rosalind julia photography

Newborn Safety during a Photo Session

2016-09-22T08:00:00.000+02:00

Newborn photographing is becoming more and more popular. The resultant photographs are so beautiful and dreamy that many photographers and people with cameras are launching themselves, untrained, into an area of photography that is not for the untrained! It is not something that is fun and just anyone can decide they would like to try.

A newborn is a person, a human being, not a doll. She has needs and feelings and needs to be handled with great care. Before you choose your newborn photographer please take note of these very important points.

1. Training, Training, Training and then some more Training!

I do not feel that anyone can become a newborn photographer overnight. In-depth training and hands on practice under the supervision of a qualified newborn photographer are vital to becoming an expert at newborn photography.

Training doesn't just include the art of newborn photography but also learning all about safety of the baby, how to handle them, how to read their cues and what poses a newborn can and cannot safely do.

2. Weird Poses

There are many weird and wonderful poses on Pinterest and the internet. Several of them are what is called a composite. This is two photographs put together in Photoshop to make one. Keeping a baby propped up and secure is vitally important so two photographs are taken where the baby is being securely held but then are put together to look like one photograph where the baby is balancing on her own.

Once again, proper training will teach the photographer how to do these poses safely and how to create the resultant photograph.

3. Reading Baby's Cues

Newborns have very real needs and a photographer cannot just go from pose to pose without attending to their needs. Knowing what a baby needs when it needs it comes from having children of one's own and from learning the different cries babies have. If things are not going to plan the photographer needs to know how to handle the situation, what the baby needs and how to soothe it.

4. Safe Poses

Not all poses seen on Pinterest are safe. Some are just plain insane.

Babies heads are heavy and they simply cannot hold them up. They need to be carefully positioned so they do not fall and injure their necks. They can also easily slump down putting pressure on their lungs and closing their airways. The pose may be the cutest you have ever seen but if it compromises the baby's ability to breathe for even one moment I will not even consider attempting it.

They also cannot tell us when the blood flow has been cut off to one of their limbs. Yes, babies can fold up in the most amazing way but knowing how to fold them is so important. It is very easy to cut off blood flow so knowing where limb is and checking regularly for no purple hands and feet is imperative.

5. Moving Baby into Position

Never, ever pull on a baby's limbs to get them into position. Gently move the baby using their own movement to help. If a baby cries once in a pose, shush them softly and gently rock them in the position. If they continue to cry pick them up out of the position. Try one more time. If they continue to cry, move on!!!

Babies have their favourite positions to lie in. Some babies simply do not like having their arms up, they like them tucked in. A trained photographer will quickly recognise this and work around it. There are simply dozens of possible poses so if baby does not like one then try another.

6. Never Leave Baby Unattended

Newborns have what is called the moro reflex. They startle quite easily and kick out with their legs and arms. They can quite easily and completely unexpectedly kick themselves out of a prop or topple over if the prop is not weighted down. So never leave the baby without someone watching her and no more than an arms lengths away.

7. Never try poses at home

I heard just this past week of more than one friend who tried a pose their newborn in a prop and it, with baby in it, toppled over. The newborns hit their heads and were injured. Is injuring the baby worth the photograph?

Please be careful and choose your photographer wisely.

What to Wear to a Spring Family Session

2016-09-15T08:00:00.000+02:00

The birds are chirping, the buds are blooming, and winter is officially over. That means it’s time for your spring family session. Here are a few wardrobe tips to ensure the whole gang looks smashing.

Play up the face that it's Spring! Have a necklace with a butterfly pendant? Perfect! An insect printed tee? Yes, please. Let the little ones dress themselves. If they really put on a creation bring along a change of clothes and we'll make sure everyone looks great.

Channel the colours of Spring. Whenever I go shopping in Winter I walk away so disappointed. Somehow everyone thinks that one can only wear black, grey and brown in Winter. Why can we not wear colour in Winter? Anyway, it's Spring now so you have full permission to wear all the colours of the rainbow. Look out the window for inspiration for your family’s colour palette. Greens, pinks, yellows, beige, khaki, and blues all work exceptionally well.

Layer up! Spring can be both warm and cool at one, so come prepared. We love spring scarves, light cardigans and dresses wth boots.

CONTACT US to find out more or CLICK HERE to book your family photo session.

Let's get colourful!

