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Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

For those of you that might not know, today is National Rainbow Baby Day.  

You might have heard me use this term ‘Rainbow Baby’ a few times and not know what it means.  This blog post will explain all about rainbow babies.

Rainbow Baby sutton coldfield

The term ‘Rainbow Baby’ is used when a child is born to a family who have previously lost a child due to miscarraige, stillbirth or death during infancy.  For many parents who do get pregnant after losing a baby, there can be a huge bag of mixed emotions – worry, reflection, fear, overjoyed, anxiety, happiness …

 

Many parents can actually feel guilty for being excited about their new pregnancy whereas others are terrified to celebrate anything just in case.  These rainbow babies really are that light after the storm.

Rainbow Baby newborn photographer sutton coldfield

For those families who have been through such a dark time, having that baby really can feel like the most amazing mircale ever.  And of course it is.

Many people are now a lot more open about struggles and complexities with pregnancy and conception.  It used to be such a taboo subject.  I, for one, am so pleased that many more people are so open about their journey.  It really does help those who are at the beginning (or the middle) of their own journey – to know that someone else is going through something similar to you. 

 

I love that my families often talk about their pregnancy journeys with me. 

Rainbow Baby Newborn photographer sutton coldfield

Our rainbow babies are to be celebrated just like the angel babies that were too perfect to be here.  And that is why, for many people, it is important to have that rainbow.  To show that there is light, there is hope.  But that the journey to get to this beautiful miracle hasn’t been forgotten.

rainbow baby sutton coldfield

So what can I do for your rainbow baby?

Firstly, you need to decide if you want to honour your angel baby in this way.  Some parents do and some don’t.  It’s 100% your personal choice – everyone deals with things in very different ways.

 

Then, when I’m planning your session I can include as much or as little ‘rainbow’ as you like.  Like all my sessions, the set ups are designed and tailored to you.  For example, in this set of images accompanying my blog post here, Mom and I discussed incorporating rainbows a lot.  Mom herself loves colour and wanted to celebrate her miracle whilst remembering her angel.  

Rainbow Baby

For me personally, it is a huge honour to be able to capture your newborn pictures especially when they can mean so much.  If you are booking in with me and would like your session to include anything special like this, please discuss it with me before the session so I can prepare my set ups accordingly.

Rainbow Baby

People work through their situations in different ways and there is no right and wrong.  But if you are needing someone to talk to there are many different charities out there who can help including those at Sands, Tommy’s and The Miscarriage Association.

 

Back To School Mini Sessions

Back To School Mini Sessions

Back To School Minis

 

After the year we had at school last year, going back to school in September really is something to celebrate for teachers, children and parents alike.

 

As a teacher, I used to love seeing my class on the first day of September.  All their uniform pristine, hair all in place and huge smiles on their faces.  They were always full of funny stories of things they had done and seen over the summer holidays.

 

This year will definitely be even more special.  Weird, but special.  Which is why I have decided to launch these Back To School mini sessions.

back to school mini photography session key stage one

Whether your child is going to a new year group, new school or starting school for the very first time I have a chalkboard to suit you.

There are 4 different chalkboards to choose from: First Day in Nursery, First Day in Reception, Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) or Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6).  I can make a Secondary School one if you like too!

Our children grow and change all the time.  We don’t even realise how quickly too.  That’s why something like this is so lovely – a great way of recording how your child is right now.  Their likes, their friendships and what they want to be.  They will LOVE looking back at these when they’re older – I know I would have.

Back to school mini photography session sutton coldfield nursery pictures

With covid related guidance changing regularly, many parents have discussed their worries that there may not be school photos taken this year which is why they were so excited to book this session with me.

My Back To School Mini sessions are available until the 6th September.

Sessions last up to 20 minutes per child.

For only £45, you get the session, a digital file of your choice with print release and a matching mounted 8″ x 12″ print

 

There is a discount for sibling bookings.

 

I only have a limited number of sessions available now so get in touch with me to book yours before I am fully booked!

back to school mini photography session sutton coldfield
Outdoor Training with Lisa McCormick Photography

Outdoor Training with Lisa McCormick Photography

On Saturday, I travelled up to Sunderland for a very special day of training with Lisa McCormick photography.

