Photography Training with Elena Shumilova
Hey everyone,
Anyone who knows me would tell you that I’m not one to sit back and take it easy. In fact, I find it really hard to switch off from running my photography studio here in Dorset. This is why I just love attending photography training with the world’s best photographers.
If I’m not in the studio in Poole then I’m running around the countryside locally, scouting out fabulous locations for my outdoor photoshoots. It really is a full-time job juggling newborn photoshoots, lovely cake smashes sessions and family location photoshoots.
So occasionally I need some me time. And what better than a photography workshop to combine business with pleasure!
I often travel around the country to training sessions with some of the UK’s top photographers, clocking up thousands of miles a year. In fact my Mentor Damian McGillicuddy is a 500 mile round trip and I go to visit him every 8 weeks.
May half term I ventured even further afield and jetted off to the beautiful coast of Ireland to Ballyliffin in Donegal.
This sleepy little village on the Atlantic coast was host to one of the best-known storytelling photographers Elena Shumilova who is currently touring the world running workshops.
She creates wonderful storytelling images that evoke heart-warming emotions when you view them. just adore her location photography.
The Workshop
The best part of the trip was that I took my family and my photography buddy Jacky with me. So we all got to enjoy the famous Irish hospitality! Special thanks must go to Brendan Diver for bringing Elena to such a fantastic part of the world!
Lizzie, my much photographed daughter, was a last minute model for Elena as one of the models dropped out. I can now fully sympathise when it comes to choosing your children’s clothes for a photoshoot – I went into a flat spin!
I am so very proud of Lizzie though. There was no moaning or complaining and she modelled for two whole days for lots and lots of different photographers and she totally rocked it. She was relaxed and happy, she got to hold some amazing owls and ride an Icelandic pony. She loved being centre of attention, and I have some fantastic portraits of her from world class photographers. Happy mummy!
Two fantastic days in this beautiful area, with its deserted sandy beaches and wonderful countryside, with photographers from all over the world left me feeling inspired. It was a fantastic way to recharge those creative batteries and I loved every second of it.
I cant wait to see where my photography journey will lead me. Perhaps next year even further afield – somewhere warm would be nice!
I confess I’m a training junky! I’m blessed to be able to work doing something I really love, and hope to continue doing so for a good many years yet.
Bye for now and enjoy the summer 🙂
If you’d like to book a session with me then please do get in touch.
I’m available on 07749 270431 or email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete this contact form.
Karen
Confessions of a Newborn Photographer
Being a newborn photographer is a brilliant job.
Those who know my story will know that I used to do something far different – I worked as a print manager for more than 20 years – and I’ve shared more details about how I became to be a newborn photographer in this blog.
But coming back to the day job, clients often tell me that they are curious about what it’s like to be a newborn photographer.
For me, of course, it’s the norm. But to most of my clients, my work is so far removed from that of their own professions that it leaves them wanting to know more about it.
So, what is it really like to be a newborn photographer?
Well, to answer that question, I thought I would share with you what I am really thinking during a typical newborn photography session.
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When nature calls…
The first thing to mention is that when working with babies and children, of course, I expect mess and little accidents!
The newborn babies I photograph are not clothed in order to capture all their gorgeous newborn features in the portraits, and this means that they are not wearing nappies for much of the session.
New parents usually dont have a newborn without a nappy. So naturally, parents can be a bit nervous when I’m resting their baby on one of my blankets, or when they are holding the baby who is in nothing but their birthday suit!
But honestly, I can safely say, I have seen it all before!
There is no need to be horrified when your little bundle of joy trickles out a wee (or even an explosive newborn poop!) mid-photoshoot. I’ve plenty of blankets (and replace them regularly), always have water wipes to hand, and expect these things to happen.
Your baby certainly isn’t the first to wee or poo on me, and they won’t be the last!
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All babies settle eventually
The second thing is that I think many new parents who come to me for photographs also worry that their baby is the most difficult baby I have ever worked with.
Again, believe me, even if they are more unsettled than most, it’s all part of my job so isn’t a problem!
You won’t need me to tell you that newborns are brand new to this world. Just when they are starting to get familiar with the smell of their new surroundings and of mum and dad, a strange lady in a photography studio starts holding them and moving them around!
