Have you ever been drawn to a profession? I mean, did you always know that the job you are doing now is what you were always meant to do? 

I never felt that with photography. Especially not newborn photography!

In fact, it was my husband that owned the big fancy camera. I was quite content with my office job and never really thought about photography. 

But then our first child was born.

Isabelle was such a gorgeous baby, and as a new mum, I was smitten. I longed to capture each and every moment and lock it away in my memory vault to keep forever. The camera on my phone got an absolute workout, but even though hubby had a ‘big’ camera, he never showed much interest in using it to take photos of Isabelle. So, I took matters into my own hands.

From Office Job to Newborn Photography

My desire to take beautiful photos of my child led me to quit my office job and study photography. And the more I studied, the more my interest in photography grew. I had no idea where the study would take me, but I was thoroughly enjoying the ride. 

I tried a few different styles of photography, but I always found myself drawn back to families, children and newborns. And with the perfect subject in Isabelle, my newborn photography skills grew fairly quickly.

Honing My Photography Skills and Developing My Candid Style

Baby number two, Alicia, followed not long after Isabelle and I was in my element capturing these two gorgeous girls on film. By this stage I was well and truly in love with photography… But the girls were not a big fan of the camera. 

Every time I reached for the camera both Isabelle and Alicia would run away! They were busy little girls. Not keen to sit and pose when there were so many other things to do. 

This didn’t bother me in the slightest. I enjoyed the fun, natural style of photography. Candid shots that told a story and captured the essence of the moment. Some of my most favourite shots of the girls are when they are completely oblivious to the camera and are wrapped up in the moment and what they were doing at the time. 

When I look back at these images, my heart swells with so much love and happiness.

But My Strongest Why is Yet to Come

In early January 2015, we welcomed our youngest child. Another daughter who we named Sophie. Just like her sisters, she was an absolute angel. A beautiful, content, healthy little angel. I couldn’t wait to leave the hospital and bring her home to be with the other girls. 

Three little girls under three! What were we thinking! We knew it’d be crazy, but I was looking forward to it. 

However, my contented mama cocoon was shattered when Sophie was just six days old and developed a temperature. She gradually started getting warmer, but being a Summer day, I put it down to the weather and took extra steps to cool her down.

But as the day wore on, nothing seemed to work to cool Sophie down. She became hotter and hotter until her temperature reached an alarming 37.9 degrees. I was extremely worried by this stage and called the Health line for advice. They told us to take her straight into the Canberra Hospital. 

So, only one day after leaving the hospital, we were headed straight back there. By the time we arrived, Sophie’s temperature was above 40 degrees and I was panicking. 

Sophie was rushed straight in to be assessed. Her little heart was racing and she was very quickly surrounded by doctors, nurses and machines. Our hearts were in our mouths as we waited for results… for answers. It was the most terrifying time of my life. To see my newborn baby so sick, while all I could do was stand by, watch and wait.

In the mix of all the thoughts rushing through my head, I couldn’t help but think about photographs… The photos that were yet to be taken. Precious newborn photos I may not ever have. All the time Sophie was in the hospital, I just wanted to rush home and grab my camera so I could capture her precious newborn moments. 

It’s silly I know... The things we think about during our toughest moments. I stayed by Sophie’s side the entire time and prayed she would be okay, and the whole time all I could think about was whether or not I would be able to get a newborn photo of her.

Sophie was diagnosed with Meningitis. Fortunately, they were able to get on top of it quickly and, after some time spent in the hospital recovering, she was given a clean bill of health and was able to return home to us. 

We are so lucky to have her and as I watch the lively five year old she is today, I am so grateful that she has no side effects and is happy with a clean bill of health. The outcome could have been so much worse!

Photography Could No Longer Be Just a Hobby

Have you ever gone through an experience such as this? An experience that changes you forever. 

Going through this experience with Sophie, feeling such intense fear and worry, changed everything for me. The feelings I felt about wanting to grab the camera never dissipated. I couldn't let go of wanting to create memories of babies, children and families. Not just for my own family, but for other families as well.

From that moment on, I knew that photography could no longer be just a hobby for me. The pull to work as a photographer was now so strong.  And so, in March 2015, within months of Sophie being born and becoming sick, Hayley Carberry Photography was born.

In the years since I have been so fortunate to photograph so many beautiful newborns and their families. I have definitely found my calling and, now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. 

I know that not everyone has the same happy outcome as we did with Sophie, and I am grateful every day to capture candid moments for families all around Canberra.

