Have you ever been drawn to a profession? I mean, did you always know that the job you are doing now is what you were always meant to do? 

I never felt that with photography. Especially not newborn photography!

In fact, it was my husband that owned the big fancy camera. I was quite content with my office job and never really thought about photography. 

But then our first child was born.

Isabelle was such a gorgeous baby, and as a new mum, I was smitten. I longed to capture each and every moment and lock it away in my memory vault to keep forever. The camera on my phone got an absolute workout, but even though hubby had a ‘big’ camera, he never showed much interest in using it to take photos of Isabelle. So, I took matters into my own hands.

From Office Job to Newborn Photography

My desire to take beautiful photos of my child led me to quit my office job and study photography. And the more I studied, the more my interest in photography grew. I had no idea where the study would take me, but I was thoroughly enjoying the ride. 

I tried a few different styles of photography, but I always found myself drawn back to families, children and newborns. And with the perfect subject in Isabelle, my newborn photography skills grew fairly quickly.

Honing My Photography Skills and Developing My Candid Style

Baby number two, Alicia, followed not long after Isabelle and I was in my element capturing these two gorgeous girls on film. By this stage I was well and truly in love with photography… But the girls were not a big fan of the camera. 

Every time I reached for the camera both Isabelle and Alicia would run away! They were busy little girls. Not keen to sit and pose when there were so many other things to do. 

This didn’t bother me in the slightest. I enjoyed the fun, natural style of photography. Candid shots that told a story and captured the essence of the moment. Some of my most favourite shots of the girls are when they are completely oblivious to the camera and are wrapped up in the moment and what they were doing at the time. 

When I look back at these images, my heart swells with so much love and happiness.

But My Strongest Why is Yet to Come

In early January 2015, we welcomed our youngest child. Another daughter who we named Sophie. Just like her sisters, she was an absolute angel. A beautiful, content, healthy little angel. I couldn’t wait to leave the hospital and bring her home to be with the other girls. 

Three little girls under three! What were we thinking! We knew it’d be crazy, but I was looking forward to it. 

However, my contented mama cocoon was shattered when Sophie was just six days old and developed a temperature. She gradually started getting warmer, but being a Summer day, I put it down to the weather and took extra steps to cool her down.

But as the day wore on, nothing seemed to work to cool Sophie down. She became hotter and hotter until her temperature reached an alarming 37.9 degrees. I was extremely worried by this stage and called the Health line for advice. They told us to take her straight into the Canberra Hospital. 

So, only one day after leaving the hospital, we were headed straight back there. By the time we arrived, Sophie’s temperature was above 40 degrees and I was panicking. 

Sophie was rushed straight in to be assessed. Her little heart was racing and she was very quickly surrounded by doctors, nurses and machines. Our hearts were in our mouths as we waited for results… for answers. It was the most terrifying time of my life. To see my newborn baby so sick, while all I could do was stand by, watch and wait.

In the mix of all the thoughts rushing through my head, I couldn’t help but think about photographs… The photos that were yet to be taken. Precious newborn photos I may not ever have. All the time Sophie was in the hospital, I just wanted to rush home and grab my camera so I could capture her precious newborn moments. 

It’s silly I know... The things we think about during our toughest moments. I stayed by Sophie’s side the entire time and prayed she would be okay, and the whole time all I could think about was whether or not I would be able to get a newborn photo of her.

Sophie was diagnosed with Meningitis. Fortunately, they were able to get on top of it quickly and, after some time spent in the hospital recovering, she was given a clean bill of health and was able to return home to us. 

We are so lucky to have her and as I watch the lively five year old she is today, I am so grateful that she has no side effects and is happy with a clean bill of health. The outcome could have been so much worse!

Photography Could No Longer Be Just a Hobby

Have you ever gone through an experience such as this? An experience that changes you forever. 

Going through this experience with Sophie, feeling such intense fear and worry, changed everything for me. The feelings I felt about wanting to grab the camera never dissipated. I couldn't let go of wanting to create memories of babies, children and families. Not just for my own family, but for other families as well.

From that moment on, I knew that photography could no longer be just a hobby for me. The pull to work as a photographer was now so strong.  And so, in March 2015, within months of Sophie being born and becoming sick, Hayley Carberry Photography was born.

In the years since I have been so fortunate to photograph so many beautiful newborns and their families. I have definitely found my calling and, now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. 

I know that not everyone has the same happy outcome as we did with Sophie, and I am grateful every day to capture candid moments for families all around Canberra.

Moments when their babies are brand new.

Moments as these babies grow and their personalities begin to shine through.

Moments that are captured forever in print so families can reminisce over them. 

Because life can sometimes take a turn for the worse and these memories may be all that we have left.  

Not only am I honoured to capture these moments every day for families. But I’ve also been fortunate to be able to give back in bigger ways. My business has allowed me to donate many times over the years to the wonderful charities and organisations that supported us when Sophie was sick. Five years on and it still brings me to tears how fantastic the staff at Canberra Hospital were during our time there. 

Life is so precious. Time so fleeting. Our memories so cherished. Photography for me now is my way of giving families the chance to capture these memories forever in print. Because I was in the position once where I almost missed this chance with my own child… And I wouldn’t want any other family to be in this position.

I would be honoured to capture your precious newborn moments. I have times available for newborn photography sessions. 

Get in touch today if you would like to make a booking. 

Until next time,

xx Hayley