New baby portraits
New baby portraits 2016
Wow it's been baby boom and I have loved capturing lots of new babies at my home studio in Norwich! I have also seen 2 previous newborn clients come back with their new addition.
Andy's Mummy got in contact with me after a few friends and previous clients had recommend me which is ace - thank you ! He was such a chilled dude and we got some yummy awake portraits he followed me around. 
Here is baby Jacob, he too was awake for a lot of his session and made great eye contact . But when he slept i could place his hands so we can see all his little fingers, the best of both worlds.
Another baby boy, with loads of hair and the best expressions ! Henley was just over 3 weeks old & super chilled in the arms of his sisters!
More siblings - they are one of my favourite portraits to capture !
Daisy also had lots of hair and a look at her lashes - just beautiful!
Little Charlie stole my heart - he smiled lots as he drifted off to sleep. I could watch babies dream all day long. i love the flaky skin he had on his wrists it shows how brand new he is to the world.
If you have stumbled across this blog, you may not know much about 'newborn photography' or me . The newborn portraits are ideally taken in the first 2 weeks. Why ? Babies are still very sleepy and curled up , after 2 weeks newborns become vert alert and stretch out . This is still a lovely age to photograph but newborn photography focuses on those early days . I like to photograph their little button noses, flaky feet, milk spots & curled up legs.
My style is simple and natural, i have a flow of poses i work through ensuring we capture every detail but of a baby, but if a baby doesnt like being on their front / back etc we move on . Often i wait, while babies gradually wake up and stretch, to get those more natural images , and i love a good swaddle to get those close ups of a baby's cheeks.
If you have missed the first few weeks to book a photo-shoot, or would prefer a short and sweet session. With more focus on awake baby portraits then my Newborn Mini Package could be perfect for your family read more here please.
If you want to find out more about me please click here, I have written a helpful blog on choosing the right newborn photographer for you and have written some frequently asked questions.
Watch me Grow - Leo's first year in photographs
Watch me Grow - Leo's first year in photographs 2016
Leo's first year in photographs, he came to me first as a newborn and was super chilled and a little dream to photograph. I fell in love with his little features and head full of hair!
His parents booked onto my Watch me grow package - which is all about capturing your baby first year in photographs and milestones at 4 months, 8 and 12 months. I now offer the same 3 session package at 6 , 12 and 18 months . These 3 sessions are discounted to returning parents.
Leo came back at 4months old and mum brought along his christening gown - i love it when parents bring sentimental items .
Leo was proud & happy to show off his tummy time skills!
I saw Leo again at 8 months old, I adore smiley images but I also love capturing more serious and thoughtful expressions like this first one. By 8 months he was crawling backward and sitting up beautifully.
I feel very lucky to have captured Leo's first year, it's very special to capture his first year in photographs. And see these newborn babies grow and change. I just love his little cheeky face, he became such a little chatterbox . It still amazes how much happens in a baby's first year. It really is full of milestones.
For the Watch me Grow Package, you can opt-in for a cake smash to be added onto the birthday session. Read all about a Cake Smash here.
Leo adored the cake, some babies eat it very delicately, some prefer to hit and smash it. Either way, we don't rush and we let the babies explore their birthday cake - made by a local baker and Mum Vanilla Cloud Bakery.
What did Leo's parents make of the experience ?
" We have absolutely loved having Jess photograph Leo's first year. He has grown so fast and having the Baby's first year Plan (now called the Watch Me Grow Package) has meant we have a record of this significant period.
At each of the 4 sessions, Jess would put us all at our ease immediately and always managed to capture his personality, including little traits he had at each stage.
Jess created a relaxed atmosphere and would offer brilliant ideas, whilst capturing anything we particularly wanted.
The 4 sessions enabled us to build a strong relationship with Jess and the pictures prove this with a little boy acting so naturally. We are so thrilled with these memories of Leo's first year and are looking forward to Jess continuing to capture Leo's journey in the years to come."
For me , seeing families time and time again is a real privilege and very special. I adored capturing Leo, and many other babies I have seen on this package over the last couple of years !
If you have had a newborn shoot with me you can book this special package use the 'Contact tab' or my form here to book in.
Jess x
Newborn Mini Package
Newborn Mini Package by Norwich Photographer. 2016
This package has since been updated to become a Simplicity Newborn package
I am now offering a special Newborn Mini Package at my home studio NR7, Norwich. It is for those that have missed the typical, 'ideal time' to photograph a newborn baby (5days - 3 weeks old).
