Frequently asked questions | Emma Pender Photography

Top Melbourne Newborn & Baby Photographer

When is the best time to do my newborn session?

After nearly 8 years photographing the most adorable babies in Melbourne, we’ve found that the best age to do a newborn session is 7-10 days old. At this stage, babies are still very sleepy during the day (maybe not so much at night!) and very supple which is essential for newborn photos with props.

What if I don’t know when exactly my baby will arrive?

We only take a certain amount of bookings per month so that we can be flexible with babies arriving before and after their due date. We just ask that you let us know within a day or two of baby’s arrival and we’ll arrange the session date from there. If you haven’t made a booking and you’ve had a baby, still feel free to contact me and we’ll do our best to fit you in.

Where will the newborn session be held?
The session will take place at our cozy Sunbury studio, where we have all our dresses for mum, over 300 knitted bonnets, headbands, blankets, props etc

What type of newborn sessions do you offer? Posed newborns or lifestyle shots or both?
We photograph both posed and lifestyle newborn sessions and have packages to suit both styles of photography.

Can I incorporate sibling and family photos with my baby?
Yes, definitely! We offer two packages that includes immediate family. The gold package is really focused on the family and is more of a lifestyle session. The platinum package (our most popular package) has baby posed in newborn props and also photos of the family in our lifestyle setting.

What happens if my baby needs feeding during the photoshoot?
If baby needs a feed, you are more than welcome to do so in our studio. We encourage you to take your time feeding and we do not rush this process. For your privacy, we leave the studio while you are feeding. For the session to be successful, it is essential that baby is content. You may be concerned about how baby will cooperate at the session, but we have a lot of experience dealing with newborns and only 2 in 700 babies have needed to return to the studio another day for a second attempt.

What happens if I miss the newborn stage?
I highly recommend contacting me as soon as you decide to have a photography session. Every age is beautiful to capture and there are always options for a session.

On the Blog | Melbourne Newborn & Maternity | PhotographerEmma Pender Photography

Melbourne Newborn & Family Photographer

Melbourne Best Newborn Photographer | Emma Pender Photography

Platinium newborn session | Emma Pender Photography

Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photography Melbourne | Newborn Photography Melbourne | Newborn Photographer Glenroy | Professional Newborn Photographer Brighton | Newborn Photographer Hadfield | Photographer Melbourne | Baby and Newborn Photography | Newborn Photography | New Baby Photography | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Pregnancy Photography | Maternity Photography | Professional Newborn Photographer Oak Park | Professional Photographer Airport West | Photographer Melbourne | Photographer Keilor Park | Baby Portraits | Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Photographer | Photographer in Melbourne | Essendon Professional Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photography Melbourne | Maribyong Newborn Photographer | Pascoe Vale Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Professional Photographer | Melbourne Maternity Photographer | Professional Photographer | Newborn Photographer Melbourne | Photographer Parkville | Brunswick Newborn Photographer | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Baby Photographer Melbourne | Moonee Ponds Newborn Photographer | Pregnancy Photographer Melbourne

Family Photographer Melbourne | Emma Pender Photography

Relaxed and FUN FILLED family session in Melbourne

I just loveeee family sessions as I find it adorable how parents interact with their little ones and make them burst out with laughter. In this particular session, mum spoke of her desire to fill her house with beautiful photos that would bring joy to her home. This is why I do photography! My aim during the sessions is to capture the rawness of each family, the craziness, and love for each other. I strive to freeze those genuine moments that showcase the unique bond and connection within your family. The end goal is to create timeless images that will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart for years to come.

Storytelling With Your Child | Melbourne Family Photographer

capturing the pure innocence and joyful spirit of children

At Emma Pender Photography, we understand the profound significance of capturing the enduring essence of true love for your children. Our goal is to freeze those fleeting moments that define your unique family story, creating timeless photographs that will serve as a cherished heirloom narrating your journey for generations to come.

Through our lens, we aim to encapsulate the deep bonds and emotions that form the foundation of your family's love. Whether it's a shared glance, a warm embrace, or a playful moment, we strive to immortalize these connections in images that will stand the test of time.

By entrusting us to document your family's love, you are investing in a legacy that will be treasured by your children and their children after them. Let us help you create a visual narrative of love, joy, and togetherness—captured in photographs that transcend time and speak volumes without words.

As a parent, there are moments when time seems to slip by too quickly. Those fleeting seconds when you wish you could hit pause and soak in the beauty of your children as they laugh, play, and grow right before your eyes. It's in these instances of stillness that the weight of your life's journey settles upon you, and you find yourself reflecting on the path that has brought you to this point.

Every smile, every hug, every shared experience becomes a treasure to hold onto tightly. The chaos of daily life fades into the background, and all that matters is the love and connection you have with your little ones. These moments of pause are the ones that etch themselves into your memory, serving as a reminder of what truly matters in life.

