First Light

All Guides

How to Settle a Newborn for Photos (Without Losing the Morning)

How to Settle a Newborn for Photos (Without Losing the Morning)

Warm room, full belly, steady white noise and patience - the craft of settling a newborn deeply enough to photograph at home, without losing the morning.

Newborn Posing and Safe Wrapping at Home: The Poses You Can Actually Achieve

Newborn Posing and Safe Wrapping at Home: The Poses You Can Actually Achieve

The handful of newborn poses a parent can safely achieve at home, plus a simple wrapping technique - no risky props, just a calm baby and good light.

When to Take Newborn Photos in NZ: The Sleepy Window and How to Plan Around It

When to Take Newborn Photos in NZ: The Sleepy Window and How to Plan Around It

The newborn photo window is short - just days 5 to 14. How to plan a NZ session around feeds and midwife visits, plus what to do if you miss…

How NZ Families Actually Find a Photographer Online (And Why Yours Might Be Invisible)

How NZ Families Actually Find a Photographer Online (And Why Yours Might Be Invisible)

Most NZ parents find their newborn photographer through a plain Google search, not Instagram. Here is how to show up when they look, and how to check where you stand.

Pricing Your Newborn Photography in NZ: A Practical Guide

Pricing Your Newborn Photography in NZ: A Practical Guide

How to price newborn photography sessions in NZ. CODB calculations, regional rate differences, package structures, and why underpricing hurts.

Editing Newborn Photos: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting It Right

Editing Newborn Photos: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting It Right

Learn which edits actually improve newborn photos and which ones ruin them. White balance, skin tones, cropping, and free tools that do the job properly.

Photographing Babies in Small NZ Homes: Making Any Room Work

Photographing Babies in Small NZ Homes: Making Any Room Work

How to photograph newborns in small NZ homes. Lens picks for tight spaces, DIY reflectors, angles that hide clutter, and one-window lighting.

Window Light for Newborn Photography in NZ Homes

Window Light for Newborn Photography in NZ Homes

How to use window light for newborn photography in NZ homes. Room orientation, diffusing harsh sun, positioning, and why you rarely need flash.

Better Baby Photos from Your Phone: No Camera Required

Better Baby Photos from Your Phone: No Camera Required

Practical phone photography tips for better baby and newborn photos. Covers lighting, burst mode, portrait mode pitfalls, and free editing apps for NZ parents.

Best Camera for Newborn Photography in NZ: A Practical Buyer’s Guide

Best Camera for Newborn Photography in NZ: A Practical Buyer’s Guide

Practical guide to choosing a camera for newborn photography in NZ. Covers phones vs mirrorless, NZ pricing, and the one lens you actually need.