There's a particular kind of portrait I make in the small studio at the back of my place here in Hamilton. The walls are dark, the curtains stay drawn except for one thin slit of window light, there's calm music playing, and not much else. No bright backdrops. No props fighting for attention. Just a mum, her baby, and the light doing the work.


These aren't the light, airy photos most people picture when they think "baby photos." They're quieter and darker on purpose, shadow, skin, the shape of an arm wrapped around a small body. I want them to feel like the actual experience of those early months: close, tired, tender, and bigger than you can say out loud.


Selina walked in with her ink on show and her boy settled against her, and from the first frame it was clear this was her element. We took it slowly. A feed partway through, no rush, no performing, which is almost always when the best moments arrive. Once he was fed and content, she stopped thinking about the camera, and that's the exact thing I'm waiting for.


Then there are the small details I never want her to forget: the curl of his toes in her hand, his fist closed around one of her fingers, the way he looked straight down the lens like he was weighing something up. And the quiet at the end — him asleep against her chest, her looking down, the room almost black around them. Nothing arranged. Just the weight of him and the stillness.


Dad was there too, and we caught the three of them together in a single frame, a kiss at her temple, their boy asleep between them.


If this is the kind of portrait that speaks to you, honest, low-lit, more about the bond than the pose — that's exactly what these sessions are for. If you're a Hamilton mum who wants something real rather than polished, I'd love to hear from you.


— Tony

Black and white photo of a mother cradling her newborn baby by a bright window, sharing a tender moment.
Tattooed mother smiling warmly while cradling her sleeping newborn baby dressed in a sage green outfit.
Black and white portrait of tattooed mother holding her baby, smiling warmly in a studio setting.
Close-up of a tattooed mother breastfeeding her newborn baby, with tiny feet visible and a gold necklace.
Tattooed parent holding an alert baby dressed in green overalls and a cream onesie.
Tattooed mother smiling and holding newborn baby near a bright window in a tender moment.
Tattooed mother tenderly holding her newborn baby against a dark background.
Black and white portrait of an adorable baby in denim overalls looking at the camera with wide curious eyes.
Black and white photo of a tattooed mother tenderly holding her baby, gazing down with love.
Tattooed mother smiling while holding her newborn baby against a dark background.
A tattooed mother lovingly gazes at her baby boy in green overalls on a gray carpet.
Black and white photo of a mother lying on the floor, tenderly touching her smiling baby in overalls.
Black and white photo of tattooed mother smiling at her newborn baby lying on a blanket near a window.
Black and white photo of a tattooed mother tenderly kissing her newborn baby while cradling them close.
Black and white photo of a tattooed mother tenderly breastfeeding her newborn baby while seated in a chair.
Smiling tattooed mother bottle feeding her newborn baby while sitting in a chair in soft natural light.
A peaceful baby in striped overalls lying on a fluffy white blanket against a dark background.
Tattooed mother lovingly gazing at her newborn baby lying on a white blanket in a dark studio setting.
Close-up of a parent's hands gently cradling tiny newborn baby feet on a soft white blanket.
Black and white photo of tattooed mother smiling at her newborn baby lying on a soft blanket.
Black and white photo of a tattooed mother holding her newborn baby against a dark background.
Black and white photo of tattooed mother cradling sleeping newborn baby by window light.
Black and white photo of a mother tenderly kissing her infant baby while holding them close.
A tattooed parent tenderly holds a wide-eyed baby against a gray background.
Tattooed mother smiling and bonding with her newborn baby on a green blanket.
Black and white photo of a tattooed mother tenderly nuzzling her newborn baby while cradling them gently.
Black and white portrait of a smiling tattooed mother sitting with her infant baby in a studio setting.
Black and white photo of a mother tenderly gazing at her newborn baby wrapped in a striped onesie.
Black and white photo of a mother tenderly breastfeeding her newborn baby wrapped in a soft blanket.
A newborn baby grasping an adult finger, symbolizing the tender bond between parent and child.
Black and white photo of tattooed mother tenderly breastfeeding newborn baby wrapped in soft blanket.
Tattooed mother gazing lovingly at her sleeping newborn baby dressed in a striped onesie with a pacifier.
Tattooed mother tenderly gazes at her newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket against a gray backdrop.
Black and white photo of tattooed mother tenderly holding sleeping newborn wrapped in white blanket.
Tattooed mother tenderly breastfeeding her newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket against a dark wall.
Black and white portrait of tattooed mother tenderly breastfeeding newborn baby wrapped in soft blanket.
Black and white photo of a sleeping newborn baby in striped overalls cuddled close to mother.
Close-up of tiny newborn baby feet resting on a green fabric blanket.
Black and white photo of a mother tenderly cradling her sleeping newborn baby in her arms.
Black and white portrait of a tattooed mother breastfeeding her newborn baby while gazing thoughtfully to the side.
Black and white family portrait of tattooed parents tenderly holding their newborn baby in a studio setting.
Black and white portrait of a mother tenderly holding and smiling at her baby.

17th September, 2026

A STUDIO BABY SESSION IN HAMILTON — SAMANTHA AND ELVA

BABY
A mother in a rust dress tenderly breastfeeds her newborn baby in a moody, dark studio setting.

14th September, 2026

A MATERNITY AND BABY STUDIO SESSION IN HAMILTON — TINA AND NICO

BABY
A mother tenderly holds her newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket while sitting in a chair by a bright window.

22nd August, 2026

NEWBORN AT HOME WITH MARYAM AND ALEC

BABY
Family of four sitting on autumn leaves in a park, parents with two daughters smiling outdoors.

26th April, 2026

THE BALDWIN FAMILY AT TAITUA ARBORETUM

BABY
Multi-generational Asian family smiling outdoors in a garden, with parents holding a baby girl among lush greenery.

23rd April, 2026

THREE GENERATIONS AT PARANA PARK

BABY
A happy family of four poses together on a white bed in a bright, cozy bedroom.

21st March, 2026

NICO'S NEWBORN SESSION | AT HOME IN HAMILTON

BABY