2025 Australian Photography Awards - Newborn Photography Brisbane
- Natarsha March APP
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
Turns out, most of my creative inspiration doesn’t come from grand adventures or far-off places.
It comes from... my stairwell. And the kitchen. And a random pot plant that’s probably overdue for a water.
This year’s award entries for the Australian Photographic Prize were all sparked by little treasures around my home, the light fittings over the stairs, the way sunlight hits my kitchen windowsill, even the texture of a coffee mess.
Everyday things, but when you’re a visual storyteller (and a bit of a sentimental weirdo), they become magic.
It’s the same energy I bring into my newborn photography Brisbane sessions, finding meaning in the ordinary, beauty in the in-between.
I haven’t entered awards in a few years, but I felt the pull to jump back in – and the newborn category felt like the perfect fit to share some of the dreamy, story-rich images I’ve been creating lately.
So lets get into the images I entered and share the stories behind each one.
SPLATTERS OF LOVE
This is an image that is all about how messy the newborn stage is, and how much we love our babies and these moments all the same.
I was making my morning coffee (or two) when I noticed my George Clooney machine had dripped coffee all over the bench in this oddly beautiful, splotchy pattern.
So naturally, I photographed it and straight away I knew it would be the perfect base for a newborn image. I carefully blended baby Winston into the centre to bring the story to life.
You might have noticed the little love hearts sprinkled throughout the image that represent the love amongst the mess.
I also chose to leave Winstons flaky skin on the image to add to the "messy and raw" feel of the newborn phase. I love his expression of calm gentle smile, adding to the cosiness amongst the mess.
NEW BORN LIFE
This image came about during a dull morning washing dishes. I was at the sink, half-zoned out, when I noticed one of my little pot plants on the windowsill.
It dawned on me how delicate it was, a fresh new leaf shaped like half a heart about to open up and flourish with life. Tt hit me that this tiny new leaf was the perfect metaphor for new life – soft, fragile, and just starting to unfurl.
When I placed baby Aydin on top of the leaf, the nostalgia hit hard. I was instantly taken back to my 90s obsession with Anne Geddes and her iconic garden babies.
I love this image for both reasons – the nod to those childhood memories, and the quiet story of newness and growth, both in the plant and the sweet little newborn Aydin.
SHATTERED CONNECTIONS
We don’t always feel the way we think we should.
That’s the story I wanted to tell in this image.
It’s something I see in families often – and while this wasn’t this mum’s personal journey, I’m so grateful she was brave enough to help me bring it to life.
Whether it’s that “what now?” feeling after bringing a baby home (seriously, they just let us leave with it??) or the heaviness of postnatal depression, there are so many ways new mums can feel disconnected. You’re told it’ll be love at first sight, but what if it’s not?
In this image, you see a mum full of joy during pregnancy, dreaming, doting, expecting. But once the baby arrives, she’s lost. Fractured. Struggling to feel the connection.
And then support. Healing. Bit by bit, with her partner beside her, she finds her way back to her baby. To love.
The glass shards in the image are actaully from a shattered photography award I won back in 2019. There was an accident, and yes, there were tears. But it is another item from around my home that resulted in creative inspiration and perfect for this story.
Because the truth is that those broken feelings show up in both places. Winning an award doesn’t always feel like it should. Sometimes it’s hard to celebrate. You don’t feel worthy, or you worry someone else deserved it more. It’s joy, tangled with doubt.
This image tells the story of the fragility of early motherhood and the way we sometimes wrestle with feelings that don’t fit the moment.
But it ends with connection. With healing. With love.
Because even in the mess, love always lights the way.
JOURNEY TO LOVE
This image started with the pendant lights in my stairwell – something I walk past every day. One morning, I looked up and didn’t just see light fittings... I saw a story.
Each pendant represents a chapter in a journey. A baby hoped for. A pregnancy lost. A light that flickered but didn’t stay.
On the right, you’ll see the largest pendant – the one that holds the baby. This symbolises the child who finally arrived, the one who made it earthside. The one who was always meant to be yours.
This image is for every family who’s carried grief and hope side by side.
For those who’ve experienced early or late losses, who’ve tried again even when it felt impossible.
It’s about the strength it takes to believe your baby will find their way to you.
Creating this was personal and emotional. It’s quiet, simple – but it holds so much love, longing, and light.
SISTER LOVE
And because I always love to include one real, unfiltered moment from an actual newborn session in my award entries, this was the one I chose for 2025.
Meet big sister Emersyn and baby Winston.
This photo makes me laugh every time.
It’s the perfect mix of chaos and charm – that classic toddler energy where love and curiosity collide.
He’d just started crying, and in true big-sister style, Emersyn decided to handle it herself. She popped her finger straight into his mouth to shush him up – like, “I’ve got this.”
Then she looked up at me with that priceless expression of, “Umm... what do we do now?”
It was unscripted, hilarious, and so real. A perfect mix of love, chaos, and toddler problem-solving at its finest.
This image is everything I adore about photographing families, the honesty, the humour, and the beauty in the unexpected moments.
So that’s a little peek behind the scenes of my award entries this year – a mix of imagination, everyday inspiration, and a whole lot of heart.
Now it’s back to my regular (and very favourite) job: capturing real moments for real families. But if you’ve got a story close to your heart that you’d love told through images, I’m always up for creating something meaningful with you.
About the Author
Natarsha March is an award-winning Brisbane newborn, baby, and family photographer who specialises in creating timeless, heartfelt images that capture the love and connection between families. With years of experience and a passion for working with little ones, she’s known for her relaxed, stress-free sessions that result in beautifully natural photographs. Based in Bunya, Brisbane, Natarsha has helped countless families preserve their most precious moments, from the tiny details of a newborn to the joyful chaos of a growing family. If you're looking for a trusted photographer in Brisbane who values quality, safety, and genuine connection, Family Photography by Natarsha March is the perfect choice.
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