It’s a whole new experience for your baby and therefore, of course, I expect every baby I work with to be unsettled initially.
You’ll be pleased to know, though, that I have been described as the ‘Baby Whisperer’. I have photographed over 600 babies and have bags of experience calming even the most unsettled newborns, as well as a few tricks up my sleeve if things don’t go to plan!
Really, a crying baby is NOT a problem. So don’t get stressed out by it. I will work around your baby, will settle them (eventually) and get the photos you are after in the end.
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A genuine love for babies
The final thing to say is that I literally love working with newborns and, well, children of all ages. A little bit of my heart really and truly does a leap every time I meet a new baby. They are just so adorable, and that love never seems to fade no matter how many babies I photograph!
I’m a mum of two myself and I can remember so clearly my own kids, Tom and Lizzie, being that small. But it’s crazy how fast time flies! And, I guess that’s partly why I love my job so much.
By photographing your newborn baby, I’m helping you to capture precious memories of this special time in your family’s life, so that you can treasure it forever.
I LOVE that about my job as a newborn photographer!
To book a newborn photoshoot please contact me on 07749 270431, email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete the contact form on my website to secure your preferred session date.
I’m now taking bookings for September and beyond. The diary is filling up fast so please don’t delay.
Karen x
In the age of the iPhone, do you need a professional photographer?
Hey, everyone!
May is almost here. The sun is starting to shine a little longer each day. And the beautiful flowers are starting to bloom, enticing us all outside for some well-earned family time.
When I log into Facebook my newsfeed at the moment, it is positively bursting with my friends’ lovely snaps of their children. It’s great to see so many of you out and about among the spring flowers.
Since we all have smartphones with pretty sophisticated cameras these days, it is certainly possible to take some great shots simply with your phone.
So, this got me thinking.
In the age of the iPhone, do you need a professional photographer?
Playing devils advocate for a minute, why would you want to book a professional photographer, like me?
When you can potentially capture great outdoor portraits on your phone, is the investment into a pro photographer worth the money?
Is it really worth spending a couple of hundred pounds on professional portraits when you can take your own for free?
So, with this in mind, last week I did a bit of an experiment.
Comparing the iPhone with a professional camera
When I was out in the bluebell woods myself, photographing the beautiful Amira , I grabbed my phone (a shiny new iPhone ) and handed it to Amira’s mummy.
I asked her to get some photos of me photographing Amira, and some shots of Amira on her own.
Putting the iPhone to the test
Now my iPhone is great. Being the latest model, it has an excellent quality integrated camera. So, I was actually amazed at how badly the shots turned out.
I expected vibrant bluebells, a gorgeous warm glow and a creamy background with Amira looking amazing in the foreground.
But this is the shot from my iPhone. You can see for yourself, it isn’t very impressive!
In fact, it’s hard to see Amira at all!
The background is way too clear and messy, the colours are flat and where has that gorgeous warm glow gone?
I was pretty disappointed with the iPhone’s performance to be honest.
Why you need a professional photographer
In contrast to the poor quality iPhone picture that Amira’s mummy took, this is the portrait I captured on my professional camera.
I took this photo while I was stood next to Amira’s mummy. So I was in the same location at the same time, working with the exact same lighting conditions.
I use a professional quality Canon camera and, an essential piece of my kit for this kind of shot, a really long lens.
The advantage of a long lens over the iPhone is that it it allows me to do a tighter crop of the subject. And it does an amazing job of blurring out that messy background and bringing Amira to the forefront of the photo, since I am in control of the apeture of the lens.
The result is a carpet of gorgeous bluebells (deliberately, not all in focus), the child in sharp focus (drawing your eye immediately to her) and the gorgeous golden light falling on her skin.
Wow! Isn’t this a major improvement to the iPhone snap!
Amateur vs. pro photography
You could be forgiven for thinking that these two pictures weren’t taken on the same day, let alone the same time! There is such a huge difference between the two images!
The professional portraits I took were a hit with Amira’s mummy and I’m told that this one is going to be printed and mounted onto the walls at Amira’s home.
The iPhone snap will be deleted!
