Family & Newborn Portraits with 12-day-old Saachi

When Veronica found out that her best friend had just given birth, she wanted to buy a special gift to help celebrate the happy news.

Veronica got in touch with me to organise a newborn shoot and gift voucher for her friend, Reena. Veronica had hoped to organise a similar present for Reena’s first daughter a few years previously, but Reena hadn’t been sure at the time and talked Veronica out of it. This time, Veronica wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer!

Reena opted to have some family and sibling portraits as well as newborn ones of little Saachi on her own. This meant that all four of them would be featured in the pictures on the walls in their beautiful Bicester home, not just their latest addition!

Veronica and Reena used to live just a few minutes apart, and spent so much time together as kids that their parents became firm friends, too. Veronica has since moved to Singapore, but their friendship is as strong as ever. They speak (or FaceTime) every week and meet up in person once or twice a year. Veronica has an extra reason to visit this year, to meet this little cherub in person:

Of course, we absolutely had to have a portrait of Saachi with her big sister, Noorie, too:

“Noorie is a total daddy’s girl,” Reena laughs, “She prefers to follow him around the house like a little shadow than play with her toys. He’s going to put a nappy in the bin outside? She wants to go out there with him.”

Reena loves Noorie’s characterful personality. “I’m learning so much from her, just by seeing the world through her eyes. I’m really looking forward to watching her personality and independence grow.”

Reena and Bhav met after a football tournament. They used to live in West London but moved to Bicester for the space and slower pace of life (although they do miss their London social life and the endless choice of restaurants!).

So what’s been Reena’s favourite moment with Saachi so far?

“After all the drama of the birth, finally having a few quiet hours alone with her after everyone had gone home,” Reena says, “That time was so special, just cuddling, feeding and falling in love with her.”

Saachi certainly seems to be very happily settling into her new home:

As for Reena, she’s incredibly grateful to her lovely friend Veronica for making the capturing of these memories and milestones possible. Babies quickly grow out of their newborn outfits and eventually tire of old toys. But these family images will be treasured forever.

Now that’s a special gift 🙂

After our shoot, Reena said:

“We were introduced to Sarah as a gift after our newborn was born. And from the minute we met her, she had us at ease. She was great with our 17 month old especially when she didnt want her photos taken and even more patient with our newborn. She has created the most precious photos of us as a family of 4, which we will treasure for a lifetime.”

Reena, Newborn Photography client from Bicester, Oxfordshire

If you’re interested in newborn portraits or family photography in and around Bicester and/or Oxfordshire, please get in contact:

Sarah Plater LMPA is a qualified, certified professional newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.