2016-09-08T08:00:00.000+02:00

Why do we have this idea that we only want to take photographs of our young children? What about photographs of our adult children? Photographs are not just to remember what our children were like when they were small, they also capture the connections, the love, the shared moments, the special bonds between the members of our family no matter how old they are.

Just a few weeks ago my father-in-law was killed in a freak accident on his farm. The moment we were told we literally couldn't breathe. One of the first things we did together as an extended family was to search out the boxes of family photos, comb through Facebook and our phones for photos of him and us with him. And we realised something sad though. Yes we do have loads of photographs of him but not all of us together and we don't have photos of him with all his grandchildren. And most of the photographs are horrible, blurred, grainy and not printable at all.

Don't let that happen to you and your family. When something happens you will treasure those special moments captured on camera that you can print out, put on the wall and remember the good times together.

This beautiful lady contacted me a while ago and said she had never, ever had a family photo session and she thought it was time. She rounded up her clan and we headed out into the river for a truly awesome photo session. This family shares so much laughter and fun. They love each other deeply and it is very plain to see.

A true testament to any dad is when he teaches his boys how to treat a woman. This dad has got it right. His boys adore their mum and treat her with such respect and kindness. They never let her say a bad word about herself and constantly tell her she is great.

I hope you have a wonderful day and don't forget to love and appreciate those who make your life complete.

CONTACT US to find out more or CLICK HERE to book your family photo session.

The number one tip to getting natural smiles

2016-08-11T08:00:00.000+01:00

Kiddies are completely unpredictable, even the older ones that we expect to sit and smile sweetly. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to get the best smiles we can. Over the years I have learnt what gets those beautiful happy smiles and what most definitely does not. Here is my number one tip and it is not what you would expect.

Do not try to get your child's attention or tell them to smile (unless I ask you to)

Babies and young children are often overwhelmed when they walk into my studio space. It is large and full of all kinds of interesting things. I am also a complete stranger. So the best thing to do is to sit on the floor directly behind me and say nothing. I need a chance to build a rapport with your baby or young child and get those natural smiles where they look straight into the camera.

Picture this scenario:

You're a small kiddo and have just walked into a very big, completely new room. A lady with a big black camera is sitting facing you and pointing it at you. And then she is talking to you and making faces. But mom and dad are also frantically trying to get your attention. Mom is on one side of the room and dad is on the other.

Then because you are just sitting there staring wide eyed at everyone Ouma and Oupa also start calling your name and trying to get your attention. Mom then starts clapping her hands above her head and dad starts promising ice cream. Where on earth do you look and is there any reason to smile? Everyone just looks crazy and making a heck of a noise!

This is the most common scenario I see and 100% of the time ends in wide eyed stares and eventually tears.

One of the first photographs of my session with this little man. He was still warming up to me and getting comfortable.

I need to get your beautiful baby or young child to smile for real at something I say or do. The calmer you are the better things will go. So taking a seat right behind me on the floor, keeping a smile on your face and not saying anything gives me the opportunity to connect with your little one and a much better chance of getting those amazing smiles and laughs.

Once he had warmed up and felt safe with me he was all smiles and happiness.

Here's to a great session!

The beauty of pregnancy

2016-08-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

Every session is unique in its own way but some families just stand out. The Bacalhau Family is one such family for me. Izabelle was the epitome of the glowing pregnant lady. She was positively radiant and she didn't even realise it. She carried with such grace and poise and was so easy to photograph.

A few weeks later her little man arrived such much excitement. She woke around 2am with contractions and by 3:15am was in her room at the hospital with her son her in her arms. If only we could all deliver with such ease!

And of course the whole point of having professional photographs taken is to hang them on your walls where you can enjoy them every single day. Professional photography is a luxury so why spend all that money just to have a disc or USB lying in a drawer somewhere and never looked at?

You can choose from stretched canvas, print on wood, a mounted photograph or a box frame. And I have some new products in development that I hope to be releasing soon.

I hope you have a great week!

Tips for emotionally preparing your husband for your family session

2016-07-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

For some of us, preparing our husbands for the family photo session is as exhausting as preparing the kids. If your husband is happy-go-lucky about photo day, that’s excellent. If you’re dealing with someone who’s reluctant, however, then here are some things you can do to help:

Some dads are worried that a crazy photographer is going to push them into some weird, uncomfortable pose and force them to smile. My aim is to capture real emotions and not forced ones so being weird with Dad is not going to help. Respecting him as the head of his home goes a long way to getting him to relax and enjoy himself.

