alcohol, photographer and wedding dress. They weren’t things we were willing to compromise on. When it comes to budgeting for your venue there may be extra costs like rubbish removal and waitress staff so make sure you do your research.

Old Saint Pauls Wellington

GUEST LIST/NUMBERS CAPACITY

Before you start looking at venues you’ll need to write a draft guest list so you have a rough idea of how many people will attend. When we started writing our guest list for our own wedding we aimed for 60 people, this quickly escalated to 80 people and unfortunately our booked venue usually only catered for 60-70 max (it was a tight squeeze during the reception, whoops). I definitely recommend sticking to the guideline that your venue provides otherwise it makes it really hard for waitress staff and guests to move around during the reception.

Sudbury wedding ceremony

Sudbury wedding venue Kapiti Coast

AVAILABILITY

What time of year do you want to get married, do you want a summer wedding or do you prefer cooler months? We decided on May for our wedding because we wanted our ceremony to be as close to sunset time as possible for the nice light in our photos. It was nice not standing outside on a hot summer’s day (being a photographer and working in the sun for hours on end is really challenging and also those wearing suits find it way too hot in jackets and pants).

Give yourself lots of time and pick a date that is 12-18 months away so you can ensure all of your favourite vendors are available.

Ohariu Farm wedding reception

Ohariu Farm wedding Wellington

ACCOMMODATION

Do you need to provide on-site accommodation or make this available for your VIP guests? Some couples like to make it easier for their guests traveling from afar to have accommodation included at the venue. This means that guests don’t need to worry about transport and can party without planning a sober driver.

Brackenridge wedding reception Martinborough

Brackenridge Martinborough

TRANSPORT

Is your venue easy to get to and order taxi’s from, or do you need to pre-book a bus to make sure guests get home safely. If there is alcohol at your wedding this is an important thing to factor in. For our wedding, we prebooked a large bus which did one trip from the accommodation our guests booked and then one trip back in the evening for about $900 NZD. Make sure you add this into your budget so it’s not a surprise when you start to look at booking transport. We also booked some earlier taxis in the night for children and grandparents.

Brackenridge wedding ceremony

Brackenridge Wairarapa

WEEKEND HIRE

Find out when you have access to the venue. Some questions to ask before you book are: can you set up your decorations the day beforehand, or do you only have access the morning of the wedding (which means hiring a team to make this happen since you’ll be getting ready)? And when do you need to have the venue cleaned and cleared by the next day?

Poppies wedding venue Martinborough

Poppies wedding ceremony Martinborough

CATERING AND BYO ALCOHOL

Some venues will have specific caterers that they work with or allow into their kitchen only. Find out what the catering options are and if the kitchen is fully equipped for an offsite company to use. You’ll need to choose between plated meals or a buffet-style, we picked a buffet style because we wanted larger portions and simple options.

Not all venues allow BYO alcohol due to licensing reasons so you may need to budget more for your venue’s drink prices. Find out if you can purchase wine by the bottle for your tables which will help slow down the bar tab. Don’t be afraid to be specific about what spirits your guests can drink to keep costs down (some weddings will even do spirits for bridal parties only for example).

Martinborough Tree Church wedding venue

The Vue at Martinborough Tree Church

SOUND LIMIT AND LIVE MUSIC

Check with your venue if there are any restrictions on noise for your reception party. Live music is great but it can be louder. Most venues will have a bar cut-off time which is often when the music gets turned down.

Peppers Parehua Martinborough wedding ceremony

Peppers Parehua Martinborough Vineyard

COVID19 POLICY

It’s a strange time we are living in so make sure you find out what your venue’s policies are around covid19 and if you have the flexibility to reschedule without penalty fees if needed. There is always the possibility of an outbreak, talk about the options and have a backup plan.

How to take maternity photos at home while isolating

Lockdown has unfortunately meant postponing a bunch of photo shoots. Some of these shoots are maternity sessions which are obviously more time sensitive and when we come out of lockdown may not be able to be rescheduled depending on due dates. I’ve put together some tips on how to take maternity photos at home just in case clients miss out on their session with a photographer. Hope this helps!

1. Pick a tidy spot in your home, I picked this corner of our living room. You don’t need a blank wall, there can be furniture that makes it feel more homely and authentic, just remove any clutter so it looks tidy (tv remotes, cellphones, too many pillows etc). Make sure its not directly in front of a window. You want a bright area with no direct sun. Turn off any lights to avoid a yellow tint in your photos.

