Photographer specialises in taking baby portraits

A picture can speak a thousand words, especially if it's a portrait of a baby. Sandra Metaxas started taking pictures of babies as a hobby while she was living in Saudi Arabia. The hobby has now become a profession for the Dubai-based photographer.

Metaxas studied professional photography in college, but did not practise it till she moved to the Gulf region.

"The costumes are so colourful here, I would often take pictures of babies in the traditional attire," says Metaxas.

After moving to Dubai, she initially started by taking pictures of local and expatriate weddings. She has taken pictures of couples in the desert and along the beachfront.

"There are so many nationalities here, they all have their own special flavour," says Metaxas.

Over the years, she found parents approaching her to take portraits of their children graduating, their first birthday and costume parties.

She found it challenging and rewarding when she saw the excitement of the parents and wanted to diversify by taking pictures of babies from their birth all through their first year.

"Parents come to me to take so many pictures of their children during their first year. I often take these baby portraits and present it to them in a series," says Metaxas.

The first year is so important. Babies learn to smile, crawl, take their first step - all that and more is captured by her camera and made into a portfolio that parents treasure. "I really enjoy what I do," she adds.

Metaxas is popular with mothers as they all want pretty pictures of their babies. She usually takes the babies' pictures in their own home as they are most comfortable there.

She works around a theme that is a favourite of the child. It could be a favourite toy or a cartoon character, and based on that she changes the background and takes portrait pictures.