Is Newborn Photography Part of a Holistic Post-Natal Experience? | Geelong Baby Photography

Why I think Newborn Photography is Part of the Holistic Post-Natal Experience

So bit of a hot take, but I think of newborn photography as part of holistic post-natal care. The weeks after welcoming a new baby are some of the most intense and emotional days of your life. For me, after a 40 hour labour and blood loss, I felt like a truck had hit me and then backed up a few times. My body needed time to recover but I was in survival mode big time. Looking back now, I realise how important it was to be supported in every way during that time, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

That’s why I see newborn photography as part of the bigger post-natal experience. Post-natal care isn’t only about healing your body; it’s also about finding ways to celebrate and remember this huge life change in a way that actually means you step out of survival mode and actually enjoy the experience.

Supporting the Whole Journey

Many new mums now thankfully turn to professionals like osteopaths, physios, or lactation consultants for support with recovery, pain relief, and adjusting after birth. These services are essential - I know firsthand how much your body needs extra care after birth.

Now obviously photography is not a need, but it brings something important to this time: it forces you to step out of those everythingisblendingtogether days and just take a minute to sit there and think, holy crap, this is MY baby! Look how amazing they are! It gives you a reason to pause, breathe, and notice the little things even in the chaos of those first weeks and you can actually sit back and just watch your baby without any other chores or demands on you. And the best part? Those moments aren’t gone once the session ends, you’ll have those photos forever. Even years down the track, you can go back to them and be reminded about how little your bubby was. And you might need this when they are being a bratty teenager!

Creating Lasting Memories

The newborn stage is ridiculously fleeting. In the haze of sleepless nights and constant feeds, the days just kinda blur together. When I think back to those first few weeks, I really don’t remember much detail. But when I look at the photos from that time, I get to actually remember how little he was, how flaky his toes were, how he looked so much like dad even though it was me that had been in pain for 40 hours!

Making It Accessible

I know that not everyone feels they can fit a newborn session into their budget, especially with the costs of raising a baby. That’s why I offer flexible payment plans - because I truly believe these memories are worth preserving, and they shouldn’t only be for some families. Whether it’s spreading out payments or choosing a smaller package, there’s always a way to make it work.

And if you really can’t, please take your own! Take every photo you can imagine from every angle when you have some down time, and just back them up, print them, and keep them.

Connection

For me, it’s not just about the photos - it’s also about how you feel in the session: cared for, seen, and validated in your parenting.

You deserve to remember not just how hard it was, but also how much love there was.