Irene Chaikeen
Newborn Photography Essex
Serving Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Theydon Bois, Epping, Woodford Green, South Woodford, Wanstead and North East London
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.
Welcome | £345
Included:
- Up to 2 hours of newborn photography
- 1 — 2 setups
- 10 fully retouched digital images
- Parent portraits
- Online gallery for image selection
- Pre-session consultation
First Days | £545
Included:
- Up to 3 hours of newborn photography
- 2 — 3 setups
- 20 fully retouched digital images
- Parent and sibling portraits
- Priority retouching
- Online gallery for image selection
- Pre-session consultation
Heirloom | £645
Included:
- Up to 3 hours of newborn photography
- 3 — 4 setups (within baby’s comfort and safety)
- All successful images (typically 30+)
- Parent and sibling portraits
- Fine art retouching
- Private online gallery
-
10 gorgeous matching prints 8''x6'' (20×15 cm)
- Priority booking
- Pre-session consultation
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Get in touch to book your newborn session today!
An Investment in Your Memories: A Transparent Two-Stage Approach
My pricing process is straightforward and clear. It is divided into two stages, allowing you to focus on the photoshoot and make your product selections only after falling in love with the final images.
Stage 1: Booking & Preparation
When booking your photoshoot, you pay a photo session fee of £99. This fee secures the reservation in my diary and includes comprehensive preparation: a personal consultation and detailed planning via email and phone. This covers my time and expertise as your photographer, but does not include any final photographs, which are chosen later.
Stage 2: Viewing & Purchase Immediately After the Shoot
This stage is the most exciting and convenient part for you! Immediately after your photo session is finished, you will have the unique opportunity to preview all the captured images at the studio.
- Instant Results: You will see the raw, yet beautiful, images and can immediately identify the ones that made the greatest impression.
- Immediate Decision: You can then pay for the exact number of photographs you wish to have professionally edited and retouched. No more waiting or wondering!
- Complete Your Order: At the same time, you can select and order printed products from my catalogue (albums, canvases, photo books). Furthermore, I am happy to offer a personal discount on your total order based on the final value of your purchase.
This approach gives you complete freedom and confidence: you only pay for the images that truly resonate with you and can immediately create your perfect package of memories.
How to Prepare for Your Photo Session
As soon as you know your due date, it’s best to book your newborn session in advance. This ensures we can schedule a suitable time within those precious first few weeks after your baby arrives. My comfortable, beautifully designed home studio provides a warm, safe, and relaxing environment, perfect for creating timeless portraits of your newest family member.
Relax & Enjoy The Experience
Your newborn session will be calm, unhurried, and tailored to your baby’s needs, lasting between one and 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.
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 order and payment. These timeless pieces will become cherished memories, celebrating your baby’s earliest days for years to come.
Full pricing details for artwork and prints
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 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, 7–14 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.
7 — 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!
Missed the “ideal window”?
No worries! We’ll create magic at any age.
Just tell me about your baby, and 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!
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 — 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.