2. Step off the background, you don’t want to be directly against a wall. The person taking your photo will want to raise the camera up (get taller than the person being photographed) and angle downwards, see the image above for an example.

3. Turn your body at a 45° angle, shift your weight onto your back leg and pop that front foot.

4. Stand up straight. Place your back hand on top of your bump and your front hand closest to the photographer scoop it underneath.

5. Play around with expressions, look down (towards your toes) and back at the camera.

Thanks to my flatmate Latasha for pretending to be pregnant for me today! Watch our video below to see these tips in action.

What to wear for your family photo session

Booking a family photoshoot is an important milestone for your family and I understand why you want to plan your outfits in advance. I’ve put together some easy tips and ideas to help plan what your family is going to wear.

START WITH YOUR LOCATION and ask yourself these questions:

Will your photo session be indoors or outdoors?

What time of year are you having photos taken, do you need to dress warm and comfortably? I photograph all year round, which means some families will need to dress appropriately for the season.

Do you want your outfits to look natural and cohesive with the environment? For example, if we’re going to a beach, it makes more sense to wear shorts or a dress and flat shoes, rather than dressing in a formal suit or heels.

MUM PICK YOUR OUTFIT FIRST

Mums you might find it easier to start with your outfit first! I know how hard it can be to find clothes or an outfit that you love. Is this a reason to buy the dress you’ve been eyeing up? You want to feel confident and beautiful for this shoot. You can then style your children’s and partner’s outfits around what you’re going to wear. You deserve this moment to shine!

WHAT COLOURS WILL BE IN THE BACKGROUND

Think about what the colours will be in the background, from here you can start to think about clothing and how these will blend or contrast. If your photos are in a garden setting with lots of green, you might want to avoid wearing all green but you could add in one element of the same colour. Try to pick colours from the same palette or similar in tones (bright and bold vs. earthy and neutral).

If your photos will be at home, grab inspiration from your decor and the colour of paint on the walls. You might like to grab some options from your wardrobes and lay them out on the furniture to see how they look in the environment.

ADD IN TEXTURES AND A POP OF COLOUR (AVOID TOO MUCH BLACK AND TEXT/LOGOS)

If you can, try to avoid black. While black can make us feel confident, it doesn’t always photograph the best if there’s too much of it. If your only option is to wear black pants, pair them with a coloured or textured shirt to break it up. This is important for maternity sessions, black (or even dark navy) coloured dresses can make it hard to see baby bumps.

Add in some textures if you are going for a matched look (everyone wearing the same colour). You can break this up with either a different type of fabric or a small pattern. Avoid big and bold patterns (like logos or large text). Small and delicate patterns are ok, the reason being you don’t want your clothing to distract your attention away from your expressions.

Don’t be afraid to add a pop of colour somewhere if that is more your style! No matter what style you pick, go for a look that suits your family. If your vibe is more relaxed and comfortable, then keep it authentic.

IF IN DOUBT, WEAR WHITE

White, beige, creams, and any light-coloured dresses or shirts always photograph incredibly well during sunset. White can sometimes be misunderstood to look too bridal or too bold. Lighter colours are perfect for engagement sessions, maternity photos and family sessions (maybe not as suitable for younger children who might want to run around and play).

DRESS LIKE YOURSELF

Dress like yourself most importantly! If you don't like wearing dresses, then definitely don't wear something that doesn't feel like you. Pull out your best pair of trousers and a t-shirt if you need to.

There are no rules for what is and isn't acceptable. It may be a professional photo session but don't let that intimidate you or make you feel like you have to dress a certain way. You want to recognise yourself in the future.

If you're having a tricky task convincing your little ones to wear a particular item, give them a few options that suit and then let them decide, it will get them more involved with the process.

RECAP

• For a more natural look, think of your location and what clothing would make sense to wear there in the current season.

• Try to pick colours from a similar colour palette or similar in tones (bright and bold vs. earthy and neutral)

• Mums, pick your outfit first!

• If you can try to pick outfits that aren’t all black (especially avoiding black or dark-coloured dresses for maternity bump photos)

• Avoid big and bold patterns (like logos or large text)

• Add in some textures if you are going for matching coloured clothing

• Dress like yourself

• If in doubt, white will always be a colour that suits everyone and will be forever timeless

STILL NOT SURE? BRING OPTIONS!

Still not sure, bring plenty of options or send me some pics beforehand for some ideas! Sometimes picking an outfit can be a last-minute decision. It really can come down to the weather on the day. Don't overthink or overcomplicate it. Wear what feels good and is practical enough to help you feel comfortable during your photos.

