Note: Dia’s parents have previously agreed with the use of the images shared in this article. Full frontal photos of the baby were purposely avoided in order to protect her privacy and keep her safe.

Malvika was still pregnant with Dia when she reached out to book a maternity photoshoot. Sadly, I had no availability for the upcoming months at that time but she was determined to have me capturing her family! So instead of a maternity photoshoot, I ended up capturing Dia as a newborn.

I remember speaking with Malvika months before Dia was born and asking if she and Angad had already a name for their baby. She said they didn’t. Funny enough, once she was born, Malvika wrote me saying that Dia had arrived. “Dia” means “day” in portuguese and I shared that with Malvika. She then told me that they decided to name Dia that way because they were in Lisbon when they suspected Malvika was pregnant. As an artist, I like to romanticize life so I loved this coincidence: I’m portuguese, they found out they were expecting a baby while in Portugal and have chosen a portuguese word as her first born’s name. Our paths where definitelly meant to cross!

Upon my arrival I could feel the love bubble I' was entering into. Dia’s grandma and uncle were there as well. Everyone absorbing the blessing it was to have a new baby in the family, contemplating this little new being that brought so much love and joy into this family.

Angad spent the entire pregnancy reading books about parenting and newborns’s needs and that completely showed in the way he held Dia and instantly knew what she needed when she started to cry. Malvika was extremely calm and glowing. I could see peace and joy radiating from her eyes. They were both devoted to their child, very attentive to Dia’s needs and comfort but also to each other’s. They were also proud, as they should be, of the family they are now building together.

Photographing newborns is quite special. There is this whole new being that has just arrived to this very mad mad world which, in contrast, brings a sense of hope but also of fear. When a newborn is born, family changes and, if it’s the first born, then parents are born at the same time as well. Everything is different. There are new priorities, worries and dynamics. There’s an accentuated learning curve — I mean, being a parent is a constant learning curve but those first few months really are another level, aren’t they? — the mother is still recovering and sleep might not be much present these days.

Considering all of that, I always suggest an at-home documental photoshoots for newborns. This allows for a safer, more comfortable and familiar experience. Everything the baby might need is there, easily accessible. Mom doesn’t need to move too much either. There are no external things to deal with that might have added worry or anxiety to the equation — like weather being too cold or too warm. There’s just you, your partner and your baby, living life slowly and absorbing every second of this whole new season of your lives. Together. Fully present.

Book your family experience now