Baby photographer wins national award

A Daleys Point baby photographer has been named Australia's Newborn Photographer of the Year in the Australian Professional Photography Awards.

Ms Jodie Andrews received the award in Melbourne on August 25 for the second time, having received the title last year as well.

Ms Andrews said she had always had a love for babies, particularly newborns, and this had been reflected in her almost decade long career as a photographer.

Prior to becoming a photographer, Ms Andrews worked as a musician and composer before the birth of her son.

Following his birth, a desire to work with children took root in Ms Andrews and she started up a fertility product business with her family.

After a few years helping couples become pregnant, Ms Andrews said the desire to photograph newborn babies was too strong to ignore.

"I had always had an interest in photography and one day I thought why not combine two of my interests and that's how I got started in newborn photography," Ms Andrews said.

After taking a step back from her family's business, Ms Andrews spent some time learning the ins and outs of photography from a friend who was a practicing newborn photographer.

"I spent some time being mentored before I took a leap of faith and launched my own photography business," she said.

What started out as a one day a week hobby, quickly grew into a full time career for Ms Andrews, who works from her home studio in Daleys Point.

"I wanted to follow my passion of being a newborn photographer and within months I was shooting every day and had clients coming out of the woodwork," Ms Andrews said.

Now Ms Andrews couldn't imagine doing anything else.

"Working with babies is the most rewarding job and I genuinely suffer from withdrawals if I have had a break from newborns.

"It's often the first time parents are taking their new baby out when clients visit my studio, with some travelling from as far west as Lithgow and as far north as Maitland for their newborn session.

"Most clients have a story to tell," Ms Andrews said.

whelming positive experience.

"Winning the title is very validating.

"It reinforces the love for what I do and the stories my images convey," Ms Andrews said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 31 Aug 2018

Alison Hockings, Alison Hockings Media

Interview, 3 Sep 2018

Jodie Andrews, Photographer

Reporter, Dilon Luke