Irene Chaikeen
Newborn Photography Essex
(serving Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Theydon Bois, Epping, Woodford Green, South Woodford, Wanstead and the surrounding areas)
Your baby’s first days are fleeting. As a mother and a professional photographer, I understand how to preserve that tenderness, the warm cuddles, tiny fingers, and your first moments of family closeness. I don’t just take photos, I create memories that will comfort you for years.
The session takes place in a cosy Buckhurst Hill studio (or in your home), in a relaxed atmosphere where your little one can settle comfortably.
Spaces are limited.
Send me a message, and I’ll guide you through preparing for your session.
Full pricing details for newborn sessions
Secure Your Session Early
(Session Fee & Product Pricing)
Payment for your photography experience occurs in two stages:
Stage One:
When booking your session, you’ll pay the session fee. This reserves your appointment in my diary and includes:
- A pre-session consultation
- Preparation guides and tailored advice
- Phone discussions
As soon as you know your due date, booking your newborn session in advance is best. This ensures we can schedule a suitable time within those precious first few weeks after your baby arrives. My comfortable and beautifully designed home studio provides a warm, safe and relaxing environment perfect for creating timeless portraits of your newest family member.
After booking, we’ll have a phone consultation to discuss your preferred style, ensuring your final images are completely tailored to you. In addition, you’ll have a selection of props to choose from, soft hats, delicate headbands, cosy buckets and a variety of backdrops so your photos reflect your unique taste and complement your home’s aesthetic.
Please note: This fee does not include any digital or printed images — these are selected and purchased separately after your session.
Relax & Enjoy The Experience
Your newborn session will be calm, unhurried, and tailored to your baby’s needs, lasting between one to three hours. I only book one studio session per day, so there’s no rush. We’ll take all the time needed for feeding, nappy changes, and cuddles to keep your baby happy. All you need to do is relax on the sofa, enjoy a cup of tea, and watch as we capture those perfect, fleeting moments.
Stage Two:
Your Preview & Selection
About one to two weeks after your session, you’ll be invited back to the studio for a personalised viewing. You’ll see your beautifully edited images and take your time choosing your favourites, whether as individual prints, framed artwork, or a stunning photo album. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.
At your viewing appointment, you may:
- Select items from our selection menu of premium prints and digital offerings
- Or invest in one of three carefully curated collections featuring our most popular products
This flexible approach ensures you can:
- Make final decisions after seeing your gallery
- Choose the perfect combination for your family
- Commit only when you’re completely delighted with your images
How to Prepare for Your Portrait Viewing
Your Treasured Keepsakes
From elegant acrylic prints and gallery-quality canvases to bespoke frames and heirloom albums, your final order will be ready for collection within two to three weeks after your viewing. These timeless pieces will become cherished memories, celebrating your baby’s earliest days for years to come.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Get in touch to book your newborn session today!
Why the first 2–3 weeks are ideal
• Babies sleep deeply and curl up naturally in those adorable “womb-like” poses.
• Their skin is at its smoothest, with minimal newborn blemishes.
• You’ll capture that once-in-a-lifetime “newborn glow” before it fades.
I understand that due dates can be unpredictable, so I keep my schedule flexible to accommodate your baby’s arrival.
How It Works:
- Contact me to check availability for your preferred month.
- We’ll pencil in tentative dates and adjust them once your baby is born.
- To secure your session, I recommend booking in advance
Bonus Option — A Maternity Photoshoot
If you’re still expecting and want to capture the beauty of your pregnancy, consider a maternity photoshoot. It’s a wonderful way to tell your complete story from the joyful anticipation to those precious first days with your newborn.
I limit the number of bookings each month to ensure a personalised experience for every family.
Ready to reserve your date or ask any questions?
Get in touch, I’d love to help!
During the first two weeks of life, your baby still holds that precious ''newborn curl'' — sleeping soundly, effortlessly tucking into those cosy, womb-like poses. This is the fleeting window when we can create those impossibly tender portraits, the ones that simply won’t be possible later.
By a month old, your little one will begin to stretch and grow more alert, and those magical early moments will live on only in your photographs. Let me help you preserve them in the most perfect, timeless frames.
Why is my style called ''timeless''
Elegance without excess — only curated props (quality wool blankets, comfortable swaddles) and perfect lighting to highlight your baby’s velvety skin.
Harmony of authenticity and art — between naps, I capture those fleeting moments: Dad’s fingertip brushing a tiny hand, your silent, joy-filled glances.
Impeccable quality — my portable studio ensures museum-grade detail, even in your living room.
The ideal window
While I photograph babies at any stage, 5–14 days old is pure magic
• Deep sleep, those serene, 'angelic' poses.
• Skin like silk, untouched by newborn blemishes.
• That ethereal “newborn glow” still lingers.
Every Age Has Its Magic: The Perfect Time for Your Baby’s Photo Shoot
Your little one is beautiful at every stage, but each phase brings fleeting moments to treasure forever.
6 — 14 days old
Your baby sleeps like an angel, curling up effortlessly into dreamy, womb-like poses. These poses are perfect for capturing tiny details, petal-soft skin, delicate fingers, and those first sleepy smiles.
4 + weeks old
Your little star becomes more alert! We’ll capture their bright-eyed curiosity, wobbly head lifts, and those heart-melting gummy grins.
Dreaming of snuggly newborn portraits?
Aim for the first two weeks.