So, as you gaze upon your beautiful kids, feeling the warmth of their presence envelop you, take a mental snapshot to cherish. Let time stand still for just a moment longer, savoring the purity and innocence that radiates from them. For in these simple moments of togetherness, you'll find the true essence of happiness and fulfillment.

Emma Pender is a Newborn & Maternity Photographer based in Melbourne, Australia

©2024 Emma Pender Photography

Melbourne Newborn Photography | Emma Pender Photography

The First FEW Weeks with your newborn baby

During those initial weeks with your newborn, you navigate the delicate balance of sleep deprivation, fluctuating emotions and unfathomable love for your baby. The essence of motherhood is a magical journey filled with precious moments shared with your partner and little one. Bringing a baby into the family also strengthens the connection you have with your partner as you navigate the joys and challenges of raising a family together.

True love and joy overflow in every corner of your new life as a parent, bringing with it a sense of fulfillment and profound happiness that knows no bounds.

The sweet smell of a newborn baby is a delicate mixture of innocence and purity. It evokes feelings of warmth and tenderness, drawing loved ones closer to breathe in this precious aroma. This scent is a reminder of new beginnings and the miracle of life unfolding before us. The sweet smell of a newborn baby is a gift that fills the heart with love and gratitude, imprinting memories that last a lifetime.

The sweetest baby in the studio | Melbourne newborn photographer

Baby Adaline | Melbourne newborn PHOTOGRAPHER

Baby Adaline and her lovely parents Holly and Matt made the big trip across to Melbourne from western Victoria for her newborn session. It really is amazing and so appreciated that clients are happy to travel such long distances so that we can capture these gorgeous moments for them. Holly and Matt decided to go with the platinum package for their newborn session, which enabled them to receive beautiful photos of Adaline alone in props and also timeless photos as a family in our boho setting.

Beautiful Ellie and Lily | Melbourne Newborn Photographer

Motherhood Session in the studio | Emma Pender Photography

Those beautiful Autumn sunsets in Macedon Ranges | Emma Pender Photography

Family sessions in autumn with Emma Pender Photography

Although Summer is definitely the most requested season for family sessions, my personal preference is Autumn! The light is absolutely gorgeous and sets in the most perfect spot behind the trees. Secondly, the sun sets earlier, which means we can start sessions just before 4pm rather than around 7.30pm in summer. Anyone with kids knows that this can be a difficult time to get them to cooperate. While we’re talking about start times, you might be wondering why we have to start close to sunset. Of course we could do a midday session, but we find the soft light at the end of the day really flattering, rather than the bright afternoon sun which will create dark shadows and overexposed highlights on your faces.
Autumn certainly is a bit more chilly than Summer, but I personally think that layers and knitted clothing look amazing in photos…so don’t be afraid to rug up :)

Emma Pender Photography featured as top newborn photographers in Melbourne

We have been featured as Shutterturf's top newborn photographers in Melbourne

Capturing the Timeless Beauty of New Beginnings
When it comes to newborn photography in Melbourne, Emma Pender Photography stands out as the top choice for exquisite and timeless portraits. Specializing in capturing the innocence and purity of newborns, Emma Pender Photography is renowned for their exceptional quality and attention to detail.
With a keen eye for capturing tender moments and a dedication to creating artistic and emotive newborn photos, Emma Pender Photography ensures that each newborn session results in stunning, cherished images that families will treasure for a lifetime.
By seamlessly blending expert photography skills with a warm and nurturing approach, Emma Pender Photography creates an environment where newborns are at ease, allowing their natural beauty to shine through.
For those seeking a top Melbourne newborn photographer to elegantly encapsulate the precious early moments of a newborn's life, Emma Pender Photography consistently delivers breathtaking, high-quality portraits that celebrate the joy and wonder of new beginnings.
When you choose Emma Pender Photography, you can be confident that you're choosing a photographer who will provide you with amazing, top-notch results every time. Discover the magic of newborn photography with us today.

Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Maternity Photographer | Melbourne Baby Photographer | Melbourne Motherhood Photographer | Melbourne Family Photographer | Top Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Best Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Best Baby Photographer | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Newborn Photographer Melbourne | Baby Photographer Melbourne | Sunbury Newborn Photographer | Macedon Ranges Newborn Photographer | Maternity Photography | Newborn Photography | Baby Photography | Ballarat Newborn Photographer | Bendigo Newborn Photographer | Bendigo Baby Photographer | Ballarat Baby Photographer | Ballarat Maternity Photographer | Bendigo Maternity Photography | Gisborne Newborn Photographer | Caroline Springs Newborn Photographer | Caroline Springs Maternity Photographer | Gisborne Maternity Photographer | Epping Maternity Photographer | Doreen Newborn Photographer | Doreen Maternity Photographer | Sunbury Newborn Photography | Newborn Photographer Melbourne | Baby Photographer Melbourne | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Family Portraits Melbourne | Sunbury Family Photographer | Doreen Family Photographer | Gisborne Family Photographer | Family Photographer Melbourne | Pregnancy Photography Melbourne | Maternity Photographer | Maternity Photo Shoot Melbourne |

Questions for your newborn photographer | Melbourne Newborn Photographer

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what age do you prefer to photograph newborn sessions?

