MANAWA is Coming Home
Written by Emma Williams — Newborn Safety & First Aid Certified Photographer, Founder of Manawa Studio.
Nine years ago, I packed up my camera and my young family and moved to the UK. What started as a short chapter turned into nearly a decade of photographing maternity bumps, newborn babies, and growing families across the UK — and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
But Manawa has always meant more than a business name to me. In Māori, manawa speaks to heart, to breath, to life itself — and for a long time now, my heart has been telling me it's time to bring this work home.
Auckland, January 2027
I'm thrilled to share that Manawa Studio will be opening its doors in Auckland in January 2027 — a fully equipped, purpose-built space designed for exactly the kind of soulful, editorial maternity and newborn photography you've seen from us over the years, now rooted back in New Zealand soil.
This isn't a soft "someday" plan. The studio is being built, the date is set, and I genuinely cannot wait to welcome New Zealand families through the door.
Bookings Are Open Now
Here's the part I'm most excited about: you don't have to wait until January 2027 to secure your spot. Bookings are open right now for sessions taking place from the studio's opening date onwards — so if you're due, or planning ahead for a newborn or family session next year, now is the time to reserve your place.
You can reach out in whichever way is easiest for you:
Email: through our Contact page
WhatsApp: message us directly for a quicker back-and-forth if you have questions before booking
Both are checked regularly, so whichever you choose, you'll hear back from a real person (usually me) rather than an automated reply.
What Happens Between Now and Then
Between now and the studio opening, I'll keep sharing behind-the-scenes updates — from the studio build itself, to sneak peeks of the space, to continuing the work I'm doing here in the UK in the meantime. If you'd like to follow along, our Instagram and YouTube are the best places to do that.
Frequently asked
Can I book a session now even though the studio doesn't open until 2027?
Yes. You can reserve your maternity, newborn, or family session today, and your actual shoot will be scheduled for after the Auckland studio opens in January 2027.
How do I get in touch before then?
The easiest ways are email through our contact page or a direct message on WhatsApp — both are monitored personally.
Where is Manawa currently operating?
We've spent the last nine years photographing families across the UK. From January 2027, all sessions will take place at our new Auckland studio.
Will pricing change once the Auckland studio opens?
Current pricing reflects what you'll pay when booking today. Any future changes would only apply to new bookings made after such a change, not to sessions already reserved.
Want to be one of the first families through the door of our new Auckland studio?
Reach out today — we'd love to hear from you.
About the Author
Emma is the photographer and founder behind MANAWA, based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 20 years' experience photographing maternity, newborn, and family sessions, she is an award-winning photographer through the International Newborn Photography Competition and Awards (INPCA) and a regular contributing photographer for Bump, Baby & Beyond magazine. Emma's work is bold, soulful, and editorial — creating images designed to help every child feel they truly belong.
