Categories
Newborn Photographer

Themed Photo Session

One of the most exciting events for me to capture is a baby’s first birthday. This milestone is a big one and should be celebrated in a fun and memorable way. I love to celebrate a first birthday with a themed photo session. I can create a bespoke theme for your session but in this blog post, we’ll look at a range of fun themes to inspire you.

1. Disney Theme

A Disney-themed first birthday is a classic choice for parents who want to create a magical and whimsical celebration for their little one. You can choose a favourite Disney character, like Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh, and incorporate that character into the photoshoot. For example, we can use Disney-themed props like ears, balloons, and toys, and decorate your cake with a character figurine or theme.

Disney Cakesmash
Disney Themed Photo Session

2. Car/Sports Theme

For parents who love cars, sports etc, a hobby-themed first birthday can be a fun and playful way to celebrate their baby’s milestone. You can choose a favourite car or sports team, and incorporate the colours or logo into the cakesmash photoshoot. You can also use themed props to create a cohesive look.

Car Theme Cakesmash
Themed Photo Session for 1st birthday

3. Teddy Bear Theme

A teddy-themed first birthday is a colourful and vibrant way to celebrate your baby’s special day. We can use lots of colourful balloons in your backdrop along with your child’s favourite teddies. We can also incorporate other props like my moon and stars to create a mystical and fun atmosphere.  This is a definite favourite – it’s a classic one that won’t date. 

Teddy Bear Photo Session
Teddy Bear Themed Photo Session

4. Rainforest or Jungle Theme

A rainforest or jungle-themed first birthday is a great way to bring the wild outdoors to your baby’s celebration. We can use plants or animal print balloons for your backdrop and if you would like a cake, decorate it with animal figurines, patterns and greenery. We can also incorporate rainforest or jungle themed props like stuffed animals, binoculars, and hats to create a playful and adventurous atmosphere.  Bring along your baby’s favourite stuffed animal to add extra personalisation to your shoot.

Rainforest Photo shoot
Rainforest Themed Photo Session
Jungle Cakesmash Themed Photo Session
Jungle Cakesmash

5. Garden or Woodland Boho Theme

A boho woodland or garden-themed first birthday is a beautiful and peaceful way to celebrate your baby’s milestone. We can use a woodland or floral-themed backdrop and decorate the cake with flowers, animals, your child’s name and greenery. We can also incorporate garden-themed props like watering cans, flowerpots, my fun wigwam and butterfly wings to create a dreamy and whimsical atmosphere. 

Garden Boho Themed Photo Session
Garden Theme
Boho Themed Photo Session
Boho Themed Photo Session
Boho Themed Photo Session
Woodland Cakesmash Themed Photo Session
Woodland Themed Photo Session

A themed cake smash photoshoot is a fun and memorable way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. There are a variety of creative ways to incorporate your special theme into the photoshoot and I love creating new and magical ideas. One thing is for sure, and that’s we’ll capture special moments that you and your family can cherish for years to come.

Find more details here if you would like to book:

Cakesmash (fairydustandmoonbeams.com)https://www.fairydustandmoonbeams.com/themed-cakesmash

Categories
Newborn Photographer

Autumn colours and …

Autumn, what a beautiful time of year to be expecting a baby!

Not too hot as some of our Summer days were this year! The weather is still mild enough to be able to get out and about with your new arrival. You also have the added bonus that your baby will be more aware of their surroundings and Christmas activities!

As a photographer I love the Autumn. The light is kind and the colours of nature turns the blandest landscape into a work of art. It’s no wonder that Autumn inspires so many artists, poets and creatives is it?

Take a look at my gallery of Autumn toned images and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It’s also little wonder that so many parents choose Autumnal themed names for their babies born in the most beautiful season of the year.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=fairydustandmoonbeamsphotography&set=a.520690116729179

… baby names

If you are struggling to decide on a name for your baby due this Autumn, I’ve pulled together this list which might inspire you! Lots of these names are inspired by nature, transformation or the changing of the seasons or the colours of Autumn. If you know someone due an Autumn baby, make sure to share this list with them too!

Autumnal Baby Names for Girls ~ Hazel, Amber, Sienna Jora, Libra, Aurelia, Orla, Autumn, Willow, Saffron, Rose, Cerridwen, Gaia, Ivy, Raine, Bronwyn, Fearne, Maple, Scarlett, Sawyer, Apple, Aster, Goldie, Sorrel, Luna, Maisie

Autumnal Baby Names for Boys ~ Rowan, Reed, Russell, Filbert, Brandon, Bryn, Heath, Hunter, Adam, Oakley, Wilder, Rory, Asher, Demeter, Griffin, Leaf, Aki, Forrest, Woody, Bruno, Cedar, Hawk, Leaf

There are some lovely unusual names listed here but I’m sure there are many more. I’d love to hear your suggestions for Autumn Baby names so that I can keep my list updated. Comment below and let me know your favourites.

