Want the ultimate baby photo for a worthy cause?

Posted on 10 March, 2020

When award-winning photographer Katie Kolenberg was researching which charity to raise money for as part of a creative project last year, she had no idea her choice of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) would be so personally relevant.

The mother of two sons—a teen and a two-year-old—felt excited about embarking on a photographic project that would bring together babies and toddlers, with words from their mums, to create a coffee table book.

Part of the appeal of the project was that Katie got to hang out with adorable babies every day—plus it would be raising money for a cause she knew to be worthy.

Her own experience prior to starting work on the project was one where she was able to identify as someone suffering from post-natal anxiety. Katie was able to seek—and receive—help in managing her anxiety.

She wants more mothers to be able to talk about their experiences with perinatal depression and anxiety, and for everyone to be better informed about mental health so more families can get the help they need.

Meanwhile, her resulting book Babies in Bonnets helped raise nearly $14,000 for PANDA, which offers frontline services to women in need.

While the fund-raising was important, the Babies in Bonnets book had had other benefits along the way—such as helping bring together a community of supportive mums who were eager to take part in the photographic project.

The book has had so many positive flow-ons. In fact, that Katie is going to repeat the entire process with a second book this year.

“I feel incredibly proud when I look at this book and see all these gorgeous babies and toddlers and read all the heartfelt words the mothers wrote. It was such a feel-good project.”

While many parents are drawn to the concept of getting their little one professionally photographed, Katie said her project allowed for a far more stylised and aesthetic approach, elevating its quality above a conventional baby photo session.

“Baby photos can look a little same-same these days, but we created something really unique, with professional styling and beautiful props, toys and accessories. The results are timeless portraits with a touch of vintage.”

The two-time winner of AIPP Australian Family Photographer of the Year and three-time winner of AIPP ACT Family Photographer of the Year, Katie embarked on the project as a way of connecting other mums and encouraging them to reflect on their motherhood journeys as part of their contribution to the book.

Last year’s project drew a waiting list as Katie had to juggle a good balance of genders and ages to bring the book together.

Each family paid a participation fee of $100 which went straight to the charity collection. Families then had the opportunity to also include family, sibling and motherhood photos in their experience, and could purchase prints and artwork following their session.

In February, Katie opened her books for the second Babies in Bonnets project which will shoot until June and which, again, will raise funds directly for PANDA.

“Given my own experience last year of dealing with post-natal anxiety, I feel extremely happy about directing more funding to this cause,” said Katie.

Of course, the concept of making over 50 unique babies look their very best would possibly be enough to spark anxiety in the calmest of souls. But for Katie, photographing babies is a true passion and joy.

“I would not do it if I didn’t absolutely love it. As a photographer, to be able to get babies and toddlers to relate with you when you get down on their level and give them the time they need, well it allows you to create the most exquisitely beautiful connection with the camera.”

She warns: “You can’t photograph a baby if they don’t like you because they won’t look at you, or if they do look at you they’ll look worried, so the skill is making that connection.”

Katie has already started taking bookings for the new Babies in Bonnets book.

“Any baby that walks through the door, or gets carried through the door, or crawls through the door gets my love, and that shows in the photos. It’s as simple as that.”

To find out about PANDA’s services for families, you can go to www.panda.org.au.

To apply for a place in this year’s Babies in Bonnets book by Heartstory, you can go to heartstoryphotography.com.au/blog/news/babies-in-bonnets-2020.

This editorial was created in partnership with Heartstory Photography. For more information on sponsored partnerships, click here.