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.

Milestones | The best age to capture cute photos off your baby

Baby Milestone Sessions

Capturing the tummy time milestone session is a delightful moment in a baby's journey, typically occurring around 3-4 months of age. At this stage, babies are brimming with smiles and are highly interactive, engaging in eye contact with their curious gaze. While they are not yet able to sit on their own or crawl away, they exhibit endearing behaviors such as chewing on their fingers, grasping their tiny toes, and successfully holding their head up during tummy time. These sessions are a joy to document and serve as timeless treasures to look back on.

This is an adorable phase where babies are smiling, laughing, and becoming more interactive. They are starting to roll over and are recognizing the sound of their parents' voices, which can be beneficial during a photo session. This age is perfect for capturing genuine moments of joy and engagement. Additionally, babies at this stage tend to have more regular sleep patterns, making it easier to plan a successful session. It's also the age when babies begin to smile at strangers, becoming more animated and socially engaging.

The baby milestone sessions are designed to be short, catering to the baby's attention span. They are also family-focused, welcoming parents and siblings to join in. The goal is to capture baby with their unique personality, and the precious milestones they reach.

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

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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.

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.

How to prepare for your newborn session? | Emma Pender Photography

How to prepare for your session? 

What should I bring to my newborn session? 

Newborn sessions go for about 2-3 hours in general so there are some essential items that you’ll need to bring.

They are:

• enough milk if you are bottle feeding. You don’t want to run out of this! Babies tend to feed a bit more during the session as their sleep is more disrupted.

• Nappies

• Dummy 

• Snacks and drinks for mum and dad

How to encourage my sibling to be in the photos? 

Prior to the session, we recommend talking to your child about where you are going and what you’ll be doing. Always talk really positively about it. The more aware they are about the session, the better! 

I also find having a little surprise or treat for your child for after the session, to be really helpful 

How to prepare for the session? 

We highly recommend trying to feed your baby really well, just before the session. That way we should be able to go through all or nearly all the session without baby becoming unsettled. A lot of clients love our photos of babies posed in props and they need to be really sleepy to pose them in this way. 

Another tip is to try to keep baby awake for an hour before making your way to the session. 

And lastly, relax and enjoy it :) 

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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.

Little bundle of joy | Emma Pender Photography

Newborn session in the studio with baby Pia

There is a profound and indescribable love that washes over you when you hold your first newborn baby girl in your arms. It's a love that transcends words and surpasses anything you've ever felt before. As you gaze into her tiny face, you're overcome with a sense of wonder and awe at the miracle of life. Every touch, every precious moment spent with her fills your heart to the brim with pure, unconditional love. In that instant, you know that this little bundle of joy will forever hold a special place in your heart.

Last week, Emma Pender Photography had the privilege of documenting an incredibly meaningful newborn photography session with baby Pia and her parents. The atmosphere in the studio was filled with an overwhelming sense of love and happiness, resulting in a truly unforgettable experience. As Pia peacefully dozed, we carefully captured her delicate features and tiny fingers, preserving timeless memories that her family will hold dear for years to come. Pia's mother exuded a captivating radiance, exemplifying the pure splendor of motherhood and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The studio session was brimming with tender moments, delicately capturing the essence of genuine love and the remarkable journey of motherhood. Each image from the session beautifully encapsulated the emotions and profound connection between Pia and her mother, ensuring that these precious moments will be cherished for a lifetime. We at Emma Pender Photography feel deeply honored to have played a part in this heartfelt and beautiful newborn session, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue capturing such precious moments for families.

Beautiful Ellie and Lily | Melbourne Newborn Photographer

Motherhood Session in the studio | Emma Pender Photography

Best Melbourne Newborn Photographer | Emma Pender Photography

2023 Melbourne Best Newborn Photographer

When should I make a newborn booking?

We only take a certain amount of bookings per month so we recommend booking as early as possible during your pregnancy to ensure availability.
When is the best time to photograph newborns?
For our style of photography we recommend doing the newborn session in the first 12 days after birth.

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Welcoming a new baby into the family | Emma Pender Photography

Time is such a thief

What I would do to have photos like this with my two little ones?! photos that show just how loved and small baby once was. Welcoming a new baby into the family is the most amazing experience and we need to document these special moments before they are distant memories. Time is such a thief

What to expect at a maternity session? | Emma Pender Photography

What to expect at a maternity session?

Maternity sessions will me are aimed to be enjoyable, relaxed, with no stress what so ever! I don’t expect anyone to know what do in front of the camera and not everyone enjoys having their photo taken. But I’m there to help ease you through each step.

Are children and partners included in the session?

Yes definitely!! I thoroughly encourage that they are in the photos so that when baby is old enough, they’ll be able to see this special moment before they entered the world.

When should you do the session?
I recommend doing the session at around 30-34 weeks of pregnancy, while your tummy is nice and round, but before it becomes more painful and tiring, closer to your due date.

Maternity sessions are held every day of the week, towards sunset time, at a quiet location in Sunbury or Macedon Ranges.

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.

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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.

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Melbourne Newborn Photographer | 5 Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer

5 Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer

With so many newborn photographers to choose from these days, it’s not easy to decide on who will capture your little bundle of joy! But, before you hire a photographer, make sure you ask these five questions to ensure that you’ll receive photos and an experience that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Newborn Photographer Question 1: What Experience Do You Have?

Every year there are more and more newborn photographers available to choose from but it is a job that requires years of practise, patience and expertise. An experienced newborn photographer will know about flattering lighting and posing, colour co-ordination along with the most important thing - keeping your baby safe!

Newborn Photographer Question 2: How Will You Keep My Baby Safe?

Newborns are fragile, and when you’re the first time mum, you want to know that your baby is safe throughout their session. It is essential that your newborn photographer has an assistant. Babies have a startle reflex and you just never know when they will flinch. This is why an experienced assistant is so important as they act as a spotter and second pair of eyes over your baby.

Newborn Photographer Question 3: How Much Time Will You Set Aside for the Session?

Photographing newborns is really unpredictable! Some babies just sleep throughout their session and others need a lot of time and feeding to calm them. This is why we only allow for one newborn session per day,: we don’t want to rush your session, we want you to feel relaxed as this will help your baby relax. However, on average the session will go for approximately 2-3 hours.

Newborn Photographer Question 4: May I See Some Examples of Your Work?

Most photographers have a certain style which should be clear on their website and social media. You should have a clear image in your head of what your photos will turn out like. Make sure you choose a photographer that is going to give you photos that you love!

Newborn Photographer Question 5: What Props Do You Have on Hand?

An experienced newborn photographer will most likely have a vast array of props and accessories to choose from. In our case, we make a lot of our own bonnets, headbands and wooden props as we love creating new and beautiful accessories for our sessions. There are some things that we can’t make ourselves and we source them from some amazing vendors in the USA and UK. We just love the look of their props and can’t help ourselves buying more for our newborn sessions :)

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When should I make a newborn booking? | Emma Pender Photography

When should I make a newborn booking?

We only take a certain amount of bookings per month so we recommend booking after your 12 weeks scan your to ensure availability.

When is the best time to photograph newborns?

For our style of photography we recommend doing the newborn session in the first 12 days after birth.

As we don't know exactly when your baby will arrive, the actual day of the session is decided once your baby arrives.

Time passes so quickly when you have a newborn and they will never be so small and sleepy again.

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