Amanda Maree Photography » Amanda Maree Photography - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

My precious little baby…

I have loved you from the start…

You are a tiny miracle…

Burrowed in my heart…

A gift we hoped and dreamed for…

To join our little world…

A blessing for our family…

A darling little girl.

 

Today I had some of my favourite people ever back in the studio. You see I first met this sweet family back when I cared for their little warrior…a teeny tiny 24 weeker weighing only 686 grams. By nothing short of a miracle, amazing Hunter has fought and won, you would never know the journey he has struggled through. He visited me in the studio back when he was 10 months old for the cutest session ever and then of course today he brought the most divine little princess especially just to see me. I can’t believe just how far this almost 4 year old big guy has gotten!! He was the most darling big brother ever and it was such a joy to see him again.

And that gorgeous little love he brought….you guys…he had a baby sister and she is everything and more! Born chunky and lovely at term (thank heavens and well done Mumma!) she came to hang out with me today and I am so glad. This session nearly didn’t happen…you know how it goes, new baby, move house, life all in the air. Buuuuut….after 7 crazy weeks, we finally managed to make it happen! So…here she is, all 7 weeks of her….

World…Meet Scarlette.x.

 

Newborn baby girl sleeping wrapped in navy wrap with bow tieback being held by smiling sibling big brother wearing blue jacket white tshirt and jeans laying on cream furI usually post my sneak peaks in order of the session and we do sibling shot’s at the end but oh lordy how could I NOT post this image first…I don’t think I’ve seen anything more perfect? Newborn baby girl wrapped in blue blanket with bow tieback looking at cameraUmmm…hello world? Newborn baby girl sleeping on cream blanket wearing pink knit romper and flower tieback Newborn baby girl sleeping in cane basket wrapped in purple wrap with purple knit layer and flowers on wooden floorI did a little live sneak peak of sweet Scarlette in this set up…did you catch it? Newborn baby girl wrapped in blue blanket sleeping on cream blanket with blue bow tieback and blue felt layerOh my that smile….Mumma chose a gallery filled with Navy, Pinks and Lilacs….I think Scarlette liked it, do you? Newborn baby girl sleeping in pink farmers basket wearing pink romper and pink knit bonnet and booties with cream blanket and pink wrap on white wooden floorHow adorable are these booties and bonnet that Scarlette brought with her to her session? Newborn baby girl sleeping in cream tin bucket with pink felt wraps and blanket in drawer with flowers on wooden floor Newborn baby girl sleeping in wooden bowl with navy wrap and navy knit layer and navy bow on white wooden floorI like big bows and I can not lie…whenever Mumma’s arrive with big bow’s like this I can’t help but hum this tune! Newborn baby girl sleeping wrapped in purple and white flower wrap with matching tieback on purple felt with flowers Newborn baby girl sleeping in flower nest wrapped in pink wrap with pink blanket and pillow and flower tieback on wooden floor Newborn baby girl sleeping in wooden trencher with purple blanket and wrap and pink sheepskin on white wooden floor Newborn baby girl sleeping in cream iron bed wearing pink knit romper and tieback with pink sheepskin layer and flowers and bunny toy being kissed by sibling brother wearing blue jacket and jeans holding toy bunnyEeeeeep…so the first sibling image was divine…but this…this is everything too! Newborn baby girl wearing knit romper being held in parents hands in black and whiteToday I hold you in my hands for just a little while…

Once my tiny baby…

You’ll always make me smile…

Susan and Luke…by far the greatest reward ever to watch your family grow over the years and see your happiness. Thank you for the privilege of capturing memories during these special times and for choosing to come back to me with your little loves.

Hunter…you are the reason I do what I do every single day.

Scarlette…thank you for being such a good girl today and for all your gorgeous snuggles.

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How could we be so lucky…

a little girl to love…

to join our little family…

our darling little dove.

