RM Photo - Whakatane Photographer

There’s nothing like those last cuddles with your first before baby bro arrives 🧸.

If you decide to bring the family along to your maternity session, we’ll be sure to get some updated pics of the fam together, plus those cute cuddles with the kids before focusing some time for just you + your bump.

And don’t forget, if you’re considering maternity and newborn photos I offer a bump to baby package to save you $$$$.
Let me know if you’d like more info 🤌

Renee 🤎
photonz | Whakatane (NZ) Maternity, Natural Newborn & Family Photographer

It’s common to get caught up in the idea that photos need to be perfect—the outfits, haircuts, lighting, all of it just right.
But when you lose someone close, none of that matters & you quickly realise any photo is better than none at all. ❤️‍🩹

I’ve always known the importance of a photo, and the role they play,
And even so, I wish I had more.
I’ve been reminded that photos become the memories, they connect us back to the people, and places we hold onto when everything else changes.

It’s pretty common for us to take the kids down the beach as a family - often on a whim & without thought for the “perfect” outfit and often with overgrown haircuts. 😅
To think these moments have never been shared because they didn’t fit the ‘aesthetic’. Well, 🖕 aesthetics!

These are my boys having the time of their life, having fish and chips down the beach, throwing sticks for the dogs (all 5 of them 🫣) and just BEING!
These photos are real-life, they are us, and I’ll bet they’re the memories I’ll treasure most in 10+ years….from tomato sauce on the face to the crooked cuts and all!!!
Now I just need to be in more of these photos!

Squishy newborn lips …….. just *the best*

A few little life updates + changes; including my availability below.

First off, I’m *almost* up to date for the first time this year—feels pretty good, not gonna lie.
I’ve realised I’ve needed to make a few changes coz the feelings of burnout have been lingering! 🫠

So,

➡️In home newborn sessions will now be booked during the weekdays, and my weekends will be dedicated to outdoor sunset sessions.
I’m also moving more towards specializing in maternity and newborn photography—so if you know anyone expecting a little one, I’d love it if you could send them my way + tag them in this post!

➡️I still absolutely love capturing families, especially those growing families with littlies. So don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re keen to document those special moments!

➡️Just a heads-up:
I’ve got limited weekend spots left for the rest of 2024. If you’re thinking about booking in, especially before the lead-up to silly season 🎄, now’s the time to get in touch!

➡️Thanks for your support—I appreciate you being here cheering me on! I’ve got a bunch of work I’m yet to share, so expect some maternity, newborn + family goodness coming your way soon!

Renee

The golden years are limited, so they say.
The years when our kids are uninhibited, full of joy, and see the world differently.

The years when cuddles are abundant, and running around with mum + dad beachside means everything + more. 🥹

Teeny tiny toes tell the story of a journey just begun. 🤎
Wrinkles which will soon smooth out as these tiny feet learn to walk, run, and explore. 🥹

Forever a sucker for the little details, a beautiful reminder of how fresh and new your babies were.

Some favs this family photoshoot a few months back with the dream team!
We didn’t get the golden sunset …. but moody overcast skies paired with a fun loving fam means we still got the goods!

Motherhood — where the days can feel long, but the years are fast. 🌪️
One minute, you’re holding your tiny newborn, and before you know it, they’re taking their first steps and saying their first words. 🥹

This is why I love newborn photos — they are literally a snapshot of time, reminding you of the snuggly newborn bubble, the joy (and even the chaos) that comes with a growing family. Suuuuper special 🥰

Due soon? Reach out now to chat about booking an in-home newborn session. 🤎

Newborn snugs with Brooklyn — taking me straight back to the early days with my own firstborn 6 years ago 🥹.

Hearing his little grunts, seeing the little roll above his brow when he frowns and that hazy love-filled blur of new parenthood….pure perfection 🤎

When I get to photograph the bump and the bubba…… 🤎 gives me all the heart eyes!