Moments when their babies are brand new.

Moments as these babies grow and their personalities begin to shine through.

Moments that are captured forever in print so families can reminisce over them. 

Because life can sometimes take a turn for the worse and these memories may be all that we have left.  

Not only am I honoured to capture these moments every day for families. But I’ve also been fortunate to be able to give back in bigger ways. My business has allowed me to donate many times over the years to the wonderful charities and organisations that supported us when Sophie was sick. Five years on and it still brings me to tears how fantastic the staff at Canberra Hospital were during our time there. 

Life is so precious. Time so fleeting. Our memories so cherished. Photography for me now is my way of giving families the chance to capture these memories forever in print. Because I was in the position once where I almost missed this chance with my own child… And I wouldn’t want any other family to be in this position.

I would be honoured to capture your precious newborn moments. I have times available for newborn photography sessions. 

Get in touch today if you would like to make a booking. 

Until next time,

xx Hayley

I met this lovely family within the Arboretum in the Canberra parklands first for their Maternity photography session as they awaited the arrival of their second son. I love capturing these special moments as the body is truely precious & amazing.

Within all maternity sessions, I love to capture the whole family, including individual portraits of children & fun moments with Mum and Dad!

I believe the body is doing something truely amazing, and capturing this beautiful bump is such a special moment that is gone before you know it!

For the newborn photography session, this was held when Mr H was 7 days old and held within my Canberra studio. I love capturing the whole family for portraits where possible & also siblings together (which can sometimes be challenging too!) Capturing as many of the little precious memories as possible is important, especially the toes, hands, and of course Mum & Dad with their new addition too.

Thank you for allowing me to capture these beautiful memories of your family and to tell your story of this time in your life xxx

I met this lovely family a few years ago within my Christmas sessions, and this year this family won a gift card for their photo session, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving family to capture professional portraits.

This family has three beautiful children, Phoebe 6, Lyle 4 and Anabelle 2. However when Lyle was only 11 months old, he began having seizure like episodes that were like nothing his parents had seen before. These episodes were very distressing to see, they happened at any time, they would last for hours, and couldn’t be stopped. The spent the next 8 months seeing several doctors to try and find out what was going on. He had blood tests, EEGs, a Lumbar puncture and an MRI of the brain. All these tests determined that Lyle’s brain function was normal & was put onto trail seizure medication which worked. Amongst all the tests, Lyle also had a chest x-ray that revealed he had scoliosis &  was referred to Sydney Children’s Hospital to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Our orthopaedic surgeon requested an MRI of Lyle’s spine to check for any underlying issues causing the scoliosis.

On the 6th January 2017, the day that changed their lives, which is a day his parents will never forget nor should have to experience. They were also 6 months pregnant with Anabelle. It was during the MRI which ended up going for a lot longer than planned, & were to stay the night due to having General Anaesthetic for an extended period. Not questioning anything we headed back to the paediatric ward where we were met with the senior paediatric doctor, a bunch of nurses, a social worker and their doctor, who started tearing up when she saw us.  They were then told that Lyle had a tumour inside his spinal cord. They couldn't tell them much about it, & were referred to the Sydney Children's Hospital for immediate investigation.

During the next week at The Sydney Children's Hospital they met a lot of doctors, neurosurgeons, neurologists and oncologists & were told that because the tumour is inside his spinal cord, it is too risky to attempt to remove it, the spinal cord is small and intricate. One false move and Lyle could lose the function of his legs, bowels or bladder.  But to determine a treatment, they needed to know what kind of tumour it is, and this would require a biopsy that carries a 10% risk of doing permanent irreversible damage.

The 1st biopsy came back with inconclusive results, so a 2nd had to be done. Thankfully there was no permanent damage from either of the biopsies. When his biopsy result had come back as an Astrocytoma, also known as a Glioma – which is more commonly found in the brain. Lyle was too young for radiation, so the best course of treatment is chemotherapy to begin immediately. 

Over the next 72 weeks, Lyle had over 100 blood tests, 42 rounds of Chemotherapy, 16 delays, 9 lengthy hospital admissions and 6 MRI scans. On the 4th January 2019, almost 2 years to the day since he was diagnosed, Lyle finished his treatment. He is doing very well and loves preschool. His tumour is currently stable, and they travel to Sydney every 3 months for an MRI and a check-up. There will likely be more treatment in a couple of years.