Bring options for children, especially if you need to have snacks on hand in the car ride on your way, you may want to change into outfits when you arrive. But also, a little mess on clothing isn't ever really a big deal and usually won't show up in photos anyway.

Bring coats and jackets, plus a hair tie in case the weather turns it on for us. Wellington can be highly unpredictable, which always keeps me on my toes!

Winter Family Photo Session - Eastbourne Wellington

Eastbourne is a popular Wellington spot for its long grass, beach setting and harbour views. Here are some of my favourite photos taken at this location from a recent session with Hannah, Josh and Archer, who had the best smile! This session was to celebrate Archer’s 1st birthday.

Wellington Newborn and Family Photography at Home!

My at-home newborn sessions are perfect for parents who have recently welcomed their newborn into the world. The reason I offer this type of photography and not studio photography is that being at home feels truly authentic and natural, while also making it so much easier for parents to get professional photos!

You may still be figuring out your baby’s routine while possibly feeling like you haven’t quite had enough sleep. I’ll be able to take away the pressure of having to be somewhere and the logistics of planning an outing with a newborn. If you have a toddler or younger children, they may feel most comfortable and settled being at home for these photos. We can also include any pets, which is a nice bonus!

I also really love that these sessions are taken in a space that is personal to your family, so in years to come your little one can see the home they grew up in (I know I feel nostalgic looking at my old family photos). Your space doesn’t need to be stylised or overly tidy. I’ll use 1-3 spaces that have minimal clutter and can help clear away anything that isn’t suitable when I arrive. I can make any home work for photos if there is enough natural light.

I like to capture moments of your family interacting in your everyday life setting while keeping things relaxed and easy-going. When your little one needs a feed or if your toddler wants a snack we can pause photos and since you’re at home you’ll have everything you need right there. We can also use any props or special blankets in the photos so you’ll get a lot of variety (Grandparents and Aunties love seeing their knitted gifts being put to good use).

At this point in time, I don’t offer studio portraits for newborn photography but if you're wanting natural and less posed photos taken in your home, this kind of session might be what you're looking for! These sessions are available all year round, so you can pick any time to update your family photos (weekends are limited during summer so do get in touch to find out more about my availability).

Here are some reviews and testimonials from families I’ve photographed! You can also check out my Google reviews for more up-to-date feedback.

“Jaymee took some family photos of us with our 4 month old. We are so happy with how they turned out and will treasure them for many years to come. Thank you Jaymee for your prompt communication and turnaround, as well as your fun and easygoing nature during our shoot.”

“We are so happy with our photos and would 100% recommend Jaymee and go back to her again. The shoot was super relaxed and we were really impressed with Jaymee’s quick turnaround, great communication and professionalism.”

“Jaymee took some incredible photos for us. But not just that, she was friendly, calm and created a great atmosphere, which really helped make the session in our home with two young kids a success!”

Using two different locations for your family photo session!

Celebrating turning one year old with baby Teo and his proud parents Daisy and Diego. To remember this time in their lives they booked a family session with two locations, starting with their new home!

If you can’t choose between having photos at a location or in your own home, my 1-hour sessions often allow enough time for an indoor and outdoor setting within the same area. Look for a park or a reserve close by to your home, or even your own backyard might be suitable. Here are some of my favourite moments from the first half of our shoot together (before we braved the freezing cold winter weather at the park.

This was our second location, I often drive past this reserve which was only a 5 minute drive from their home so it worked out perfectly for a second location.

Wellington Family Photographer - Newborn Session at Home

Having your photo taken isn’t something we do every day which is why my family and newborn sessions are easy-going, less about industry trends and more about the experience I can provide.

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEWBORN SESSION AT HOME

You're probably still figuring out your baby’s routine so being at home will make it that little bit easier for you. All you need is one or two spots that are tidy enough with minimal decorations and distractions (you don’t need all rooms to be perfect or clean before I arrive).

The best thing about being at home is your little one will feel more settled, having a stranger pointing a camera at you is one thing, so it’s good to keep it as comfortable as possible. If you need to feed or change an outfit then we can also make that happen with no stress!

Old Saint Paul's Ceremony and Foxglove Reception - Mia and Phuong

Mia and Phuong originally had me booked for their wedding in 2020 but going into lockdown, unfortunately, meant rescheduling. I’m so grateful to have been a part of their planning and seeing it all come to life after the anticipation of waiting patiently for their new date. It really was an incredible day and the best way to end my busy season.