Want to showcase their sparkling personality?
Let’s plan for after a month!
Pro tip
Missed the “ideal window”?
No worries! We’ll create magic at any age.
Just tell me about your baby, I’ll tailor the session to highlight their unique charm.
What to Wear for Your Newborn Photo Session: A Styling Guide for Parents
Sweet parents, while your gorgeous baby will naturally be the star of the show, here’s how to look your best while staying perfectly comfortable:
Our Styling Formula That Always Works:
- Stick to 1-2 neutral tones (cream, soft grey, warm beige or white) — these timeless shades create harmony and keep focus on your baby
- Choose solid colours over patterns (busy prints can distract from those precious tiny features)
- Coordinate — don’t match (try different shades of the same colour family for natural elegance)
Outfit Ideas That Photograph Beautifully
For Dads:
- Knit jumpers in oatmeal or slate blue
- Crisp white shirts (rolled sleeves for a relaxed vibe)
- Light colour plain t-shirt
- Tailored chinos in taupe or charcoal
For Mums:
- Flowy linen dresses in champagne or blush
- Cosy cashmere wraps in neutral tones
- Soft silk blouses with maternity jeans
Most importantly, wearing something that makes you feel like yourself in these photos is about your authentic connection. When in doubt, I’m happy to help style your family before your session!
Newborn Photography
It isn’t just a Beautiful Picture,
It’s a Lifetime Investment for Your Family
While a newborn photoshoot is an investment, these first irreplaceable moments deserve to be captured with artistry.
What will you treasure in 10, 20, or 50 years?
The tiny outfits will be outgrown, the pram passed along, the toys packed away…
But these professional portraits of your little one only become more precious year after year.
Why is this more than just a Photo Session?
-
Your Baby Changes in a Blink — Photos Last Forever
Those first few weeks are fleeting, the tiny fingers, the sleepy wrinkles, those gummy little smiles. In just months, these details will vanish. Memories fade, but photographs preserve every perfect, irreplaceable moment. -
It’s Not Just a Shoot — It’s a Celebration of Your New Chapter
The birth of your child is one of life’s most profound milestones. A photoshoot lets you pause and honour this time, capturing the raw, beautiful emotions: the tenderness, the exhaustion, the overwhelming love. Years later, you’ll treasure these images more than you can imagine. -
A Legacy for Generations
Picture your child, decades from now, showing these photos to their children: “Look how small you once were.” These images become a family heirloom, weaving your story into the fabric of your family’s history. -
A Gift for Loved Ones Who Can’t Be There
Grandparents, friends, and relatives abroad all wish they could hold your baby. Professional photos bring them closer, letting them share in the joy as if they were right beside you.
This Isn’t an Expense — It’s an Investment in Your Future
Yes, a professional photoshoot is an investment. But ask yourself: will you value short-term purchases or timeless emotions more? Years from now, you won’t remember the cost of nappies or onesies, but these photos will be priceless.
Book your session now — your future self will thank you forever.
When are newborn sessions held?
We usually start around 10 a.m. when soft, golden sunlight fills the room, creating that dreamy, warm atmosphere perfect for photos.
Do you know why this is the ideal time for babies? In the morning, they’re usually at their calmest, most content, and ready for a little photo adventure!
Just imagine: soft lighting, cosy blankets, your sweet baby peacefully snoozing in adorable setups… Isn’t it just perfect? Let’s create your story through the most heartwarming images together!
I’d love to share all the secrets to a perfect session,
Just drop me a message!
RIGHT INVESTMENT
A non-refundable deposit of £99 is required to secure your photoshoot date, as it allows me to reserve your spot in my schedule.
Payment Methods: Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Bank Transfer or Cash.
NEWBORN PORTRAIT EXPERIENCE
The newborn portrait session is priced at £99
Your session fee, payable upon booking, includes:
-
Personalised preparation: Email correspondence and telephone consultations to ensure you feel completely prepared and at ease.
-
A 3-hour studio session capturing:
— Precious newborn portraits
— Family groupings (including sibling photographs)
-
Professional editing: Expert retouching and artistic enhancement of your images.
-
A personalised viewing to select your favourite photographs and place orders.
Please note: The session fee does not include any digital files or printed products; these are chosen separately after your viewing.
There’s no obligation to purchase until you’ve seen and fallen in love with your images!
When you invest in professional photography of the people you love most,
you deserve impeccable quality
and peace of mind
I understand how important it is for you to choose a photographer who will not just take pictures, but craft lively, touching images of your baby, the very ones that will warm your heart for years to come.
What sets my work apart:
- Perfect poses that look effortlessly natural: I use proven posing techniques to create the “sleeping angel” effect — gentle, timeless, and completely safe.
- Seamless process, exceptional results: My Buckhurst Hill studio is equipped with professional-grade equipment and exclusive premium props, alongside a clear step-by-step workflow to guarantee the dreamlike images you envision.
- Peace of mind for parents: Everything is prepared in advance — simply relax and watch as your baby’s first days unfold into art.
- Transparency as standard: Clear pricing, no hidden fees, and honest timelines—this is my commitment to you.
- Effortless from start to finish: From preparation to final image selection, I’ll guide you through every step, ensuring the process feels like a joy.
As a professional newborn photographer, I specialise in creating an atmosphere of care and tranquillity, mastering every detail to craft those magical shots families cherish as heirlooms.