Heres a few more of the stunning Amira
Proof you need a professional photographer
So, that’s why (in my opinion anyway), in the age of the iPhone you still need a professional photographer!
Even with the very latest smartphones and iPhone cameras at our disposal, the results are so inferior to the quality that a professional photographer can produce.
Now I know this, of course, but I wonder if the thought has ever crossed your mind before? Whether you need a professional photographer? Or whether you could save yourself some money and do a D.I.Y portrait session.
Well, if you’re after the kind of portraits that I can produce, I hope that this may have helped you to answer that question!
If you’re now convinced and would like to book a spring flowers outdoor photoshoot, please contact me as soon as possible to book your slot. I’m on 07749 270431 or email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete the contact form on my website.
The bluebells are only around for a few more weeks and I only have limited bluebell sessions left.
Karen x
Mii-Estilo maternity gowns will make you feel like a ‘yummy mummy’!
I’ve been a huge fan of Mii-Estilo maternity gowns for some time now. So I’m thrilled to be able to tell you that I have been on a spending spree! We now have lots of amazing dresses in the studio from the Mii-Estilo brand!
This is a huge deal for me and quite an investment. It’s a bit of a dream come true to have all these beautiful maternity dresses to use!
Ingrid, the Dutch designer at Mii-Estilo, is an amazing, and well-respected maternity fashion designer. She’s like the Gucci or Prada of maternity gowns.
She really understands how pregnant women want to look and feel in their maternity photoshoots. And in my opinion, Mii-Estilo maternity gowns are among the best in the world.
The latest Mii-Estilo maternity gowns at KW Photography
I have bought lots of Mii-Estilo maternity gowns in the past year (and they aren’t cheap!). They are just beautiful and make you feel a million dollars!
Just love this brand so much. I going to make sure I’ll be receiving plenty of new dresses from her collections every season.
Maternity gowns to make you feel amazing.
So, not only can you lovely mummies-to-be come and enjoy the wonderful and relaxing experience of a KW Photography maternity photoshoot.
You’ll now also get the chance to wear some of the very best maternity dresses. I’m going to make sure I keep the most recently launched designs from her wonderful collection in the studio!
They will make you feel absolutely fabulous, I guarantee!
Lifestyle maternity photoshoots
We first began using the maternity gowns from Mii-Estilo in July and August last year. When I did a number of outdoor photoshoots with some beautiful mummies to be and I revealed the results of here.
Since then, the dresses have attracted a lot of interest and demand has been growing significantly for my maternity portraits.
I believe this is, in part, because I can now offer these beautiful, luxury gowns to my maternity clients.
Accentuating every beautiful bump and curve
Mii-Estilo dresses are designed to accentuate the beautiful curves of a pregnant woman’s body. They are super-flattering, since they provide great coverage, while still showing off your growing baby bump.
And what I especially love about the dresses are the fabulously vibrant colours.
They are also great fun to work with. The long trains on some of the designs look wonderful in the photographs (although can be a challenge in an outdoor shoot if there is a sudden gust of wind!)
Book your maternity photoshoot today
If you love the look of the Mii-Estilo maternity gowns (and who wouldn’t?) and are expecting a baby this year. Call me today to secure a date for your very own maternity portrait session.
With the stunning range of dresses that I now have available in my studio, you’ll be certain that I’ll take some truly unique photographs. Imagine elegant and fashionable portraits that will capture you and your baby bump in all its glory.
Contact me on 07749270431, via karenwiltshire@me.com or via the contact form on my website.
And if you would like to join my mailing list, sign up here. I send occasional updates revealing my latest news and photography tips.
Introducing the KW Photography Baby Oscars
And the Award goes to…
This Sunday, the 89th Academy Awards – a.k.a. the Oscars – will be held in Hollywood. The great and the good from the movie industry will attend and the best actors, actresses and movies of the past year will be celebrated. So here at KW HQ we decided we needed our own version The Baby Oscars
Purely in the name of fun, I have decided to create my very own version of the Oscars to tie in with this prestigious event.
Having had my photography business established for six years now, I have a tonne of adorable newborn baby and kids portraits in my portfolio.
So, I thought it would be fun to look back and celebrate some of these gorgeous children.
