If there’s one thing babies have taught me over the last 18 years, it’s this…
Things rarely go exactly to plan.
And that’s usually where the magic happens.
A Very Exciting Friday
Friday was a very exciting day. Although, I could definitely have done without the heat! By the end of the day I looked more like a beetroot than a photographer.
The reason for all the excitement?
We welcomed Millie Radford from 22 Kids and Counting into the studio for her maternity portrait session. Along with her came the television film crew, who were there to capture everything happening behind the scenes.
It was such a lovely experience.
The Plan
Before the shoot, I’d planned a few really special moments that I thought would look beautiful on camera.
I had ideas for flowers.
For silhouettes.
And the whole session mapped out in my head.
When Someone Else Has the Script
The only problem?
The film crew had their own agenda.
They wanted me chatting while I photographed. They wanted me explaining what I was doing. They wanted different camera angles and different conversations.
Trying to photograph, take direction, answer questions and remember everything at the same time was definitely a challenge.
Whether it was the cameras or simply the nerves, my carefully planned ideas completely disappeared from my brain.
The Lightbulb Moment
It wasn’t until the crew had packed up and left that I suddenly remembered the flower portraits and silhouette images I’d wanted to create all along.
Thankfully, there was still time. The extra special touches won’t be in the TV show, but they are in Millie’s collection.
And that’s what matters!
Some of my favourite portraits from the session came right at the end. They were calm, creative and exactly what I’d imagined.
The Best Photos Aren’t Always Planned
It reminded me of something we see all the time here at PhotoBaby.
The best moments don’t always happen when everything goes perfectly.
Babies don’t follow a schedule.
Toddlers don’t always smile on cue.
Parents often arrive worrying that their little one won’t settle.
Yet somehow, those are often the sessions that produce the most treasured photographs.
Sometimes you simply need to trust the process.
A little patience.
Flexibility.
And a photographer who knows when to change direction.
A Little Sneak Peek
Before she left, Millie had a little preview of everything we’d created and loved what she’d seen.
In a few days she’ll be back with Harley to enjoy their full cinema viewing, choose their favourite portraits and start planning their newborn session too.
Their little one is due in September and we honestly can’t wait to meet them.
Introducing Our Due Date Club
One thing Millie was particularly excited about was our brand new PhotoBaby Due Date Club.
She’s kindly helping us launch it, and we’d love you to join too.
If you’re expecting a baby in August or September, we’d love to welcome you into the club.
Each month we’ll celebrate the babies who are due, share helpful pregnancy advice and give one lucky family the chance to win a beautiful portrait experience with studio credit to spend on the images they love.
It’s completely free to join.
Are You Due Soon?
If your baby is due in August or September, we’d love to celebrate this exciting chapter with you.
Click below to join the Due Date Club and enter this month’s draw.