The cherry on the top was the beautiful wall art – which included an extra large absolutely stunning framed canvas – they chose to celebrate their amazing kids and grandchildren, not to mention their amazing achievement!

An outdoor family photoshoot has always been permitted but I chose to close my business while Australia was under social distancing.

Now that restrictions are starting to ease I feel comfortable resuming outdoor and studio shoots while maintaining recommended hygiene practices and physical distancing.

If you or a family member are feeling unwell then please inform me so we can reschedule – and I will of course do the same.

From Monday 1 June, restrictions are easing further with pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants allowed up to 50 customers. But I will still be observing physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times and following the 4 square metre wherever possible.

My lenses are long enough that I can always maintain a safe distance, particularly for outdoor shoots. For at-home sessions, the same physical distancing and hygiene rules apply and with my style of newborn photography (natural, candid shots with no posing), I would never handle your baby anyway so nothing will change in that regard.

Within the studio, we ask that only one family be present at a time and will always schedule appointments with enough time in between that no one will be waiting (we do this anyway!) and hand sanitiser is provided and encouraged. Door handles, chairs etc are all wiped clean between sessions.

We've had to change the way we do a few things (there's no fixing flyaway hair or straightening necklaces now! Well, there is but we just have to be bossy from now on) but on the whole it's back to business as usual so thank you for your patience. 

We are keen to do everything we can to flatten the curve but also understand that life goes on and your milestones don’t stop just because of a pandemic. Stay safe everyone, we’ll get through this by all working together and doing everything we can to stop the spread.

For more information about a photoshoot with Daisy Stockbridge Photography, click here

These photographs need to be enjoyed and remembered. They deserve to be immortalised as beautiful artwork - appreciated every day and LOVED FOR A LIFETIME.

So while my other half was educating the kids (thanks hubby!), I've been retraining, burying my head in online courses, learning new software, systems and relaunching my brand and my website.

There are options to suit every budget and wall space, from fun wooden 8 inch circle prints (made from marine-grade FSC certified timber) right up to statement 1.4x3m canvas prints (oh how I would love to see one of those in your home!) Prints start at $175 and wall collections from $495. There will be no minimum spend and no hard sell - the idea is that you only buy the images you love AND YOU HANG THEM ON YOUR WALLS to be enjoyed every day. I know how busy life gets so from now on I want to offer a complete family portrait service – just sit back and let me take care of everything so you can enjoy your beautiful artworks.

Well, 2020 didn’t turn out how we expected now did it? First unprecendented bushfires ripped across Australia and then COVID-19 spread like wildfire around the world. 

We were very lucky in this country that restrictions were relatively short lived and while we were encouraged to ‘stay home, save lives’, we weren’t  in the extreme lockdown that some nations were experiencing. But that’s not to say it wasn’t hard. Tensions were high as people either lost jobs or put themselves at risk by continuing to show up to work and provide essential services. 

Many of us feared for our physical and mental health, some attempting to educate children from home while juggling the demands of increasingly stressful jobs and the horror of the never-ending Zoom meeting. The toughest part for me personally was suddenly being starved of face to face interaction and human connection. What I hadn’t realised until it was taken away was that as a photographer, what truly inspires and drives me is meeting people, hearing their stories and connecting with them.

And so I began photographing women of iso, telling their stories but also giving them a reason to get dressed up and out of the house, to look and feel amazing if only for a moment – something we were all craving if the bin outings were anything to go by! All Dressed Up, Nowhere To Go is a collection of beautiful women sharing their experiences and their stories, but also observing their own inner beauty shining through for the first time in a long while (or in some cases, ever). If the women I photographed proved one thing, it was never let anything – not even a pandemic – dull your sparkle.

'All dressed up, nowhere to go' is a fine art photography series celebrating the women of iso. A magazine-worthy photoshoot that will make you feel like a celebrity - because you're worth it. 

At Daisy Stockbridge Photography Studios, we believe everyone deserves a beautiful portrait - it can change the way you see yourself forever. And right now, we all need an excuse to get dressed up and out of the house - looking and feeling beautiful! 

Prior experience is not required, you don't need to be 'photogenic' (that's the photographer's job to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera) or looking your best (good lighting melts iso weight, we promise!) 