I went up with Captured by Cheryl Photography and we had the best day.  We both learned so much about outdoor photography – which is completely different to shooting in your studio.

So I am very pleased to announce that I am now offering sessions for boys and girls outdoors.  These are ideally suited for children aged from 5 years old (due to following posing directions – I can photography children of any age though).

 

Children's outdoor portraits sutton coldfield

At the beginning of the week, I met up with 8 year old Poppy and we took some photos.  She had such a lovely time.  The sessions do include the use of all my props and dresses – I have a wide variety of dresses in greys, golds and soft pastel colours.  Poppy said she felt like a princess.

Below are some behind the scenes photographs taken by Poppy’s Mom during our outdoor portrait session.

For more information on my family and child portraits click here.  If you’d like to discuss a children’s portrait session with me, please send me a message.

Award Winning Newborn Photographer

Award Winning Newborn Photographer

I wrote a blog before about the benefits about being involved with The Guild of Photographers.  One of those benefits is being able to enter into the Image of the Month competition. 

 

Every month, all members have the option to enter their images into a variety of categories.  There are set criteria that must be fulfilled in order to enter.  Images are then judged by a panel of 3 of their master craftsment (absolute top of the game photographers) and given a score.  That score could be converted into a Bronze, Silver or Gold award depending on how high the image scored.

 

I’ve not had the guts to enter before.  Having only started my newborn photography journey 2 years ago (Thank you Facebook for reminding me of that last week!), I am still at the beginning of my journey.

 

Maybe it was the effect of lockdown that pushed me over the edge – haha! – but this month I entered a few images into the image of the month competition.  

 

21st of every month is results day and they’re usually posted at 12pm.  I kept refreshing from about 11;45 just incase.  I don’t think I was this nervous about getting my a-level results!  But at 1pm I refreshed again and 

 

I GOT A BRONZE AWARD!!!!!!!!!

 

My other images were classified which is still really good and I am absolutely super proud of myself and how far I have come in my journey so far.

 

So I am now an award winning newborn photographer.

Award winning newborn photographer sutton coldfield

If you’re a photographer and would like to become a member of The Guild of Photographers, my referral link below will get you a discount!  https://photoguild.co.uk/r/5CB4pa

Great to take advantage of their special offers, competitions, advice and discounts with a variety of industry suppliers.

Your Perfect Newborn Competition

Your Perfect Newborn Competition

Last month I had an e-mail encouraging me to enter into the Your Perfect Newborn monthly competition.  I was so hesitant at first as I’ve not entered any competition before.

In all honesty, it’s scary.  Like GCSE exam day and results day scary.  But I put on my big girl pants and submitted an image for the theme ‘Family’.

 

Today, the results went live.  I didn’t win, there can only be one winner.  But I am in their featured photographers with my entry photo up.  So to me, that’s a huge complement.  Click the link to see my image!

Family Collection

Featured on Your Perfect Newborn
Recommended Businesses in Sutton Coldfield

Recommended Businesses in Sutton Coldfield

I know a lot of my clients come from recommendations from their friends.  It’s the best and I love that you’ve been so happy with your photos, my service and the quality of my products that you would tell your friends and family to use me too.  It’s honestly the best complement I can get.

 

I once actually had a client leave my house after the shoot, call her best friend to book in for a 6-10 month sitter milestone session too – which she did within 20 minutes haha!

 

So I have decided that, as a thank you and to show my appreciation, to introduce a referral scheme.

 

For all new clients who book a full price session with me (this does not include mini sessions or special offers) I will be giving you £20 credit to use with me on your future shoots.  You can use the money towards your session fee, digitals, collections or printed products.   The more yu refer, the more you get!   

 This is open for all my previous clients.  £20 will be credited with me once the referral pays in full for their session and is valid for 24 months from that date.  All credit will be kept in my records.  The referral must mention you when booking for the £20 referral to be counted.  The credits cannot be exchanged for money and can oly be used with Nicki Byrne Photography.

When your images get published in Vogue

When your images get published in Vogue

Being in the photography industry is tough.  I know lots of different industries are tough but the arts is particularly tough as it’s so subjective.  There’s no right or wrong.  When I used to teach, I would be observed and told how/where I could make improvements to be better so I’ve been trying to find something like that in my industry.  That’s when I came across Vogue image of the day.

