Birth of a sweet baby girl.

Hi everyone!  Hope your week has been good!

I had one of my VIP mummas go into labour finally…. 12 days after her due date.  She was planning a beautiful homebirth and had organised an independent midwife to assist her.  She did so well until things really started to not go down the best road.  With meconium evident in the waters a transfer to her local hospital was organised.  So disappointing for her but the health of her and her baby were clearly the priority.

After many more hours at the hospital it became evident that there was no progress and so ultimately the baby girl was born safely via a C section.

Although this was not at all the way my VIP mum had anticipated her birth story to be, the happiness and joy of holding her baby safe and sound was evident.

Spikey has been very busy this week with many exciting ventures in the pipeline for the next 12 months.  Can’t wait to share them with you soon.

Til next time

Jill xo

Spikey Features in Cosmopolitan Pregancy Magazine

Well today has been a rather awesome day!!

Three months ago Cosmopolitan Pregnancy Australia magazine had asked Spikey to feature a story on birth photography for their readers.  What an honour.  Of course was my reply!!  I had to find one of my clients who would be happy to share their story and some of their gorgeous images.

As I have so many fabulous clients it was not difficult to find a couple who would be happy to oblige.   The lovely Mon and Doug were chosen and they certainly did not let Spikey Hedgehog down in sharing the beauty of birth photography with everyone!

I stopped by the Baby and Toddler Expo that is on in Melbourne this very weekend and said hi to the lovely people at the Cosmo stand.  They are such great people and I was able to get my very own copy of this magazine a few days early before it is out officially on Monday!!

 

So be sure to pop down to your local newsagency on Monday and pick yourself up a copy and have a lookout for the article!

Til next time

 

 

Jill xo

 

New premises for Spikey Hedgehog!

In the craziness that has been the last 10 days Spikey has had many changes. I have moved in to a new office located in Brighton, Melbourne.  This is a fabulous and exciting change and I can’t wait to meet with my upcoming new VIP’s in the new office.

I have a few new clients that have joined  my VIP list and am really enjoying meeting and getting to know them before their big days.

The response since appearing on Sunrise has been so great.  The interest in the birth photography genre has certainly been on the increase.

Spikey has many more exciting things in the pipeline.  A feature in Pregnancy Cosmopolitan magazine being one of them.  That issue will be released at the end of next week and I am looking forward to seeing one my much loved couples featured.  You might recognise them from the interview on Sunrise.

I look forward my next few births that are due any day now!!  Til then,

 

Be happy!

 

Jill xo

Spikey made Sunrise!

Well, I don’t think that my week could have been any more exciting if it tried!!

It started by making front page of my local Leader newspaper.  A fabulously written article discussing the new genre of birth photography and how a local woman ( me) was having more and more mums-to-be wanting this beautiful moment in their life documented.

From that I received phone calls from 3AW radio and Sunrise producers wanting to know more about this new and interesting photography niche.

I quickly jumped on this rollercoaster that I was, until this point so unfamiliar with, yet so grateful to be asked to be a part of.

Within 24 hours a couple of my lovely past clients were meeting at my home studio and we were joined by the camera team to record the back story.  It was so great to be back with these gorgeous past clients.  They shared their view on how they found having their birth story captured and did so in such a beautiful and eloquent way.

Monday morning came around quickly and I headed to the Channel 7 studios to cross live with the Sydney studio to be interviewed by the lovely Melissa Doyle.  She was a darling and made me relax and feel free to be able to share all the reasons why I love being a part of this unique genre and how honoured I felt to be invited into such a precious and private part of couples lives.

I cannot lie though, I was most relieved when it was all over, however, I would not exchange that moment for anything.  Having the opportunity to share with the entire country why this is something I feel so proud to be a part of.

No other work could bring me the joy and satisfaction of witnessing firsthand the love of two people as they meet their precious little one for the first time. To capture this and be a small part of such a beautiful time in their life is a true honour for me.

If you would like to watch Spikey on breakfast television please take a look at the link below!!

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/-/watch/11e63738-2e06-3eae-8010-c808bc84660f/rise-in-birth-photography/?cmp=twitter

So for now I will gently come down from my high and back into normal life.  I feel like I have had an amazing dream.  I look forward to seeing where this will all lead and if I will infact wake up!!

Til next time

Spikey xo

Media attention for Spikey Hedgehog Photography this week!

Well what an exciting week I have had ! I have been dying to share with you all the juicy, exciting moments that have been part of this crazy week.

This week Spikey made front cover of her local newspaper.  Yes front cover!  A couple of her favourite clients also were on there .  You can see and read the article HERE.

The spin off from that article has been rather awesome as the radio station 3AW connected me for an on air interview which was conducted during drive time yesterday afternoon.  It was so great to have more awareness brought to the genre of birth photography.  Spikey has been working very hard to help make the Australian public aware of this beautiful option for telling the story of the little ones arrival!  The interview can be heard HERE.  It is talk back radio so the actual interview starts around 1 min 30 secs into the link 🙂

A few other exciting opportunites are in the pipeline so I am looking forward to sharing those things as they unfold!