Especially if this is your first session together with the family now that the kids are mobile, let him know how the session will go and discuss your expectations. Also, if you have to bribe the kids, communicate this with him so he can help remind them of the bribery.

Warn him that the kids will probably be crazy or freak out and that he should prepare himself for that. It's ok if they don't do what you want. I know how to handle like ones when they don't do what we want. Let your hubby know he can relax and I'll take care of it.

Let him know that the more helpful he is in getting himself and the kids ready, the less stressed you will be and the less chance of an argument between you arising.

Remind him that the session is only an hour or so and then it will all be over. This way, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and can stick it out.

If your husband is being difficult, bribe him to cooperate during the session as well. If it works for the kiddos, it may very well work for him!

And most importantly - remind him that you love him (and that he loves you, and that’s why he’s cooperating with this). Tell him how much you appreciate his support and cooperation in this, and how pleased you are all going to be with the finished photos.

I hope you have a great day!

9 Tips for a Successful Photo Session with Children

2016-07-22T10:11:00.000+01:00

We all know that family photos are so important but actually having a successful session with children, no matter their age does take some preparation and there really is an art to getting it right.

Here is my checklist of things that go a long way to ensuring your photo session is a success and that you get the images you have your heart set on.

1. Book your session for when you know your child will be awake and happy.

Booking your session at a time when you child normally takes a nap is a recipe for disaster. Early morning sessions normally go much better than afternoon sessions. Make the effort to schedule the session around your children and it will be so worth it.

The perfect family photo! This mum just loves this photo because it captures exactly what her son is like.

2. Feed your child before the session.

Also, pack something to drink during the session. I do not recommend bringing along snacks as once you have taken them out of the bag you will not get them back and we will have sticky faces and fingers.

3. Bring more than one outfit.

Make sure you always have backup clothes just in case. I suggest dressing your child just before you get in the car and after they have had all food and drink.

4. Let your child help when picking out their clothes for the session

By letting your child wear his favourite shirt or shoes will help him feel more comfortable. If his choice of clothing is awful or doesn’t match, see if you can use that shirt as an undershirt or tell him he can put it on for a couple of shots at the end of the session. You can also bring along the outfit you really would like your child to wear and I'll convince them to put it on.

5. Have a bribe in place.

This one is a little more tricky. The key is to not tell your child what the bribe is. Let me know what you are planning so I can use it when I need to during the session. Often if you tell little ones up front what the bribe is they cannot wait that long to get it and they start to get restless.

6. Bring along her favorite toy or blanket.

This will help your child be comfortable in a new and unfamiliar surrounding. Just be aware that this will probably become a prop in some of the photos, so bring something that is pleasing to the eyes or has sentimental value and you’d be okay with photos of it.

7. Talk to your child about the session and explain what’s going to happen.

If your child is informed about the situation, it will be less scary for her when she comes to the session. Tell her that she is going to meet a new friend who is going to take some photos of her. Let her know that you’ll be there with her and that we are going to have lots of fun. We might change her clothes once or twice and ask her to sit a certain way. During the session I will show her a couple of the photos so she can put two and two together.

8. Wear comfortable shoes.

It is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes to a session like this, as it’s challenging to chase a little one around in flip-flops or heels. During the session, I may ask you to grab your child if he keeps running out of the frame. Or I may have us walking around exploring, so we need to be prepared to keep our feet safe and comfortable.

9. Have Fun

I have three kiddies of my own and I love working with children. Take a seat on the floor right behind me to ensure your child looks in the camera and just relax. Taking photos of children is not about having them sit still and give us a fake smile. It is about capturing the essence of who they are. That includes funny faces and then running out of the picture too.

CONTACT US to find out more or CLICK HERE to book your family photo session.

I hope you have a great day!

Family Photo Session with a Difference

2016-07-15T09:37:00.000+01:00

When Heloise called and asked for a family photo session but she wanted to do it on a construction site my creative juices kicked into overdrive. For safety reasons we're not allowed on a construction site but who says we cab't use oversized construction vehicles instead?

So, Pieta, my very creative Studio Manager, found us some gigantic, bright yellow construction vehicles that were not in use and got us permission to use them for a family photo session. A very big thank you to Coleman Transport for letting us use them.