It is for babies aged over 3 weeks old -and up to 12 weeks old, unlike the newborn session, this package is focused on the awake images as babies really start to enjoy awake time and start smiling.
If the baby is sleepy than great, we will take a few sleepy images, but this is a short and sweet session of up to one hour of studio time. This package is an ideal opportunity to take sibling and family images as well 2 simple setups on the beanbag and flokati.
Babies 'uncurl' a week or so after birth and become more aware of their surroundings, at 4-12 weeks old the images will not be very posed. It is unlikely baby will sleep and fall naturally into the typical poses I do for little newborns. But that means we get some cracking awake images as your baby's little personality will start to shine through, and we get babbles and smiles.
If for any reason your baby is very unsettled babies can be rescheduled for 4 months onwards. You will be presented with a choice of approx 15 images to choose your favourite 10 from an online gallery. I also offer products such as mounted prints, albums and luxury wall art to showcase your images
To book your baby in for the Newborn Mini package email me or click here to send me a message and I will reply with my availability and booking information.
Jess
Norwich Newborn baby studio- a sneak peek
Norwich Newborn baby studio - a sneak peek 2016
For those that do not know my newborn studio is at my home in Norwich, Norfolk. It is not the biggest but it has everything you need when bringing your baby here for his/her very first photo shoot. I have nappies, wipes and provide hot tea and coffee and biscuits (when covid restrictions allowed)
I have everything on hand my favourite blankets and wraps. I wrote a blog on 'What to look for when booking a baby newborn photographer' in the blog I write about my style. As you can see below the colours I use are soft and natural. A lot of photographers rock bright colours & large props and setups. If this is what you would like then I would not book me, and that's okay! I use a little colour as you can see white and neutrals are so so timeless!
I adore texture, and use wraps to snugly curl your baby, tuck them in and if they are a little unsettled a wrap can help them feel secure !
I love delicate headbands and tiebacks, these do not distract away from the baby but add a little cuteness to newborn girls.
I follow lots of prop pages but tend to use 4 or 5 sellers regularly I know the hats & outfits fit snugly and are very well made. These little rompers are a favourite with parents.
I hope this blog gives you a little peek into my home studio , after being mobile for 2 years when i first started out. I am proud of my studio and love my small collection of vests, wraps etc they compliment my style which is the main reason people book me - if you are pregnant and wish to discuss booking a newborn shoot please email me at info@jesswilkinsphotography.co.uk or use the contact me page!
Jess xxx
Newborn babies, twins and more
Newborn babies, twins and more - whats been captured at the studio, Norwich? 2015
Newborn babies, twins and more - what's been captured at my studio in Norwich?
I have been trying to keep my blogs a bit varied recently with guest blogs from LauraJamie, Adventures of Adam and reviews on local places such as Dotty Pottery. If you wish to guest blog please let me know!
But I also miss showing off all the cute babies and toddlers that I have been lucky enough to capture. The last couple of months have been very varied. With family outdoor shoots, four twin sessions and lots of newborn babies too. I was lucky enough to attend a workshop on outdoor photo shoots with Sarah J. Evans in May.
I have not blogged any images in a while, below is a quick overview of the last few months!
First up Tallulah, she barely woke to say hi and was a little beauty. I kept this session simple and used lots of new fabrics, as well as a new prop. I love them babies all snuggled!
Little Edie - look at those cheeks & curled up all snug!
Kenyon and Scarlet my first boy/girl twins. I adored their session they were soo sleepy, perfect and had smitten parents! if you are pregnant with twins and wish to discuss a newborn session please contact me.
I haven't shared all my sessions but above are some highlights, as always. I am grateful to those that book me over the vast amount of photographers. I have many returning clients who recommend me and its a fab feeling to find out more about me click here and read a little guide to booking a newborn photographer.
Thanks for reading and looking
Jess xx
10 ways to keep kiddies occupied over the Summer
10 ways to keep kiddies occupied over the Summer Holidays - Norwich blogger Adventures of Adam
2015
Keeping children occupied over the Summer holidays can seem an impossible task, especially without costing a small fortune. At Adventures of Adam we aim to create play activities that "don't cost the earth but will mean the world to your little one. Here are our top 10 ways to keep summer boredom at bay come rain or shine.