I love photographing children of all ages
Babies and children are just the cutest people to photograph.
Those of you who have hired me as your portrait photographer and recommended me to your friends will know that I absolutely LOVE my job.
Getting to meet so many delightful little people makes my work so much fun!
The innocence of a sleeping newborn right through to the mischievous grins of a one-year-old during their first birthday cake smash shoot are just some of the things I enjoy the most.
So, ladies and gentleman, without further ado, let me introduce you to…
The KW Photography Baby Oscars
In this inaugural KW Photography Baby Oscars, I’m celebrating some of my favourite images from the past year.
And there are prizes for the winners – if your child is featured below please contact me via the comments box below to claim your prize which is a free 10 x 8 print worth £25.00.
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Newborn Smile’ goes to…
Bea: Back in July 2016, Bea came along with her mummy and absolutely stole my heart with her great big grin. She was just six weeks old at the time and really loved that camera. Yeah baby!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Pout’ goes to…
Theo: This was an easy one to choose. There was no contest really!
All Theo had to do during his photo session was to enjoy his cake smash cake and be the star of my cake smash video. But, no, he had other ideas!
It’s true what they say about working with kids and animals! Ha ha!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Yawn’ goes to…
Benjamin: Just look at that sleepy head! Oh, it’s such hard work being just a few days old!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Splash’ goes to…
Alyssa: I had so many adorable children in for cake smashes during 2016. Alyssa’s still makes me laugh out loud! She was so excited!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Smash’ goes to…
Woody, Hugo and Rosie: Being triplets, they will have to share their cake smash crown, just as they shared their cake. Hats off to mummy and daddy! Triplets as active as these three needs heaps of energy!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Chin Dimple’ goes to…
Daisy: Perfect in every way! I love her gorgeous little chin dimple.
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Newborn Hair’ goes to…
Florence: Just look at those gorgeous locks!
The KW Photography Baby Oscar for the ‘Best Dressed’ goes to…
Elsie: She wins the best-dressed crown hands down. She stole the show in her mummy’s wedding dress.
KW Photography Baby Oscars winners
So, that’s my 2017 KW Photography Baby Oscars award winners!
I hope that you have enjoyed these pictures as much as I have enjoyed taking them? Which is your favourite? Do let me know in the comments.
And, don’t forget mummies and daddies, if your child has been featured please also comment on the blog to get in touch about your prize.
Have a great weekend everyone ☺
Karen x
Cake smash portraits and a celebration of all things cake!
Today I’d like to share with you some of my favourite cake smash portraits from recent sessions.
First birthday cake smash
As you probably know if you follow my Facebook page, my cake smash portrait sessions for one-year-olds are extremely popular. Particularly since this video of mine went viral last year and was watched by over 5.6 million people!
There is usually not one single week in a typical month when I am not doing at least one cake smash. And very often I can be busy doing several in a week. I love them and it’s great that my clients do too.
Celebrating a baby’s first year
Cake smash portraits are certainly becoming the popular way to celebrate a baby hitting that first-year milestone. And as a result, I buy a LOT of cake!
Themed cake smash photoshoots
Each child, as part of my cake smash photoshoot, gets their very own professionally made, giant cupcake to devour during their session.
Yes, some are reluctant at first. But most really go for it after a while, and the parents and I are usually laughing throughout the entire session! It’s such fun to watch!
My shoots are fully themed; mummy and daddy choose from a selection of colours and themes in advance. I provide the cake and the themed outfit, I setup a themed backdrop and we start the messy play.
I capture all the fun as your baby squeals with delight, smashing up and eating the cake. Then afterwards, I get them all squeaky clean again (you’ll be pleased to hear)!
They have a splash around in my miniature roll-top bath, and that’s also another opportunity for me to capture some great photographs to finish the session.
Baby becomes a toddler
A first birthday cake smash is a fantastic way to celebrate your child turning one and officially transitioning from a baby into a toddler.
At this age, they are growing in confidence by the minute and their personality shines through the in the adorable photos.
To view more examples from my cake smash portrait portfolio, visit my gallery here. And to book a cake smash for your child, call me on 07749 270431 or contact me via my website to book your preferred date.
