Jitka Wenham Photography - Professional newborn, baby, children and family photographer in Milton Keynes.
This week, as we celebrate National Small Business Week, let’s highlight the incredible impact the local businesses have on our community, like Milton Keynes!
As a passionate photographer and small business owner, I wanted to take a moment to share why your support means the world to me and how you can continue to uplift small businesses near you.
Read MoreChoosing a name for your baby is like giving them their first-ever gift filled with love, identity, and all those dreams you have for them. And if you’re expecting a spring baby, you’re in luck! Springtime is bursting with inspiration for names that are as fresh and vibrant as the flowers and sunny days we all associate with this season. I always think it’s so special when my tiny photography clients have a name that resonates with the time of year. If your baby is due in the next few weeks, and you still can’t decide on a name, read through this blog for some ideas you may have never considered but will fall in love with….
Read MoreWith the Easter holidays almost here, Milton Keynes is ready to embrace the spring spirit and fun with lots of egg-cellent events and activities planned! Whether your little ones love Easter egg hunts or crafting activities, there’s something going on for everyone. Being your newborn and family photographer in Milton Keynes and a mum myself, lots of my clients share their exciting school holiday plans with me, and this year, there are plenty to choose from. So, I thought I’d share a few for you to take a look at:
Read MoreEaster is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with an eggcellent Easter egg hunt for your little ones (and let’s be honest, the big ones too)? Whether you’re planning an outdoor adventure or an indoor quest to accommodate the unpredictable spring weather, there are plenty of ways to make this year’s hunt unforgettable.
Read MoreAs a passionate newborn and baby photographer in Milton Keynes, I deeply understand the whirlwind of emotions and the incredible journey of your baby’s first year. Every tiny yawn as a newborn, the adorable giggle of a six-month-old, and the adventurous curiosity of a one-year-old deserve to be cherished and remembered for a lifetime. As a professional newborn and baby photographer, I aim to freeze these precious moments in time. Professional portraits provide a timeless snapshot of your baby’s journey, capturing their personality and expressions that are often missed in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Read MoreWelcoming a new baby into your family is a joyous occasion, and there's nothing quite like the unique bond between siblings. Preserving these precious moments of connection, tenderness, and playfulness is a wonderful way to celebrate your growing family. As a baby photographer in Milton Keynes, I know that newborn photo sessions are a beautiful way to capture the special bond between your children and the newest addition to your family. Here’s why:
Read MoreCan you believe it’s almost February half-term? I’m currently sitting here, torn between looking forward to my two boys being off school, and a little bit of dread. Parents know how it is - it’s a tricky week between the cold winter weather and the not-so-distant memory of all the Christmas spending.
Read MoreIs your little one’s first birthday coming up? If so, you’re probably considering or preparing for your exciting cake smash session! As a trusted and experienced baby photographer in Milton Keynes, I’m here to spill the details on how to make this messy, adorable celebration one you’ll never forget. So, let’s dive into some tips on how to make your baby’s cake smash a smashing success!
As you eagerly await the arrival of your little bundle of joy, it’s time to start thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag. As a newborn photographer, I’ve had countless discussions with other mums about what they wished they’d taken and what proved to be absolute must-haves during their hospital stays. With this in mind, I’ve curated a list to ensure you pack everything for a comfortable and memorable experience
Read MoreChristmas is such a magical time of the year when our homes twinkle with lights and festive decorations, becoming enchanting wonderlands that everyone will enjoy! If you have little ones, this blog is perfect! It’s all about making your home not only beautifully festive but also child-friendly. I’ve also given a couple of ideas for precious personalised gifts your little ones can craft and give to all of your loved ones. So, let’s dive into some delightful DIY decorations your kids can create, adding that special touch to your festive decor.
