Personal Growth

So anyone who reads my blog knows that this year I started upon my journey of personal and professional growth. 

I've always been quite content plodding along, doing what I enjoy with no specific goals as such, and whilst I actually quite like this easy going side of my personality, I realized i'd also like to push myself a bit harder. I guess what with turning 30 this year, getting married last year, and moving countries (twice), I've had plenty of time and reason for self reflection, it made me consider myself, my life and my ultimate goals. I know this may all sound a bit dramatic but I felt this was the year to excel and to push myself out of my easy going comfort zone. 

I came up with a list of goals - Grow my business, learn the Ukulele and Arabic, get over some of my (less than productive) 'quirks' and become more confident and less hung up on the small things.

So I tackled #1 by getting an awesome business mentor, Charlie who has taught me sooo much already (I will tell you more about this after my last session with her in a few weeks),  I have my arabic lessons on as I type and am starting my Ukelele lessons soon… but as for shaking off some of the oddities that I feel hold me back, this will I guess be a work in progress. 

I have begun to tackle this with hypnotherapy. 

Ever since a friend of mine got hypnotherapy years ago, I've thought it was something that could work for me, I'm fairly strong minded and have tried all of the obvious ways of building my confidence, becoming less anxious and avoiding obsessing over the small stuff and whilst I manage it quite well I knew that I needed something drastic if this was going to be the year that I left it all behind. So now after 4 sessions how do I feel? Am I fixed?

Well thats for everyone else (especially my husband) to judge. 

The sessions certainly left me feeling empowered, driven and motivated, I realised that some of my 'quirks' were quite ridiculous, like needing to arrive at every appointment an hour early just incase I'm late, and worrying about every word I write or say, because it might offend someone (i'm not an offensive person so this is very unlikely) The hypnotherapy helped me put these things in to perspective and I really feel this has helped my day to day life. 

Sue, the lovely lady who led the sessions, also taught me how to distract myself from becoming anxious in the first place, relax my mind at night, using self hypnosis and therefore have a good sleep, it amazing what a good nights sleep can do for your state of mind. 

The sessions didn't 'fix' everything, I'd say I still have some OCD tendencies and some things that I need to work on but I will continue to do the self hypnosis as I can definitely feel the benefits of totally relaxing my mind and my body, and I will use the methods that Sue recommended to distract myself from small day to day worries. And as for the new motivation that the hypnotherapy gave me, I will use it to succeed at all of my other goals this year! 

If you feel inspired to face some underlying issues that you feel are holding you back then i'd definitely recommend hypnotherapy and in particular Sue at Candela clinic in Henley-on-Thames and Harley Street, London.

And I'll be sure to keep you posted with how my self hypnosis goes!

Good Luck,

Lianne xox

What to Expect from a Newborn Photo Session

Welcoming a new baby into your life is an utterly magical and life changing experience. I understand how important these first days are, how quickly your little one changes and develops, and how important capturing all of these early stages are. I therefore endeavor to capture and document your first days with your little one in a calm, natural, relaxed session in your home.

So as I prepare for a newborn shoot with this beautiful mama (when her little one arrives), I thought I'd post a bit more information about how to choose your newborn photographer and what to expect from a dinkyheart newborn session.

Beautiful Jamila during her maternity session

How to choose a newborn photographer

Its extremely important that you spend some time looking through potential photographers galleries, a photographer will have a particular style that they shoot in and it really is key that you like their images and their approach. 

                                            Baby Indigo at 9 weeks

I, for example, shoot in quite a natural style, usually in your home, capturing the more 'everyday' type images of those first few days. My images aren't very staged and I don't really use props (although of course have a few hats, headbands and matching blankets if you want a few shots like that) but as a general rule I use a similar approach as I apply to my family photography which is natural, relaxed and genuine. 

There are many other photographers however, that use lots of posing, props and lighting, often in a studio environment. This approach creates an equally beautiful but very different set of images and so you need to be sure of what you are after before hiring your photographer to document your newborn.

Once you've decided on the style you're looking for get in touch with your favourite photographers, its so important that you like and build a rapport with your photographer, they will be documenting such an iconic and emotional time in your families life, its vital that you feel comfortable with them. 

