I had a really lovely newborn photo shoot recently with the Young family and their new arrival, Henry. I asked Mum, Petra, about her experience of her baby photo session ...
Why did you choose H Jones Photography for your newborn photo session?
"Recommended via Winchester babies group."
What did you like best about the session?
"How chilled you managed to get Henry and how relaxed the environment was. It didn't matter that he pooped and peed and ok to feed."
What could have been done differently?
"Nothing!"
How did you prepare for the newborn baby photo shoot?
"Looked at Pinterest for military based stuff but relied on Helen to come up with the creative stuff."
Would you recommend H Jones Photography to others and what are your reasons?
"100% for all the above reasons and Helen is a really nice person too."
...........
Thank you Petra! I really enjoyed taking your baby pictures! Helen x
I was delighted to meet the lovely Carrie-Anne Gumn and her daughter Olivia recently, when they answered my call for a newborn model. After delaying the session due to my daughter being poorly, I finally got to meet them at my home studio for their newborn photo session. Carrie-Anne answers some questions about the photo shoot below.
We had a newborn shoot done with our first baby so knew we wanted to capture those first precious weeks again with our second baby. I saw that Helen was advertising for a newborn model. I was due to give birth around the same time so got in contact with Helen and luckily she chose us!
Helen made me feel instantly at ease. I wasn't having the best morning as was already running late to get to the session and then got lost! Once I made to Helen's house it was lovely to have a nice warm cup of coffee (for once!) and a chat. Unfortunately my baby had other ideas about what was happening and took a long time to settle but this was no problem for Helen who did not appear fazed. Once my baby was settled and asleep I was more than happy to hand her over to Helen who handled her with great care, whilst I got to sit down and relax with another warm coffee!
Nothing in my opinion. Plenty of time was given knowing that babies don't always follow the schedule!
I followed the instructions Helen had sent me. I gave my baby a bath the night before. One the morning of the photoshoot I tired to keep her awake as much as possible so that she was tired when we got there and fed her again just before we left so that she had a full tummy and would hopefully fall asleep in the car.
Yes I would definitely recommend H Jones Photography. I was very at ease the whole time I was there, not rushed in any way and was nice to have some time to just sit and relax as new mummies don't get to do this very often! The final photographs are absolutely amazing and have a feeling that we will be using Helen again in the future for our family photographs.
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I also do maternity photo shoots, for those ladies that want a memory of their amazing achievement in becoming pregnant. I only wish my bumps had been as beautiful as this one... although, of course what was on the inside was perfect! If you'd like a bump photo session or a bump to baby photo shoot, get in touch via my Contact page.
I recently took some photos for the lovely Stephanie Briggs of La Di Da, Interiors, Luxuries & Gifts, a fabulous little shop in Andover. Steph stocks all kinds of beautiful objects, is an approved Annie Sloan paint stockist and runs some amazing workshops. She sells a range of upcycled furniture in the shop and online, hand painted by Steph, with nationwide delivery. I asked Steph to answer the following questions to inform and inspire us...
Fabulous hand painted up cycled furniture, gorgeous homewares, luxuries perfect for a treat for yourself or others and unusual gifts with a Country twist.
50% off Branche d'Olive Home Fragrance, Spring Clearance on certain goods eg Sheepskin Mittens were £18 now £9 per pair.
We don't have an official one... maybe I should work on that! To make your house into a home as unique as you are.
We pride ourselves on fabulous customer service, we source products from ethical makers and only use the best suppliers. We paint all our own furniture and Steph has trained with Annie Sloan and Jonathon Marc Mendes - you won't find our furniture anywhere else. Our creative workshops are becoming increasingly popular, we have a host of fabulously talented tutors who are also all practitioners in their respective field. We currently have paint, upholstery, jewellery making, macrame and floristry workshops planned.
La Di Da was started in 2011 by Nicola, she sold to me in 2015. I had a corporate career previously and wanted a lifestyle change. We wanted to start a family and I had a burning desire to do something more creative. When I saw the shop I knew that it was the right fit for me. Becoming my own boss has been a massive learning curve and it's been a bumpy ride in places (particularly whilst juggling pregnancy and latterly a baby) but I love it. The customers are fabulous and I love teaching workshops and buying for the shop.
Thank you, Steph, for sharing this with us.
Visit La Di Da at the Rear of 34 Bridge Street, Andover, SP10 1BW
Tel 01264 366 200
www.ladida-andover.com
I’ve got a poorly little girl and so the past week or so has been a bit of a write off. I was due to do a few newborn photoshoots but have had to postpone them in order to look after my daughter. I am sorry to those who’ve had to have their photo session changed but I’m looking forward to taking some more baby pictures very soon!
I'm really pleased to have had a lot of interest in my recent model call for a newborn photo session. I have some new props, such as different coloured blankets, wraps, headbands etc, which I wanted to try out, plus a new workflow. I'm delighted to have already done one of these newborn baby photoshoots at my home studio near Andover. Little Sophia Grace came with her mum Lilli one day last week and we had such a lovely morning, taking photos of the little bundle in a variety of poses. I can't wait to share some of the images soon! Here's a photo of my home studio all set up for a newborn photoshoot.
Hello! I’ve got a newborn photo session to share with you that features the fabulous Pickles family, who I photographed not too long ago at my home studio near Andover in Hampshire.
The entire family was present and ready for action: 10 day-old Theodore, 2 year-old Tabitha and Mum and Dad.
Theodore was born at Basingstoke hospital at 10.53pm weighing 8lbs.