Read MoreAs the festive season begins to light up Milton Keynes, I’m always looking for things my family and I can do to celebrate Christmas and make precious memories together. Luckily, Milton Keynes is always bursting with festive cheer! From visiting Santa to magical Christmas events, I’ve created a list of just a few events happening in and around the area. So, grab your coats, bundle up the little ones, and let’s dive into the winter wonderland that is Christmas in Milton Keynes!
Expecting a baby is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of your life. Pregnancy rushes by in a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, shopping for baby essentials, and ensuring you’ve tied up all loose ends at work before your maternity leave starts. The arrival of a little one marks a monumental milestone in your life, and you’re eager to capture every precious moment of this incredible journey. From chatting with parents at my newborn photography studio and from my own wonderful memories, I know that the first few days after your baby’s arrival pass by in a beautiful, blurry baby bubble. So, with that in mind, I’ve created a definitive list of newborn photographs that are an absolute must-capture!
Read MoreHalloween offers endless possibilities for memorable pictures. Taking your own Halloween photos is such a fun family activity, but instead of opting for the usually rushed snaps before you go trick-or-treating this year, why not go all out and try your own Halloween mini-shoot?
Read MoreOctober half-term is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing - Halloween is nearly here! My family and I absolutely love this time of year. We can’t wait to dive into all the spooky season fun here in Milton Keynes. I’ve put together a list of some fab places and activities to check out in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas during October half-term.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, you might want to consider ‘Mummy & Me’ portraits. These elegant and timeless portraits will become a cherished possession for both mum and their wide family. Find out more about the session and how you can use the images in this blog
Read MoreIf you’re planning a baby shower in Milton Keynes, I’ve pulled together tons of amazing suppliers and tips for you. I’ve also included a fabulous free download pack of baby shower games to play.
Read More
As a busy baby photographer I get to speak to a lot of parents who always look for baby activities. During a recent cake smash photoshoot (wondering what a cake smash is? Click here) the parents told me about their wonderful swimming classes and how much they are enjoying it. So I decided to approach Tamsin Brewis who is a baby and children swimming instructor in Milton Keynes and is currently doing classes at Water Babies (a company specialising in swimming classes for babies and children). Tamsin is really passionate about what she does and offered to write this really useful blog about what babies and their parents gain from swimming.
Much is now known about the benefits of baby swimming but really the benefits of water as a “learning” medium begins way before baby arrives; we all like to rest and relax in warm water and when you are pregnant, this is even more of a benefit as you can move freely, supported by water.
It can be a very magical moment when you first swim with your baby – either in the bath or the pool. The opportunity to spend quality time with a little one, sharing skin to skin contact and focusing completely on each other is worth its weight in gold.
So, let’s have a look at some of those benefits. To begin with, baby swimming is one of the first activities you can do with a newborn; close bonding practises can begin in the bath before going to a swimming pool. Having a bath with your baby and allowing them to rest or feed close to you at the same time will promote close bonding and positive emotions for both the baby and the parent, particularly if you, as a parent, are feeling relaxed and secure in this environment. Baby brain is immature when first born, so exposing your newborn to an environment which encourages repetition of activities, word association, mirroring skills, and habits will enable the positive, strong links to be build between the left and right side of the brain.
Baby swimming is also a physical activity. The moment your baby enters the water, they will be working against the water which will build muscle strength throughout the body. In water, babies and toddlers can try activities that they may not be able to do on dry land because of the invisible support of water for example, holding onto the side of a pool by themselves at the age of 10 months or rotating around a woggle; this gives a child self-confidence and improves self-awareness as well as improving co-ordination skills. Parents whose children have swum from an early age comment about the physical strength of their children as they grow.
Babies also learn social skills when swimming with others; this can also be a benefit for parents too as many friendships are established between new parents in the pool! From very early on, babies learn about sharing, taking turns, supporting each other regardless and being an individual within a group situation. These are skills which they will carry with them throughout life and help them to understand the individuality of each and every person.