 

Today I had the most darling little love in the studio…not super big but I swear she had cheeks for days! She brought a bit of an entourage with her…Mumma, Papa, big (all of 18mths big!) brother, Nanny, Poppy and her two gorgeous cousins…I have photographed all four kids so of course we had to get a photo of the four cousins together. It was…let’s just say fun! A 3yr old, a 20mth old, an 18mth old and a newborn…plus all the adults jumping around making noises, dancing and singing and a bit of youtube thrown in the mix! Not the usual start to my newborn session but we captured some gorgeous images of four sweet kiddo’s which I know will be treasured forever.

Now…onto the newborn bit! Apart from a minor (scrap that, major) number 3 incident that almost required a bath…this sweet girl was an absolutely a dream! We created a gorgeous gallery of grey’s, pink’s and white’s which suited her stunning milky complexion perfectly. As I said, I also photographed her darling big brother Jack just 18mths ago and these colours will fit with Jack’s gallery hanging throughout their home…and I adore that it is all working together as part of this family’s story.

World…Meet Evie.x.

Newborn baby girl sleeping on pink spotted blanket with cream blanket and knit bonnet Newborn baby girl sleeping on pink spotted blanket with cream blanket and bow tiebackWe did this exact same set up for Jack’s session…I can’t wait to see the images hanging together! Newborn baby girl sleeping in round wooden bowl wearing grey knit romper with pink lace wrap, flower tieback and grey blanket on white wooden floorThis split second…right before the poonami…she looks so sweet and innocent! And how divine is pink and grey together? Newborn baby girl sleeping in cream bucket with cream knit lauer and wrap on white wooden floor with bow tieback Newborn baby girl sleeping in cream bucket with cream knit lauer and wrap on white wooden floor with bow tiebackThat sweet little smile… Newborn baby girl sleeping in cane basket with pink blanket and fluff and wrap and flower on white wooden floorHmmmm….this is right after the poonami…she was just looking at me so intently! Newborn baby girl sleeping on cream basket with grey knit blanket and bonnet Newborn baby girl sleeping on cream basket with grey knit blanket and flower tieback Newborn baby girl sleeping in farmers basket with cream blanket and grey knit layer and pink grey and white crochet blanket with pink wrap and flower tieback on wooden floorWe also did this same set up with Jack and his divine blanket made especially for him…and now Evie has her very own one too! Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink blanket with flower tieback on cream flokati with sibling brother sitting beside her wearing jeans and white tshirtNow Jack, as you would expect from an 18mth old, wasn’t overly keen on hanging out with me in the studio or with his new sister…they can be a bit scary those new babies, right Jack? Newborn baby girl sleeping in pink farmers basket with cream blanket on white wooden floor wrapped in pink blanket and knit bonnet and bunny with flowers Newbonr baby girl sleeping in cane basket with grey felt layer and white lace wrap and flower tieback on white wooden floorI just love grey on little girls…. Newborn baby girl wearing knit pink bear outfit on bed wiht pink lace and bears with sibling brother beside holding bear on cream furOh lordy be…can this be any cuter? Just a whole load of bears and lovin!!

Evie you are all kinds of divine…thankfully everything is washable!

Jack you are even cuter today than when I first met you if that is even possible!

Lisa and Kieran thank you for sharing your gorgeous family with me and for choosing me again to capture this special time in your lives.

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Hold him a little longer…

Rock him a little more…

Read him another story…

You’ve only read him four…

Let him sleep on your shoulder…

Rejoice in his happy smile…

He is only a little boy…

For such a short while.

Today I had the most darling little man in the studio. He literally did not make a peep the entire day. Just snuggled up and slept the day away. And he was ever so cute! He brought his gorgeous Mumma and Papa with him to the studio and we had the most lovely session. A stunning collection of images to go in his adorable new nursery….lots of blues and grey’s. This little guy was actually a surprise gender, such a rare thing these days, but the best way in my opinion. So to add to the grey’s and white’s in his nursery Mumma and Papa chose the most divine shades of blue. I can not wait to share some special images from their session.

World….Meet Jack.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping on blue blanket with blue wrap Newborn baby boy sleeping on blue blanket with blue wrap and blue knit bonnetLook at those chubby little cheeks and pouty lips….

