“You’re busy growing a baby and you’re getting excited about those first week photos. But the big decision is looming - it’s time to decide whether to invite a photographer to come to your home once your little one arrives.”

In this piece, Geelong newborn photographer Michelle McKay answers all the questions you never knew you had about in-home newborn photography, including the big one - is in-home photography for everyone..?

‘Picture this. You’ve just brought home your brand new baby - maybe this week, maybe last, or maybe almost more than a month back now (um, where did THAT month go..?). Maybe you little one is a late night party-pants, and you’re up from the small hours and into the early morning. Perhaps your babe is still growing used to feeding, and possibly burping takes longer than you’d possibly hoped to plan…’

In this piece, Geelong Photographer Michelle McKay explores the benefits of in-home photography for families bringing home a brand new infant.

“When I strolled through the door into this morning's story session, I discovered a mama and her newly arrived little lady snuggling to the melodies of the eternally spectacular Stevie Nicks. It struck me there could be no better soundtrack for early motherhood, that there could be no set of love songs more perfect for playing for yourself, or to your beautiful baby.”

Enjoy this piece on the melancholy beauty of motherhood by Geelong photographer Michelle McKay

‘My daughter's most requested story is what she calls The Story of Us. We might be in the car on the way to kinder, or in the midst of tuck-ins after a drawn out day, and she'll ask to hear it all about the time she was in my tummy, and then about the first days and months and years after she was born. When I reflect it makes sense; these are the days around which she has no personal memory. ‘

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne photographer Michelle McKay explores the real reason we really should be booking newborn photographs - they’re not just for us.

‘When I was small, my dad took photographs. I guess you could call him an original family documentarian; he didn’t just take photos of clean kids siting neatly on the porch, or in front of the church before Sunday School. He took photographs of everything. My toddler brother in his high chair, eating Vegemite toast. Me and my sister picking mandarins off the fruit tree in the backyard, or shelling peas at the picnic table with mum. The washing line, heavy with tiny pastel singlets and cloth nappies on washing day, stark whites flapping lazily in the sunny breeze.’

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne photographer Michelle McKay explores the true value of unposed photography and the way its value only grows over time.

‘If you're wondering today if you are enough, I am here to tell you, you are enough. If you're fretting you're not doing a good enough job, please hear me - you are doing *such* a good job. If you're overworked and overtired and overthinking everything, let me ease your mind. You're doing SO great, mama.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay delivers a message to mothers they rarely get to hear.

‘Shooting in-home is my very best thing.Nothing excites me as an artist like arriving at your home and knowing I’m about to make you artful imagery that is also deeply meaningful and exactly unique to only you.
But there are so many reasons in-home sessions should be your first pick, too. Here are five of them.'

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne photographer Michelle McKay explores five key reasons why in-home story sessions are so very beautiful.

‘The months and weeks you spend lovingly awaiting the arrival of a pretty new baby are beyond compare. You hold your little darling within you like a secret - close to your heart and ever on your mind. It’s why having the time documented is so special; the excitement, the anticipation, the raw and unapologetic adoration is written all over you; the tenderness is tangible.’

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne maternity and newborn photographer Michelle McKay shares the beauty and importance of having both your pregnancy and your first days with your newborn documented. She introduces and discusses the baby to bump collection, which includes both of these remarkable story sessions.

‘Remember the day you met your baby..? Remember how fresh he was, how wrinkly, how completely and utterly and incomparably perfect?’

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne photographer Michelle McKay explores the sentimental reasons why making a record of your baby’s first hours is so very important.

‘So you’ve booked a photo session and the big day is drawing nearer. Now for the tricky bit - what do we wear?!’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay provides some simple tips and a visual storybook for what to wear to ensure you look your best for your family photographs.

‘Not all photographs are created equal. Some are beautiful.  Pretty. Cute. Expertly executed. Perfectly composited. Skilfully processed. Artfully composed. Others take you some place.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay reminds us of the importance of capturing more than just your baby’s likeness in her photographs.

‘Catching memories is my life's work, matched only by two things - an apparent compulsion to help and encourage others to see and be present in their own #beautifulordinary lives, and a soul-deep conviction that printing and displaying candid photographs is a keystone for happiness, identity and belonging.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay announces she’s giving away a Fiji Instax, and explains how to enter.