Before I go, I’ll leave you with one final tip for parents coming to a cake smash session …prepare to get messy!
Karen x
Runner up in the ‘Child Photographer of the Year’ Award!
Award-winning Photography
At the weekend I attended the annual award ceremony of The Societies of Photographers’, in London . The SWPP is the largest photographic society in the UK. I’ve been a member for a number of years and enter the competitions regularly.
I was just one of three photographers who had been shortlisted for the ‘Child Photographer of the Year award. This portrait of my daughter Lizzie was one of my Gold award-winning photography images which contributed to the nomination.
Celebrating a huge achievement
I didn’t win the ‘Child Photographer of the Year’ title on the night sadly, but I did come in second place!
And to think that this was out of thousands of other photographers, not only from the UK but also from across Europe and the USA!
I’m absolutely delighted with that result.
My work was judged by a panel of highly respected professional photographers. The image was judged in second best out of the work of literally thousands of other photographers. I certainly had reason to celebrate!
Award-winning photography event
To say there was a lot of creative talent in that room on Saturday night would be an understatement!
The standard of the work, across all the award categories, was extremely high. This makes me all the prouder for having been part of the small group of shortlisted photographers.
I don’t often get the chance to get glammed up and so I really enjoy the photography awards events every year. It was a really fun event. I also got the chance to catch up with some of my pro photographer friends, and celebrate their nominations and successes too.
Celebrating a fantastic 2016 for KW Photography
2016 was an absolutely fantastic year for KW Photography!
I’ve worked with so many wonderful clients. And as a result of a lot of hard work, training and practice, my on-location photography portraiture has developed to the point where I now feel as accomplished using natural light outdoors, as I am with artificial light in my photography studio.
To have won Gold awards throughout the year and to have been nominated, and come second in the title race for the Child Photographer of the Year award was the cherry on the cake!
Book your child or family portrait session today
So, if you are wanting any professional portraits taken of your children this year by a ‘Child Photographer of the Year’ nominee then take a look at my gallery for examples of my work. Find out more about my portrait sessions here!
Then call me on 07749 270431 or contact me via my website to book your preferred date. I look forward to hearing from you!
Karen x
Shortlisted for ‘Child Photographer of the Year’ Award
I have received some extremely exciting news today. I have been shortlisted for the Child Photographer of the Year award with the largest photographic society in the UK, the SWPP (the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers)!
I’m just one of three professional photographers across the UK and Europe who are now in the running for the title of Child Photographer of the Year.
I’m actually in shock if I’m honest, but thrilled too! Oh, wouldn’t it be brilliant if I was to win?!
Gold standard portrait
This portrait was awarded a ‘Gold’ in the SWPP’s latest monthly photography competition and has played a large part in my award nomination.
I don’t actually think winning awards is the be-all and end-all. Happy clients are most important to me. Yet, it certainly feels good to have been selected!
Especially when the standard of work from the other thousands of UK and international photographers who have entered the competition is so high!
Accomplished Studio and On-Location Photographer
This nomination is particularly special to me because I have been submitting images to the SWPP this year that have been a mixture of studio photography (my first love) and outdoor, on-location photography.
Although I began doing more outdoor photography in the summer of 2015, it is only in 2016 that I feel that I have become just as competent in on-location photography, using natural light, as I am in the studio.
Lifestyle Photography in Dorset
I’ve worked hard, invested in professional training and got out and about around Dorset at every possible opportunity, usually taking my long-suffering daughter Lizzie with me to model (as you can see from all the portraits I’ve included here).
I feel that I have come a long way this year and this award nomination is a real boost and acknowledgement of that.
Making Memories
These portraits are special in another way too; because they are all of Lizzie, my own daughter.
I often talk about the importance of capturing important family moments in photographs.
Being a mum as well as a photographer, I’m in the lucky position of being able to take professional-standard portraits of Lizzie, and in doing so I’m making memories of my own. I love that!
Child Photographer of the Year announced in January
So wish me luck!
The winner will be revealed next month at the SWPP’s annual awards ceremony. It would be amazing to become Child Photographer of the Year so please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me and I’ll keep you posted about the result!
Karen x
Foxy Hat Give away
Hey, everyone!
