There’s definitely a change in the air.
Some mornings feel cooler. The evenings are definitely drawing in.
The leaves are beginning to turn (I had a client yesterday tell me she is very excited about this!)
And suddenly, it feels like autumn is here.
At the studio, it’s all change too.
Hannah has been busy transforming our theme room and building our gorgeous new autumn sets. We’ve already created our first few autumn portraits and I absolutely LOVE them.
There’s something so beautiful about this time of year. The warm colours. The cosy clothes. The feeling of slowing down a little after the madness of summer.
But change isn’t always easy.
Babies change incredibly quickly
If you’re in those early months with a baby, you probably don’t need me to tell you this.
Just when you think you’ve cracked something, they change!
You finally work out the naps… and they stop napping.
You find a routine that works… and suddenly it doesn’t.
They love something one week and hate it the next.
One of the most useful things I can tell any new mum is this:
Don’t measure your success by how perfectly today went.
A difficult day doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
Sometimes babies are unsettled. Sometimes plans go completely out of the window. Sometimes everyone is still in their pyjamas at lunchtime.
That’s life with a baby.
Try to look at the bigger picture instead.
Is your baby loved? Cuddled? Comforted? Fed? Safe?
Then you’re doing a pretty amazing job.
Give yourself time to find your confidence
I think we expect mums to instantly know what they’re doing.
But why would you?
Every baby is different. Every family is different. And becoming a mum is one of the biggest life changes you’ll ever experience.
Confidence often comes from doing.
You try something. You learn. You adjust.
Then you try again.
That’s something I see in the studio all the time.
Parents arrive worried that their baby won’t sleep, won’t settle or won’t “behave” for their photographs.
Then they realise there is no behaving required!
We work around your baby.
If they need feeding, we stop. If they need cuddling, they get cuddles. If they’re wide awake and looking around, we create beautiful awake portraits.
You don’t need a perfect baby to create beautiful memories.
You just need your baby.
Autumn has arrived at PhotoBaby
We’re taking that same approach with the change of season at PhotoBaby.
Summer is disappearing and Hannah has been working her magic in our theme room.
Our autumn sets are here!
We’ve already photographed our first few little autumn models and it feels so exciting to see the studio changing again.
Before we know it, we’ll be heading towards Christmas.
But first…
BabyFest is nearly here!
Saturday 26th September is coming up FAST.
If you’re pregnant, have a new baby or little ones, BabyFest is going to be such a lovely day out.
You’ll be able to meet some brilliant local baby and family businesses, discover new classes and services, enjoy taster activities, shop and have a good nosey around PhotoBaby too.
And the whole show is FREE!
But there’s something else I’m ridiculously excited about.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you definitely don’t want to miss this.
The PhotoBaby team will be creating FREE Harry Potter mini photo shoots during BabyFest.
Yes. FREE!
We’ll have our magical set ready and every mini shoot will include a complimentary digital portrait too.
So bring your little witches and wizards along!
A new season, a new chapter
Maybe that’s the lovely thing about autumn.
It reminds us that everything changes.
Our babies change. Our families change. Our confidence grows. Seasons move on and new chapters begin.
You don’t have to have everything figured out.
Enjoy the stage you’re in now.
Take the photographs.
Make the memories.
And if you fancy making a few magical ones with us, come and see us at BabyFest on Saturday 26th September.
It’s completely FREE – just make sure you grab your ticket before they’re gone.
We can’t wait to see you.