Newborn baby boy sleeping in tin bucket with grey wrap and knit bonnet and felt heart and curly felt layer Newborn baby boy sleeping in farmers basket with blue blanket and knit layer and wrap and bonnet on wooden floor Newborn baby boy sleeping in wooden bed with blue blanket and bonnet Newborn baby boy sleeping on cream blanket with grey wrapThose gorgeous long fingers….details you never want to forget. Newborn baby boy sleeping in round wooden bowl with blue blanket and backdrop and curly felt holding blue bear Newborn baby sleeping on cream blanket with blue wrap and knit bonnet Newborn baby boy sleeping in rectangle basket with dark grey blanket and knit layer and bonnet and felt heart Newborn baby boy sleeping in rectangle basket with dark grey blanket and knit layer and bonnet and felt heartI just adore these little felt hearts!

Newborn baby boy sleeping on wooden crate with blue knit pants and blue knit elephant and blue stripe knit blanketSqueee…I love this shot…the colours Mumma and Papa loved with their gorgeous little guy just snuggled up in his trousers with his friend elephant! Newborn baby boy sleeping on cream blanket with grey blanket and bonnet Newborn baby boy sleeping in round cane basket wearing knit romper with grey blanketDid anyone catch this sweet set up on the live feed?

Newborn baby boy sleeping in dads armsBefore too long your life will change…

Becoming something new…

You’ll hold so close and tenderly…

A tiny part of you…

You’ll feel a love you can’t explain…

That strengthens every day…

You’re going to be a Daddy…

And you’ll be perfect in every way…

As soon as you hold your child close…

You’ll start to understand…

The smallest fingers hold your heart…

Before they hold your hand.

 

Today’s Papa was ever so sweet with his darling little man…there was not a dry eye in the room. This right here, these moments, is exactly why I do what I do.

Genevieve and Blake thank you for finding me….and sharing your darling little man with me…what a privilege.

Jack you are kinds of lovely.x.

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Did you know what a special day today is?

National Rainbow Baby Day held on August 22nd remembers babies “born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or passing away of an infant”.

Each baby I have the honour of photographing is special and loved but some are yearned for that tiny bit more. Working with families who have experienced the loss of their baby fills my heart entirely. There is just something extra about giving to a family who have lived their darkest days and are working towards hope.

A rainbow baby is the term used for a healthy baby born after miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or infant loss. A gift to a family who has survived the darkest of storms, a rainbow of hope. The rainbow doesn’t negate the storm but is a light when all hope has been lost.

The birth of a rainbow baby can often be a time of joy and healing, but it can also be a time of overwhelming anxiety, fear and guilt. A rainbow will never be a replacement for the life that has passed, the emotional turmoil that this new pregnancy brings can often be daunting for a mumma and papa’s already fragile heart. Conflicting emotions of honouring a baby who has died while celebrating a new life can be a time of confusion for parents.

I feel entirely blessed to have had the privilege of sharing in so many stories of hope over the years. Of meeting so many rainbows. Of celebrating the lives that were lost before they arrived. It is such an honour to share in their stories. And in doing that, I hope in turn, I am opening the conversation on loss, breaking barriers of the taboo that we should not talk of such things, giving families the consent to speak of their loved losses and showing other families still in the depths of darkness that there is hope after your storm.

I would love to share with you some of the vulnerable mumma/papa hearts that have shared their stories with me and of course their sweet rainbows but I would also love to capture your journey. If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of their little loves and are expecting a rainbow please get in touch, I would be honoured to share in your journey.

Newborn baby wrapped in blue wrap sitting on shelf beside bear Newborn baby bpy wrapped in olive wrap in nest surrounded by a rainbow butterfliesSweet Solly beside his twin brother Archie’s bear…this gorgeous bear contains Archie’s ashes and it was so moving to be able to capture these darling boys together.

And Solly their beautiful rainbow.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping on shelf wearing bear ear bonnet beside two big blue bears and two pink bears Newborn baby boy sleeping wrapped in blue wrap in nest with rainbow felt and butterflies and leavesDarling Oliver sitting snuggled beside four bears in honour of his twin sisters and twin brother’s who all went to heaven before he was the rainbow his parents hoped and dreamed for.x.

