2018 Australian newborn photographer of the year is Jodie Andrews

UNLIMITED patience and an eye for the beauty of tiny babies have combined to see a Central Coast woman named the best newborn photographer in Australia. Here’s the shots to prove it.

Indigo Pratt, Cooranbong. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

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PHOTOGRAPHING tiny babies requires infinite patience according to the Central Coast woman named the best newborn photographer in the country.

Newborn photographer Jodie Andrews of Daleys Point has been named Australian newborn photographer of the year.

Jodie Andrews of Daleys Point picked up the prestigious accolade for the second year in a row at the recent Australian Professional Photography Awards which includes the work of 400 of the country’s best photographers.

Gwuneth Grace Murdoch, Wangi Wangi, sleeping peacefully. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Pretty in pink, Millie Hinds of Davistown. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

“My images are more than photos — they tell a story,” Ms Andrews said.

“Not just a picture — but an artwork,” she said.

Jodie Andrews photographs at least one newborn a day, four days a week, and it can be painstaking work to capture that perfect moment.

Ayla Ifield, Mangrove Mountain was born at 26 weeks, but is three months old here (corrected age, 2 days). Photo: Jodie Andrews.

In safe hands, Louis Alachkar of Liverpool. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

“You have to watch constantly for signals from the baby and I’ve learned a lot about them over the years,” she said.

“There’s a real art of getting them to sleep and getting them comfortable and in the right position.”

Gorgeous face. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Beautiful baby. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Ms Andrews said she felt privileged to be part of the intimate family experience of a new baby.

“They are so beautiful,” she said.

Before to becoming a photographer, Ms Andrews worked as a musician, composer and owned a fertility clinic before following her dream of photography.

So snugly. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

“After having my son, I realised I didn’t want to go back to work so I started my own fertility company”, Ms Andrews said.

She said her goal was to make fertility treatment more affordable for others as she also had problems conceiving.

Jagger Magee of Umina Beach - All roads lead to home. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Identical twins Isla and Mia of Bellbird. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

After a few years helping couples become pregnant, Ms Andrews said the desire to photograph newborn babies was too strong to ignore.

“I wanted to follow my passion of being a newborn photographer and within months I was shooting every day”.

Harlow Parker, Woy Woy. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Bundle of joy. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

Ms Andrews says winning the title again is very overwhelming and validates the love she has for her newborn images and the stories her images convey.

Ms Andrews said she was inspired by renown newborn photographer Anne Geddes.

When I was eight or nine I was mesmerised by Anne Geddes cards at the newsagent — it was there even then,” she said.

Indigo Pratt, Cooranbong, was born two weeks late, weighing 11lb 20z. Photo: Jodie Andrews.

The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) — the country’s largest photographic membership body — has been running the awards annually for the past 41 years.