A faceless gallery for this fam so sharing only a handful but you’ll get the gist - a cozy newborn session at home with all the sleepy newborn snuggles 🥰

In-home sessions = bringing all the cozy vibes. 🤎🐾

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For the mamas who may feel all the feels BUT still ain’t feeling photo ready … — I can guarantee you -
Once baby is here in your arms, we can often miss our puku and by then it’s too late - we’re in full on mum mode & struggle to remember that version of ourselves who were yet to meet who was tucked away inside.

So, pause and take time out to celebrate this special season & book the photos, you honestly won’t regret it.

Tickles, story time and all round family shenanigans on a typical NZ mid summer arvo - crafting memories with the boys + great nana.

I’ve been playing catchup after taking some time off in Feb and am *almost* back on track.
Mini session planning has resumed but unfortunately won’t be before Mother’s Day as initially planned. Most likely towards the end of May.

Watch this space.

An intimate backyard shindig celebrating a special day becoming Mr & Mrs Porter 🤎

Mini Session planning is in full swing guys 👌 - am thinking the weekend of April 20/21st which means there will be the choice of styled floral minis annnd outdoors.
This means you will have your edited images back in time for actual Mother’s Day too.🤎

These mini sessions would be PERFECT for updated family photos, nice photos of you with your kids that aren’t a phone selfie (IYKYK), I’d even LOVE to see some grandies there for some generation photos.
More details to come obvs and will keep you updated re: the price and inclusions etc☺️

Here’s a wee throwback to a floral motherhood session I did with my beautiful friend . [Fun fact, she was my bridesmaid all of nearly 14 years ago 👰]

Anyway, keep an eye out ✌️

A beautiful carefree + fun family harbourside session hanging with the Melhop family; running around, being loosy goosy and being their best playful selves. The best combo if you ask me ✨🤩

Liv is a fellow photographer at and not gonna lie, I was equally excited & nervous 💩 when her enquiry popped into my inbox, …. but IMAGINE if I let those nerves stop me!
Super excited to share some of my favs from this beautiful session. 🤎

Some faves from the empowered woman workshop hosted by & .creative.education back in Oct last year. (150% recommend any future education offerings from these ladies 👏👏)

It’s been a minute 🤪, and I know I’m late to the party but 2023 was filled with a bunch of growth for me, there were multiple workshops attended, a s**t tonne of stepping outside of my comfort zone and tbh I feel like I haven’t actuuuually had a chance to sit and reflect yet or share some of the beautiful images captured 😅 (They’re coming when I get a minute)

Is it just me or did I blink and it was FEB 👀?!!

🌊🌊🌊 Sessions at the beach are always fave. Depending on the different personalities we almost always end up in the water (my fav way to end a session) ☺️

An evening out on the farm with the Oppert's - my second time hanging out with this fam 🤎

Ever been put off booking in the photoshoot coz you’re more of a private person & don’t want your images plastered across social media?

I’ve been there. Booked a photoshoot and my sharing preferences were not honoured and all the images were posted to social media 🥴 (Still traumatised 😅)

For many photographers this actually isn’t the case and we work with you to figure out where your comfort levels sit re:image sharing.

There are many different image privacy preferences and here’s what they mean when working with me ⬇️

✨ THE PRIVATE GALLERY PREFERENCE
Private galleries are for your eyes only. You have full control whether you decide to share your images with friends & fam. Your images WILL NOT by me to any social media platforms, websites or google profiles.

✨ THE SEMI-PRIVATE GALLERY PREFERENCE
Similar to the private gallery, you prefer the majority of your images to be for your eyes only with only faceless images shared by the photographer to social media (like the ones in this post).

✨WEBSITE SHARING ONLY
This image privacy preference is pretty self explanatory- no images share to social media - only to photographer websites.

✨THE PUBLIC/HAPPY FOR SHARING GALLERY PREFERENCE
You are happy for full sharing rights to the photographer social media pages, website and google profile. You will ALWAYS view your images first before being shared by me to social media and I also give you the chance to flag any images which you’d like to keep to yourselves. Win/win.