Newborn baby girl sleeping on shelf wearing bear ear bonnet beside two big blue bears and two pink bears Newborn baby girl in cane basket with yellow wrap and tieback beside sibling brother in rainbow onesie with rainbow backdround and cream furOf course we had to recreate this set up with his sweet sister Emelia who was born a few years after him. Emelia was this families ‘pot of gold’…the term used for a baby born after a rainbow!

Baby boy laying on mint blanket with cream crochet blanket and rainbow wrapHow darling is Master Isaac…this little warrior has fought so hard to be his families rainbow.x.

Newborn baby girl sleeping in grey lace bowl with grey felt and pink knit layer, wrap and bonnet holding black knit bunny toy Newborn baby girl sleeping in white round bowl wearing rainbow leggings with rainbow backdrop and tiebackSweet Elizah…a very special rainbow since I also had the honour of caring for her gorgeous big sister Ada before she grew her angel wings. The little black bunny Elizah is snuggling is in honour of Ada.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping on blue blanket with rainbow wrap and cream pillowGorgeous Khalad…a rainbow born after one of his big twin sisters, Lily, went to heaven.x.

Newborn baby girl wrapped in cream wrap in basket with teddy bear Newborn baby girl wrapped in cream wrap in cream bowl with rainbow backdrop with white butterfliesSweet Addison with the gorgeous bear holding her big sister Lily’s ashes and their darling rainbow.x.

Newborn baby girl wrapped in cream wrap in basket with teddy bear Newborn baby girl wrapped in cream wrap with sibling toddler sister and soft bear toy on cream blanketAnd the families new addition, Layla, with Lily’s bear and their three girls together. x.

Newborn baby boy wrapped in cream wrap in white cane basket with brown felt on wooden floor holding photo of big brother who died Newborn baby girl wrapped in cream wrap in white cane basket with brown felt on wooden floor holding photo of big brother who died Newborn baby boy wrapped in cream wrap in white cane basket with brown felt on wooden floor holding photo of big brother who died Newborn baby boy wrapped in blue wrap being held by sibling big brother and sister and photo of big brother who diedFour gorgeous siblings….three earthside and one watching down on them from heaven. Harry, the rainbow after the storm, then Sophie and finally Jesse together with their angel brother Hayden. This sibling shot fills my heart but also breaks it as I know this is the only way this mumma will have all four of her babies together. Such an honour though.x.

Newborn baby boy wrapped in blue wrap in rainbow nest on blue feltDarling Rocco….a beautiful rainbow for his family.x.

Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink wrap in white nest with rainbow wraps and bonnet and unicorn toySweet Maisy…helping heal her papa’s heart.x.

Newborn baby girl wrapped in mint wrap in wooden bowl with pink felt and rainbow knit wrap and backdrop and tiebackGorgeous Claudia….such a blessing.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping in round cane basket with cream blanket and rainbow rug holding felt rainbow heart with blue knit bonnet Newborn baby boy wrapped in blue blanket being held by big sibling sister holding two felt rainbow heartsSweet Jude and his big sister Lucy….both rainbows born after loss.x.

Baby girl in green basket with rainbow wrap and backdropA not so teeny tiny but just as special rainbow….Sweet Eme.x.

Newborn baby wrapped in cream wrap in cream nest holding photo of baby sister who died Newborn baby boy sleeping in wooden bowl with blue wrap and blanket and rainbow made of feathers on wooden floorAnother divine rainbow, Nicholas, born after the sweetest little baby, his big sister Bella, grew her angel wings…I had the immense honour of caring for Bella and my heart near exploded when this family finally got their rainbow.x.

 

Newborn baby girl wrapped in yellow wrap in round cane basket with yellow tieback and butterfly and rainbow backdropHandsome Master Oisin on the top, a rainbow after the loss of his sweet big sister Niamh and sweet Aibhlinn on the bottom, a pot of gold after their rainbow.x.