Categories
Child Photography Children Newborn Photography Family Newborn Photographer Photography

Is my baby too old for a newborn photo session?

Newborn baby session at 12 weeks old

I have been a newborn baby photographer in Ickenham for nearly 6 years and this has been the most difficult time to date for so many mums-to-be and new mums. I’ve had to postpone sessions and have been asked “Is my baby too old for a newborn photo session?’

Newborn baby at 10 weeks old

The joy

… of having a baby and capturing those precious baby portraits is such an important time for mums. I have spoken to mums and mums-to-be during this time, and seen posts on local Facebook pages. Dealing with the normal anxieties of having a baby is hard, but during Covid 19 it’s been even harder. Professional photo sessions have been impossible. I know for some it has caused sadness to miss capturing these early days of their baby. There is also the guilt if you already have photos of a sibling, of not having had a newborn session for your new baby!

Newborn baby at 6 weeks old

I am so happy

… to be returning to work on the 12th April and in being able to capture your precious baby portraits for you again. During the last year I did have a small window where I photographed some babies that were much older than the recommended 7 to 10 days. I was so happy that the majority of my sessions were easier than the recommended early stage! Sometimes baby is more awake, but I find that mums and dads always choose the awake photos for their packages. This is definitely a plus to older baby newborn sessions! Older siblings deal with older babies better too as they are more settled and not as delicate anymore!

Newborn baby at 4 weeks old

I have written this blog to reassure you

… that you can still get those newborn photos, even if your baby is older than 7 to 10 days. Your baby is still gorgeous, they are still tiny and the older they get, the more smiles we get 🙂

Here are a few newborn photos

… that I have taken with babies at different stages. I hope this answers your question “is my baby too old for a newborn photo session”? Your baby is precious and small for such a short time, enjoy these memories forever.

Older newborn baby images

If you would like to find out more about my sessions please take a look here: https://www.fairydustandmoonbeams.com/newborn

I still have a couple of sessions available in April and May then a few more in June. I would really love to hear from you and answer any more questions you have https://www.fairydustandmoonbeams.com/contact

Categories
Child Photography Family Newborn Photographer Photography

Time to play & learn…

… I think we are all realising just how amazing teachers are at the moment, keeping our children occupied & making sure they have time to play & learn all of the necessary things they need in life, whatever age they are … well maybe not for your little newborn baby quite yet x

As a mum …

… & child photographer, I spend lots of time with children and have been researching some of the best games around, mainly for toddlers & pre-schoolers, but some for the older ones too and families to play together! Hopefully this will keep everyone smiling, whilst learning & being active.

So …

… in no particular order, here are 16 of the highest reviewed games & toys for keeping our children occupied for different ages, all of which can be bought on https://www.amazon.co.uk/ so you don’t have to go out either 🙂

  • Fisher Price Game & Learn Controller – from 6 months
  • Achrinic Hip Hop Swing Goose – 12 to 18 months
  • Mushroom Garden – from 1 to 3 years
  • Toamies Hide & Squeak Eggs – from 1 to 3 years (I so recommend these, they are fab!)
  • Aqua doodle – from 18 months (personally recommend this too)
  • CozyBomB Magnetic Fishing Game – from 2 years
  • Top Bright Toddler Learning Game Set, Fine Motor Skills Montessori Toy – from 2 years
  • Best Learning Animal Kingdom book – 3 to 8 years
  • BELLESTYLE Baby Musical Game Carpet Mat – from 3 years
  • Lucky Ducks – from 3 years
  • Cardinal Baby Shark Gone Fishing – from 4 years
  • Tomy Pop Up Pirate – from 4 to 8 years
  • Disney Toy Story 4 Home Sprint – from 4 years
  • Cheatwell Games Eye-Spy with My Little Eye – from 5 years
  • BEST LEARNING i-Poster My World Interactive Map – 5 to 12
  • Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game – from 8 years

Please stay safe & enjoy staying at home, it’s a time to play & learn for us all 🙂

Much love

Natalie xx

Fairydust & Moonbeams Photography

Categories
Child Photography Family Newborn Photographer Photography

Photography, me and a little thing called time …

Photography, wonderful, world, time, inspiring, photo sessions, what really matters.

