Little Baby Samara came into the studio on such short notice for a newborn session, and with good reason. Her parents had just learned that early the next week, she would need to wear a hip brace due to hip dysplasia. The urgency of capturing her in all her soft, delicate, uninhibited glory before that brace went on was absolutely understood. It was a moment they wanted to freeze in time—a moment where she could still wriggle her tiny legs freely and comfortably.

As a photographer, but also as a parent, this moment hit home for me in a unique way. My own little Chloe had gone through the same experience with hip dysplasia. I knew all too well what it meant for Baby Samara and her parents. For a while, those tiny legs wouldn’t be able to kick or curl up naturally, and those sweet moments of movement would soon be paused for the sake of her health. Knowing this gave the shoot an extra layer of emotional significance for me, and it was my goal to capture the softness and serenity of Samara, just as she was, before the brace became a part of her early journey.

Sleeping newborn baby in a white onesie with pink polka dots.

A newborn baby peacefully sleeps in a white onesie with pink polka dots, exuding innocence and calmness.

Newborn baby softly gripping adult finger, symbolizing delicate bond and tender care.

A newborn baby gently grasps an adults finger, showcasing the tender bond and love between them.

Newborn baby sleeping peacefully on white blanket.

Newborn baby sleeping peacefully on a soft white blanket.

Newborn baby gently cradled by adult hands, bathed in soft peach light.

A newborn baby is gently cradled by loving adult hands, bathed in a warm peach glow.

Newborn babys foot cradled in adults hand, symbolizing love and protection.

A newborns delicate foot cradled by an adults tender hand, symbolizing love and protection.

Baby Samara’s shoot in our home studio

The session itself was filled with calm, patience, and warmth, though Baby Samara was quick to make her feelings known when the room wasn’t warm enough. Like any newborn shoot, we were working with a very small window of time between naps, feeds, and little bursts of grumpiness—those adorable, scrunchy, frowny faces that parents cherish. Baby Samara was no exception. As soon as the air hit her delicate skin, she let us know it was a bit too chilly for her liking! Once wrapped back up, or even better, once she was nestled into her mum or dad’s arms, all was right in her world again.

This shoot took place in our cozy home studio here in Aberfoyle Park, where we’ve crafted the perfect environment for newborn sessions. The soft lighting, comfortable seating for parents, and our go-to props were all in place, ready to make Samara shine. The focus of this shoot was all on her, and we kept the parents mostly in the background, occasionally swooping in for a cuddle or a reassuring stroke on her back. These tender moments, while not the main focus of the images, were everything for keeping the session smooth and Baby Samara content.

Adorable baby in beige knitted outfit with hat and pom-pom, cozy and content.

Peaceful baby dressed in a cozy beige knitted outfit with hat, lying against a soft white backdrop.

Newborn Samara in beige knitted outfit on pink blanket.

Newborn Samara sleeps peacefully, wrapped in warmth and love.

Newborn close-up in beige knitted outfit on fluffy white blanket.

Newborn baby in a beige knitted outfit resting on a fluffy white blanket.

Newborn baby in cream outfit lying in rustic woven basket.

A peaceful newborn in a cream outfit rests in a cozy, rustic woven basket on a soft white blanket.

Baby in knitted outfit resting in woven basket with white blanket.

Peaceful baby in beige knit outfit resting on a soft white blanket in a woven basket.

Newborn baby cuddling with father, showcasing tender moments and bond.

A tender moment of a newborn baby resting on their fathers shoulder.

Newborn baby wrapped in a plush white blanket with curious expression.

Newborn baby wrapped in a soft white blanket, gazing curiously at the camera with tiny hands visible.

Newborn baby resting on white blanket with curious gaze.

A newborn baby rests peacefully on a white blanket, gazing upward with wide, curious eyes.

Newborn baby lying on soft white surface in a peaceful sleep.

Newborn baby peacefully resting on a soft, white surface in a cozy onesie.

By the end of the session, we had a beautiful collection of photos that truly captured Baby Samara’s essence. Her tiny toes, her sleepy expressions, and even her grumpy little moments were all frozen in time. These images are now a part of her story—one that her parents will look back on with fondness. This newborn phase is always fleeting, but for Samara, it held even more significance because of what was just around the corner.

As a newborn photographer in Adelaide, I’m reminded constantly of how precious these early days are. Baby Samara’s shoot was a beautiful reminder of the importance of capturing every phase of life, even the tiniest ones, because they pass all too quickly. For Samara’s family, these photos will forever serve as a reminder of who she was before that hip brace, a little girl full of personality and sweetness.