It was a very tough 2 years for Lyle, our daughters and ourselves and we have so many people to thank for their support, including camp quality.

This family photography session was held within my studio in Canberra as it was held during winter and they decided my studio would be best. Before all my family photography sessions I send out a questionnaire to get to know further & to ask if there is anything you would like to bring along. This family had a beautiful quote to bring along

“Family - a little bit of crazy, a little bit of loud & a whole lot of love”.

I love how these portraits & memories with the quote reflect the children within this lovely family. So much love :)

Throughout all my family photography sessions I love to capture parents individually with their children, as well as children individually. Within all sessions I love to play around with the children & families. I love trying to get the beautiful smile by joking around, singing the children’s favourite songs!

I also love to mix up the session with using a few different backdrops and setups. This family chose a woodland theme backdrop for their children to play within, including using a few props!

To find out more about children & family photography sessions & capturing precious moments. Get in touch today to talk about options & ideas for your session.

From the moment you find out your expecting your first child, life suddenly becomes a whirlwind of activity to prepare for the new addition to your family. 

Even just thinking about what newborn essentials you will need can be overwhelming. When I was pregnant with my first child, shopping for supplies was daunting. I didn’t know what to buy, or, where to buy it.

If you’re a new expectant mum, don’t worry, I know exactly how you feel. Throughout my years as a newborn photographer in Canberra, I have had the unique opportunity to interact with many mums and to get their opinion on this topic.

So, based on my experience (from shopping for three babies), and the experiences of the mums I have interacted with, I have compiled a list of the top 5 newborn essentials that you will need.

Plus, I have also listed a few of my favourite baby shops in Canberra that stock these items, to make life just a little bit easier for you.

Top 5 Newborn Essentials and Where to Buy Them in Canberra

1.   Nappies

Immediately after your baby is born, you will need to put him or her in a nappy. Buying nappies can be a little overwhelming. Do you want to go disposable or cloth? What are the best brand? Which ones give baby rash and which ones don’t? Will they leak? Are they the right size?

Different parents swear by the brand of nappies they buy for their babies, which can be very confusing. But the fact is, the only way to know the brand you prefer is by testing different brands and finding the right one for you and bubs. Just make sure that the brands you buy meet Australian safety standards.

Having said that, below are some tips for buying nappies:

• Start off with sample packs. This way, you can test for quality and observe your baby’s reaction. Once satisfied with a brand, you can go for jumbo packs.

• Buy the right size. Disposable nappies come in a range of different sizes as well as options for both boys and girls. Depending on the size of your baby, they may be in the newborn size for a while or jump straight to the next size up. If you are considering getting modern cloth nappies, there are options that grow with your baby. These options can work out to be very cost effective.

• Avoid overstocking. Your baby will grow really fast especially during the first 6 months. If you buy too many newborn nappies, you may find your baby has outgrown them faster than you can use them. In later months when your baby’s growth has slowed down, you can stock up on nappies to last 2 weeks to a month. This will allow you to take advantage of quantity offers.

Where to Buy: 

Disposable nappies can be purchased in any supermarket or chemists. It can be worthwhile to shop around for packs on sale. 

For cloth nappies you can find a range at Baby Bunting

2.   Swaddles

Swaddles or Muslin wraps are definitely essential items for newborn babies. Swaddling helps newborns adjust to their new environment. Swaddling is also good for restful sleep as it immobilizes their little arms, preventing your baby from making rapid arm movement during sleep.

Baby swaddling is a recommended practice until your baby starts rolling over onto his or her stomach. This is usually up to 3 months, although some babies may need to be swaddled until they are 6 months old.

Tips for buying baby swaddles:

• Swaddles, like nappies, comes in all sizes and materials. You may want to buy a few different ones to find the best fit for you.

• Avoid swaddles that are made of a thick heavy material. As your baby will be in other layers of clothing, they may overheat.

• Buy swaddles made of breathable and absorbent material. 100% cotton or muslin is always a good choice.

Where to Buy: 

There are so many gorgeous swaddles available to buy, it can be hard to choose just a few. I love these Cam Cam Copenhagen Muslin Cloth wraps from Tip You’re It.  As well as the Aden and Anais 4-pack classic swaddles from Lellow.

3.   Baby clothes

As I’ve earlier mentioned, your baby will grow so fast during the first 3 months. So, when buying clothes for a newborn, you want to make smart choices so that your baby grows into them. It’s better to buy a size larger and roll up the sleeves and pants legs than to buy clothing that bubs will quickly grow out of.

