Hello, we are Hans & Michelle
Kia ora! We’re Hans and Michelle, proud parents of twins Olivia and Eleanor (HOME), and founders of HomeSesh Photography. We launched HomeSesh in March 2024 to capture warm, authentic family, maternity, and newborn moments for whānau just like ours. Based in Long Bay, we often shoot at Long Bay Regional Park or Waiake Beach, with a travel fee for locations over 5 km. We keep our rates fair, value open communication, and aim to create treasured memories you’ll cherish for years to come.
Our Journey
Hans first moved to New Zealand in 2012, then headed back to Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2019 — which is where we met. We got married on 20 November 2021, lived in Jakarta until October 2022, and then decided it was time to return to Aotearoa to begin this new chapter together. Shortly after settling in, we discovered we were expecting twins. Like many parents, we wanted beautiful yet budget-friendly images of our pregnancy and newborn experiences. Drawing on Hans’s background in photography (including his days studying at George Brown College in Toronto and hours spent in the darkroom), we decided to fill that gap ourselves. With Michelle’s digital marketing expertise and our shared passion for storytelling, we launched HomeSesh Photography in March 2024.
Our Specialty: Family, Maternity & Newborn
From the outset, our focus has been family, maternity, and newborn sessions, because these milestones are incredibly precious — and so fleeting. Whether you’re expecting your first pēpi, celebrating the early days of a newborn, or gathering your whānau for a family portrait, we believe every moment deserves to be captured with warmth and authenticity.
Our Location & Travel
We’re based in Long Bay and love working in the stunning surroundings of Long Bay Regional Park and Waiake Beach. These coastal backdrops offer a laid-back, scenic setting for relaxed, family-centred photography. If you have another location in mind, we’re more than happy to discuss it — just note that a travel fee applies for distances over 5 km from Long Bay.
Our Style
Natural & Comfortable: We aim for genuine expressions — no forced poses. We’ll guide you gently, but we love it when laughter, cuddles, and spontaneous fun take centre stage.
Lifestyle Approach: Shooting on location, especially in places you already know and love, helps everyone feel more at ease.
Heartfelt Storytelling: We want to capture the emotions and connections that make your family unique, creating timeless keepsakes you’ll look back on fondly.
What Sets Us Apart
As parents ourselves, we understand just how magical — and occasionally unpredictable — family life can be. We keep our rates fair so more families can enjoy professional-quality photography without undue financial stress. While we do our best to be accommodating, we also ask clients to respect our time by giving proper notice if anything needs to change. In our experience, this mutual consideration makes for a positive, seamless session for everyone.
Rather than viewing other photographers as competition, we celebrate the variety of creative styles out there — ours just happens to be personal, warm, and family-centred. Above all, we take the time to get to know you. We’re not just taking photos; we’re telling your story in a way that feels authentically you.
