Newborn and Multi-Generation Photos with 5-day-old Amaira

Forty hours of labour meant that dad-to-be Sanj had a lot of thinking time. 

“My mind was full of questions,” he said, “how can I best support my wife, Davina, though labour? What kind of father do I want to be? Will I be a good enough dad? And what if our child doesn’t like me?

“Then, as Davina’s labour progressed, all those questions were forced to the back of my mind by a new sense of awe. Awe at Davina’s strength and the capability of her body to create life. Also, how gory the whole thing was – there was blood everywhere!”

Parenthood certainly hasn’t diminished this couple’s directness of sense of humour since I first met them at their maternity photoshoot a few weeks ago.

“My sister says Amaira is a holy baby,” Davina jokes later, “Sanj and I are so hyper and Amaira’s so chilled out that we can’t possibly be her real parents! We can’t believe she’s ours!”

Indeed, Amaira slept though almost all of our newborn photoshoot, just opening her eyes long enough for me to admire and capture them:

Right now, Davina and Sanj are most looking forward to getting a better night’s sleep than the ones they’ve having at the moment. Six hours in a row feels like a far-off dream at the moment.

But once the pair are feeling human again, Sanj is very much looking forward to having friends over for a ‘Wet the baby’s head’ celebration. He has a very special bottle of whisky in mind to open that evening, one that honours his grandfather’s legacy.

Sanj’s grandfather was the very first Indian to open a pub in the UK, and a hugely successful one at that. He sold handmade samosas alongside the usual beer offering, and regularly had punters queue around the block trying to get in for dinner after work.

Talking of ancestors, we had some very special guests at Amaira’s newborn shoot, including both sets of grandparents and great grandma, too. It’s an incredibly rare treat to capture four generations together:

One thing’s for certain: Amaira has been born into a legacy of movers, shakers and doers. Whatever she sets her heart on doing in future, I just know that this wonderful family of hers will support and cheer her on all the way 🙂

After our shoot, Sanj said:

“I don’t think we could have found anybody better than Sarah to capture so many special moments for us… Each photo represents a magical and memorable snapshot in time for us, that is filled full of emotion and love. Starting with our maternity shoot, through to Amaira’s baby shoot, Sarah’s attention to detail and calm demeanour, made the entire process fun and enjoyable. Not only that, she’s a natural when working with babies too. We are so pleased with the results, it’s very difficult to put into words, just how much we love to endorse Sarah. She’s just brilliant! Thank you so much!”

Sanj, Newborn Client from Bicester, Oxfordshire

If you’re interested in newborn portraits or family photography in and around Bicester, 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).