They had their ceremony at Old Saint Paul’s Wellington followed by bridal photos at Moa Point on the windy coastline. We then made our way to their second location for bridal photos along the waterfront which was the perfect way to go into their reception at Foxglove.
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Thanks so much Mia and Phuong! Here are a couple of my favourite moments from the day.

Ohariu Farm Wedding Ceremony and Reception - Leah and David

Beautiful people and a beautiful wedding! Leah and David’s wedding had us all in happy tears. The love they have for one another is truly something special and I feel so lucky to have captured it alongside Karl who did their videography. Thank you to Ohariu Farm for having us two weekends in a row!

Ohariu Farm Wellington Wedding - Bryleigh and Ruben

Ohariu Farm is a wedding venue located 20 minutes North of Wellington city, it’s perfect if you’re wanting a farm or barn type of wedding setting without the hassle of traveling too far from home. Bryleigh and Ruben asked me to photograph their full wedding day from preparations through to the beginning of the dancing. Karl also made a highlight film for them documenting the most important parts from their first look through to their first dance, he captured it so perfectly!

They both had airbnb’s/accomodation for their prep photos which were stunning! A tidy space for getting ready makes a huge difference in the quality of your photos. A lot of thought went into the smaller details of their whole wedding... like designing and crafting their own arch, wedding invites, signage and rings, just to name a few. I loved the personal touches! Bryleigh works in the wedding industry so she has a good eye for detail.

It has been a pleasure getting to know Bryleigh over the past year. She actually played an important part in helping Karl design my engagement ring when she was working with the team at The Village Gold Smith.

Bryleigh and Ruben thank you so much for asking us to document your special day!

Wellington wedding anniversary photo shoot

Suné and Mark celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary with a portrait session! I'm so grateful to have documented this special time for them. We met at Truby King Park in Melrose for a 45 minute portrait session as the sun was setting. This is such a beautiful location for photos and sometimes you can hear the lions at the zoo roaring, just an added bonus.

Summer Romance Styled Shoot at Anam Cara Gardens Kapiti Coast

This styled shoot gives me that summer romance feeling! Britt from The Wedding Coach NZ did an incredible job of bringing these elements together. Our wonderful models Caitlin and David who are married (in real life) made the vision come to life and honestly made my job of photographing so easy.

Thank you to my partner Karl from Traveller Audio and Visual for this incredible highlight film! We now offer videos like this with our wedding packages too! Full list of all of the other talented vendors below.

venue: Anam Cara Gardens
planner and stylist: The Wedding Coach NZ
florals: Love Stomp Floral
signage: Day Dream NZ
mua: The Makeup Artist
hair: Wedding hair by Rachel
props and furniture: Made Lovely Hire
cake: Cake It Forward
dresses: Astra Bridal Wellington
suit: Mandatory NZ
video: Traveller Audio and Visual

Wellington family photography and styling tips for your photo shoot

Woooowie, how beautiful is this family! I had so much fun with Sam, Stefan and their two boys. They also gave me the best testimonial which seriously made my week! I freaking love my job.

"Jaymee did an amazing job with our family photos, I am so glad to have found her. She felt like a part of our family and was a true hero in making the whole experience a calming and sentimental time for us. Jaymee was so good with our two boys, she is a natural with children!"

I wanted to use this session as an example of different ways you can style your outfits. Booking a family photoshoot can be an important milestone for your growing family. It’s an important event and I understand why you would want it to be perfect because it’s not often you get professional photos taken.

Planning what your family is going to wear is going to add an element of styling to your photos. To form a cohesive look start with your location. Where will you have your family photo shoot? What kind of vibe are you wanting - do you want the environment to be outdoors like this session here, or do you prefer an in-home session?

Next think about what will the colours be in the background, from here you can start to think about clothing and how these will blend or contrast with the background. The colours might be seasonal but most importantly, try to pick colours from the same pallet or similar in tones (bright vs. earthy).

Mums you might find it easier to start with your outfit and then style your children around what colour you’re wearing. I know how hard it can be to find clothes or an outfit that you love so do a little research and spend an afternoon trying on some options (might be a good excuse to buy a new dress). You want to feel confident and beautiful for this shoot. No matter what style you pick, go for a look that suits your family. If your vibe is more relaxed and comfortable then keep it authentic.

Relaxed Maternity Photos at Petone Beach Wellington

If you’re expecting a baby there are a few reasons why you should consider having a maternity shoot! A maternity session allows you to book in a time that is dedicated to you and your partner celebrating your little bundle of joy. It’s actually a great chance to just hang out at an epic location and enjoy some quiet moments together.