I really hope that you have enjoyed this blog, it’s brilliant to learn a bit more about baby swimming. Lots of my clients really enjoy the sessions and find it really helps with their baby’s development. They all really appreciate the benefits that swimming gives to their babies, whether its the physical or cognitive benefits, and they all love the bonding opportunity the swimming provides. This is the reason why I thought some of you might enjoy learning about baby swimming benefits. The first year of a baby’s life is full of firsts, first smile, first crawl, first time in the water, first walk, first words etc. I know how these milestones are important to the parents and I am always capturing them in my milestone photoshoots such as my sitter sessions (these are for babies that have just started to sit. Have a look at some of them in my children gallery here) or my cake smash sessions (these are amazing for capturing the First Birthday milestone. Have a look at some cake smash images here)
As a Newborn, children and pregnancy photographer, the safety of my clients comes first. I completely understand that you might be worried about having professional photographs done due to the current Covid -19 pandemic and so as I am getting ready for re-opening my studio I have decided to write down what precautions I will be taking when it its safe to re-open again. Studio cleanliness has always been my top priority and I have always taken steps to avoid viral contamination.
The following steps are a summary of measures that you can expect in my studio following the Covid-19 outbreak :
Deep cleaning of the studio after each session and prior to new clients arrival (the cleaning will include sofa, chairs, door handles, my camera equipment, changing table)
Allow 48 hours between each session
Disposable gloves and masks available for me to wear on client’s request
Clients will be asked to remove their shoes at the door.
(disposable slippers will be available to use)
Props will be disinfected after the session and fabrics washed at a high temperature.
Delicate wraps and outfits that can be hand washed only will be isolated for 72 hours after washing
Hands washed before the session and sanitiser will be used during the session
If you are unwell you will be asked to reschedule your session
If I am unwell I will reschedule your session
Disposable changing mats will be provided for changing the baby on the changing table.
Bottled water will be available.
I usually offer my clients hot drinks and light refreshments such as biscuits and fruit - these won’t be available for the time being.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about a specific session, I would be more than happy to help. Just email me on info@jitkawenhamphotography.com or give me a call on 07885664046
If you would like to book a photography session with me please join my mailing list. When the slots become available to book I will be giving priority to people on this mailing list. To join my mailing list please click on the subscribe button below.
Being pregnant and giving birth during these uncertain times in the middle of pandemic must be so daunting and scary. Not knowing what the hospital is going to be like, whether you will be able to have your birthing partner with you or if you will have to give birth alone, how busy will the staff be etc. etc. ? These are the questions that probably all pregnant women are asking and make them even more anxious about being pregnant and having a baby.
The Facebook support group for pregnant and new mums I have set up at the begging of lockdown has already had some babies born. I believe that all the members have enjoyed reading some of the stories the new mums shared with us and I have to say they were all quite positive and it seemed that the ladies had mostly a really good experience giving birth in Milton Keynes hospital.
Here are answers from one member of the group. As a mum of a newborn baby and two older children she has been so busy so I really appreciate that she found the time to answer some questions about her birth experience.
Q: Could you please provide some general information?
A: This was my 3rd birth and I went to Milton Keynes hospital. The birth was was really quick as I went into natural labour but went in to be induced on the same day. The whole labour must have only been a couple of hours. I had gas and air for the last part ( pushing) didn't have time for anything else beforehand as was all so quick. I stayed in hospital 6 hours after having my baby but this was in the labour room so I didn't have to be exposed to the ward. I went home at midnight. .
Q: When your labour started did you first call the hospital or did you go straight in? Did the staff seem busy/attend to you straight away /attentive/stressed?
A: I was due to go in to be induced so I went into ward nine for a certain time. It was busy but all staff were helpful and explained any delays.
Q: Who was your birthing partner (was he/she not allowed at some parts of the birth or allowed all the time? was the staff happy for them to be there?
A: My mum was meant to be my birthing partner but due to the Covid 19 partners are not aloud in ward 9 and because my labour happened so quick she didn't have time to get there. I went from1cm to 10 in the space of 30-45 mins . I was 10 cm on wRd nine and nearly ended up birthing there!