So off we trekked to the plot just outside of Windhoek and set about having a fantastic photo session with Heloise, her hubby and her two amazing boys.

So if you would like something out of the ordinary book a construction vehicle family photo session by CLICKING HERE or CONTACT US to find out more.

I hope you have a great day!

How to cope if your newborn photo session isn't going to plan

2016-07-08T09:22:00.000+01:00

We’ve all seen those adorable photos of new, little babies looking so peaceful and relaxed with not a care in the world. As new parents, we want similar photos of our children to send out to grandparents, make into screensavers, and blast out to our social media pages to show off our amazing baby. But then session day comes around and BAM! – your baby does not want anything to do with it.

You’re thinking, “Why won’t you stop crying? I’ve literally done everything I can think of, but you’re still not happy. Don’t you know I’m paying good money for this session? My friend's baby cooperated in her session, why can’t you just go to sleep and let us get some nice photos?!” If this happens during your session, I want you to stop, breathe and remember one thing: all newborns cry.

This is perfectly natural and not abnormal. There is nothing wrong with your baby for doing it. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately babies pick up on our stress and get even more distressed. I know I certainly did not want to be told to relax when I was a new mum; I got stressed just trying to relax!

But don’t let the crying upset you. I am not at all distressed and have learned to go with baby's flow. Embrace this moment in time. When you are holding your crying baby in your arms and are soothing him, true emotion shows through and those are often the photographs that you will treasure the most. Your child can look back at these photos once they’re all grown and remember the solace that they found in your arms. These tender moments are just as important, if not more so, than the sleeping, posed photos.

The point of booking a newborn session is to help you preserve the first memories of your child’s life. While posed photos are cute, you’re not going to look back and think, “Remember how cute she was whenever she would lounge around the house in the froggie pose?” because that didn’t happen. You’ll look back at these photos and remember all the nights you walked your baby around the house or rocked him in a chair and hummed lullabies to try to calm him down. Those times are very stressful, but they also help you form a bond and that’s what makes these photos treasured.

All that being said, you will not just get crying photos if things are not going as planned. I am quite happy to wait for baby to settle and become relaxed and peaceful. I am not at all rushed. Your baby is a little person and as much as we would love him to sleep for three hours solid and pose like a model he most probably won't. She is perfect in every way and even if she is awake I can still take photographs of her little hands, feet, lips and ears. You will get photographs that you will treasure for the rest of your life no matter what happens in the session.

The photos in this post are of babies that did not sleep throughout their session and things did not go according to plan. Not so bad after all.

I hope you have a great day!

The Importance of Maternity Photos

2016-06-30T16:51:00.001+01:00

Well, well. I cannot believe that I last blogged a year ago!! That is just insane. Where did the year go? I realised that I have seriously neglected my blog and have now made time to blog each week. I have great articles and topics I am so excited to share and of course plenty of awesome families that I have worked with that I am just bursting to share with you. So without further ado let's get started.

Why take maternity photos. You are most probably not going to put them on your walls in your sitting room but having them on a disc in a drawer somewhere does seem like a waste. So why even take them?

Even though pregnancy comes with a lot of difficult trials, it is an amazing time in your life. It is a time of celebration the of anticipation as you prepare to meet your little bundle of joy. It’s a time where you become strong – stronger than you ever thought you could possibly be. During this time, you create your initial bond with your baby that will continue throughout your entire lives.

There are very few women who actually feel like they are beautiful while they are pregnant – especially during the first pregnancy. However, the miracle of pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Swollen feet, stretch marks, and hormone changes aside – you are growing a real live human being inside of you. All of those side effects come from different things your body has to do to help nourish and protect your baby.

You are beautiful, and you should take the time to celebrate these changes and this amazing moment in your life. These photos will be a great gift to pass down to your child as an heirloom of your first memories with them. This is something they will treasure forever.

My little ones loving seeing maternity photos of me and hearing about how they grew in my tummy, all about their birth and my great excitement while waiting for them. When they have had a tough day and are really out of sorts I pull them onto my lap and tell them all about being pregnant with them. It always calms them and really boosts their confidence.

So if you are not going to put a huge canvas on your sitting room wall what can you do with maternity photos besides leaving them on the disc in a drawer. I have several lovely products perfectly suited to maternity photos. There are framed prints that can stand on baby's night stand, or an album they can page through when they're older or even a book of postcards that you keep as an heirloom.