Cost of the photoshoot is $155 which will be credited to any purchase and includes: 

* 1 hour photographic session at our Bilgola Plateau studio 

* Pre-shoot style consultation, access to hair and make-up and designer wardrobe (additional cost)

* Feature image in 'All dressed up, nowhere to go' fine art photographic series including book available for purchase 

* A full photographic collection of your beautiful available to buy (interest free payment plans available)

To lock in your session, just click below to book and we'll be in touch to discuss how you would like to be photographed and your wardrobe options:

Book your photoshoot

When I come to your home I'm aiming to highlight the beautiful relationship between family members and the gorgeous new addition - capturing you all just as you are. Rather than the traditional newborn photography approach of posing babies who don't want to be posed, my style is somewhere between documentary and portrait photography known as 'lifestyle photography'.

To make things that little bit easier, lifestyle sessions take place in the familiar surroundings of your own home rather than a cold studio, in a comfortable room with good natural light, whether that be your family room, nursery or master bedroom (or all three!)

You don't need to worry about your home being picture perfect either, I can come and move clutter as required and you'd be amazed what we can achieve even in the smallest (and darkest) of spaces. The session below was a one bedroom unit but by positioning the couple in front of the window we were able to make the most of the space. I want your lifestyle newborn session to be as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, the last thing you need to be worrying about is cleaning!

My sessions are all about highlighting the beautiful connection between you and your new baby and capturing this amazing once-in-a-lifetime moment so that you can treasure it for years to come. To book your lifestyle newborn photography session at home, please contact me here to work out a time that suits you. Dx

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January is a time to reassess goals, press the reset button and strive to work harder, work better and generally focus on what it is we want to achieve.

I must admit that in the latter half of last year I got monumentally sidetracked from my photography business goals, returning to my 'day job' and taking on a full-on, full-time role that left me no time for photography or even my family.

Thankfully, now I'm back on track and have returned to what I love and where I need to be. So even though I'm not usually one for resolutions - I think now is definitely the time to map out my goals for the next year and beyond (so hopefully I don't do anything stupid like take a full-time job when I'm meant to be running my own business!!)

Here are some ideas for general goals and resolutions you might like to set yourself this year:

1. Break bad habits 

This sounds ridiculous I know, but this year I want to take more photos! I don't take nearly enough pictures of my own family and I never get in them myself so this year I plan to rectify that. Whatever it might be that you feel you're not doing enough of or if there's an area that you feel you are weakest at – it might be social media or blogging, perhaps it's follow-up emails or providing enough variety in your galleries – now is the perfect time to identify that area and work towards changing things up.

2. Set your sights

What’s the one goal you want to achieve this year? Perhaps you want to master macro? (Did you know you don’t have to spend loads of money on a macro lens? You can pick up a set of three macro filters for under $20 on Amazon that work really well) Or maybe you have a magic sales target you plan to hit? My goal is to make time for as much birth photography as I can. I’m also going to get strict about the hours that I work (no more night shifts!) and be more present when I’m with my family and leave those emails until I clock on. Whatever it is you want to achieve, writing your goals down and visualising them (I know, I know…) is the most important first step to making them happen.

3. Room for improvement

Do you want to spend less time editing (don’t we all?), get better at in-person sales or just nail your focus? There are so many fabulous online tutorials, the world is your oyster – in fact, the only thing stopping you is deciding which topic to start with. Phlearn.com is perfect for Photoshop tutorials, particularly if like me you need to watch a video for it to sink in. Clickin Moms is a great place to find workshops on any and every facet of portrait photography and Pretty Presets has so many awesome free resources it’s almost criminal.

4. Believe in yourself more

As photographers, mums, women (people!), we often don't give ourselves enough credit or reward our own worth. Just as mums punish themselves with unnecessary guilt, photographers often question their own value and spend far too much time comparing themselves to others rather than embracing what makes them unique and valuable to their clients. I'm just as guilty of this as the next photographer so this year I plan to get AIPP accreditation for no reason other than as a reminder to myself that if I don't value my worth and take myself seriously then how can anyone else?