Til next time

Spikey Hedgehog Photography

 

Jill xo

Latest Birth Photography Slideshow!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick press today to let you know the slideshow from the last birth I attended is now up for you to see.

Hope you enjoy watching the highlights as much as I enjoyed attending and being a part of this lovely family’s special day!!

Are you following me on Facebook? http://www.facebook.com/spikeyhedgehog1

Slideshow can be viewed HERE!

Baby Blake and the other birthing news from Spikey Hedgehog!

Oh my goodness!! I am so sorry to have been so slack to my blog. Please know darling blog that I do care for you and think of you often!! So much has been happening in Spikey’s life lately that I barely can keep up.

The highlights?? An article and interview with one of my favourite birth clients is to be printed in the next edition of Cosmo Pregnancy magazine here in Australia!! So that would have to be a highlight!! So be sure to check shelves for the release on April 15th!!

Spikey was on the radio last weekend!! Another highlight. I was interviewed on Mix 101.1FM about birth photography and what Spikey Hedgehog does….. the host also made a jingle for me… was quite hilarious, you can check that out here!!

Hmmmmm oh yes let me not forget about the most beautiful couple who delivered their son last weekend. One totally gorgeous baby as you will see from the following photos! Was such a joy to be there.

So many more things will be coming up over the coming months so cannot wait to share with you all!!
Still trying to convince the gorgeous Fifi Box to consider having her beautiful upcoming birth captured by Spikey, but I guess it is hard as a celebrity to take on these things….. so much for them to consider with their high profile! Shame I think for them.

Anyway, I will leave you all with some of the latest images!! Sorry it has been so long. I won’t be that long between drinks next time!!

Til next time
Jill xo

Melbourne Birth Photography Specialist!

Well it is official!! After looking at the birth bookings that have come in for 2013 I have decided to truly specialise in my true love and passion. This means that I will no longer be offering wedding or family portrait photography, but exclusively offering this beautiful story telling. I am very excited and honoured that I have reached this point in my business and it is only with the trust and positive expressions shared from fabulous clients to the big wide world that I am able to do this!!

 

So if you are in Melbourne and are interested in having your story captured please email me jill@spikeyhedgehog.com.au

I look forward to sharing many more highlights from my upcoming births during 2013 and appreciate the ongoing support and love that everyone gives Spikey Hedgehog Photography! Thanks again.

Jill xo

 

 

 

 

Family Session Melbourne

Well my holidays certainly ended and it was straight back into work for 2013.  I had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous family.  Kristy is the editor of Nurture-Natural Parenting Magazine and I actually do a fair bit of photography for her magazine.  It covers topics that I feel passionately about and has some great contributors with some very interesting articles.  If you are a parent and aren’t subscribed yet…. well?  Whatcha doin??  Go on pop on over to http://www.nurtureparentingmagazine.com.au/ and subscribe, there is also a supportive and informative forum, or you can visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NurtureParentingMagazine

Now for her images…. here are a few of my favourites.  Her little boy was such a cheeky treasure with a beautiful smile.  We had a lovely warm summer day down at St Kilda.  The kite surfers were out in full force which made for an interesting backdrop for their session.

I do love Melbourne.  So many different, wonderful locations to choose from!

Enjoy xo

How to choose your birth photographer.

With this genre becoming increasingly more popular amongst photographers wanting to try their hand at birth photography, the options for potential birth clients are endless.

This is a good thing for clients.  So what questions should you as a client be asking a potential photographer when considering them to document your birth?

The most important aspect to consider would be how comfortable you feel with that person.  You are going to be allowing this person to be included at a very personal, intimate and important moment of your life.  Possibly your initial contact would be via email.  How did that person seem?  Were they interested in you as a person? Were the answers to your queries answered sufficiently or did you feel rushed?  If you spoke with them on the phone, how did you feel about the conversation?  Was it easy and conversational, or did you feel awkward with them?  These are all factors to take into account.

Next consider the level of experience your potential photographer has.  How many births have they attended?  What is the quality of their work?  Have they documented other’s stories in a way that you would like?  Ask to see some examples of their work from start to finish for a good idea of their style.  Just like a wedding photographer, you are considering this person to document one of the most important days of your life.  Are they properly insured? What birth circumstances have they photographed?  How would they handle potential complications during your labour and delivery?   By asking these questions you can be assured of how they would handle potential situations in your own birth.

Pricing is going to be a big factor for many clients.  Pricing will vary widely and choosing someone who can look after your budget, especially at an already expensive time, will obviously be an important consideration.  Be wary though.  As important as it is be sure you are not leaving your precious memories to someone who is inadequately qualified to document your story well.  As the saying goes… ” you pay peanuts you get monkeys!”

At the end of the day trusting your own instincts on who is the right person to attend your birth is imperative.  An experienced birth photographer will be able to answer all of these questions and more to your satisfaction.  There are many fabulous options out there, all with unique and beautiful styles.  There is sure to be someone in your area to suit you.

 

Jillian is a birth photography specialist based in Melbourne Victoria.    She is also a qualified mothercraft nurse and mother to 4.  For more information on documenting your birth please contact her via email at jill@spikeyhedgehog.com.au.   Visit her website at http://www.spikeyhedgehog.com.au or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpikeyHedgehog1