I met Marion in the summer when she got in touch and offered to take some family photos for us. We’d been talking about getting proper family photos done for ages but never seemed to get around to it so when she offered, we were totally up for it.

She hung out with us at home to capture us in our element and we’re so in love with how the pictures turned out. This was obviously down to her skill behind the camera but also how comfortable she made us all feel. She’s my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for newborn photos and she’s written this great blog about things you might want to think about when having newborn photos taken to make it a relaxed and memorable experience.

By Marion Pelletant of Marion & You Photography

Everybody says it, but it’s true, when your baby comes, it will feel like a rollercoaster in every sense of the word. A pretty amazing and life-changing rollercoaster, to be honest. And you will see how easy it is to get caught up in the exhausting practical aspects of parenthood.

The first days and weeks fly by so quickly (even though they might feel that they will never end at the time). That’s why I always invite new mums and dads to pause for a moment. How will you remember those first cuddles, first feeds and nappy changes? Will you forget how tiny your child’s feet were after he/she was born? Photographs have the power to seize the early days of your new family life.

Having photos of your baby, whether it’s in the first two weeks or first few months, is part of a family self care process. The same way you are reaching out to a doula to care after yourself and your baby in your home, you can choose a photographer to capture the beautiful in your new day-to-day life as a family as a way to preserve an honest memory of these early days. With babies, creating those special photos at home are usually the best and this is why:

Home is where the heart is...

In the many months of pregnancy, we are waiting for this little person to arrive by preparing our nest. It’s our protective instinct talking. We get the baby clothes, the cot bed, the nappies, the nursery ready... We are ready to welcome our baby into the safest and most loving place we know: our home. That’s why I believe your home is the best place for a newborn photo session so you can focus on your cocoon and peacefully bond with your baby.

A place to relax and go at your own pace

Having photos in a studio involves a lot of constraints: not just leaving the house on time with all the baby equipment but you end up in a completely-new and unusual environment. In your own home you and your baby will feel in your element: if your baby needs a nap, she can lie down for a snooze by your side and you can nurse her in your comfy chair peacefully. Any newborn and baby photographer knows the importance of following the baby’s pace and being patient with everyone, including mum and dad who may still be learning on the go, as we all do. Let the photographer come to you so you feel more relaxed and your baby will automatically feel the same.

Details of your new routine

Life before children will seem like a long-gone memory as soon as you start your new routine with your baby: simple things like nappy changing, warming up the bottle or that new fashion look consisting of a muslin on your shoulder are actually great details to capture in photographs because they truly encapsulate your new family life. These small things have so much more meaning than what they appear to be: they represent the care and love you are giving to your child on a daily basis.

Milestones happen in the home

Your home is where your child will experience many of her key milestones in life: first time crawling, rolling, walking, her first words, etc... It’s where they will create their first childhood memories with you so is there a better place than home to start documenting your new family life?

The older siblings are part of the story

Even though we talk about a ‘newborn photo session’, the photos will include everyone in the family, including any older brother(s) or sister(s). It is important they feel part of a growing family where everyone has a place, where everyone matters, as you will all be in the photos. It’s a beautiful way of telling their story as siblings as they are just starting to get to know each other at this point. Capturing proofs of their early bond will give you photos you can really treasure for a long time.

Marion Pelletant from Marion & You Photography is a family, newborn and baby photographer based in South East London. Parents she works with enjoy how relaxed the sessions are as she simply follow the flow of their family. If this sounds like something you would like for your family, get in touch:

hello@marionandyouphotography.com / 07726884406

Visit Marion’s website