Helen Bartlett / Family Portraiture

Celebrate the irreplaceable early days. Remember them forever with simple, stunning newborn photography

Timeless newborn photography

Curled-up, sleepy and beautiful, your tiny baby will spend their first few weeks getting to know a whole new world. These are days to treasure.

They’ll pass in a flash: before you know it, they’ll be smiling, sitting up and taking their first wobbly steps.

My newborn photography records these precious early moments in a way that’s unique to your family. I love to capture the powerful emotions and bonds that fill the room: the looks of wonder between parent and child, the glances of joy and pride between parents, the moments when love is so intense you have to pull them in close and breathe in their wonderful newborn smell.

My newborn portraits are shot in a natural style: the focus is on you as a family rather than props or elaborate costumes. The black and white images are timeless, they won’t date as fashions change and your children will love them throughout their lives.

Relaxed portrait sessions that work around your baby's needs

On the day of your photoshoot, I’ll arrive at your house early to make the most of our morning together. The mood will be relaxed and entirely baby-led, capturing their beauty in between feeds and changes. Naps are a wonderful opportunity to get some gorgeous sleepy shots.

It’s always lovely to include older siblings in your newborn pictures. The laid-back atmosphere means we’ll get some beautiful pictures of all your children, separately and together. And with over 14 years’ experience, I’ll help them to really enjoy the shoot, even if they’re feeling a little uncertain about their new brother or sister.

When to book

The most magical images are captured during their first fortnight, so I recommend getting a date in the diary before they’re born if possible. Otherwise the first few weeks go by in a blur of nappies and feeds and the moment is gone.

As we all know, babies don’t always appear on time so I’m flexible with changing the date if they decide to say hello much earlier or later.

If you prefer not to book in before they arrive, do please get in touch and I’ll always do my very best to fit in newborn shoots at short notice.

Poppy's story

Poppy's story

I’ve been photographing Poppy since she was just one week old.  I remember that day so well and can hardly believe it was back in 2004. It was beautifully hot and sunny, so we spent most of the session outside in the garden, putting a duvet on the lawn to make Poppy comfortable.

Since that lovely day, we’ve done eleven more shoots and Poppy’s brother Edward has joined the family. Sessions have continued to take place at the family home and surrounding parks and woodland. We’ve also ventured further afield with some holiday shoots. I’ve travelled to join the family for a day of smile-filled photography by the sea in Cornwall.

Looking at your tiny newborn it seems as if these early days will last forever but time flies by so fast. Planning regular photo sessions does take organisation but the results are so wonderful, an heirloom beyond price to pass down to your children.

Helen photographed both my girls when they were just a few days old, and I can sincerely say that the photos and albums she produced are some of my most treasured possessions. Her photography is exquisite, and she manages to produce the most stunning pictures from the most ordinary surroundings. Having the newborn shoots done at home, and Helen's natural affinity with children, makes the whole experience relaxed and very enjoyable.

- Francesca