Thinking about booking a photographer to capture your pregnancy and snuggly newborn moments?
Introducing
Lifestyle Maternity and Newborn Photography by Heartstory
Lifestyle: baby-led, directed (but not posed), authentic
Our photos from Heartstory are nothing short of magical. Katie goes out of her way to make you feel comfortable and was amazing with our 2 year old. She made us feel special and unique. With both the maternity and newborn shoot she has managed to not only capture beautiful family photos, but intimate photos of a special time that truly celebrates what my body has achieved.
At the purchasing appointment Jeremy shared his knowledge and guided us in how to put together some amazing artwork from our photos. The whole experience is personal and warm. Both Katie and Jeremy are a joy to work with and their amazing work will live in our home for many years to come.
~ Bec, mum of 2
The Heartstory maternity & newborn experience
Having your family photographed is a celebration of you—your story, the love you share and your ‘right now’.
Jeremy Byrnes and Katie Kolenberg (the owners and principal photographers at Heartstory, est. 2009) are award winning family portrait specialists and two of the most experienced family photographers in the region. They are known for how they connect with children and babies, their fun approach to families, their use of the natural environment and our creative vision. They provide personal, customised service and unique heirloom products, for every taste and budget.
Katie is the exclusive newborn photographer for Heartstory. Newborn sessions take place at our beautiful natural light Belconnen studio. ‘Lifestyle’ means directed (but not posed), baby-led, and authentic. Our styling is organic, textural and nature-inspired, with a touch of boho.
We have a special offer running now – for a limited time and for a limited number of sessions – which includes the following:
1. The consultation
Over the phone. We get to know you, find out your hopes and wishes for your photos, and discuss things like location and styling. We book you for both sessions.
2. The maternity session
Recommended for when you are 32-36 weeks pregnant. On your own, or with children and/or partner. At our Belconnen studio with full access to our beautiful mama wardrobe (we have an ever-growing range of dresses, robes and dusters from well known brands like Spell, Hazel & Folk and Tree of Life).
3. The newborn session
Recommended for when bub is 10 days to 4 weeks old, but can be up to 6 weeks. For the whole family. At our Belconnen studio.
4. The purchasing appointment
You come back in for a personal appointment at our studio. Your decision-making game is strong. We create beautiful artwork for you to keep forever.
What to expect
Expect to be taken care of.
Expect to have fun and feel good.
Expect to fall in love with your photos.
Expect to have fun and feel good.
Expect to fall in love with your photos.
Our approach to maternity & newborn photography
Maternity and newborn sessions are held in our stunning, light-filled and comfortable Belconnen studio space, and your photos will be taken by Katie Kolenberg, two time winner of the prestigious AIPP Australian Family Photographer of the Year, and with 12 years family photography experience.
Maternity: You can bring your older children and/or partner to your maternity session, however, you are equally welcome (and in fact, encouraged) to take advantage of having this experience on your own. After all, it’s rare that we celebrate our bodies and the journey that we’re on, and this is an opportunity to do just that! We have an incredible client wardrobe available for you to use with pregnancy friendly dresses, dusters, robes and other pieces (scroll down for some pictures). Our space is private, comfortable and the light is very flattering! Collections will be 20+ images, more if you bring your children or partner.
Newborn: Katie has a relaxed, go-with-the-flow approach to newborn sessions, which is unlike any other photographer in Canberra. Styling is natural, organic and textural, making use of the beautiful natural light in our studio, our amazing dried floral feature wall, our luxurious textile collection and whatever you bring with you on the day. Your collection of images will contain moments that are emotive, artistic, tear-jerking, funny, bursting with personality, and above all else, they will tell the unique story of you and your family. No formulas, gimmicks or uncomfortable posing. Katie works quite quickly and you will unlikely be at the studio for your newborn session for more than 90 minutes, even allowing time for bub to feed during the session. Sessions are covid safe and contactless: Katie does not need to handle baby. Collections will be 50+ images.
Most families say ‘I knew they’d be good, but I didn’t think they’d be this good.’
View three very different featured sessions below.
The maternity and newborn package was the most amazing experience with Heartstory and it really captured my entry in motherhood. Katie was very encouraging and made me feel so beautiful at both shoots and put me at ease immediately! The maternity shoot was so natural and calm. Heartstory have a beautiful and wide range of wardrobe for the shoots which meant I only needed to bring underwear for the shoot. I was not going to do maternity shots initially, now postpartum, I would regret it as I miss my belly!
The newborn shoot was very relaxed and calm and Katie had allowed a lot of time for the shoot, which I needed as my little man needed to be fed midshoot! This allowed me to have some breastfeeding shots which I was not planning. The images captured of my little newborn are so precious as he has grown so quickly, he was 10 days old for the shoot.
Jeremy and Katie’s photo reveal video at the viewing appointment was so sweet and adorable bought me to tears of happiness. The range of products made it very hard to choose, I decided on the beautiful leather book which published approx 30 of the photos. We basically put the book together right then and there!
I would highly recommend Heartstory and believe they are the number one place for natural and authentic pictures and no gimmicks. The package was a great value and captured amazing memories and very important milestones of my first pregnancy and journey into motherhood. Thanks Katie, Jeremy and Mel.
The newborn shoot was very relaxed and calm and Katie had allowed a lot of time for the shoot, which I needed as my little man needed to be fed midshoot! This allowed me to have some breastfeeding shots which I was not planning. The images captured of my little newborn are so precious as he has grown so quickly, he was 10 days old for the shoot.