Newborn baby girl wrapped in white wrap in round cane basket with grey teddy bear and photo of sibling baby brother who died Newborn baby girl sleeping on cream blanket with rainbow wrap Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink wrap in pink basket with cream felt and rainbow backdropSweet Eva, a rainbow born after the loss of her big brother Jacob, a little warrior I had the privilege of caring for in the nicu before he grew his angel wings.x.

Newborn baby girl sleeping on grey rainbow blanket with felt rainbow hearts Newborn baby girl wrapped in green wrap with rainbow flower basketThis little rainbow is an extra special one cause she is my divine niece Ayla.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping on cream blanket with rainbow knit wrap and blue bonnet and felt rainbow heart Newborn baby boy wearing knit blue pants in round wooden bowl with blue felt and button rainbow backdropThe divine Master Arlo….the most divine rainbow.x.

Newborn baby girl wearing cream romper in round wooden bowl with cream blanket and felt on wooden floor with two bear toys Newborn baby girl sleeping on pink blanket with rainbow wrapThe gorgeous Elianna snuggled beside two sweet bears representing her angel siblings in heaven and the divine rainbow she is.x.

Newborn baby girl wapped in white wrap in white nest holding angel statue with blue butterfly Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink wrap in nest surrounded by a rainbow of butterfliesSweet Scarlett sent earthside by her angel brother in heaven with his little statue and a gorgeous blue butterfly to honour him always being by her side.x.

Newborn baby girl sleeping on cream blanket with rainbow wrap with felt hearts in a rainbow shape Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink wrap with pink crochet basket and rainbow backdrop Newborn baby girl wrapped in pink wrap being held by sibling big sister on cream fur with pink butterflyAriella…a rainbow sent from her twin sisters, one who walks earthside and one who watches on from heaven. This gorgeous pink butterfly was in sweet Freya’s memory box, a special sibling image for mumma and papa.x.

Newborn baby boy sleeping on wooden bed with green knit blanket and romper on green fur with green knit booties Newborn baby boy wrapped in white blanket in log bowl on white wooden floor with rainbow of butterfliesGorgeous Elias with the little knit booties that belong to his big brother Michael up in heaven and the sweet little rainbow he is.x.

Newborn baby boy wrapped in blue wrap with teal felt in wooden bowl on teal backdrop with button rainbowOh Teddy bear…you are everything your mumma’s needed and more, sent by your sweet sister up in heaven.x.

Newborn baby boy in cream knit romper in wooden bowl with cream blanket holding lamb soft toy with photo of baby sister who diedAnd my last little rainbow in the studio…Master Owen…I just know his sweet Sister Maisie sent his family to me so I could share their story and capture memories of Owen and Maisie together for their mumma and papa.x.

As a photographer the true honour of telling a family’s story is not lost on me…these stories all the more raw and special. Thank you a million times over for having the courage to step out of the darkness and share your losses as well as your rainbows.x.

Please take the time to click on each of the links and read these beautiful families stories.

“It is understood that the beauty of a rainbow

does not negate the ravages of any storm…

When a rainbow appears,

it does not mean the storm never happened

or that we are not still dealing with its aftermath…

It means that something beautiful and full of light

has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds…

Storm clouds may still hover

but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of

colour, energy and hope.”

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No one else will ever know

the strength of my love for you…

After all…

You’re the only one who

knows what my heart sounds like

from the inside.

Sometimes people come into your lives from the most unusual places but it’s like they were always there and you never knew they were missing. Today’s gorgeous mumma is that friend. We met many years ago online in and IVF group (kinda sounds like dating, right?), both on the rocky roller coaster of infertility. In an enormous group, we found each other and we’ve stuck together ever since. Amazingly we both got pregnant at the same time and our little miracles were due just day’s apart…which sadly meant I couldn’t capture special memories of her first little man so you can imagine my excitement when they decided to roll that IVF dice again. I don’t know who was more surprised when this little pink princess arrived (we were all convinced she was a he!!) and I was completely over joyed to have them in the studio today. Sometimes, I have the ability to give gifts to the most deserving of people, and today was one of those days. I’ll let mumma share their story and I’ll sneak a few adorable photo’s in the mix….

