"There's never a dull moment," she said. "There's always smiling and laughing, and a baby's giggle is so contagious, it's great."
Rachael just finished shooting her book, "Baby Love," featuring dozens of infants who simply make you smile, from 2 weeks old to a year. They always keep her guessing and, like 7-month-old Toby did, laughing with delight.
"I was making these stupid monkey noises, and he thought it was the funniest thing on earth," she said.
As did Olivia, not a bit rattled by her floral necklace. Or Anthony, mesmerized by a piece of string. Rachael grabs his attention for a split second, and magic is made.
"Babies are just so real, not trying to hide behind a false identity," she said. "That's what's so wonderful about photographing them. They're the essence is joy and happiness."
Like watching Isodaora grip a hydrangea that's a bit to heavy to hold upright.
Rachael says her best subjects are babies who have been fed and had a nap and diaper change.
She's a minimalist when it comes to props. She keeps the background simple so the little ones are the focus. She says getting it just right is a lot easier than you think. Remember, this really is their show, and we're the audience. Rachael says it's all in a day's work.
"It can be exhausting, but so much fun," she said. "The adrenaline of it all keeps you going."
"Baby Love: An Affectionate Miscellany" is available at bookstores and online. You can find it at Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.
Basic info on book and Rachael:
Internationally recognized photographer Rachael Hale is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's most acclaimed photographers. Her bestselling animal photography books have sold nearly 2 million copies in 11 languages, and her images have been published on greeting cards, calendars, stationery, puzzles, bags, watches, gifts, back-to-school products, apparel, linen and textiles in over 50 countries around the world.
"Baby Love: An Affectionate Miscellany" is Hale's first foray into portraying babies. Much loved for her bestselling animal portraits, Rachael Hale's previous books include "101 Salivations," "101 Cataclysms," "It's a Zoo Out There," "Smitten," "Snog" and "Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds."
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STORY BY: Eyewitness News reporter Kemberly Richardson
WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King
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