Outdoor Play Ideas
Outside play lends itself to messy or wet play. With more space available it means activities can be on a larger scale.
1. DIY Water Wall - Grab some recycled plastic bottles, a few screws and a hammer to create your own DIY Water Wall. Experiment with different ways to get the water to fall through the bottles. Hours of free fun!
2. Easy To Make Water Bombs - Summer wouldn't be complete without a water fight. These water bombs are incredibly easy to make and are really effective at holding lots of water. They are cheap too so you can create several.
3.Paint Splat - Place paper in a Tuff Spot or attach it to the pavement and squeeze dots of paint across the paper. Give your little one a fly squatter and get them to splat the paint. It is a great activity to get rid of excess energy and creates a fantastic masterpiece.
4. Ice Cream Play - Summer wouldn't be Summer without ice cream so why not set up your own ice cream parlour. Use frozen shaving foam, Neapolitan play dough and icing sugar to create a pretend ice cream before decorating it with coconut sprinkles.
5. Animal Balloon Herding - Decorate pink, yellow and white balloons to make them look like pigs, chickens and sheep. Let the animal balloons loose outside and see if your kiddies can herd them into different areas of the garden.
10 ways to keep kiddies occupied over the Summer Holidays - Norwich
If the weather gets too hot or too wet then bring the play inside. Cabin fever will not set in with these activities though.
1. DIY Car Track - The DIY Car Track busy bag is incredibly easy to make. Cut a rubber door mat into equal sized strips, paint on white lines and you have a car track that can be formed in several ways. car track for a video tutorial.
2. Make your own Coloured Rain Cloud - If the Summer weather is as wet as it usually is why not bring a bit of colour to your own rain clouds. Pour water into a clear container and place shaving foam on top. Then squirt small amounts of food colouring onto the shaving foam. Your kiddies will love watching the food colouring seep into the shaving foam and drop into the water.
3. Ways to play with Water Beads - Water beads, otherwise known as Crystal Soil or Gel Balls, are water retaining gel that florists use to keep cut flowers alive in vases. You soak the crystals in a bowl of water for a few hours or over night and they expand and turn into slippery squishy marbles. Why not create an obstacle course from recycled materials for your little ones to explore the water beads in different ways.
4. Rainbow Shaving Foam Bath Painting - If you like the idea of painting but hate the thought of clearing up afterwards then why not take the paint into the bathroom. Mix in some shaving foam, add a small roller paint brush and create rainbows in the bath or on the bathroom wall. If you are concerned about the paint staining add a small drop of washing up liquid to the paint. Cleaning up is easy - simply turn on the shower to wash the paint away.
5. Fybogel Slime - This DIY slime is sure to keep your kiddies occupied over the summer - plus it is easy to make. Simply heat sachets of Fybogel (constipation medication available from pharmacies) with water and then wait for it to cool. Why not add a variety of small objects to the Fybogel slime. Our favourite is Alphabet Slime!
For further play activities check out Adventures of Adam. We have plenty more outdoor play ideas to keep little ones occupied and over. There certainly is something for everyone!
thanks Emma for your 10 ways to keep kiddies occupied over the Summer Holidays - Norwich blogger Adventures of Adam
To contact me for a shoot please email me here.
What are Gymboree classes Norwich like?
What are Gymboree classes Norwich like? 2015
I have been looking for some time, for a class/activity that would be great for my toddlers aged 2 and nearly 4 years old to go together, I saw Gymboree Norwich had added a new family class. That didn't clash with work and preschool. We booked a free trial and my kiddies loved it! Emma was very welcoming and didn't mind when Lucas would randomly run off and lose a bit of focus. Each week there is a theme and the equipment is moved about so it does not get boring for the children.
They have lots of classes on, at various times and days. Gymboree is an award-winning and fun-filled class for babies and children from 0-5 years. To read up about them clickgymboree.
It is great fun, once you sign up you can attend any of their 'open gym' sessions which is great, we went twice this half term as their classes run through the holidays - whoop!
This was one of the reasons I signed up, we sometimes get bored in the holidays and the flexibility of being able to attend our class as well as the open gym sessions is perfect especially for rainy days. The open gym sessions are not structured like the classes, it's a chance to use the soft play area and have free playtime.
As you can see from my snaps below, my two children LOVE IT!
