Photographer - Bree Hulme
Business: Bree Hulme Photography
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Experience: 7 years
Photography Types: Baby, Cake Smash, Family, Maternity, Newborn,
Website: www.breehulmephotography.com.au
1. What kind of experience do you have as a photographer?
My photography journey began back in high school, however it was not until the birth of my first child, and the purchase of my first digital camera that my passion really ignited.
Since then I have spent countless hours shooting, editing, and studying with many different teachers, mentors and masters to learn all I can about all aspects of photography, especially newborn and family photography. I have attended conferences, workshops and mentoring sessions and continue to learn more and more about this craft.
I started my business 7 years ago, in 2014 when my youngest baby turned one. I am a mother of 3, an accredited member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and I am fully vaccinated, insured and registered. I was awarded a Silver Award in the Family & Newborn categories of the 2018 AIPP Epson NSW Professional Photography Awards, and in 2020 the Australian Photography Business Awards named Bree Hulme Photography #4 NSW Photography Business of the Year. I have had my work featured in several publications including Natural Parent Magazine, Living Local Magazine, Family Living Magazine and several Newspapers.
Over the past 7 years I have photographed hundreds of Sydney Families both in my home studio and around the beautiful locations of Sydney and the Northern Beaches.
2. What type of photography do you specialise in?
I came into my photography business capturing my own babies, and this is what I love.
From your pregnancy as you anticipate your beautiful babies arrival, to those first few weeks with your newborn. I love capturing all the tiny details of your new baby - their tiny fingers and toes, soft eyelashes and milk pimples.
As your baby grows every stage is precious and beautiful, with every milestone creating new features to photograph. The belly giggles and cheeky smiles, chubby thighs and soft baby ringlets of your baby as they find their feet and toes, as they are just learning to sit and beginning to crawl.
Their first birthday, brings so many milestones to capture, crawling or those first few steps, those big baby eyes, and those first tastes of cake are so much fun to capture during a cake smash session.
As your babies get bigger and find their feet, outdoor sessions are perfect for capturing their curious nature, exploring and playing in nature, finding butterflies and flowers, shells and lizards, family portraits are full of fun and games and quiet moments as well in the beautiful outdoors of Sydney.
I love capturing all ages and stages of your family ~ Maternity, Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child & Family.
3. Where are you located?
My home studio is located in Cromer on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I also offer outdoor maternity and family sessions on the beautiful beaches, and bushland around the Northern Beaches and North Shore.
My home studio is perfect for capturing intimate maternity portraits, newborn portraits, baby and cake smash sessions, providing a comfortable and warm environment for bringing your precious babies too. I have everything you need for your session.
4. When should clients book their photography sessions?
Sessions book out approximately 4-6 weeks in advance with the busiest time of year from September-November.
Maternity sessions are best scheduled around 32 weeks and should be booked a minimum of 4 weeks in advance. I recommend you get in contact early in your 2nd trimester to schedule your maternity session.
Newborn sessions are my most popular session, and due to the often changing nature of babies arrivals, the dates of newborn sessions are always changing. As such I only accept a limited number of newborn sessions each month and so I highly recommend getting in contact early in your second trimester to ensure availability. Whilst last minute bookings can sometimes be accommodated often bookings are full, and your newborn is only tiny and sleepy for such a short period of time. Newborns are ideally photographed between 8-14 days of age.
Sitter Baby sessions are booked between 6-10 months when your baby is just sitting independently and just before they are crawling. The perfect time for sitting for photos and enjoying tummy time!
Cake Smash sessions are also hugely popular and many clients book these in after their newborn session. I recommend booking at least 4 weeks in advance, especially to ensure your cake and decoration preferences can be accommodated.
Family sessions are popular all year around, however September-December is definitely the busy season and weekend sessions are often booked out months in advance. Get in contact as soon as possible if you want to organise family portraits.
5. What kind of prices and packages do you offer?
All sessions include a session fee and then digital and print packages can be purchased following your session.
The newborn session fee is $350 and includes all props, wraps and accessories for your session. Cake Smash Session fee is $300 and includes decorations and the cake. Maternity and Family session fee is $320
Digital images can be purchased in collections starting from $480. Our most popular products include our heirloom fine art albums and beautiful Australian framed prints.
6. How should customers prepare for their photography sessions?
All my clients receive a detailed welcome guide helping them to best prepare for their session. This includes tips and suggestions about what to wear, makeup and hair suggestions, what to bring with you and what to expect in your session.
The studio has almost everything you will need for your baby - wraps, blankets, accessories, headbands, bonnets, props, a baby shusher and a change table.
I am in contact with my clients in the lead up to their session to answer any questions, and help them prepare as best as possible.
7. What should customers expect during a photography session?
Newborn sessions last for between 2-3 hours so that there is plenty of time for feeding, changing, settling and cuddling your tiny baby. No one is rushed and the experience is relaxed and peaceful. The studio is kept warm to ensure your newborn baby is comfortable whilst naked or lightly wrapped. Newborns are used to being kept warm in utero, so we want them to be as comfortable as possible to ensure they can relax and sleep soundly. All settling and posing of baby will be handled expertly by Bree, and all you have to do is relax and enjoy watching the creation of your beautiful portraits.
Baby and Cake Smash sessions are a much quicker experience, as little one's of this age do not have the stamina for a long drawn out session. In all sessions, Bree follows a baby-led approach, letting your little one set the pace and duration of the session. Some babies need a little bit more time to feel comfortable in the studio, whilst others walk in ready to play and have their photos taken.
Family sessions involve a lot of play and exploration, and are usually only about 1 hour in duration to ensure we are all wrapped up before little ones get bored and walk away happy and excited about the experience.
8. How do you ensure safety of the newborn during the session?
Safety is always my top priority whether this is a newborn, baby or family session.
I am a registered professional photographer, insured and fully vaccinated. I have undergone extensive training on baby safety and posing. As a mum of 3, I know how precious your newborn baby is.
With over 7 years of experience I have photographed hundreds of newborns, and every newborn is unique in what they do and don't like, how they are comfortable posing, and this is what guides my baby-led approach to posing and styling in your session. no baby is ever forced into a pose or position they are not comfortable in.
The studio, props and accessories are all cleaned and sanitised between session to ensure a clean, safe and hygienic experience for all.
9. How soon will customers be able to get their photos?
Clients receive a private gallery to view within 10-14 days after their session. This gallery can be shared with family and friends.
In addition you will be able to purchase products through this gallery from the comfort of your own home and the process is simple from start to end.
Once your order is placed, digitals and prints take approximately 1-2 weeks to be delivered, albums and wall art can take up to 6 weeks.
10. Do you have anything else you would like to tell us?
"That is will never come again, is what makes life so sweet." ~ Emily Dickinson
Time is so fleeting and babies grow and change so quickly. I would be delighted to capture some beautiful keepsakes for you to cherish this stage for years to come. Get in touch with me today to discuss your family and the portraits you would love.
Gallery
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