CLICK HERE to find out more about my maternity photo sessions.

I hope you have a great day!

My Story Custom Jewellery

2015-06-24T10:51:00.003+01:00

What is your story? Create your very own locket with letters, words and charms that reflect the story of you.

1. Choose a locket and pouch.
2. Choose a backplate if you would like one.
3. Choose up to five charms.
4. Message me your order and email address on Facebook or leave a comment below.

Once I have confirmed I have stock to make up your order I will send you an invoice. Upon receipt of payment I will make up your locket and you can collect from my studio. Alternatively I can courier countrywide for N$75.

Preferred method of payment is EFT. You can also pay by Debit/Credit card or cash in studio when you collect.

Place your order via message on Facebook or in the comments below and let the world know the story of you!

Celebrating the small things in life

2015-02-27T09:56:00.000+02:00

My little man is eight months old and I just adore him. We've had an eventful month. He has five teeth that we all worked very hard for. He is rather a dramatic little man and kept us up many, many nights. He is also crawling and standing up against anything that will take his weight...my leg is the best.

I need sleep but I would not change our decision to adopt for the world.

I have finally figured out how to care for David's hair and for a white girl I think I've done a pretty good job. My first two attempts were somewhat frightening and lumpy in the extreme.

Have a great weekend!

Medication and Breastfeeding {an expert's advice}

2015-02-12T11:01:00.001+02:00

I asked a friend of mine, Dorle Verrinder, to answer some common questions about breastfeeding that I often get asked.

She has an M.Sc in Dietetics and a special interest in breastfeeding support. She completed additional paediatric modules with the British Dietetic Association, and undertook a specialist breastfeeding training course with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, a breastfeeding charity in England. She is a registered dietitian with the Health Professions Council of Namibia, and a member of the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA).

Medication and Breast Milk

If you are reading this you have probably decided you want to breastfeed, or you are already breastfeeding – congratulations! There is overwhelming evidence in the scientific literature proving the benefits of breastmilk for the baby as well as the mother, and the more and the longer you breastfeed, the more and the longer these benefits continue.

But what about medication? You may be wondering – what if I have pain of some sort, or need to take antibiotics for an infection, will I need to stop breastfeeding? What about my regular prescribed medication which I need to continue – does that mean I won’t be able to breastfeed?

The good news is that there is a wide range of medications that you can safely take while you breastfeed without harming your baby. The benefits of breastfeeding in many cases far outweigh the risks that may exist if the baby is exposed to the medication through breastmilk. Or, if a medication is known to be unsafe for the baby, there is often another medication that can be prescribed in its place.

You may have already checked information leaflets on common medications and found that it always seems to say that the medication is not suitable for breastfeeding mothers. So what does that mean?

When a medication is licensed, the manufacturer applies to get the medication licensed for treating a particular condition and a particular group of patients. If the drug is used outside its license, the person who prescribes the medication takes the responsibility. Medications are not tested on breastfeeding mothers, in fact it would be totally unethical to do so. Therefore, the manufacturers must make sure they write on the medication leaflet that the drug is not licensed for breastfeeding mothers. As a consequence, going by a manufacturer’s summary of the medication’s characteristics, very few drugs are licensed for use during breastfeeding.

However, this does not mean that these drugs are necessarily “unsafe” during breastfeeding. Few medications that pass into breastmilk reach a level that produces a therapeutic effect in the baby, and therefore it does not usually present a meaningful risk to the baby (there are exceptions of course).

To determine a drug’s safety for your breastfeeding baby, a number of factors are considered to make a judgement on whether the medication is likely to harm your baby or not. For instance, how well your baby’s body takes up the drug, how much actually passes into the milk, how the drug is metabolised (some drugs are turned inactive by the liver and are flushed out of the body with the urine without having an effect), whether your baby drinks when the drug has its highest concentration in your system which means more of the drug passes into the milk, and how much milk overall your baby is drinking.

Your baby’s age is important - in the first 3 days after birth, your breast allows more substances to pass through. Even though medication passes into the milk more easily in this period, the total volume is still low because your baby takes so little of the colostrum (30-100ml or even less per day). Also, very young babies and preterm babies have immature organs and may not be able to deal with medications as well as older babies.

Some conditions require treatment incompatible with breastfeeding, for instance, if the mother has cancer, she likely may have to stop breastfeeding for the duration of each course of treatment, because the medication may harm her baby. Medications for other conditions, like some type of painkillers or inhalers are generally safe to take meaning that likely you can continue breastfeeding as normal.

You can check the safety of specific medications during breastfeeding here: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.

The final decision about whether or not a medication is safe to be taken by you while breastfeeding lies with your doctor who prescribes the medicine. What the prescriber also needs to consider is whether there are any medical conditions in your baby that would make him or her more vulnerable to any effects of the medication, how much of the drug reaches your baby, and how this amount compares to a dose that would be given directly to your baby if it is used to treat children.

So what can you do if you have been told by your doctor you need to stop breastfeeding because of the medication you are taking? Discuss with your doctor if there is another medication that can be prescribed, ask your doctor to refer to a prescriber knowledgeable in prescribing during lactation, or your doctor may consult “Hale’s Medication and Mothers’ Milk” which list all the characteristics of a medication and what information is known as to its safety during lactation.

Remember, you and your baby are unique in terms of your health and breastfeeding circumstances and each prescribing decision must be made individually. It is important for the prescriber and you to weigh up the disadvantages for your baby of NOT getting breastmilk, what would happen if you do not receive your treatment, and how the medication may affect your baby.

If you really need to stop breastfeeding because of your treatment, there are a few things to consider. In an ideal scenario, you can prepare for a breastfeeding break by building up stocks of expressed breast milk and freezing it so that you can feed your own milk to your baby rather than using formula. This will not only save you money, but also ensures that your baby continues to receive your liquid gold and all its protective goodness which formula is lacking. Another thing to consider is that if breastfeeding is interrupted even just for a day or two, your milk supply will be affected, unless you express milk to continue to stimulate the breasts to tell the body to continue making milk. Reducing feeds gradually, especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding, is vitally important to avoid engorgement in the mother.

In conclusion, try to get as much information as possible and don’t be afraid to ask for alternatives when faced with the possibility of having to stop breastfeeding when you are not really ready to do so.

If you would like further support or advice please feel free to contact Dorle. All of my clients and fans receive a free 15 minute telephone consultation with Dorle if you mention you got her details from me.

Have a great day!

Valentines Photography Special

2015-01-22T16:28:00.000+02:00

Valentines is just around the corner and I decided to do something special.

Going from no children to one child is quite an adjustment. Then you go from one to two and life gets a bit more hectic and you go to bed felling pretty tired. Then some of us go from two to three and life takes on a whole new meaning. Going to church looks like you're going away for a weekend and actually going away for a weekend looks like you're moving house. And at the end of the day you collapse into bed, sigh and say to yourself, "It is so good to lie down."

Well...I think it is time to spend a few romantic moments with your partner without any kiddies around. I'm offering very special mini Valentines photo sessions. You can enjoy a glass of bubbly and some chocolates together and remember just why you fell in love. You can be all starry eyed and gaze lovingly at each other. At the end you will have some priceless photographs to treasure.

Of course not everyone has found there Valentine yet so if you're single grab some friends and come and share a glass of bubbly and chocolates and some laughs together.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Go to either 13th or 14th February on the calendar and pick your time slot. Once I have your booking I will email you to complete the process.

Loving someone else's child

2014-12-11T08:48:00.000+02:00

Adoption is a topic of many of my conversations as my husband and I have recently adopted a baby boy, David Zachary. Something I hear very often is, "I cannot love somebody else's child."

David at almost three weeks old, on the day I took him from the hospital to the children's home.

I agree. I have several good friends whose children I have come to love and enjoy over the years. However, they are not my own children and I will most probably never feel about them as I do about my own.

I photograph a lot of babies and children and I thoroughly love it. I enjoy them so much. They climb up into my lap and I play with them and cuddle and kiss them and I'm in heaven. But they are not my children and what I feel for them is fondness. I totally get not loving somebody else's child as my own.

David two days after he came home. He was almost four weeks old.

The thing is that David is not somebody else's child. He is mine. In June 2013 when my husband and I knew we wanted to adopt we started to think about our unborn son as just that, our son.

