Joanne Collins Photo Designs

I have truly been captivated by the world of photography since the young age of 12. At that time, I was using a Zenith camera, with untold numbers of macros and filters! Now at the age of 48 I own an extensive photography business that specialises in Newborn, Baby, Child Portraiture and Commercial Enterprise.

Newborn sessions are for babies ideally under the age of 14 days. I know this sounds so young, and like you, (before I began photographing newborns) considered babies to be newborns for their first 8 weeks. But for photography this window is so much smaller. As soon as your baby is born, they will start to uncurl and with each passing day they will become more awake and stimulated by the world around them.

As a photographer there are stages which work wonderfully well for capturing new baby milestones and there are other times where it may be best to consider waiting until your baby is a little bit older. I believe the best way to approach any baby session is to highlight the developmental stage and milestones they have reached.

Whether you would like a Portrait or Cake Smash session first birthday photoshoots are the perfect way to celebrate your child's 1 year birthday milestone. I have some beautiful sets with gorgeous backdrops and colour co-ordinated balloons, outfits and props. Because, in my experience, I have found that children become very overwhelmed with the cake, I now leave this out, but everything else remains the same.

The best time to have a maternity shoot is when you are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant although twins pregnancies should be done earlier and shoots can be done up to the due date if you are happy to do so. I have a selection of beautiful materials as well as dresses. It is advisable to bring with you black, nude and white pants and if you have one strapless nude bra.