Newborn portraits of 3-week-old Charlie

“We have something we want to tell you all.” The hubbub around the table quickly silenced. It was Christmas Day and all the family were gathered, with everyone’s faces now turned towards Fran and Dean. Could it be…?

“We’re having a baby!” The family whooped, cheered and hugged the couple. This new arrival would be the second grandchild and first grandson for the grandparents, so everyone was super-excited.

As Fran’s bump grew, so did the pressure to agree on possible names. Fran liked more unusual names, like Jasper and Brody. Dean… well, he was less keen on those. Eventually – after many hours combing through lists of possibilities – they both agreed on Charlie. He can add his own middle name later in life if he likes; it was tough enough picking his first name!

Dean has experience in the construction industry, so getting the home ready for Charlie’s arrival was all in a day’s work. Indeed, the couple’s plans are even more ambitious, putting Dean’s skills to good use transforming the house over time including major structural improvements. My husband and I have zero DIY skills, so I was in awe listening to their plans – and their ideas for a future dream house, too!

Charlie arrived a few weeks earlier than planned. After making a quick exit from hospital afterwards – yay! – the two-day health check visitor identified newborn jaundice, and mum and baby had to head back inside – boo! Charlie was put under special UV lamps to give his skin the boost it needed to clear the build-up of bilirubin from his blood.

After so long waiting to meet him, Fran told me it was absolutely heartbreaking to gaze at him through the plastic sides of the jaundice treatment unit. She wasn’t able to touch him apart from three-hourly feeds, so she sang and chatted to him instead, so he would know she was nearby.

Happily, he quickly improved and was discharged shortly after. Now it was time to visit the family and introduce their new member.

Charlie’s three-year-old cousin was one of the first to give him a cuddle. She gazed at him on her lap for approximately 60 seconds before announcing, “I don’t want to hold him any more!” Ahhh, bless! A few more months/years, and these two will love playing and interacting together, I’m sure 🙂

After our shoot, Fran said:

“We booked Sarah to take photographs of our newborn son and she did not disappoint. Her studio is super cozy and relaxed. Sarah is so patient and calm, that our son was very comfortable with her and in return, we got some great shots. The whole experience was lovely and I would not hesitate to recommend Sarah as a photographer.”

Fran, Newborn Photography Client from Banbury, 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 an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).