Photographers needs photos too |HUNTER VALLEY & NEWCASTLE PHOTOGRAPHER

Why Existing in Photos Matters More Than Perfection

I’m a portrait photographer, specialising in maternity, newborn, and family photography — and this post is raw and real.
So hang on for the ride.
If heartfelt honesty isn’t your thing, that’s okay… please feel free to keep scrolling 🤍

As some of you know, I struggled with severe postpartum depression after having Evie. It took hold of me and consumed me for over two years.

For those who understand our history — we have eight babies in heaven. Evie was our final attempt at having a baby. I have two beautiful boys, Luke and Ben, from my previous marriage, and my husband Drew and I tried many times to grow our family together. Along the way, we sadly lost five babies.

So when Evie came along — when I finally made it safely past 19 weeks — she truly was our miracle.

Because of timing and weather (things completely out of our control), I missed out on maternity photos. And as a newborn photographer, I had dreamed of capturing every moment of her first year. I’m incredibly grateful that the amazing Linda G Photography captured Evie’s newborn session for us — something I will treasure forever.

But then… the black dog came to visit.
And it robbed me of so many moments I had dreamed of capturing.

For a long time, I simply didn’t exist in photos.

Family photographs have always mattered deeply to me — but especially after that season. One day I finally said to myself: It doesn’t matter what you weigh. It doesn’t matter how you feel about your body.
I need to exist in photos for my children.

When we booked our trip to Tasmania, I spoke to Drew about having professional family photos taken. I already knew the perfect photographer — someone I’d admired through the industry for almost a decade. I loved her work long before this moment. So we booked Astrid Simone Photography.

I’ll be honest — I tried to lose weight before we left. I was the biggest I’d ever been. But my mental health had to come first, and for a long time, self-care had taken a back seat. Before the shoot, I dyed my hair a little darker, did my eyebrows, and made an effort to dress a bit more femininely. I’m in a season now where I’m slowly learning to care for myself again — physically as well as emotionally.

The session itself was beautiful. Astrid was incredible. The location, the light, the way she gently guided us — it was all perfect.

When we received the images, I saw a version of myself that felt unfamiliar. A bigger version. Of course, part of me wishes she was smaller. But you know what?
I absolutely love the photos.

They are priceless.

That was my ah-ha moment — just how precious these images are. If someone had asked me, prior to that session, to find a recent family photo… the last one would have been from almost three years ago, when Evie was born.

Yes, I know I need to look after my physical body — but these images capture us. Our love. Our season. Our family as it is right now.

And that’s what matters.

We are the most photographed generation in history — yet so few of us print our images. They live on phones, hard drives, and in some invisible cloud we assume will always be there. But technology fails. Files get lost. And one day, many of us will wish we had tangible records of our memories.

Photographs are not just for now.
They are for our children.
And their children.
They are our history. Our legacy.

So if you’re putting off photos because you want to lose weight…
or your hair isn’t done…
or you don’t feel “ready” yet…

Please hear this:

Your children do not care what size you are.
They do not care if your hair is perfect.
They do not care if you’re wearing the trendiest clothes.

They love you unconditionally.
You are perfect to them — simply because you are Mum.

This wasn’t meant to be a “book me” post. But regardless of where you live, now truly is the perfect time to have photos taken of your family.

And if you’re ever ready…
I would be honoured to tell your story 🤍

I have since had the honour to photograph the proposal, just a few weeks after the newborn session. I love when clients become family! I cannot wait to watch the next chapter unfold!

#HunterValleyPhotographer #SupportLocal #SmallBusinessLove #AliJonesPhotography #MaternityPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #BrandingPhotography #SaltireEstate #HunterValleyWines #LovedaleNSW #Huntervalleybusinessphotographer #NewcastlebusinessPhotographer #HunterValleynewbornPhotographer #HunterValleyBrandingPhotographer #Proposalphotographer #HunterValleyNewbornPhotographer #HunterValleyBabyPhotographer #NewcastleNewbornPhotographer