Jeremy and Katie’s photo reveal video at the viewing appointment was so sweet and adorable bought me to tears of happiness. The range of products made it very hard to choose, I decided on the beautiful leather book which published approx 30 of the photos. We basically put the book together right then and there!
I would highly recommend Heartstory and believe they are the number one place for natural and authentic pictures and no gimmicks. The package was a great value and captured amazing memories and very important milestones of my first pregnancy and journey into motherhood. Thanks Katie, Jeremy and Mel.
- Carrie
Our maternity & newborn photography offer
available for a limited time
$750
$
50
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a personal planning consultation (by phone)
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a mini maternity session in studio with full access to our beautiful client wardrobe
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a signature Heartstory 'lifestyle' newborn session in studio
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an 8x10" art print of your choice in a recycled timber Mulbury frame worth $250, or swap for credit towards your order of photographic artwork or packages.
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a shareable highlights slideshow reel of both sessions
Fill out the form below to use this offer
Available for sessions through to the end of August 2022. The $50 booking fee will be credited back to you at your purchasing appointment if you place an order for additional photos. No digital files are included in this offer, but may be purchased or included in your order.
Limited spots
What’s the catch?
We need your help to build our reputation in the maternity and newborn genre! We offer something completely unique in Canberra, and up until recently we haven’t put much effort into sharing this with the world! Our 12 year reputation is mostly centred around our outdoors family sessions and our Babies in Bonnets project. But it’s time for us to step up! We know that the mamas of Canberra want choice, and that the main style of newborn photography out there doesn’t suit everyone. That’s why we are offering this ridiculously good special offer!
We want to:
- increase the number of newborn sessions that we are currently taking on so we can spread the word about our style of maternity and newborn photography,
- create some beautiful imagery of our client wardrobe in use that we can use in our marketing and social media, and
- understand better what families want when it comes to maternity and newborn photography so we can provide the best service and experience in Canberra!
So all this means is that we will be asking you for a testimonial and permission to use a small selection of the beautiful photos we create for you to further advertise, promote and communicate our services to other families!
We had the pleasure of having both our maternity and newborn photos done by this stellar team! Both Katie and Jeremy are warm and approachable. They were keen to learn more about us and build a unique experience for us - there was nothing cookie cutter about the sessions and we so appreciated their individualised approach. We found the whole process, from chats on the phone to discuss our vision to taking the actual photos to choosing the edited version to be professional and seamless. The quality of the photos they have produced for us is incredible. We thoroughly enjoyed working this dynamic team and we will definitely be back for more!
- Camilla
Pricing & products
Full transparency: although this special offer represents significant value and there is no obligation to purchase, you will not be able to walk away from this experience with just a single framed 8×10″ print! Why? Because you’re going to love your photos!
Your safeguard: it’s important that you feel safe and looked after during your experience with us, therefore we take full liability for the creation of your portrait collection. You don’t need to make any decisions or commitment to buy anything until your purchasing appointment. And even then, if you don’t want to purchase, or you don’t love your photos, you can just order your included print and nothing more. Rest assured, ‘hard-selling’ is not our style! And, if you’re budget conscious, all the information you need is available for you to look at before your book.
We believe that professional portraits deserve pride of place in your home and not lost in the digital clutter of our daily lives, so we have spent many years perfecting our product range to suit contemporary tastes, lifestyles and budgets. You can choose from prints, wall art and albums, and digital files can also be included.
If you decide to purchase, you can swap out your 8×10″ framed print for $250 credit to use towards your order:
- Matted prints start at $795 for a set of four 8×10″ print (entry level best value for money)
- Single image framed wall art starts at $695 and multiple image framed wall art starts at $795 (entry level best value for money)
- Digital files can also be purchased on their own for $200 each (minimum of 5).
- Matching digital files are complimentary with all orders over $1500.
- Customised wall collections with 3-4 individual pieces start at $2385.
Most families invest $800 to $3000 on their portrait collection. Payment plans are available.
Scroll through the images below to get a feel for what we sell, and get more detailed information about pricing and products here: Heartstory Pricing & Products
Katie and Jeremy do a phenomenal job. Not only in the final product, which is evident through their social media posts, but also in making you feel comfortable and supported throughout every part of the process (including when babies won't cooperate and when you're feeling overwhelmed for choice in the purchasing appointment!). We couldn't recommend them more highly and look forward to as many more sessions as we have children in the future!
- Lauren
Request a booking using this offer
We have limited spots available! Please read the T&C below and fill out the contact form to request a booking. You will hear from us within 2 business days.
SORRY, THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR AN ALTERNATIVE:
Terms & conditions
- This offer is not available for currently booked sessions, pending gift certificate bookings, or sessions that are pending a reschedule.
- Your due date must be before (approximately) 31 August 2022.
- Session must be booked before baby is born.
- You may not transfer or combine your session or this offer to any other package, promotion, prize, gift certificate, or special projects like Babies in Bonnets.
- This offer cannot be used for at home or location sessions. Both sessions must take place in our studio. Sessions are available on weekdays only.
- The $50 booking fee is due at the time of booking and will be credited to your order if you place one at your purchasing appointment.
- The offer includes a framed print and a shareable highlights reel. No digital files are included in this offer, but are available to purchase as part of our packages.
- You must be prepared to give us permission to use some images from your collection to promote our services (similar to what you see on this page or on the ad you may have clicked on on Facebook), however you can specify which images if you like.
- You must attend at least one purchasing appointment, following your newborn session.
- You must not be booked with another photographer for either maternity or newborn photos (please don’t attempt to hide this from us – Canberra photographers tend to know each other).
- Our regular cancellation policies apply.