We did not know when we would get a baby boy but we started to prepare. We got some clothes, nappies, wipes, wipes and even more wipes and I made linen for his cot. We spoke about him often and chose names. Whenever I had a quiet moment I would think about him. I wondered all the same things that I did while I was pregnant with my daughters. I wondered what he would look like, what kind of little person he would be, when he would arrive. In my heart I was pregnant, I was just not carrying him in my womb. (Thank goodness, pregnancy is tough!)

At four months old playing on our bed with his big, big sister who adores him.

So we love and adore David just like we do our biological children. I scored in that I did not have to carry him in my womb, endure mind numbing fatigue, nausea like no other, swollen feet, having to wee every ten minutes and then the unmentionable pain of giving birth. David is our son, no one else's and it is easy loving him.

Five months old and learning to sit. He can stay upright for a moment or two before he topples over. Aren't those the most industrial eyebrows you've ever seen?

Burger Family Outdoor Photography Session

2014-11-21T14:44:00.000+02:00

Waiting for Beth and having fun with Bea.

I so enjoy this vibrant, close-knit, passionate family. I photographed little Bea when she was a brand new baby. I got the honour to photograph them as a family unit while they are awaiting the arrival of Beth. And I will be blessed to meet Beth when she is just a few days old and capture her newness and beauty.

We headed out to Parliament Gardens for some fun in the park.

Feeding her dolly.

Daddy's girls.

This is my favourite. Look at the adorable little expression on her face while she brushes her daddy's head with the flower.

Working with kiddies is always a great experience. Mom and Dad look great but little Miss Bea has her mouth wide open in preparation for her beloved dummy.

Thank you Bianca and Heinrich. It is always a pleasure working with you and thank you for choosing me to be your family's photographer.

God bless you abundantly!

Welcome Caleb | Newborn Photo Session

2014-11-11T11:14:00.001+02:00

Little Caleb is the most huggable baby. He has rolls in all the right places and a little face that just says, "Hug me!"

A very proud big brother.

A very beautiful mommy who is so serene. The perfect mum for two little boys.

I love this pose with dad. It is one of my favourites.

Thank you for trusting me with your new little boy. I enjoyed my time with your family and am really looking forward to seeing Caleb when he is a year old.

I hope you all have a great week.

Christmas Special Offer

2014-10-31T09:00:00.000+02:00

Are you stuck with what to buy that special person who has everything? Get them something that will last a lifetime. A photo session is the perfect gift as it is loads of fun, makes the participants feel really special and they get to treasure their memories and photographs for the rest of their lives.

Family, couples and baby sessions from N$790
Maternity sessions from N$790
Newborn sessions from N$1980

I look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome Kaitlyn Rose | newborn baby photography session

2014-10-29T16:30:00.000+02:00

Kaitlyn Rose is absolutely beautiful. She is one of those babies you can gaze at because she is just so lovely.

The little poppet's feet are so tiny and Daddy's hands so big and strong that his wedding ring easily fit over three of her toes!

My all time favourite photograph of Daddy's holding their little ones. It think it makes every woman's heart burst with love and pride when she sees her husband being a real man.

Thank you for the honour of photographing your precious family. I'm looking forward to seeing her on her first birthday!

I hope you have a great week!

Welcome Nonu Miguel | Newborn Photography Session

2014-10-23T12:05:00.000+02:00

Now this little man made me work very hard for the photographs. He was quite happy to sleep once he got comfy but I was not allowed to touch him thereafter. He cried like I was inflicting severe injury to him but all I would do was move his little hand or reposition his foot. or put a little hat on. Lots of patience, tenderness and care went into this session.

I think the thing that really touched me was when I handed the package of photographs to his mom and she looked at me and said, "Is this my baby?" She had tears in her eyes and was overjoyed.

I love this photograph. He just looks so little and cuddly and beautiful.

Thank you so much for trusting me with your baby even when he was crying so badly. I am touched.

I wish you a great week!

Husselmann Family Outdoor Photo Session

2014-10-21T11:53:00.003+02:00

This lovely family chose Avis Dam for their family photography session. I'm enjoying Avis at the moment. The grass is so long and dry with flashes of green from the rain last month. Late in the afternoons the sun shines low through the trees and bathes everything in warm light.

It was really a lovely session where I got to work with a beautiful teenager, a sincere primary school boy and a bubbly little pre-schooler. It was fun coming up with poses that would keep all three of them entertained. This one is my favourite.