Q: How was the labour in terms of staff helping you? Do you feel that they were supportive, helpful, attentive enough?
A: I only met my midwifes on labour ward as I was ready to push so I didn't have any time to talk things through with them like you would normally and In previous labours but they were all really lovely and made me feel I could do it all on my own.
Q: How was the labour for you emotionally? What helped you get through it? (your own determination, your partner, the staff?)
A: My labour happened so fast so I didn't have much time to think or worry but I was comfortable being in the care of the midwifes.
Q: What was your overall feeling about the experience in the labour ward? (Were you able to tell we are in the middle of a pandemic? if so how? Or was it calm or hectic, busy but organised or busy not organised?)
A: My experience of the labour ward was good and very quick. Staff all wear masks on their faces which is probably the only thing which reminded me of the current pandemic.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to women that will be giving birth soon, what would you say?
A: My advice to anyone due to give birth in these times Is just to stay calm and focus on the baby coming.
Thank you for reading. I hope you find this helpful.
Have you thought about having professional maternity, newborn or family photographs done? If you want to be the first to know about my availability when my studio re-opens, then subscribe to my waiting list below.
A virtual baby shower isn’t a new idea, it has been around for years, mainly done by people who live too far from each other in different countries or even continets but still want to do something special for the mum to be and celebrate her pregnancy. Unfortunately we have found ourselves in this absolutely crazy time when the in person baby shower is not an option. But just because you have to self isolate doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice time and create some special memories. Here are a few tips on how to start to prepare for your virtual baby shower :-)
You can either host yourself or if you just want to ‘turn up’ you can ask a close friend or a family member to organise everything for you.
There are so many platforms to choose from at the moment. Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts. They are all similar but the main differences are in the amount of participants you can have. Some also have a time limit. Pick the platform that suits most of your needs and have a test drive with a couple of friends. This is a good idea as if you have never used these platforms it will give you a chance to smooth out any technical issues you might have.
Zoom Is free to use and you can have up to 100 participants. The free versions allows only 40 minutes of meeting time per room, you can either purchase additional time or close the room and start a new one. It can be used on a computer, tablet or smart phone.
Skype is free of charge and allows up to 50 participants. It can be used on a computer, tablet or a mobile.
Google Hangouts is free but you have to have a google account. If you haven’t go one, it’s easy to sign up for.
Webbaby shower is a website that has been made especially for virtual baby showers. It is paid and includes invitations, guest book that can be printed after the event, games and private photo and video album.
The invitations can be sent either online or even the more traditional way via post. You can design your own personalised invitation using one of the online designing programs, for example Canva is simple to use and has many templates that you can personalise.
You can’t go full out with the decorations as much as you could if you had an in person baby shower, but you can still make it nice. You can send to the mum to be and the guests some simple decorations such as balloons and bunting to decorate their background. Or it can be something simple but fun such as everyone wearing the same colour top or wearing the same accessory, which can also be sent out to everyone beforehand.
The mum to be can create a with list on Amazon and the presents can be sent to her before hand, make sure she knows not to open them before the shower. The presents can also be sent to a trusted neighbour or a husband/partner who can hide them until the baby shower day. If the participants already have presents they can also keep them and introduce them to mum-to-be during the baby shower and say why they bought them.
The mum to be can pick a few baby products and everyone writes down their guess of what the price is, then at the same time everyone shows their guesses. The alternative would be when everyone takes turns trying to guess how much the baby products cost.
Guests can email their baby photos prior to the shower. You can for example create a slide show and guests guess who is who.
You can create a poll before or after the baby shower where guests can enter how much they think the baby will weigh.
Even though virtual baby showers can’t replace the in person one, when well organised, I believe it can be so much fun. After all what can be better than a bit of girly time?
Have you ever attended or hosted a virtual baby shower? I would love to hear how it went. Would you consider having one?