Here at KW Photography, we love supporting local small businesses, just like ourselves. I often get lots of different items to photograph and sometimes the companies don’t want them back. So, I’ve decided to have a little giveaway starting with the Foxy Hat…well, it is nearly Christmas!
Christmas Giveaway
Attic Textiles are a local company, in Poole, that I work with. I photograph their fabulous hand made baby and toddler products. So, if you are looking for a pressie for your little one or a great gift then look no further.
May from Attic Textiles creates the most amazing designs and the quality is just fab! They sell all over the world and are popular with celebrities too! Please do check out their website and their store on Not on the High Street for all the lovely, up-to-date products.
How to enter
All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me why you’d like to win the hat. Then pop back to my Facebook page and comment “Love KW Photography” on the Give Away post.
I will randomly choose a winner from the comments on my blog, and will post the hat to the UK only. The Hat is aged 1-3 years and is suitable for a Boy or Girl.
Easy Peasy! The winner will be announced on Friday the 9th of Dec 2016 at 8pm on my Facebook page.
Get commenting!!!!
Bye for now
Karen xx
Christmas baby portraits: How I created these ‘Elf on the shelf’ images
Christmas baby portraits
With Christmas coming up, naturally, I have been taking lots of themed Christmas baby portraits these past few weeks. I just adore them, and every one goes crazy for the elf on the shelf!
Parents do too! And, why not?! There’s so much to love! They can be used on personalised Christmas cards. And they make great Christmas presents for family and friends when printed and framed, or used in photo gifts.
Christmas baby portraits are lovely both to give, and to receive.
Elf on the Shelf inspired portraits
I have particularly enjoyed working on a new concept this year. A creative setup, inspired by the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ craze.
Elf on the Shelf has increased in popularity, here in the UK, over the past few years. So I thought it would be fun to transform a few gorgeous newborns into little elves and capture them sleeping on their very own ‘shelf’.
I say ‘shelf’ in adverted commas since they were not perched on a shelf, of course. It’s simply a clever optical illusion. If you’d like to know how I safely created these Elf on the Shelf-inspired portraits, read on!
Newborn photography: Tricks of the trade
Now, it’s important for you to realize that I would never balance a baby on a shelf or hang them from a height.
Nor would I position them in a basket that was at risk of toppling over. Or in a way that they were required to support their own head in their hands.
That just wouldn’t be safe.
Composite newborn images
All my portraits are taken in the safe, warm environment of my photography studio and the baby’s parents are always close by as well.
‘Composite’ newborn baby portraits like the one above are actually created after the photoshoot. They are essentially one or more photographs combined together using digital editing techniques.
Although the majority of the work is done in the photography studio, editing is an essential element in the success of this kind of image.
How I created the sleeping ‘Elf on the Shelf’ portrait
For the photo above, I setup the shot of the baby resting her head on the teddy bear, while laying on the shelf. The shelf was balanced and securely positioned on a chair, and the baby was held safely in position by the parent at all times.
The final image was achieved when I combined several photographs together. I removed the parents’ hand and the chair from the photographs during the digital editing process. Clever huh?
(For more of an insight into this process, take a look at how composite newborn images are created here).
Clever Christmas baby portraits
Here’s another Elf on the Shelf portrait. This one was tricky to setup, but was worth it!
Although the baby appears to be sitting on the shelf, he was actually lying, safely and comfortably, on his back on the floor.
I deliberately chose the rustic wooden backdrop which looked like the interior wall of a winter log cabin, and then propped the shelf up against his legs and bottom.
To complete the illusion, the props were also carefully positioned alongside him, and stuck down with tape to stop them from falling to the side. Then I photographed the whole setup from above, with my camera looking directly down to the floor.
Ensuring baby’s safety at all times
Of course, I wanted it to appear as though these babies were really positioned on the shelf.
But, as with any other portraits that I create that appear to put the baby in a position of potential danger, I can assure you that these are all created 100% safely.
Book your photoshoot today!
These are just a couple of examples of creative portraits that I produce for my clients within my signature newborn photography experience.
If you’d like something similar with your newborn baby, whatever the time of year, please contact me today.
Karen x
