The First Hello Project is a collaboration by a team of photographers in Sydney & Darwin, Australia.

 
 
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It was late one night on a couch in Sydney, Australia, Bel and River started talking about bucket list moments in their photography journey.

Bel mentioned capturing her sister’s birth was one of the greatest highlights. It wasn’t long after that River was invited to photograph and document a birth. Riding the high of that emotional experience River and Bel began conversations about starting a birth photography business in order to give couples the stunning capture of their first hellos with their child. This is when The First Hello Project was born.

And so, together Bel and River, and their growing team, have had the privilege of documenting some of the most incredible First Hello moments in birthing suites and homes around the world. They truly love what they get to do, and more than anything, they love to celebrate life. 

“There is nothing quite like seeing a baby being born. It never leaves you. We often walk away feeling so privileged to have witnessed it. We are working in an environment where there is nothing staged or posed - just powerful, raw human emotion. We are constantly watching for the tear on the father’s face as he meets his child for the first time, or the overwhelming relief of the mother when she stops labouring. Joy is so evident to everyone in that room. We like to think of ourselves like a ‘fly on the wall’, capturing humanity’s story as it unfolds. 

"We believe photography can unlock the human heart. We as creatives challenge ourselves to be brave enough to step into those intimate spaces that some may shy away from and capture it. The world needs images that will set hearts on fire more than ever.”

We’re delighted as we expand this project into the Northern Territory. The beauty and unique culture of this region has always held our hearts and we couldn’t be more excited to capture births in this context.

We’re always dreaming. Who knows what’s next.

— RIVER & BEL

 

 

Meet the Team

If you're interested in collaborating with us, send a sample of your work to hello@thefirsthelloproject.com.

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RIVER BENNETT

Co-founder/Photographer
SYDNEY

River has a passion for motherhood, humanity and the arts in all it's avenues. Her love affair for photography started after being handed a camera while her three boys were only babies. Capturing and documenting their lives made way for her to do the same for her clients. She is passionate about telling real life stories through powerful images.

River has become a renown Australian portrait and interiors photographer, writer and freelance photo journalist. She has been made a finalist at the City of Sydney’s Australian Life Competition and her work is showcased at riverbennett.co. She is also co-founder of The First Hello.

River lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband, Joel, and three boys, Zion, Rome & Knox.

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BEL Litchfield

Co-founder/Photographer
SYDNEY

To Bel, all the world is a story in need of being captured. She's been found with a camera in her hand for over 18 years, plus also working in other creative roles including photographer, art director, graphic designer, brand strategist and artist.

Becoming a mother herself, lit her heart on fire and has since fuelled her passion to photograph life in all its vivid colour and intensity.

She has been made a finalist at the City of Sydney’s Australian Life Competition, and the Australian Photography Awards. More of her photography work can be viewed at anabel.com.au, shooting a wide range of subjects. She is also the co-founder of The First Hello.

Bel lives in Sydney, Australia, with her daughter, Sunday.

PHILIPPA BARTLEY

Photographer
SYDNEY + CENTRAL COAST

Philippa loves being invited to tell people’s love stories, their intimate moments in life. So capturing birth as part of The First Hello team is a great thrill that she's always eager for.

"I couldn’t have asked for a better job in this life. I love what I do & hope to capture your story."

She is a much sought after wedding & lifestyle photographer at philippaenid.com, which she owns and operates. 

She is also a wife to Michael, mum to Stella and Brooks, plus a lover of adventure, rock climbing & pineapples! 

 

 
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SAM VIGLIONE

Filmmaker
SYDNEY

Sam gets excited by the significant moments she gets to capture but her passion lies in the fact that the moments captured get to be re-watched and re-lived through her films. She considers it a privilege to document life’s most precious moments and couldn’t think of a better way to spend her time. 

Sam loves running her videography business, Bloom Films with her husband Isaac. They have found a joint passion for capturing the beautiful moments in life- the ones that you never want to forget! They love helping people revisit the small details of those life changing moments. 

When she’s not shooting or editing Sam loves going on little adventures with her husband Isaac and sons, Jasper and Spencer, and of course bring their puppy, Daisy along.

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GILLIAN KEOUGH

Photographer
SYDNEY

Gillian fell in love with birth photography a few years ago when she was asked to shoot the birth of an old client. The honour of the request and the overwhelming joy of sharing those intimate and precious moments, will stay with her forever. Since then, she’s been excited to join our team and continue to capture these special moments for our First Hello families.

Gillian is also a freelance photographer, whose beautiful work can be seen at gilliankeoughphotography.com.  

In Gillian’s spare time, she is a keen artist, cook and advocate for health and well-being.

ASHER LILLEY

Photographer
DARWIN

Asher’s love for photography was passed down from her grandfather and mother. She would spend hours looking through albums of their lives. She loved how photographs enabled her to relive moments she wasn’t there, or for moments that had become fuzzy.

Since picking up her own camera at 13 yrs old and taking self-portraits on her block in Humpty Doo, she has built a reputable portrait photography business in Darwin where she resides with her family and very cheeky sausage dog.

Birth photography had been a pipe dream until she was asked by her best friend to capture their birth. Since then, she has become passionate about capturing birth stories for families and empowering women on their journey to motherhood, no matter how it looks.

 

Courtney COLLIS

Photographer
DARWIN

Courtney grew up in Sydney, completely obsessed with design, the outdoors and, of course, photography. She moved to Darwin in early 2023, with her fiancé and her camera in hand. Having a background in wedding photography she wanted a different experience, connecting to people. She now photographs families, motherhood, couples and births.

For her photography has been beyond rewarding! Being able to capture all the crazy and beautiful moments holds a space in her heart she treasures deeply.

Courtney also runs her own photography business over on thephotojournal.info.

MARIHA

Photographer
DARWIN