I just love it when I capture a moment of pure happiness. It may not be the post beautifully posed or artistic photograph but it is the one that always gets a reaction because it speaks to us emotionally. It makes me love my job even more.

I never thought when I bought this trunk 15 years ago for R20 that I would become a photographer and get to use it to take such cute photographs.

Serene beauty...

After a little while the little one was getting a bit bored with this whole photo story so I got her to do some running for me. And then Mr Sincere asked to run too and he really came alive. He is not into posing so much so I'm really glad I got this natural, fun photograph of him.

I get such fun reactions when I ask for this pose. The littlies normally think it is yuk, gross, no mom. The teenagers always smile and the parents often get shy!

Mom and her little girl.

And with her big guy.

Chantell I think you are really beautiful and I hope that photograph makes you feel special.

It is really special for me to see parents so openly show their love and adoration for each other. It is such a great example for their children.

Thank you Chantell and Nolan for choosing me to be your photographer. It is a pleasure and an honour.

I hope you all have a great week!

Laura Emily | Newborn Photo Session

2014-10-08T12:56:00.002+02:00

I just loved this session. This beautiful little girl slept so well for us. Her parents are wonderful, calm parents. I so enjoy it when clients have thought about their session and come with ideas and things that are special to them.

Her mum is creative and really wonderful to work with. She brought along two beautiful flowers to use. I love how the photographs turned out.

The series of photographs I took with little Laura Emaily on her mum's absolutely stunning wedding dress are some of my favourite photographs to date. I think every little girl should have a photograph with her mum's wedding dress.

This photograph is not as easy as it looks. As soon as you touch a baby's feet even while they are sleeping, they move them and pretty wildly sometimes.

Thank you so much for choosing me to be your photographer. I am looking forward to seeing little Laura Emily for her first birthday.

I hope you have a great week!

Three Generations Outdoor Family Photo Session

2014-10-06T14:59:00.001+02:00

I love it when clients return for another photo session. It is so good to know that they enjoyed their experience and where happy with the service and of course the final photographs.

I had little Zuné in my studio quite some time ago for a really cute baby photography session. This time her mum wanted an outdoor session as a birthday present for her mum. So we had Ouma, Ma and daughter all together along with Uncle and Hubby in a lovely garden setting.

I love photographing children. I am never quite sure what I am going to get. Here we were trying very hard to get Zuné to pose nicely in the chair with her Ouma. She had totally different ideas. I still really like the resultant photograph. It makes me smile because it reminds me of the story behind it.

I think as a photographer I have done a good job if I can evoke an emotion whenever a mom looks at the photographs of her family, whether it be a smile, a laugh or even tears of love and joy.

Thank you for choosing me to be your photographer. I feel honoured to photograph your family.

I hope you have a great week!

Callum | Newborn Photo Session

2014-09-29T16:31:00.000+02:00

This family is one of my favourite clients. They are just so enthusiastic about life, each other, their children and their photographs.

I met little Callum Josh when he was just a few days old and we had a wonderful session capturing all of his tininess and cuteness.

This image below is just so precious. Dad, Eben is a personal trainer at Virgin Active and it was pretty cool seeing his strong, muscled arms holding his little boy. Mom, Megan, so loved this picture she asked for the words of a really special song to be added and has given it as a gift to her husband.

Can you believe just how tiny their little feet are. Two little toes fit inside his Daddy's wedding band with loads of space to spare.

What a beautiful couple.

Thank you Megan and Eben for choosing me to be your photographer. It was such a joy and a pleasure working with you.

Swart Family Huge Fun Family Photo Session

2014-09-26T11:18:00.000+02:00

The return of Michau and his family. I photographed him when he was just 7 months old. He is now two and a half. He is such a little boy; he has his wild animals, loves being tickled and running wild. I looooved this session.

I love the reactions I get when I tell siblings to give each other a kiss or a hug. It always gets such a lovely response.

Bring in the wild animals, lions, cheetahs, elephants, the whole lot.

And bring in dad. And of course Michau was not going to pose with dad so dad decided to take things into his own hands.

And mom had a turn.

And I had a turn to get some smiles too.

And then we brought in sweet, dear, little sister who just sat quietly and watched the madness unfolding before her.

Family portrait time, eek!

Clap hands, precious little doll.

I am honoured that you came back to me to photograph your growing family. Thank you.

Have a great week!