Birth is a deeply intimate and spiritual process, and requires an atmosphere of peace and trust. My experience has taught me how to enter your birth space and move throughout the room without distracting you or your partner. I use my equipment thoughtfully and I shoot purposefully. I want each click of my camera to matter. I want you to be overwhelmed ONLY with the love of your partner, the strength of your own body, and the anticipation of meeting your baby.

Have you ever been at the park and all the other kids are playing together, but your child is on their own? Have you gone over to a friend’s place and noticed their 2 year old is talking so much more than yours? Do you ever wonder why other kids can ride their bike but your child just isn’t interested? Why will other kids happily go and play when they get dropped off at childcare, but your child just cries and cries and cries?

We sat down with Nikiesha from Barefoot and Salty and talked all things business and mamahood. Here are some of our favourite takeaways:

There is a lot of thought that goes into creating styled shots. Aside from the creative aspect, we always ensure babies are safe. They are never left unattended, and they are supported with hands on with advanced poses, when on posing surfaces or in props.

The first 1000 days (pregnancy through to a child’s 2nd year of life) are known as the critical window of opportunity. The mother’s mental well-being, the foods she eats during pregnancy and what she feeds her little one during this time can significantly influence a child’s brain development and their genetics.

“I sat with my daughter and we rummaged through an old biscuit in. We looked at sepia toned photos with weathered edges. She ran her chubby fingers over the photos and asked about the people. Who were they, what were their names, how were they part of her life?”

There is something to be said about the ritual of taking time to sit and pause, even if it’s just for a few minutes, especially in the precious days of pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

There is something so authentic and sentimental about writing down your memories and sticking photos into a book by hand. You’re hand writing something rather than typing it, and you’re having to hand stick photos into a book rather than dragging and dropping files into a virtual folder.

Tongue-tie has become a ‘hot’ term in recent times to explain all kinds of feeding challenges. These challenges are very real problems for parents especially mum however; we always need to remain cautious and vigilant when the intervention involves cutting a baby!

A doula’s purpose is to help mothers come as close as they can to having the kind of birth they want to have.

A big part of the parenthood journey is finding the holiday traditions that fit with your family values.

Pregnancy is a complex and vulnerable time for expectant mothers. They are going through major physical and emotional changes, which can increase the risk of depression and anxiety arising, even in women who have not experienced any before.

Photographing your own children can be frustrating! Trust me… my kids have ‘photographer’s child syndrome’ which basically makes them allergic to having their photograph taken by me. However, I have learnt a thing or two over the years. So I am going to give to you a few tips to help you with your daily documentation of your kids’ lives and keep you smiling in the process!

Samantha from Baby Logic talks about her international experience as a qualified Mother Craft Nurse, the differences she sees back home in Australia, and the importance of postnatal support in the first sixteen weeks.

Like many mums, I was rattled when my eldest, a ‘good’ eater of anything from broccoli to anchovies, turned two and started saying No and Yuck. Bananas, sultanas, and yoghurt hit the refusal list, and forget about lettuce and peas!

Having a positive birthing day takes preparation, research and education. We all have fears around birth. Moving from a place of fear into a place of confidence will not only ensure that you are better prepared for birth but it will help you to be more comfortable during labour and birth.

Parenthood is such a ride, wild at times and amazingly heart expanding at others. Life is busier than ever with little feet running about, so it’s easy to forget to stop and really be present with our little ones and to find the time to check in with them and let them know how truly incredible they are.

Birth is amazing! I love working and supporting women and their partners in their birth journey. I had the privilege of supporting Ashlee for the birth of her son Jasper. During a postnatal follow up I chatted to Ashlee about her birth and how she, and her partner James, prepared for birth in their own unique and personal way.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if all you needed was a hot cuppa tea, and all would be good in the world? Mums who are suffering from depression and/or anxiety after the birth of their baby are often told to ‘cheer up and get over it’, and that all new mums ‘feel like this’.

Have you ever noticed when you are in a bad mood or feeling tired and exhausted, that you are more effected by your child’s behaviour or any life challenges you might be facing?