I offer a maternity to newborn package which I find works really well for me and my clients, as I get to know all about mummy and daddy before the little one arrives and more importantly they get to know me, meaning the newborn shoot is relaxed and stress free. 

So if you decide that dinkyheart photography is the right choice for you, what should you expect from the newborn session?

A newborn photo session with dinkyheart photography will take place in your home, either within the first 12 days of your little ones arrival or after about 8 weeks of their arrival. These specific time frames may seem a bit odd, however I've found that they are best for great results. 

Within 12 days your little one will still be very sleepy, teeny tiny, less fussy about being moved and held and generally still have that newborn look. 

 Baby Freya at a precious 5 days old

After this time your little one becomes more and more aware, is awake more often and develops more of a routine, therefore only wanting to be held when and by whom they choose ;) 

I've found both babies and mummies find this more stressful and therefore I prefer (if we miss the initial 12 day time frame) to wait until the little one is a little older, around 8 weeks is a lovely age, baby has filled out a bit, responds beautifully to their parents voices and interacts, producing beautiful photos when sleeping and awake. 

 Baby Joshua at 12 week 

Prior to the session and before the little one even arrives we will pencil in an approximate date which we will confirm nearer the time and again after your little one has arrived. We will discuss ideas for images that you may have, any worries or concerns and a general over view of the session. You can then completely forget about the session calm in the knowledge that it will be pretty easy and enjoyable for you.

Baby Sophie at 6 days old

On the actual day of the session you should feed and sooth the little one as usual, try not to alter your routine too much, I allow 2-3 hours for the session to ensure we have plenty of time for feeding, changing and settling. The room should be warm and cozy and baby should be either dressed or undressed according to how you want them for the initial pics. 

If you have a couple of outfits set aside I can help you select which ones will work best. 

When I arrive I will have a little scout around your home for the best light and locations and then when you are ready we will set to work. 

Again I can't stress enough, babies are anything but predictable, we really do have all the time in the world to get these pictures, so if you or your little one need to break for any reason we will, I love a rest and a cuppa between shots ;)

Your digital files will be ready 3-4 weeks after the session at which point you can decide if you'd like to buy any canvas' or framed prints, I can advise you on this. Otherwise you're free to print your pics as you like :)

I hope this post has been informative and relieves any worries that you expectant mamas may have. A newborn session really is enjoyable and results in images that you are sure to treasure forever. 

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch and don't forget to sign up to my newsletter for more information and offers.

Lianne xox

Win a photo session with dinkyheart photography!

For your chance to win a family photo session with dinkyheart photography simply 'like' our facebook page and sign-up to our newsletter. Its as simple as that! I will announce the winners in October. 

Good luck xoxox

***Competition open to Dubai residents only

Three Little Explorers

This session has to be one of my favourites so far, the location and children were stunning, it involved twins (which I love to photograph), and they made me feel so welcome in their beautiful family home. 

I met Helen and her husband in Stockholm, she's the sweetest lady and was bought the session as a gift from a close friend. We clicked straight away, they were very much in to travelling and their daughter, like me had married in France, so we had lots in common. Together we drove the 20 minutes out of the city to meet the rest of their family at their stunning home.     

It was elevated with views over the water and backing onto the woods, perfect for three little children to explore. Josephine, mummy to the little ones, said they wanted the session to be very relaxed, capturing the children very much as they are now, so with that in mind I followed along as they showed me their toys, snacks, snails and ants. The children spoke only in Swedish (and although I was taking lessons my swedish wasn't up to much) but of course being children this didn't matter and we spoke to each other about the things they were showing me. 

After an hour or so of play we stopped for afternoon tea and then got back to it, of course with 3 children, parents, and grandparents, we needed a fair amount of time but the whole session was so relaxed that I didn't even notice the hours flying by. The whole family made me feel so welcome and although the light was actually a bit tricky, a mixture of bright sunshine and then periods of cloud, we were all very pleased with the results. 

I'm absolutely thrilled that I was able to do a family photo shoot in such a beautiful location in Sweden, I hope you enjoy the images xox

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