… seems to be on my side at the moment, which is very unusual as a newborn photographer! Spending more time with my children; clearing my editing back log; cleaning my house (well that’s work in progress ;); sitting in the garden; reading a book etc., but it took my photography business to come to a standstill to do this!

My World ...

had got to a stage where everything was a little too much for me, juggling far too many things and trying to please too many people at the same time. How could I juggle my family life and my photography life. No is a word I have always struggled with as I am very much a people pleaser, but you cannot please everyone every minute, you need a little thing called time!

I’ve finally got round to writing a blog!

Well, I’ve written 2 pages in the last 4 years, since I started my photography business! This time I plan to continue it! To share information you may relate to, find helpful or have no use for whatsoever! But I hope not x Mainly to give me some routine and reflection in these weird days of 2020, when Covid-19 has changed all of our lives...and to keep me busy with online requests to do art images for new mummies who I can’t visit!

Waking up trying to remember what day it is!

Teenage children who have struck up an amazing relationship with their beds! Cats that spend more time socialising with the outside World than me! A computer that has become my best friend! Clients booking me for photography that I can’t go near! Family sessions, cakesmashes, maternity sessions or my main heart wrencher, newborn sessions with my new baby clients who I miss terribly! But, I am healthy. My family are healthy. We have food. A roof over our heads. Time together to play games, to listen, to catch up with things we had forgotten about. Oh yes, and my dog loves me heaps for never leaving her!!

I am lucky …

I can embrace this time and am very grateful for that. No-one I know has had the virus thank goodness, and I’m realising the little things in life are the big things! I need to slow down and enjoy every minute, before regretting not, as I am sure some people sadly are now. Organise myself better so as I can enjoy it all, family, photography, the fresh air … we never know what is around that corner as we have found out in the last few weeks!

To my faithful photography clients …

who are waiting for the time they can have their photography with me, and new clients who have contacted me too. Thank you so much for your loyalty, my small business is a big part of my World that I love very much and I wouldn’t be here without you and your support.

I will see you soon, but, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy my blogs with a little thing called time … for yourself.

Keep safe

Much love Natalie x

Categories
Newborn Photographer

Saturday 9th February 2019 …

Happy Saturday to you all.

I have been a bit lax in updating my blog but life has been a bit mad!!! It has been the busiest January I have ever had here at Fairydust & Moonbeams Photography!  So many beautiful babies born already this year.  Thank you to everyone for choosing me to take your photos.  I  love every minute of capturing your memories 🙂

Today I am paying tribute to a different kind of beautiful mummy, Melati.  Another great love of mine is capturing beautiful animals.  Sumatran Tiger Melati was killed yesterday at London Zoo by new male Asim who was brought in to breed with her. Melati was mother to 7 cubs that I have loved photographing in the past couple of years. Dad was Jae Jae, equally beautiful.   Jae Jae was moved to a French zoo Le Parc des Félins on 30th January 2019. Zoologists hoped they would breed with other tigers as part of a Europe-wide tiger conservation program for the endangered Sumatran subspecies. It wasn’t to be with Melati, maybe too soon?  Maybe Jae Jae was her soul mate and she wasn’t ready. Tigers have feeling too.

RIP Melati, you were so beautiful xxx

Categories
Children Newborn Photography Newborn Photographer

Hello…….

http://www.fairydustandmoonbeams.com…..well it’s taken me a while to get on here with my photography but here I am 🙂

A little about me ~

Hello and welcome to my site and thank you for sticking around! I’m Natalie and Fairydust & Moonbeams Photography is my dream.  I have two beautiful children, age 13 and 12, this is when my passion in photographing children began.  I also love animal photography, going to London or Whipsnade Zoo is a regular occurrence for our family, but one day I would love to go on Safari and see them in there natural home! We have a dog, a cat, a kitten, a rabbit and a guinea pig, enough to keep us busy!!  I work from home at the moment as it works for everyone and provides a cosy and relaxed atmosphere which I love.

It is a beautiful day here in Ickenham, the sun is shining and it is my favourite kind of day.  My kids are off school, my animals are lazing around and I’m editing images of some of the gorgeous children I have been photographing over the last few days, tutu’s and balloons, lovely Summer theme.  I could just go on buying beautiful props for the babies and children I photograph, there is just so many beautiful things out there!  Off on holiday soon, can’t wait to look around to get some inspiring ideas for more summer colours.  Do you have favourite colours or themes that you like?  Maybe be favourite photos?  Let me know, would be lovely to hear from you.

I love seeing parents reactions when they see my photos, or hearing how happy they are with them.  This is why I always ask what colours they like etc.  I also love the children to have fun when we are having a session.

Hope you have a lovely day and see you soon 🙂

Much love

Natalie xx