MADDOX - 11 MONTHS

As a Hawke's Bay photographer who adores storytelling and emotional connections between people, it doesn't get much better than having one of my couples get in touch a few years after their wedding to ask me to spend some time with them documenting the next big milestone in their lives, the arrival of children.

At 11 months old, Maddox has cherry-picked the best of his parents' beautiful genes; mum Nicola's blonde locks and dad Chris' olive skin and strong build - another rugby star in the making! Based in England, the family came home for a visit and were treated to a session with me by proud grandparents, Gavin and Kathy, who were also included in our shoot because I believe the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is such an important one to document beautifully.

I'm often asked 'when is the best age to photograph a baby?' and although it's very special to remember just how small they were as newborns, I love shooting babies at around 9-months to a year old because that's when relationships and connections with Mum and Dad are really strong and big, adorable milestones like laughing, crawling, walking, playing and clapping can be captured. As for the best season? It's hard to look past Hawke's Bay in autumn.

If you'd love a family session like this one, it costs $895 and includes high resolution images (around 60) and a signed fine art enlargement. You can find out more about family and baby sessions HERE or GET IN TOUCH NOW to book.