If you’ve been thinking about booking a family photo session in Sydney and you’re in the “what do I need to consider?” stage, this page is for you. Here are the questions I hear most often!
When should I book maternity photos?
Most mums book somewhere between 30 and 35 weeks. Your bump is beautifully visible by then, and you’re usually still comfortable enough to move around and actually enjoy the session rather than just endure it. If you’re carrying twins or feeling bigger earlier than expected, we can absolutely bring it forward — just get in touch and we’ll work out what makes sense for your body and your timeline.
When is the best time for newborn photos?
In the first one to three weeks, babies are tiny, sleepy, and brand new in a way that doesn’t last long and changes so fast. If you’re looking for slightly more interactive images, from around 4+ months you are likely to capture more alert moments, eye contact, delightful smiles and often a slightly more settled rhythm to the day.
Ultimately, there’s no “too late” for newborn photos, there’s only what suits your baby and your life right now. If you’re not sure, tell me where you’re at and we’ll figure it out together.
How long does a session take?
Most of my standard sessions last around an hour, which gives us enough time to settle in, warm up, and let things unfold without anyone feeling rushed. Many of my favourite images are capturing the in-betweens that unfold once parents and kids alike relax into the session and truly become themselves – chaos and all! Newborn and in-home sessions are especially unhurried, there’s always buffer for feeds, nappy changes, a cuddle pause, and to take the time we need to at baby’s pace.
Which areas of Sydney do you cover?
I photograph families all across Sydney — the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Northern Beaches, and the city, as well as in-home sessions wherever you’re based or staying.
While I’m always happy to suggest a location if you’re hoping for some ideas, don’t underestimate your local neighbourhood or a favourite hangout spot with your family which always brings in an added layer of meaning to your family images, especially in the decades to come.
I’m visiting Sydney — can you help me choose where to shoot?
Absolutely. Tell me where you’re staying, the ages of your kids, and the kind of feeling you want your photos to have — beachy, iconic, leafy and local, adventurous etc, and I’ll come back with a few options that suit your family, the light, and what’s actually practical in terms of getting there and back without adding stress to your holiday. I’ll also happily tell you the best spots to grab coffee or enjoy a great meal too!
Should I book an in-home or outdoor session?
Ultimately, I’d love for you to ponder on what you want the photos to feel like.
In-home sessions suit families who want something intimate and comfortable and relaxed – the particular texture of your everyday life, documented in the place where it actually happens. Outdoor sessions suit families who want space, movement, golden light, and a bit of adventure energy.
If you’re genuinely not sure, just tell me what you want to remember about your family right now, and I’ll suggest what I think will serve that best (it might end up being a mix of both!)
What if it rains?
Light rain can sometimes be worked with, and a sense of adventure and play thrown in. Heavy rain means we either reschedule or, if you’re flexible, pivot to an in-home session instead. Either way, I’ll be in touch in the lead up and we can work together to decide what is best for all.
What should we wear?
Once you’re booked, I send through simple guidance on this within my session prep guide — but the short version is: coordinated rather than matching, soft and neutral tones where possible, and clothes everyone can actually move and cuddle in. The goal is that you look and feel like yourselves and choosing from your own wardrobe is very much encouraged rather than feeling the need to purchase something new.
What if my kids don’t cooperate?
My short answer will be that your kids would then be absolutely normal haha!
In all seriousness though, my sessions are built around connection and play rather than performance. If someone needs a snack, a minute, or a full reset on the couch, we take it. Some of the best images I’ve made have come from the moment right after a child decided they were absolutely done, and we needed to pivot to accomodate – because isn’t’ that what life with kids is all about?
I promise you don’t need to manage your kids into good behaviour – this is entirely my job to wrangle on the day, plus there’s a magic within the honesty of it all!
Can grandparents be included?
Yes of course! Some of the most meaningful images I make are multi-generational ones. Some families have grandparents there for the whole session. Others prefer having them join for the first or last 15-20 minutes so we capture those three-generation moments, then continue with just the immediate family or vice versa. Most happy to chat through what you feel would work best for you and your family needs.
My house is small and a bit chaotic…can we still shoot at home?
Yes and yes!
You don’t need a large house or a particularly photogenic one. We typically only need one or two spots with decent natural light — a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen near a window. A surface tidy is plenty. I’ll walk through when I arrive and we’ll choose what works, you’ll be amazed at what angles and clever cameras can do.
But also, if we’re being honest, the lived in chaos is often part of what makes in-home sessions feel so real and beautiful— and ultimately what people actually want to hang on their walls and look back on in their albums.
Still have a question?
Send me a message anytime!
If you’re ready to book a Sydney family photography session — at home or outdoors — get in touch and tell me a little about where your family is right now. We’ll keep it simple and beautiful, I promise!
