For those who don't know her, Anne Geddes is an Australian photographer who became world famous for the beautiful images she captured of babies dressed as flowers, cute animals, angels and fairies.
His work has been iconic and the photographs include pregnancies, newborns, premature babies and young children, among others, and 30 years later, he continues to captivate us with his work. Now on the occasion of the presentation of his most recent book, He has decided to share some of the stories of the babies he photographed years ago with recent images of them.
"Small World" is the photographer's most recent book, where she shares some classic images of her work, as well as photographs never seen before. While preparing the book, Anne relived memories and decided it was time to know what had happened to the babies she had photographed in her early years.
So he decided to present the series "on his Instagram accountBaby, Look at you now" ("Baby look at you now"), where he asked the babies he had photographed to send his story to catch up with them and know what their lives have been like.
Wow! Happy 23rd birthday to beautiful Maneesha, who I photographed in 1993 in a NICU Unit in Auckland, New Zealand. At the time of the shoot Maneesha weighed 2.2lb (just under 1kg) - she was born at 28 weeks gestation (weighing 680g / a little under 1.5lb). Maneesha you should be so proud of everything you've achieved and know that you've been such a symbol of inspiration and hope to so many families of preterm babies 😍 OK I need to say it! You've eaten a long way baby! With much love XOAnne & Kel #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #marchofdimes #nicu
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Nov 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. PDT
Among the before and after images of Anne Geddes' babies, the world-famous photograph of little Maneesha is in the hands of her father, a baby of just one kilo born at 28 weeks gestation. She is now a 23-year-old girl who works in photography and even worked with Anne as a practitioner for a while.
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! On the left is Christopher at 7 months back in 1995… and look at him today, 22 years old and at University studying Law, Information Systems & Marketing. I remember at the shoot there were 5 babies and Christopher was the only boy. The girls were more or less happy to pose in the vase but Christopher was simply rocking that hat! Every week in this ongoing series I'll be posting one of my early images with news of what the babies are doing today - so if you were one of those babies and you'd like to take part, email me at babylookatyounow @ gmail. com. Attach a recent photo of yourself and tell me what you've been up to! XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #babies #babylookatyounow
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Oct 13, 2016 at 5:35 p.m. PDT
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Ok guys, remember this image of Emily & Thompson which was the cover of my book "Pure"? At the time Thompson was just 8 days old. I distinctly remember the day of the shoot because a little bit of magic seemed to happen as Thompson (in a deep sleep) seemed to resume the fetal position he would have been in prior to birth. Look at him today - he's into competitive weightlifting, skiing, windsurfing… is studying History, English and Business, and considering a career in either Osteopathy or Physio. Way to go Thompson! But I'll always remember you as that tiny newborn 😍 Throughout the year I'll be posting many more images in this series, so if you were one of the babies from my books, calendars or cards I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Send a recent photo of yourself and tell me a little of what you've been up to! XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #babylookatyounow #pure
A publication shared by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Jan 12, 2017 at 6:37 PST
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Look what cute little yellow chicks turn in to! 22 years ago when I was shooting for my first book "Down in the Garden", sweet little Brittany came to the studio with a yellow pacifier firmly in place, and she had that look on her face as if to say "remove it at your peril "😳 So I just went with the flow, thinking what a stroke of luck that it was the perfect color! She was just learning to sit so we propped her up underneath with a soft foam pad. Here's Brittany today a beautiful bride at her March 2016 wedding. She works in aged care, assisting the elderly in their own homes on the Gold Coast, Australia. Congratulations Brittany - you look gorgeous 😍 I have some wedding news as well - my own daughter Stephanie is getting married this weekend too so I'll be mother of the bride for the 2nd time! Over the year I'll be regularly posting updates on where my earlier babies are today, so if you were one of those babies and you'd like to take part I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Send a recent photo of yourself and tell me a little about what you're doing today. Brittany's wedding photo by @kissthegroomphotography XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #babylookatyounow #downinthegarden
A publication shared by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Jan 19, 2017 at 6:35 PST
In an interview for the Huffington Post, Anne tells that she always joked with her family saying that when she turned 60 she would look for the babies she photographed to know what had happened to their lives.
