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Family portrait by Babies by Jackie

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Family portrait by Babies by Jackie

CATEGORY: FAMILIES

Why You Should Keep Your Family Portrait Up-To-Date

One day, your kids need your hand to take their first steps, and the next, they’re off and running, leaving you wondering where the time went. It’s a little unfair how quickly time flies, isn’t it? And if you’re anything like most busy parents, family portraits tend to fall to the bottom of the never-ending to-do list. But keeping your family portraits up-to-date isn’t just about getting a cute picture for the wall ... 

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CATEGORY: BABIES

Personalising your Newborn Portrait Experience

Newborn photography is more than just capturing the first days of your baby’s life; it’s an opportunity to tell a story, your story. Personalising and customising your portraits can make these memories even more heartfelt and unique.

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Personalising your newborn portraits - image of a baby in nest

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Personalising your newborn portraits - image of a baby in nest
baby girl with yellow headband snuggled in cream fluff

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baby girl with yellow headband snuggled in cream fluff

CATEGORY: BABIES

A Journey of Growth: Capturing Your Baby's First Year in Photos

The first year of a baby’s life is a whirlwind of monumental changes and heartwarming milestones. From the sleepy, curled-up poses of a newborn to the wide-eyed curiosity of a six-month-old, and the adventurous spirit of a one-year-old, each stage in a baby’s first year brings something uniquely ...

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CATEGORY: BABIES

10 Tips for Stunning Newborn Photos: Keeping your little one comfortable

Preparing for a newborn photoshoot involves more than just picking cute outfits and props. Ensuring your little one is comfortable during the photo session is paramount for beautiful, peaceful images.

Here are my top ten tips ...

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Baby girl snuggled in cream blanket

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Baby girl snuggled in cream blanket
Black and white image of teen with guitar

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Black and white image of teen with guitar

CATEGORY: MATERNITY, BABIES, MILESTONES, TEEN

THE MAGIC OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

You may wonder “Why black and white when the world is so full of colour?” Black and white photography has a timeless quality that’s simply unmatched. It takes us back to the golden era of photography, where each image was a cherished piece of art. When it comes to portraits, this classic style adds...

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CATEGORY: BABIES

THE BEST TIME FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY: CAPTURING THE PERFECT AGE AND MOMENT

As you prepare to welcome your new baby, you’re probably thinking about how to capture these early moments that, though fleeting, are incredibly precious. One of the most cherished ways to preserve these memories is through newborn photography. But when is the best time to schedule these photos?

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Baby snuggled in fleece wool

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Baby snuggled in fleece wool
Baby nest with autumn leaves

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Baby nest with autumn leaves

CATEGORY: BABIES

BABY NAME IDEAS FOR BABIES DUE IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year to be expecting a baby. As a photographer, I love September and October.  The light is always beautiful and the colours of nature turn the blandest landscape into a work of art. It’s little wonder that so many parents choose autumnal-themed names for their babies born in the most beautiful season of the year...

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CATEGORY: TIPS & IDEAS

Summer Family Portraits: How to make the most of the season

Summer is the perfect time to capture beautiful family portraits. With longer days, warmer weather (we hope!), and vibrant natural backdrops, it’s a wonderful time to create stunning images that showcase your family’s unique personality and bonds. Here are my tips for capturing perfect family photos this summer...

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Family taking photo at the beach

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Family taking photo at the beach
Black and white image of newborn with family's hands

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Black and white image of newborn with family's hands

CATEGORY: BABIES

10 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Newborn Photographer

Bringing a new baby into the world is a momentous occasion, and capturing those first few weeks through photography is a decision many parents cherish. Choosing the right newborn photographer is crucial not only for ensuring beautiful images but also for guaranteeing a safe and comfortable environment for your new addition. Here are...

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CATEGORIES: NEWS

Welcome to The Pig Sty - our custom-built photo studio

Welcome to the Babies By Jackie Studio! 

Located in the historic village of Hemingbrough, the studio was once a pig sty (hence the name!). But don't worry there's only one little piggy there now :-) 

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Inside the Babies by Jackie Portrait Studio

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Inside the Babies by Jackie Portrait Studio

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Deck the Halls: Child-Friendly Christmas Home Decor and DIY Decorations

It’s that wonderful time of the year when the twinkling lights and festive decorations transform our homes into enchanting wonderlands. If you have little ones, you’re in for a treat! This blog is all about making your home not only beautifully festive but also child-friendly. Plus, we’ll discover some fun DIY decorations you can create together with your small helpers.

Child-Friendly Christmas Decor

  • Kid-Friendly Ornaments: When decorating your tree, consider using shatterproof ornaments. These are ideal for homes with curious toddlers who might want to touch everything. Let your children pick out their favourite ornaments and encourage them to hang them on the tree.
  • Advent Calendar Tree: Instead of traditional advent calendars, create a tree-shaped one. Number 25 small boxes or envelopes and place a little treat or activity idea in each. Your kids will love hunting for the day’s surprise.
  • Low-Hanging Decor: Place some of your decorations lower on the tree so that little ones can reach and feel like they’re part of the decorating process.

DIY Christmas Decorations with Kids

Now, let’s get crafty with some fun and easy Christmas decorations you can make together!

Salt Dough Ornaments:

Materials:

  • 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Cookie cutters
  • Acrylic paint
  • Ribbons

Instructions:

  1. Mix the flour, salt, and water to create a dough.
  2. Roll it out and use cookie cutters to create holiday shapes.
  3. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 2-3 hours or until hardened.
  4. Let them cool, then paint and decorate.
  5. Add ribbons for hanging.
Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

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Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

Paper Plate Wreaths:

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Paints
  • Pom-poms
  • Glue
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Cut the centre out of a paper plate, leaving the outer ring.
  2. Let your kids paint the ring green and decorate it with pom-poms as ornaments. You could also use any haberdashery you have at home to decorate your wreath
  3. Once it’s dry, tie a ribbon to hang it.

Pinecone Christmas Trees:

Materials:

  • Pinecones
  • Green paint
  • Glitter (optional)
  • Craft sticks
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paint the pinecones green and add glitter if desired.
  2. Glue a craft stick to the bottom to create a trunk.
Christmas Tree Pine Cones

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Christmas Tree Pine Cones

Handprint Reindeer:

Materials:

  • Brown construction paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Red pom-pom (for the nose)
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Trace your child’s hand on the brown paper and cut it out.
  2. Glue on googly eyes and the red pom-pom for the nose.
  3. Add antlers by cutting small strips from the same paper and glueing them above the eyes.

These DIY decorations not only add a personal touch to your Christmas decor but also provide hours of fun and creativity for your little ones. I love anything that creates keepsakes and memories – that’s probably how I ended up as a photographer!

I am always coming up with new ideas for fun things to do as a family. Join our VIP Group to stay updated:

Tagged under Christmas, Crafts, Family Activities
This entry was posted in Posts by Genre, Family, Tips Ideas and Fun Stuff, Tips and Ideas, Fun Things to Do by Jackie Clitheroe | Leave a Comment