Tips to buying baby clothes: 

• Bodysuits, rompers or onesies are definitely a go to clothing item for baby. They can be worn both day and night, have easy access for nappy changes and come in both summer and winter options. I recommend buying at least 5 onesies to begin with.

• Singlets are also a staple baby clothing item. They help keep bubs warm under clothes in winter and can be worn on their own with just a nappy in summer. I would get at least 5 of these as well.

• A cardigan or jacket is essential for the colder months along with other accessories such as beanie, mittens and booties.

• Don’t forget Bibs! Another essential that you should stock up on. You’ll go through a few of these.

Shopping for baby clothes can be very addictive, especially when faced with so many cute and adorable options. But keep in mind that the cute tutu or gorgeous overalls may not be so practical on a baby. Good for special occasions, not so good for day to day wear.

Where to Buy: 

Tip You’re It, Bokbo, Lellow Kids and Seed Heritage all stock a wide range of baby clothes that are both practical and fashionable. I would share my favourite, but we’d be here all day! There are too many adorable choices (but if you were to twist my arm, the rompers at Tip You’re It are so so cute!). 

4.   Baby furniture

Baby furniture is absolutely must have newborn essentials items. There are so many pieces of furniture that you can buy for a baby’s nursery but a cot, a bath, and a changing mat or change table are the most essential items. 

Tips to buying baby furniture: 

• A baby crib or bassinet is a nice to have furniture item but not essential. Babies can grow out of them very quickly. Your newborn can sleep in a cot using a baby nest such as this one.

• Consider how much you will use the baby furniture. If you plan on having more children, it may be a better choice to invest in high quality furniture that is going to last through several babies.

• On the other hand, it’s perfectly fine to borrow baby furniture from friends or relatives to save on costs. A new mattress is always advisable though.

• Whether you buy or borrow, make sure any furniture you buy or use adhere’s to Australian Safety Standards.

• Don’t go overboard on the blankets and accessories around baby, especially when they are sleeping.

• Stock up on at least two lots of cot linen and blankets as well as a good quality mattress protector.

• Just like baby clothes, make sure the furniture you buy is practical and works for you and bubs.

• Consider also getting a nice comfortable chair that you can sit and feed bubs or just sit and snuggle together.

Where to Buy: 

Tip Your It has some gorgeous unique baby furniture available. As too does Baby Bunting, who stocks popular brands. 

5.   Travel Items

An ‘newborn essentials’ list is not complete without travel items. Being able to take your baby out safe and securely is a must. So, you will need to invest in a good quality pram and car seat. 

Australia has very strict laws around the use of baby car seats, and rightly so. Your newborn will be the most precious item you will transport around, so it’s important to get a good quality pram and car seat that meets the Australian Standards. All reputable baby stores will know these standards and only stock items that comply.

Tips to buying travel accessories:  

• Depending on your lifestyle, budget and preference, you can try different types of car seats such as ababy capsule or a convertible restraint.

• Always make sure your car seat or capsule is fitted in your car correctly and is facing the right way for your babies age. (reverse for newborns).

• Take your time to test out both the car seat and prams available before selecting the best one for you. There is a wide variety of options and, next to your baby furniture, they will be your most used items.

• Look for prams that are easy to use, easy to fold and will fit in the boot of your car.

• Get advice from the shop attendants as they are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things prams and car seats. (all things baby for that matter!)

Where to Buy:  

Baby Bunting stocks are large range of both prams and car seats. You might want to schedule at least half a day (multiple times) to review and try out the different brands and styles. 

That’s it! 

A complete list of newborn essentials. Everything you will need to welcome your baby into the world. Of course, there will be other little items that will be helpful for when bubs comes. But in the early days, if you are breastfeeding, newborns really don’t need that much. 

If you decide not to breastfeed for whatever reason, adding bottles and formula will also need to go on the newborn essentials list, otherwise, with the items listed above, you are good to go! 

When shopping for items for your newborn essentials, remember to go easy on yourself and consider these final tips:

• You don’t have to buy everything at once; break down the shopping into several shopping trips.

• When it comes to baby shopping, the earlier the better. You may find yourself lacking in energy during the last months of pregnancy. So, start early.

And finally, don’t forget to consider booking in for a maternity or newborn photography session. This time in your life is so precious and capturing these moments may just be the greatest gift you buy yourself and your newborn. 

Get in touch today and let’s talk about your options. 

Until next time,

xx Hayley