Your comfort levels are always my priority and I never have an expectation to share your images.
ANNNND, If you opt for sharing I’m always SUPER GRATEFUL for your support as word of mouth is gold and helps me to reach new families who vibe with my work 🫶🏼

Did any of these preferences suprise you?
And I’d love to know, after reading all about the different options, what would your preference be? Comment below. ⬇️

Some favs from my time with the Summers Family ✨

Back home in NZ for Christmas, It was suuuuper duper windy this particular evening and after giving it a whirl outdoors we made the call to head back for some cosy moments at home. (More goodness to follow)☺️

\\ Also, a hot tip:
The secret sauce to creating beautiful, emotive family memories is in your ability to roll with the punches; staying present with your family and embracing these changes regardless of location.

IF the unexpected happens, ride that wave baby 😂 – just go with the flow, and I’ll be sure you leave with some cherished family memories. Exactly as we did for this fam 🫶🏼

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I’m Renee, a family, newborn & maternity photographer based in Whakatane, NZ who offers feel-good emotive imagery that you’ll love now and forever after.

Feel free to stick around OR visit my website to see how we can freeze YOUR family memoriesphotonz | www.rmphoto.co.nz

This is what it’s all about for me. 🥹
I remember saying to Ness during our session that the connection she has with her boys was so so special, and it shows. 🥰

December was a bit cray 🤪 with a bunch of beautiful sessions which I am super excited to share with you (which I’m currently still chipping away at) but man, HONESTLY such a joy to meet & hang out with you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me with your families memories. You’re the BEST! 🫶🏼

Teeny tiny features, but BIG love. 🫶🏼
Nothing like a sleeping bubba in the arms of parents, am I right!

I have some spaces in Feb for either Newborn, Maternity or Family so if you are expecting, or know of someone who’s due to have their bubba who hasn’t got around to booking their photos in, share with them or tag them below.

Newborn sessions are $280 - and take place in your own home, I bring everything to you. Bonus!

You get access to dresses & baby wardrobe items taking the pressure off something to wear.

All other details and session inclusions can be found on my website. Comment 🐣 and I’ll send you the direct link to check it all out including some recent sessions.

Forever a fan of those feel-good moments that come when hanging out as a family doing the things you love. 🥰

And although I’ll always aim to get a few ‘classic’ shots of everyone looking at the camera my fav’s are always hands down, the ones that reveal your personalities.
The way you laugh together, the subtle hand gestures, and the playful interactions … it doesn’t get much better than that 🫶🏼

If this sounds like a bitta you, I have a few available dates in Feb so send me a message - I’d love to hear from you! Let me help you preserve your families memories.

Aimee Nottingham

Slow moments enjoying thee most delicious chunky bubba Asra 🫶🏼

The goal is always to create a space that is as relaxed & enjoyable as possible whilst capturing all the wholesome goodness that a newborn bubble brings.
If 2024 could send more delicious bubbas my way I’ll be a happy happy girl 🤎

Sibling snugs 🫶🏼

My boys at the harbor back in the middle of winter – total ferals, splashing, soaking, and mud galore! Typical farm boys. 😅

Despite the lack of much needed hair cuts etc, I’ve come to LOVE these photos, they capture boys so perfectly. Wild and full of energy ☺️

My own reminder that sometimes those last minute decisions to bring the camera along are totally worth it and def create those fav memories, even if at the time it’s a messy ride home. 🤎

The cutest duo 🖤

Captured at In Bloom workshop 🥰

Have a had a couple vouchers purchased this week and realised I’ve never actually mentioned it here on the feed.
So now ya know 😂

Physical gift vouchers - you can pay for a full session or decide on a value over $100.
Perfect for those hard-to-buy-for friends & fam OR for those who value a thoughtful gift 🤎

DM me and we can sort.