Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie

I first met Tiff at Bicester Rabble, a group that plays immersive team games every Monday night.

Tiff particularly connected with some of the other dog owners, and they kept each other (socially distanced) company through the various pandemic lockdowns.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

The group of friends continues to meet regularly, with myself and my partner Jon joining them whenever we can.

Through these meet-ups we also got to know Tiff’s partner Billy, and their rescue dog, Stig.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

We watched as Tiff’s baby bump grew, and joined in the celebrations at a joint Christmas/Baby Shower celebration last December.

One of Tiff’s Rabble friends, Jo, bought her a Newborn Photoshoot with me, which offered the perfect combination of a fun experience and beautiful moments, captured to treasure forever.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Tiff and Billy became increasingly excited as the session date drew near, with Tiff enjoying browsing through the website and showing Billy the images she loved most.

Tiff can’t wait for Lottie to become a toddler, so they can see who she takes after and interact with her more.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Tiff is also looking forward to taking her waterskiing, especially as she has been waterskiing every summer since she was a young girl herself, and plans to teach Lottie as soon as she is able.

Billy had particularly been hoping to have a daughter. He read up on different ways of predicting the baby’s gender, from the angle of the ‘nub’ in early scan photos, through to what Tiff’s cravings might mean.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

When they went for a later scan, they were desperate to find out for sure. But the sonographer kept forgetting whether they wanted to know or not, asking them again and saying she’d check the gender later.

The sonographer was about to show them out the room – having still not given them an answer – and the couple had to ask again, ‘So, is it a boy or girl?!’ before they finally found out.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Tiff and Billy used a Tinder-style app to swipe left and right on potential name choices, ending up with a shortlist of 15 which they whittled down until only Lottie remained.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Billy is so besotted with their new arrival that he’s already planning how to convert the garage into a stable, as he knows he won’t be able to say ‘no’ to her when she’s old enough to ask for a pony. 🤣

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

A friend of the couple now has a six-month-old and warned Billy that their baby no longer fell asleep on their chests.

Just in case the same happens to Tiff and Billy,  they have been taking every opportunity to stock up on snoozy cuddles now, while they still can.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

The couple were having their first night out together alone on the day of their newborn photoshoot with me, in order to celebrate 18 years together.

Tiff’s mum babysat so they could go for a meal out at the Lion in Wendlebury, but I’m sure by the end of it they couldn’t wait to get back for one more cuddle with Lottie before bedtime.

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

With a new baby to enjoy, new jobs for both partners in the pipeline, and a return to Bicester Rabble as soon as she is able, Tiff and Billy’s year is looking to be a very exciting one indeed!

Newborn photoshoot with four-week-old Lottie | Sarah Plater is an award-winning family and newborn photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

“Had a newborn shoot, and Sarah was very professional and competent with handling the newborn. She made us feel very at ease and welcomed into her studio. Photos were absolutely amazing and made both sets of grandparents cry!”

Tiff & Billy, newborn photography clients from Bicester, Oxfordshire

If you’re interested in newborn portraits or family photography in Bicester, Oxfordshire, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater AMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

She is the Master Photographers Association Young Families Portrait Photographer of the Year 2022 and Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).