To the Mums, this is your moment to shine and appreciate how amazing and beautiful your body is. Around 30-34 weeks is usually a good time to have photos taken as this is when your bump is showing but it’s not too uncomfortable for you to be walking around.

I loved this relaxed maternity session with Holly and Sam at Petone Beach. We took their photos right before and during sunset, the light was so beautiful and they looked incredible together! My maternity shoots are 30 minutes long, which is actually plenty of time for a photo shoot with two people (perfect if your partner isn’t too keen on having photos taken). You’ll receive a bunch of beautiful photos like in this blog post, delivered to you in an online gallery ready for you to use as you please.

I offer these sessions all year round during weekends and weekdays. Get in touch for pricing!

Two stunning Brides Married at Sudbury NZ - Grace and Gemma

A big congratulations to these beautiful ladies who got married out on the Kapiti Coast at wedding venue Sudbury NZ, Mrs & Mrs Prescott-Whitaker!

Grace and Gemma met through work, Gemma being Grace’s mentor in her first year of nursing practice. After 3 years of friendship they fell for each other! Grace proposed to Gemma at the peak of The Cardrona ski field in Wanaka. After convincing Gem to climb the hill in her ski boots “for the view”, Grace waited for the right moment to ask the question and she said yes!

They envisioned a day of love, family and friends, with relaxed vibes and a romantic atmosphere to create a day that everyone would look back on and smile. They wanted the mimosas flowing and the food plentiful. Some special features about their day, Grace’s brother wrote and read a personalised reading during the ceremony and their nephew who is just about to turn one danced his way down the aisle with his mum, it was the sweetest moment! Where they could they used local businesses and close friends with businesses and materials that could be recycled and used again, for example, their table names are now made into a birdhouse behind their house.

Karl and I had the most incredible time photographing and filming their special day. I’ve been photographing for the Whitaker family for a few years and had happy tears during their ceremony (did my best to keep my cool). It’s a day I’ll never forget and I feel incredibly grateful to have been a part of it. This was my last wedding for 2020, it was the best way to end the year.

Florist: Holly and Twine
Makeup: Kerry from Amber and co.
Outfits: Grace wore a Made With Love dress that she bought on Still White, second hand and in perfect condition. Gem found her dress on ASOS and it was magical.
Cake: Courtney Wylie
Catering: Sarah Senecke
Celebrant: Sarah Topliff

Feeling nostalgic and the best types of family photos at home - Wellington family photographer

When I think about what best represents a family photograph it's more than just a posed image. It's your home that you've built, the space that you are most comfortable in, and your most favourite place. I look at photos of myself as a kid and the images that speak to me the most are the ones where I am sitting on the couch with Mum and Dad, or playing outside wearing gumboots and farm clothes. These photos give me a feeling of nostalgia.
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If you've been thinking about updating your family photos, an in-home lifestyle shoot might be perfect for you! One day your children will have the same feelings looking back on old photos. I offer these sessions all year round and I travel to you, so it's perfect if you have a newborn or younger childen.

This is my third time photographing Amanda and her family, it’s such a pleasure seeing clients again as their family grows.

Styling your maternity session - Island Bay beach

Pregnancy is one of the biggest life-changing experiences you will go through. It’s incredible that our bodies can grow and nurture a new life. I loved this relaxed mini maternity session on Island Bay beach with Meron and Jordan. This was a quick and easy-going 30-minute shoot, which is often plenty of time for maternity photos. I’ve put together some tips for couples who are thinking about booking a maternity session and how you can style it in a way that is made easy.

FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION AND CHOOSE APPROPRIATE COLOURS

Let’s make the most of your shoot by choosing a location that’s going to inspire you (and your photographer) and make you feel good. Turn the session into a memory, somewhere you think you will enjoy the scenery. Light is everything, so talk to your photographer about the best time of day at a particular location.

Think about what will the colours be in the background, from here you can start to think about clothing and how these will blend or contrast with the background. The colours could be seasonal but most importantly, try to pick colours from the same pallet or similar in tones (bright vs. earthy).

HAVE OUTFIT OPTIONS

We managed to do one outfit change in 30 minutes. While you and your partner don’t want to look too matchy-matchy, pick outfits that will complement each other. Neutral colour pallets tend to work best, or fabrics with some texture but not overly patterned. Flowy dresses look stunning but keep in mind the length if it’s going to be windy at your location. Don’t be afraid to soft and light colours, this looks great during sunset.