 

Vogue offer the opportunity to showcase some excellent photographers from across the world in their image of the day feature.  You get two days a week to submit two of your images.  Then, they’re either accepted or declined.  There’s no feedback, unlike competitions with the Guild, and you don’t necessarily know what they’re after.  But … finally … after a couple of weeks (when I remembered haha) I have had an image accepted!!!!!

 

To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement.

I literally could not believe it when I saw it had been accepted!!!!  There is it, with the Vogue logo on.  My heart is still pounding as I write this.  

 

And what a great first photo to have been accepted by Vogue too – from my visit to Zambia as a teacher through Connecting Classrooms and I was fortunate enough to visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

Returning After Covid-19

Returning After Covid-19

As you may know, I am now able to offer social distanced outdoor photography sessions!  These can be for newborns (about 3 months), 6-10 month milestones, cake smashes or family sessions.  We’ve been incredibly lucky with our weather during lockdown and I am hoping that the beautiful evenings will continue.

 

To make sure we are safe, to protect you, your family, my family and my other clients, I have put several new procedures in place.

These include:

  • All bookings will be online or via the phone.
  • All sessions are outdoors in a quiet location with few general public about.
  • Only members of the same household can be involved in the photoshoot.
  • I will stay 2m away and direction will be given from a distance.
  • Any posing must be done by the parents.  Posing will be very limited.
  • If I do need to come any closer for an over head shot, full PPE will be worn (in accordance with government guidance).
  • Sessions will be shorter to minimise contact.
  • I will wear a face mask during the session.  Anyone not taking part in the session will also be asked to wear a face mask too should they wish.
  • Galleries will be delivered via an online gallery until the government guidelines state that it is safe for clients to be in my home studio.
  • Orders will take place via an online Zoom meeting where I can share my order screen with you.
  • Prints and Products will be delivered to you safely via courier mail should you prefer.  There is also an option to collect them from my drive (at a safe distance).
  • Digitals are to be downloaded via wetransfer
  • If you or a member of your household feels sick, or have been in contact with someone who has covid-19 symptoms, I am asking for the session to be rescheduled.

As always, props, outfits etc will be cleaned thoroughly before and after the photoshoot.

 

If you have any questions, concerns or worries, please get in touch!

 

Nicki x

What is the session fee for?

What is the session fee for?

When you run a business, how you price yourself is a difficult decision.  There’s a lot of research that goes into it.  Within the photography industry, there are many different options for how to price yourself.  I decided to go for the most upfront and honest.  The route of a session fee means that you only pay for the things you want.  Many photographers have a larger fee but include all the images – but what if you don’t want all the images?  Or you don’t want digital files you only want a statement piece of artwork for you wall?  This is why I chose to follow the session fee route.   You only have to pay for what you want.

 

The session fee for each photography session pays for my time on the day, my editing time (a session’s gallery will take me about 5 hours to edit), any props, outfits, specialist equipment I may need for your shoot, the running costs for that session (electricity if in my studio or petrol to get to a location) as well as my training and expertise.

 

With only a small session fee, it means that I am able to offer affordable, professional photography to everyone because everyone deserves beautiful photos, don’t they?

Puuuurrrrrfect Pet Portraits – Photographs of all your family members

Puuuurrrrrfect Pet Portraits – Photographs of all your family members

They always say, ‘Don’t work with animals or children.’  Well, I clearly don’t like to listen haha!  

 

As of today, the day that I am allowed to reopen after the covid-19 pandemic, I would like to formally announce that I am now able to offer studio and outdoor pet portraits.  

 

Our pets, both big and small, are such important and well-loved members of our family that they should have their own photoshoot too, right?!   Espcially these cute puppies!!!!

 

Is this not just the cutest thing in the world?  Not going to lie, I loved the cuddles too!!!!!

 

Your pets portrait can be any theme, colour or style.  

 

If you’ve got a pet and would like them to be photographed, I am currently open for outdoor portraits.  I will be open for studio portraits in September 2020 providing government guidance (re: the covid-19 pandemic) deems it safe for me in my small home studio.