"I went into labour properly from around 5pm but had had contractions throughout the day. At his birth was just myself and my husband as well as two midwives - one being a brilliant trainee! Seeing Theodore I felt relieved he arrived safely without any intervention. I was also a little annoyed with him - I had asked for a further 10 minutes for my epidural to fully take hold - he had other ideas and was born 7 minutes later!"
"During our session I loved how welcome my little family were made to feel. Being in someone's home can be awkward but you were so calm and welcoming it didn't feel that way at all. I loved how you took pictures whilst we were trying to get Teddy to sleep - they are my favorite ones as they are so natural. We did try to leave feeding Teddy before we came - so that we could get him to sleep more during the shoot - he obviously had other ideas! We had no worries about having his pictures done - but you were brilliant with him and so careful that had we had any they would have been qualmed easily."
"Advice I would give someone having newborn pictures would be to be ready for they not to play ball! Also really think about the pictures you want - I noticed that there are some lovely ones of Dave and both kids - but I never asked for the same at the time - it hadn't occurred to me!"
"We brought with us to the shoot the hat Teddy wore home from the hospital - sadly its too small for his little (big) head! Our toddler Tabitha is just 2 and loves the baby - 'Brother' as he is called. She loves being involved with him - patting his tummy especially! He loves to watch here - he is definitely aware of her in the room!"
Thanks for the fun morning and for choosing me photograph your lovely family, Sigrid and David!
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Model call alert! I’m giving my newborn photography portfolio a seasonal boost and therefore seeking newborn babies ages 6 days to 11 days old to photograph before the end of March 2018.
You’ll receive a free photo session, 2 free digital jpeg files, and a profile on my website and social media pages. This is a 2 - 4 hour commitment and the session will take place at my home studio, located in Anna Valley, near Andover.
To apply, please send me a message via the contact form on my website. Please include your baby’s date of birth, gender and a phone number so I can get in touch. I’ll be working quickly, so you can expect to hear back from me straight away, whether you are successful or not.
For those of you who aren’t interested or are unable to participate, you can still help me out by sending this post along to someone who may be interested. Thank you x
My friend Neil Smith of Neil Smith Illustration, has designed me a logo, which I absolutely love. I wanted it to be soft and gentle, to reflect the work I do as a newborn photographer in Andover. I love the use of sweet peas, one of my fave flowers, and the beautiful script he has chosen. Neil is based in Salisbury and you can find out more about his skills at http://www.neilsmithillustration.co.uk
Thank you Neil!
If you have a baby or toddler, finding local groups and activities can be a wonderful way to meet other parents, keep little ones entertained and discover new places to explore together.
Whether you're new to the area, on maternity leave, or simply looking for fresh ideas to fill your week, Andover and the surrounding Hampshire villages offer plenty of opportunities for little ones to learn, play and socialise.
This guide brings together some of the toddler groups, baby classes and family-friendly activities available in and around Andover.
Toddler groups are often one of the first places many parents make new friends. They provide a relaxed environment where children can play while grown-ups enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.
You may find local toddler groups held at:
Many groups offer a mixture of free play, crafts, songs and snacks, making them ideal for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
As schedules can change throughout the year, it's always worth checking directly with the organiser before attending.
If you're looking for more structured activities, there are a variety of baby and toddler classes available locally.
Popular options include:
Designed to stimulate your baby's developing senses through lights, sounds, textures and movement.
Many little ones love joining in with songs, instruments and action rhymes. These classes can be a fantastic way to encourage confidence and communication skills.
Baby massage classes offer a gentle opportunity to bond with your baby while learning soothing techniques that may help with relaxation and sleep.
Several local pools offer parent-and-baby swimming sessions, helping children gain confidence in the water from an early age.
Not every outing needs to involve an organised class. Some of the best days out are often the simplest.
Regular story sessions and rhyme times can be a lovely way to introduce children to books and language.
Andover is fortunate to have several parks and play areas suitable for young children. Pack some snacks, a ball and enjoy some fresh air.
A classic toddler favourite. Just remember that ducks are healthier with suitable bird food rather than bread.
The Hampshire countryside offers countless opportunities for little adventures. Even a short walk can become an exciting expedition when viewed through toddler eyes.
Perfect for rainy days when everyone needs to burn off a little energy.
If you're happy to travel a little further afield, there are plenty of family-friendly activities nearby.
A beautiful small town with lovely walks along the River Test, independent shops and family-friendly cafés.
Winchester offers museums, parks, family events and seasonal activities throughout the year.
Home to beautiful parks and attractions that make excellent toddler-friendly days out.
From soft play centres to leisure facilities and family attractions, Basingstoke offers plenty of options for young families.
Another popular destination for family days out, particularly during school holidays and seasonal events.
One moment they're lying happily in your arms, and before you know it they're running off towards the nearest puddle, climbing frame or muddy field.
The toddler years pass remarkably quickly.
Many of the families who visit my studio first met their closest parent friends through local baby groups and classes. Those tiny newborns soon become sitting babies, first birthday cake smash participants and energetic toddlers with huge personalities.
As a newborn, sitter, cake smash and family photographer based near Andover, I love documenting each stage as children grow.
Perfect for babies who can sit confidently but aren't yet walking.
A fun and memorable way to celebrate your little one's first birthday with portraits, cake and a splash bath afterwards.
Relaxed family portraits designed to capture genuine connection rather than forced smiles.
My peaceful garden studio in Anna Valley, near Andover, specialises in maternity, newborn, baby, cake smash and family photography.
If you'd like to learn more, I'd love to hear from you.