Most professional newborn photographers know that babies are most ‘womb-like’ in the first 2 weeks of life. That means that the ideal time for a newborn session is generally when a baby is 5-12 days old.

The main reason that I like to photograph babies within the first 12 days is that newborns sleep a lot – typically up to 17 to 18 hours a day. Many of the poses I do require that baby be in a deep sleep. Older babies tend to be more awake and squirm around which makes posing difficult.
Having said that, every baby is different. You can get a 5 day old baby that is fussy and wide awake or a 18 day old baby that sleeps like an dream. It all just depends on the baby. Babies are never too old to be photographed, however the posing and expectations may change, but regardless of the age, you will receive gorgeous images from the session for you to cherish forever.

While I will photograph a baby at almost any age, I still recommend you book as soon as possible in order to make sure you have the option of those cute poses in props. We hate turning people away because they didn’t realise that newborn were photographed so early

2. How long have you been working as a newborn photographer?

Many people who have children feel like they would be well suited to work with newborns since they have had babies of their own. But newborn photographers will tell you that every newborn is different and you need a lot of patience to get beautiful photographs of babies that are unsettled. Having being in the business for 5 years now and having photographed over 400 newborns, we have acquired the skills to pacify a colicky and unsettled baby. Good newborn photographers are patient, kind, and gentle with your baby.

3. Do you provide props?

Scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, you can easily see how popular props have become. If this is the style of photography that you are after, make sure you ask your photographer whether they provide the props. Our bonnets and headbands in particular are very unique as we handmade them for our own business but also for newborn photographers all over the world.

4. Do you have a studio or do you travel to our house?

Professional newborn photographers may have a retail studio, a home studio, or they may travel to your home. Beautiful images can be created in any of those settings and one is not necessarily better than the others, however the style of photography may be different depending on where it takes place. Our set up and prop collection is immense and therefore we don’t travel to homes.

5. Do you have an assistant at the session?

Not all newborn photographers will have an assistant, some will ask a parent to help them during the session. We personally prefer to work together with Emma as the photographer and Toni as the assistant. As we are both very experienced, we know how to pose and spot baby in props to ensure beautiful photographs but also done safely.

Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Maternity Photographer | Melbourne Baby Photographer | Melbourne Motherhood Photographer | Melbourne Family Photographer | Top Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Best Newborn Photographer | Melbourne Best Baby Photographer | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Newborn Photographer Melbourne | Baby Photographer Melbourne | Sunbury Newborn Photographer | Macedon Ranges Newborn Photographer | Maternity Photography | Newborn Photography | Baby Photography | Ballarat Newborn Photographer | Bendigo Newborn Photographer | Bendigo Baby Photographer | Ballarat Baby Photographer | Ballarat Maternity Photographer | Bendigo Maternity Photography | Gisborne Newborn Photographer | Caroline Springs Newborn Photographer | Caroline Springs Maternity Photographer | Gisborne Maternity Photographer | Epping Maternity Photographer | Doreen Newborn Photographer | Doreen Maternity Photographer | Sunbury Newborn Photography | Newborn Photographer Melbourne | Baby Photographer Melbourne | Maternity Photographer Melbourne | Family Portraits Melbourne | Sunbury Family Photographer | Doreen Family Photographer | Gisborne Family Photographer | Family Photographer Melbourne | Pregnancy Photography Melbourne | Maternity Photographer | Maternity Photo Shoot Melbourne |

Melbourne Family Photography | Family Portraits | Emma Pender Photography

Introducing Family Sessions and Mummy n Me sessions

After doing so many maternity sessions out in the beautiful hills around Sunbury, we decided to start offering Family and Mummy n Me sessions to our repertoire.
Lets be honest, we all worry about how our children are going to behave during a photoshoot! That’s why we aim to photograph more natural shots and capture their personality, rather than posing them.
Here’s a couple of tips though that can help get the best photos of your little ones :)

Plan on doing something enjoyable after the session

As a reward, it can be a good idea to plan on doing something enjoyable after the session such as going to the playground, getting pizza or ice cream. Something that will will look forward to after the session has finished.

Let them shine

Children feed of our energy so it’s best to try to be as positive as possible prior and during the session. Let them relax and show their natural personality, while we capture the moment. Letting children be themselves, will keep them engaged for longer during the session.

Talk to them aboutt what to expect

Children will do best if they know what to expect. Talking to them about how they are going to meet with a photographer at a park, how long it will take, how important it is to have photos of the family all together, will help your child be in the right mindset.