What is it about babies that makes us smile…?  Is it the naughty twinkle in a baby boy’s smile or the rosy cheeks of an angelic baby girl?!  Somehow they spread joy and love wherever they are (well most of the time anyway   )  This little baby boy chose today to take a break in his routine by not taking a late morning snooze.  So he wasn’t too smiley when they walked through through our doors for their professional baby photos.  But in the studio we had no trouble getting him to crack a smile and laugh from his belly   Between Mom, Granny and me we know all the secrets to getting babies to laugh when they are having their baby photos taken.  Photographing babies is all about making it about fun and games, playing peek-a-boo behind a camera and much, much more!!!  I find that the more you smile when taking photos of babies the more likely they are to smile right back at you.  So just have fun!

Riani

Photographing babies is a little bit of an art.  The studio should be heated to ensure that these little angels are comfortable enough without beong too hot.  Their tummies should be full and mom should always be in sight.  Little  J was my model this morning and gave us all different

expressions except for a very scarce smile.  I just love this photo where he is lying on his tummy, can you believe that he isn’t even 3 months old yet and he is that strong?  Baby photos are priceless memories which will be treasured for years to come.  In baby’s first year of life I would

recommend having 3 photoshoots done because they grow and change so quickly.  First photoshoot would be the newborn photoshoot when baby is a week or so old, second photoshoot when baby is 6 months old (so they are starting to sit and pushing themselves up on their arms) and the last photoshoot would be a toddler photoshoots when they are craling and then starting to walk…  Don’t miss out on capturin these memories!

Riani

There is something about babies which make my heart smile   I don’t know if it is the pure innocence or because I am a typical woman.  But there is just something so magical (mayby it is their sheer potential…)

What I enjoy most about photographing babies is that every shoot is unique.  Some babies are just naturally smiley and others require some tickling but in the end we get all of them to smile.

Photographing O was an absolute pleasure, it took a little bit of cooing to get her to smile but as you can see the reward is worth its weight in gold   Looking at this angelic face it makes realize that there is definitely some divine purpose for this earth…

Riani

Just look at this little face and tell me that this photo doesn’t make you want to smile.  Let’s all say awww together

This is what photographing babies are all about.  Capturing these innocent expressions and smiles and knowing that they don’t have a care in the world.  Holding that emotion true to your heart.

Riani

Photographing Tivesh’s 1st Birthday Party made me realize how truly blessed I am to be able to follow my passion in life…  I absolutely LOVE photography, photographing kids, photographing babies or pregnant moms-to-be   They are all unique in their own way and I feel privileged whenever someone wants me to capture their essence.  Anyways, back to the birthday party.  This birthday party was every kids fantasy, but in REAL LIFE.  There was a merry-go-round, 2 jumping castles, a little animal farm, face painting, candy floss and all the good stuff  … (well not necessarily if you are a mom who is going to have a little one with a sugar rush but moving along) The party was Mickey Mouse themed so naturally the cake was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse  (I was actually impressed because my brother’s kids watch this every morning at our house before going to school and I can even sing you the whole theme song – scary I know but that is what happens when you spend a lot of time with small kids:-)  )We had such brilliant weather on the day, and while photographing kids I thought to myself that I have the absolute best job in the world!  Photographing kids is an everyday adventure, they are all just perfectly themselves and I love capturing what they think and do.  They were all just having so much fun that it was hard not to smile when watching all of them play their hearts out.  Can you try to imagine what it was like to not have a single worry in the world?  Just playing every day away?Have a look at these faces and you can see they are absolutely innocent…  And then we’ve got the crowning glory of the day, little Tivesh.  Little man I hope there is many more happy years for you ahead!

Riani

I had the pleasure of photographing Jeanette, Miguel and Sienna (isn’t it a grogeous name?) in my studio this morning.  I met them at a friend’s wedding at Kloofzicht Lodge where I took photos of every couple attending the wedding and printed out thank you cards on location with every couple’s photo.  Very unique isn’t it?

Little Sienna is 4 months old and has the most beautiful brown eyes…  She almost looks like she could be family of Demi-Leigh’s.  Sienna has definitely stolen both her mom and dad’s hearts, and with good intentions   She is such a friendly little girl, who only cried when we undressed her for the classic nude baby photos.  I absolutely love photographing babies, I am always the one crazy person who will walk up to a mom with a baby and start cooing to the baby and asking the mom THE QUESTIONS like how old… blah blah blah… 

Like I said I’ve got a thing about babies, would love to have four of my own one day (yes you heard right I said 4)

Riani

With the exception of Demi-Leigh I have never photographed such a friendly little baby before.  What an absolute pleasure! Baby Maddie didn’t even blink an eye when I took her from her mother to do some shots while mom was quickly fixing her hair (we all know what this hectic wind can do to your hair) and photographs last a lifetime so we really want to look good in them (yes women are vain – bet you men are too – they just won’t admit it…)

Back to Maddie and her mom – At first she was a bit tired  as it was almost time for her nap, but all that was soon forgotten when we brought the coloured feathers out.  She was crawling all over my studio and talking (ok mumbling) all the  while. With all her smiles she made for absolutely beautiful shots as you can see….       

I just love photographing babies, especially little girls – okay baby boys are cool too!!

Riani

Aah Riani – you are so lucky about the Demi-Leigh comment (she is the most beautiful baby to photograph – sorry Laura but I as a mother, I am sure you understand….)