The classes are held at a great building at the back of Nottcutts it is big, clean and full of fun. The only issues I have is my two never want to leave! I have to take them to see the animals at the garden center before we leave.
Their timetable can be downloaded on their Gymboree website If you undecided about signing up I would recommend signing up to a free taster session.
Jess x
To book a baby or family shoot please feel free to chat to, me via my contact form.
Best pick your own fruit farm in Norwich
Best pick your own fruit farm in Norwich 2014
This morning we ventured to White House Farm in Sprowston , Norwich. We went fruit picking there a lot last year. They now have a big cafe selling cold drinks, hot drinks oh and cake! but more on that later. My family love going, Lila got to run abut this time, and we saw lots of young children about today, it the best pick your own fruit farm in Norwich very family and child-friendly!
We checked their fruit meter online and although the strawberries were low we stocked up on raspberries to make smoothies and lollies with. I have recently brought a nutribullet (ITS AMAZING ) to make lots of fruit and veg smoothies. My two kiddies are loving them, and I can hide all sorts of stuff like kale and kiwi which they are not usually keen on.
I try and support local businesses as much as possible, that's why I am a member of Buy Local Norfolk, i also much prefer the taste of local fruit and veg. The farm sells eggs, jams, local popcorn it recently had a local farmers market which I sadly missed but they have plans to hold some more!
It's a great place to pop too and stock up on fruit and vegetables as they sell stuff already picked if you do not have time too. You can go and meet friends for a cuppa and cake which was delicious, they have changing facilities and toilets.
Today there was a choice of chocolate brownies, Victoria sponge cake, and scones which came with fresh cream and jam. My two children gulped theirs down and my nephew had some local ice-cream Ronaldo's, I had some and it was lovely. White House Farm has a great relaxed atmosphere, the children enjoyed picking the fruit and running about. As soon as the strawberries appear we will be going back again.
I was amazed by how many photos we got of all three cousins especially with my two, but with a belly full of cake and fruit they were quite happy to let me snap away!
The farm is open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) it's always good to check their website and see what their fruitmeter is like just in case there is little fruit to pick! If you go let me know what you think, and if you know of any other 'hidden gems' as I call them in Norfolk, we love getting outdoors and visiting new places!
Fancy a family shoot outdoors if your children prefer being outdoors? Then check please out my new outdoor shoot package or email me to book in.
Jess
How Life Coaching Can Help Busy Mums (and Dads)
Jess asked me to share a little bit about the life coaching that I offer to mums and a few tips to help with the juggling act of parenthood.
My name is Sam James and I am a Life Coach here in Norwich. I am passionate about helping mums to thrive and flourish as a woman and whatever roles that involves. I work with you to understand what makes you tick, what is important to you, and how to start designing your life to be the perfect fit for you and your family!
My Top Life Coaching Tips for Tired Parents:
Find time to be Grateful
Take some time every day to think of something that you are grateful for or that makes you happy (especially important when you haven’t had much sleep or have had a bad day!). It can help to have a physical object as a reminder – I have a butterfly shaped stone to remind me (but it can be anything that you will see or touch every day)
Work out what your family priorities are
You can use these to ground you, and use as a benchmark when making tough decisions. This will help you make the decision that is right for you and not the decision everyone else thinks is the right one for you!
Have some regular ‘me’ time
To do something that is about you and not about being mummy, to look after yourself
Be realistic
What ‘jobs’ can you really achieve with a young baby / toddler in tow all day? If you're realistic, then you can enjoy your day without feeling guilty about everything else you ‘should’ be doing.
Write a Quick List
Have a ‘Quick’ list of jobs that you can do if you get the odd few minutes spare (e.g. an email or phone call). These jobs are not urgent things though, so it doesn’t matter if you get to the end of the day and they aren’t done. But when you do tick them off you can count that as an achievement for the day!
Forget about Should
If the reason you are doing something is because you ‘should’, question if it is something that you need to do or want to do?
I hope these tips help you as a busy parent !
Sam
About Sam James Coaching
I found life coaching was just what I needed when I was pregnant with my son and throughout those early years, enabling me to be confident in the choices I made (and there are so many choices as a parent!). That is why I love to offer life coaching in an affordable package, both individually and in small groups, in Norwich and surrounding areas.
Follow Sam James Coaching: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Main Image: Family Photoshoot by me Jess Wilkins Photography Find out how to book a photoshoot here.