It was 7 years ago when I decided to take the plunge into the world of online dating and boy is that something I’m happy to never have to do again. While riding the wave of the online dating world it helped me discover that I had to meet someone that was 100% different to what I’d gone for in past relationships and then I met Jason. We had our first date and upon concluding the evening I noted that he was rough around the edges, not good with emotions and affection but our conversation that night, for some reason, had me wanting to go out with him again and now the rest is history.

1.5 years down the road we were engaged and to be married 12 months later. By the time our wedding rolled around we had been trying for a baby for almost 12 months with no success. So after countless medical tests and investigations, what felt like a million negative pregnancy tests and 3 failed rounds of clomid we skipped the honeymoon and we jumped into the world of IVF. From our first round we ended up with only 2 embryos. The embryologist sat on the other end of the phone while I sobbed thinking how could we only get two? She ensured me that both were graded the highest possible mark and that I needed to relax and take a breath. I did just that and now two years later we have our two year old son Theodore who is affectionately known as Teddy and sweet Miss Clarabelle. Pregnancy was not kind to me and both babies came early, which in itself was stressful, but I now sit back and look at our babies and think how lucky we are. One round of IVF, which may not have yielded great results embryo wise, but we have two babies from two embryos and one of each gender. Motherhood and fatherhood for Jason and myself has been absolutely incredible and I’ve loved watching Jason and I grow as not only parents but also as husband and wife over the last two years.

World…Meet Clarabelle.x.

Sleeping newborn girl on pink blanket with pink wrap and flower headband Sleeping newborn girl on pink blanket with pink wrap and knit bonnetThat sweet little smile…Clarabelle has the most divine white blonde hair and long lashes…she reminds me so much of her big brother! Newborn baby girl sleeping in wooden crate with mustard round cushion wrapped in navy wrap with navy and mustard flower tiebackMumma and Papa picked the most divine colour palette for today’s session…dusty pink, mustard (can I get a hallelujah!) and navy….oh my it worked so perfectly! Newborn baby girl sleeping in cane basket with mustard wrap and flower crown and flowers on white wooden floor Sleeping newborn baby girl in cream bucket with pink blanket and knit layer and lace wrap with pink felt heart and knit bonnet Sleeping newborn baby girl in cream bucket with pink blanket and knit layer and lace wrap with pink felt heart and knit bonnet Sleeping newborn girl in blue knit overalls in oval trench bowl with navy blanket and mustard layer on wooden floor with mustard flowers and tiebackThis adorable navy knit romper belonged to her big brother Teddy and both babies wore it home from hospital…isn’t that special? Newborn baby girl sleeping in round wooden bowl with pink felt layer and pink lace wrap, flowers and lace bonnet on white wooden floor Sleeping newborn girl on cream blanket with mustard knit wrap and bonnet Sleeping newborn girl on cream blanket with mustard knit wrap and tiebackThis colour and those divine features….eeeeep! Newborn baby girl sleeping wrapped in pink wrap beside sibling brother on cream furHow can one Mumma and Papa get so lucky? Newborn baby girl sleeping in farmers basket with jute layer and mustard blanket, wrap and felt layer and tieback on white wooden floor Newborn baby girl sleeping on wooden bed with blue blanket and mustard layer wearing mustard pants and flower tieback with sibling brother sitting besideOk so this may have taken a little bribery and a lot of jumping around being silly but it worked and we captured their two beautiful miracles together. I can not imagine my youngest, the same age as Teddy, sitting still in the studio, so Teddy did such an amazing job! Thank you for being such an awesome big brother gorgeous boy.

Clarabelle, I loved you before you were even dreamt of and I am so grateful you are here safely now in your families arms.

Amanda and Jason, what a gift to watch you grow and flourish as parents these past few years and to have the privilege of capturing these memories for you today is priceless. Thank you for trusting me with your loves.x.

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