Heidi Horton Photography

Baby Charlie had a bumpy start to life, receiving urgent open heart surgery just days after being born. Charlie had a congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries. But now over two months after his surgery there's no looking back - this kid is growing so fast, full of smiles and absolutely loved my camera during his portrait session earlier in the month!

There is so much goodness, happiness and love in these portraits which tugs at my heart because I know that Tish & Phil have been through hell and back on this journey with their family. I'm just so happy to see them out the other side and to see Charlie thriving. These portraits tell a story - they remind us of what a wee warrior Charlie is, but that he is also part of a very special family. I first photographed Phil & Tish three years ago now - an engagement session before their wedding. It has been such a privilege to continue to be their photographer through life's milestones. Phil & Tish just imagine your next family portraits with the boys running in two different directions! 😆

As much as I love capturing that fleeting newborn phase, I have to say 2-3 months old is my favourite age for baby portraits because you get to capture so much personality and awareness.

This image below just cracks me up. I remember Fletcher giving me all the facial expressions during his portrait session at the same age!

Phil & Tish - thank you for asking me to photograph your beautiful family. I loved getting to spend some time with Charlie and catching up with you all! These photographs are rolling off my printer today and they look incredible. Can't wait for you to see them.x

The beautiful Santer family (from Napier!) spent a fun weekend together in Wanaka recently celebrating Kim's birthday. Judy asked me to create some family portraits while they were all together and so I caught up with them one afternoon to document the occasion.

It's always so fun meeting new people & I'm often blown away with how people find me and how their story brings them to be in front of my camera. It was serendipity that Judy reached out online to enquire about portraits and that I happened to be up in Central Otago the very weekend that Judy wanted to do these photos.

​Here's a few of my favourites from their session.

Judy thank you so much for organising these family portraits with me. I loved meeting you and your beautiful family & hope these photographs bring back happy memories of a lovely weekend spent celebrating family in Wanaka.

Sheryll got in touch with me last year to plan an autumn photoshoot to update their family portraits. We talked about what her goals were for the photos and planned for a late afternoon shoot on their home block at Whiterig, just out of Gore. Sheryll and Alan have a magnificent view of the Hokonui Hills from their place and Sheryll mentioned to me when we first chatted about the photoshoot that those hills meant home for her. It was a given that they would feature as a backdrop for the photos, along with some other farm spots that fitted with the laidback, fun style of their shoot.

At the start of April I met this beautiful family and we spent an hour or so exploring some incredible locations on the farm as we captured portraits and chatted about life. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Sheryll, Alan and their family. And I'm thrilled with the photographs we created. Here are some of my absolute favourites...

Sheryll thank you so much for organising this shoot with me and the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family. I'm excited to get these portraits printed for you! x