I've been photographing Samantha and Luke for years now, starting with their wedding and coming back for family sessions as the family has grown. This time, there was a new addition to meet.


Baby Elva is twelve weeks old. This was supposed to be a newborn session at home but life got in the way, so we pushed it out and turned it into a family session at Taitua Arboretum instead. Honestly, I think it worked out great this way. Elva was more alert, the girls could run around, and we had that beautiful autumn light coming through the trees.


Aubree is twelve now and Esther is eight, and they were both incredible in front of the camera. Natural, enthusiastic, completely at ease. You can tell they've done this before. They both adore their baby sister and some of my favourite shots from the session are the two of them holding Elva on the blanket, these quiet little moments between siblings that you just can't manufacture.


We started on the gravel paths through the arboretum for some walking and standing shots, then moved into a leafy spot with beautiful dappled light where we could spread out and work through different groupings. While I was shooting one combination, the others would be nearby playing, which is exactly how I like it. Nobody is standing around waiting and getting bored.


Elva started getting a bit unsettled just as we were setting up for a family shot on the blanket, so we shifted gears. I took Luke and the older girls for some photos while Sam fed the baby, and we got some really tender feeding shots. It's such a normal part of life with a newborn and I love that Sam wanted it captured.


At one point, I looked up from photographing the others and Esther had climbed a tree. That's the thing about family sessions with kids this age. You give them a bit of space, and they'll give you something you never would have thought to ask for.


The detail shots from this one are special. Tiny hands gripping a knitted cardigan, fingers wrapped around mum's. Those are the things that change so fast you barely notice until they're gone.


This family is a big part of why I love what I do. Watching them grow, coming back each time there's a new chapter, and getting to document it all. That's the whole point.


— Tony

Family of five posing on a scenic forest path surrounded by lush green and yellow foliage.
Black and white family photo of five people walking together on a tree-lined path outdoors.
A young mother holds her baby surrounded by two daughters, all wearing white, smiling outdoors in a lush green setting.
Black and white photo of a mother holding a baby, flanked by two young girls, posing on a wooded path.
Two sisters in white sweaters lovingly hold their newborn sibling outdoors in a lush green forest setting.
Black and white family portrait of a mother holding a baby with two daughters outdoors on a tree-lined path.
Two girls holding hands walk down a tree-lined path in a black and white portrait photo.
Two girls walking hand in hand on a garden path, wearing white outfits surrounded by lush green trees.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple standing on a wooded path, woman in flowy skirt touching mans chest.
Two girls holding hands and smiling while walking on a tree-lined path, black and white photo.
Black and white portrait of a smiling couple embracing outdoors among lush trees in a park setting.
A couple smiles together on a scenic forest path, woman in cream top and brown skirt, man in tan shirt and black shorts.
A smiling couple embraces outdoors on a tree-lined path, woman in white knit cardigan and man in brown shirt.
Black and white photo of a baby resting on a curly-haired woman's shoulder, looking at the camera.
A curious baby with wide eyes rests on a mother's shoulder outdoors, wearing a white knit sweater.
A smiling young woman with brown hair holds a cute baby in a white knit outfit outdoors in a green setting.
A young girl whispers a secret into a woman's ear outdoors in a black and white photo.
A man smiles warmly while being hugged by two young girls outdoors in a lush green garden setting.
A smiling man in a brown shirt holds a baby in white outdoors on a tree-lined path.
A young family with a newborn baby poses outdoors surrounded by lush green trees on a sunlit path.
Black and white family portrait of parents and two children sitting together among fallen leaves in a forest.
Family of five sitting together on autumn leaves in a forest, sharing a warm and loving moment outdoors.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple sitting together against a tree in a forest setting.
Couple sitting together against a tree trunk in autumn leaves, sharing a tender romantic embrace outdoors.
Couple sitting together against a tree trunk on autumn leaves in a lush green forest, smiling and enjoying each other.
Black and white photo of a couple sitting close together against a tree, sharing an intimate moment outdoors.
Black and white photo of a couple sitting against a tree, woman resting her head on mans shoulder outdoors.
Black and white photo of a young mother tenderly holding her newborn baby outdoors near a tree.
Mother breastfeeding newborn baby outdoors in autumn forest, sitting on blanket among fallen leaves.
A mother in a cream sweater tenderly breastfeeds her newborn baby dressed in a white knit outfit.
Black and white photo of a mother tenderly kissing her newborn baby in a soft knit sweater.
A young girl in a white dress climbs a tree in a lush green forest setting.
Black and white family portrait of parents with three children sitting on fallen leaves in a forest setting.
Family of four sitting on autumn leaves in a forest, parents with two daughters smiling outdoors.
Black and white portrait of three smiling girls posing together outdoors in a candid, joyful photo.
Three girls sitting together on a blanket in a forest, smiling, wearing white and brown outfits.
A smiling mother sits outdoors with her baby and two daughters in a warm, wooded setting.
Black and white photo of a mother and three children sitting on a blanket among fallen leaves in a forest.
A smiling teenage girl sits cross-legged on a blanket outdoors, cradling a happy baby in a cream knit outfit.
A young mother sits against a tree outdoors, lovingly cradling her newborn baby in a serene black and white photo.
A young woman tenderly holds and gazes at her newborn baby outdoors in a warm, bokeh nature setting.
Black and white photo of a young girl tenderly holding a sleeping baby on a blanket outdoors.
A smiling girl sits on a blanket holding a baby in cream outfits among autumn leaves outdoors.
Close-up black and white photo of adult hands cradling a newborn baby's tiny hand, with a delicate ring visible.
Close-up of a newborn baby holding an adult's hand, wearing a knit sweater with buttons.
Black and white portrait of a mother tenderly holding her newborn baby in a cozy knit sweater outdoors.
A young mother in a white cable-knit sweater tenderly holds her infant baby outdoors in a serene natural setting.
A mother sits on a wooden bench outdoors, lovingly holding her baby in a lush green countryside setting.
A wide-eyed baby in a white knit sweater yawns while being held by a person wearing a ring outdoors.
Black and white photo of an adorable baby in a knit sweater being held up by an adult's hands.
Black and white photo of a mother kissing her wide-eyed baby on the cheek in a tender moment.
Family of four posing together in a wooded autumn park with fallen leaves and green trees in the background.
Happy family of five posing outdoors in autumn forest, parents with three children including a baby, smiling among fall foliage.
A smiling girl in a white dress and cardigan holds a wooden walking stick on a forest path surrounded by autumn foliage.
Black and white photo of a newborn baby cradled in an adult's hands, wearing knit booties.

27th June, 2026

IN-HOME LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION

NEWBORN
Sleeping newborn baby girl in pink lace dress holding white bunny stuffed animal with floral headband.

27th June, 2026

NEWBORN HAMILTON | AN IN-HOME SESSION

NEWBORN
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

NEWBORN
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

NEWBORN