Jenna Cunningham
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I have been living in Canberra for about 7.5 years - we immigrated from Scotland with our eldest when he was 10 weeks old. Landed in a cold Canberra June which felt close enough to home! We now have 3 wee boys who are 7, 4 and 2 years old, they love Canberra life and all we have to offer them here! All of them are outdoor boys and are never happier than when they’re running around in the yard, often ending with someone hosing the other two, resulting in three very soggy boys calling for towels!
I’ve always loved taking pictures and used to be the girl with the camera on trips with friends. I had this wee Polaroid camera that printed out mini stickers, and I loved it! My drive to begin Jenna Mac Photography was to get more Mums in front of the camera, recording themselves with their kids. Having fun, snuggling, playing and laughing! Let’s be honest, we all have quite a few awesome snaps of them with their dads!!!! So I started out with a new camera, taking a million photos of my own three boys, then being mentored by awesome photographers such as Codie Murray, Kelly Tunney and Louise Bagger (also all CBR Mums!) add in some years building my skills and my clientele until I’m here! Lucky to be doing the best work with some awesome humans all around our amazing city! My business Jenna Mac Photography has been and absolute trip! I can’t believe that I get to capture peoples most special moments for a job! I think most recently I’ve been recording epic moments with breastfeeding mums, families, newborns and loved up couples on their wedding days!
What were you doing before babies?
I’ve been a Primary School teacher for almost 15 years, I love working with children, seeing them grow and become their own version of awesome!
How did you come to be a mum?
We were very lucky to find the journey of having kids relatively uncomplicated. We had our first in 2014 back in Scotland. Our two youngest boys are 2017 and 2019 Canberra born boys, both born at TCH. We have been lucky to be in the CATCH program with TCH midwives and have benefited from the consistency of care. That was awesome! It felt more like being guided by a wee family friend, rather than an unknown medical professional.
What has your feeding journey been like?
With my first son, I bottle fed. I have zero judgement on how you chose to feed your child. Due to our circumstances at the time, I opted for the bottle, my son did have colic and I do wonder if I’d fed him if that would have been different. My next two I breastfed for 11 and then 16 months. I loved that I could comfort them, I loved how convenient it was and I had less to wash! Both boys had a bit of a tricky time transitioning to bottles and cups, I think that’s all pretty normal!
What has sleep been like in your house?
I never did any real sleep training with my first two sons, ok I’ll admit, we tried once with the eldest and we hated it! I abandoned that plan and in the end they both slept well enough really. My middle son is probably the most likely to get up in the night, but doesn’t do it very often now at 4. When I had my last son, a friend at mother’s group was very supportive of sleep training, with her guidance and many, many texts and calls we did the whole thing properly and my son slept well from 5 months. I couldn’t believe it and he was always just such a happy boy! He’s also been the best day napper. The other two didn’t nap past 12-18 months, he’s still going at 32 months now!! (Yep I did just calculate his months age for a genuine comparison - you’re welcome)
The hardest bits...
Ok, so I don’t think anyone can prepare you for how much these wee humans can turn your life around. How your life simply revolves around others who completely depend on you. Forever.
Without sounding like a crazy aunt who goes on about “NEVER sleeping again!!!” I just mean that your life is not your own. And that bit about “living with your heart outside of your body” that’s a wee golden nugget that one, you’ll know when they almost step out into the road for sure!!!!
The best bits…
Definitely when they learn the meaning of and say without direction “I love you Mum” and the cuddles!!! Ha ha am I a narcissist???
How do you make time for you?
Skincare is my new thing! I am obsessed and probably try too many different things but it’s a wee 5 mins amid the chaos where I choose to make sure my skin has a few less wrinkles! Even if I’m rubbing on my serum as I call out “have you brushed your TEETH?!” For the 5th time! We also have a great babysitter who allows us to get a bit of time off now and again. Without family around, this has always been a struggle for us.
What’s next for you and your family?
We are doing some renovations at home and hope to have a wee at home studio opening next year - although business related it improves our family time! When I’m working at home the boys currently have to evacuate with their dad for hours while I take over the house! So we are very excited to get that started and have clients in their own place when they visit! Fingers crossed for Christmas in Scotland next year too, that would be awesome!
A piece of advice for our readers?
Ha ha I am no expert and I’ve taken many wrong turns!! They say each one is a lesson and so maybe I am very wise after all!! Remember that the lives you see on social media are very much edited and curated for their best aesthetic angle! Motherhood is messy, tiring and full of many tears, that’s all completely normal. Use socials to create yourself a village, find those around you in your stage of motherhood and support each other to celebrate the ups recognise the downs of motherhood!
Click here if you are interested in booking Jenna