5. Push yourself

Go on, step outside your comfort zone – just a little! While it’s good to specialise, find your niche and stick to what you’re good at, it can also get a little tired and samey. Think you’re no good at landscapes? Seniors? Boudoir? Night photography? Well why not pick a genre and have a go? Or think that you can’t commit to a photo a day challenge? Try a weekly or even monthly one instead. Want to increase your prices but worried it will scare off clients? How will you ever know until you try it?

Let’s make 2017 the year you start to document your beautiful family just as they are right now! To book your lifestyle family photography session on location or the comfort of your own home, please contact me here to work out a time that suits you. Dx

We know you can't wait to share your happy news with friends and family so let us create custom birth announcement cards just for you. In premium stock matte or linen finish paper with matching envelopes, these are the perfect way to show off your beautiful photos and say thank you to all those well wishers in one go. Prices start from just $55. Only available when booking a newborn photography session. 

To book your lifestyle newborn photography session at home or in-hospital 'fresh 48' session, please call 0406932902 or contact me here to work out a time that suits you.

**Special offer** Book a newborn session in August and receive free bespoke birth announcement/thank you cards so you can share your happy news with friends and family in style!

Email info@daisystockbridgephotography.com for more information

Can't wait to meet you and your family! Dx

To book your lifestyle newborn photography session at home, please contact me here to work out a time that suits you. Dx

Lifestyle newborn photography Sydney

There are so many things to remember and cherish about this special time. Particularly if it's your second baby like for this lovely family, then you understand just how fast it all goes and how important it is to document these moments – how tiny and new your little bundle of gorgeousness is, how big your older child suddenly looks as though they grew up overnight, how it really is just as magical second time around (phew!) And where better to do that than in the warm comfort and familiar surroundings of your own home?

To book your lifestyle newborn photography session at home, please contact me here to work out a time that suits you. Dx

If you are looking for natural, unposed newborn photography or even lifestyle family photography to document this new phase in your lives, then please get in contact via the booking form here or by emailing info@daisystockbridgephotography.com.

newborn photography

It's time to keep it real.

There's a definite trend in photography, particularly newborn and baby photography, towards overdoing it at the moment with lots of heavily stylised images of babies in impossible – not to mention dangerous – positions propped up with their heads in their hands (these aren't real by the way, they are composites or two images Photoshopped together) or lying in baskets/buckets/you name it wrapped in yards of fluff with garlands of flowers around their heads.

Don't get me wrong, I think these images when done well can be adorable. But I also think that's because babies are always adorable – with or without accessories. And I do wonder – when parents look back at those photos are they transported back to that dreamy newborn haze or simply that day they had those photos taken? Do they look back fondly and remember their perfect brand new baby and what that crazy time as a new parent was like or is it the simple pictures of that cherished blanket your sister gave you, their favourite bear that looks so new and tiny in the photo and the singlet that you couldn't bring yourself to give away but which fits in the palm of your hand now.... the point is if it's not real and there's no emotional connection then it might be a technically impressive image but it won't make you feel all the feels and transport you right back to that moment in a heartbeat.

As photographers, it can be hard to rein ourselves in and it's tempting to over-embellish things and attempt to make everything look perfect. I think we're all guilty of that to some extent these days, only giving the world our edited highlights on Instagram and Facebook. Yes it's fine to highlight the good but if it's not real it won't strike a chord emotionally and it won't be the photo that you will look back on and laugh, cry and wonder "where did the time go?"

Would you like to take part in a new project featuring your beautiful baby? 

I'd love to get back to basics. Babies are so divine just as they are – I don't want to attempt to improve on perfection. I just want to capture them as they are right now and to document this time for you.

The shoot will be complimentary and you will receive a gorgeous 8x12 print to thank you for your participation.

Sessions take place at my studio in Blakehurst, NSW 2221. I find this works well not only because I am set up to make sure your bundle of joy is as comfortable as possible (and you don't have to worry about cleaning your house!) but also because chances are bub will sleep on the drive over making for gorgeous sleepy, womb-like photographs.

However, if you are keen to take part and you can't drive/travel then I am happy to come to you – just contact me here to discuss. I'd love to hear from you!

Sydney family photographerkids | babies | families

Sydney family photographerFamily photography Sydney | Kids | Babies | Families

Sydney family photographerBaby photography | Newborn photography | Family photography