When he launched the request that they get in touch with her, he had many surprises when he learned that they were young people with university studies, some had already formed their own family and some had even competed in the Olympics.
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Well good grief - my little "Wet Sparrow" has well and truly flown the nest (or the bird bath to be more precise!) I'm sure many of you remember my first coffee table book "Down in the Garden" (around here we just call it DIG) in which this image of little Tyla featured. I remember the day of this shoot very clearly - how cute the chubby little 6 month old looked in her gorgeous costume. 22 years later and here's Tyla today - and I was thrilled to hear what she's been up to… plenty it seems! In Tyla's words "I have recently been named in the first ever Rugby Sevens Team to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Rio - something that I am extremely honored and privileged to be a part of. Not only do I get to compete on the world's greatest sporting stage, but I get to do so representing myself, my family and my country. " Go Tyla !!!! I can't wait for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games to begin because I've met so many incredible athletes from around the world over the past few years and I'm ready to cheer them on! Every week in this ongoing series I'll be posting one of my early iconic images, with news of what the babies are doing today. So if you were one of those babies and you'd like to take part - I'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Send a favorite recent photo of yourself and tell me a little about what you're up to today XOAnne #babylookatyounow #protectnurturelove #babies #peace
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Jul 27, 2016 at 2:27 p.m. PDT
… And I thought I'd repost this image of the girls as they are today - so beautiful! But oh dear all my babies are growing up way too fast… sigh! This is from my BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW SERIES. You can read about what the girls are up to today further down my feed XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #smallworld #taschen #triplets
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Apr 27, 2017 at 10:07 PDT
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Here's another blast from the past - way back in those frantic days of shooting for greeting cards - and look what one of my little Easter bunnies has grown in to - a handsome 23 year old! From Helen (Danyon's mother) "Danyon was a baby Easter bunny in 1994. His bunny suit was too small and he burst out of it. Now he is 23 and 6'4"! Still photogenic! At secondary school he played football and was keeper for several years as well as the Captain of the first eleven. In his final year he was Head Boy. He is currently doing his Masters in Public Health at the University of Auckland. He also rows competitively for Auckland Rowing Club. When not doing these things he is conquering the ancient world or at the beach. He loves cats and has been known to rescue stray kittens ". Spoken like a true mum Helen! You must be super proud. Oh and Danyon - now all your friends will know you were the sweet little bunny all those years ago ☺️. I ' m regularly posting new images for this series so if you were one of "my" early babies and you'd like to take part just contact me at [email protected] - send a fav recent pic of yourself and tell me what you ' re up to these days - I love hearing from you all 😍 XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #smallworld #annegeddespaint #babylookatyounow
A publication shared by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on May 22, 2017 at 11:53 p.m. PDT
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Way back in 1994 sweet little 2 week old Erin became a "Toadstool Fairy" for my first coffee table book "Down in the Garden". And here's Erin today - 22 years old and enjoying life in Wellington, New Zealand. With a strong passion for environmental issues, Erin took part in a Sir Peter Blake Leadership Course and at 17 was invited to be a youth delegate for New Zealand at the Rio + 20 Sustainability Conference in Brazil. She went on to complete an Environmental Science and Biology Degree with The University of Auckland! Way to go Erin - I too am passionate about nature and environmental issues - in fact everyone should be! Nature has been my inspiration since the beginning of my 30 year career - have you noticed that Mother Nature never gets her colors wrong? Everybody seems to be loving my posts from this series and I've loved hearing from some of my "early babies" - if you were in one of my images and you'd like to take part - write to me at babylookatyounow @ gmail. com and tell me what you're up to these days - don't forget to attach a recent fav photo of yourself. By the way, Erin's full image is in my new @taschen book "Small World" XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #smallworld #babylookatyounow
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on May 8, 2017 at 8:25 PDT
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Look what sweet little daffodils grow in to ☺️. I photographed Hollie in 1994 when I was in my whole "Down in the Garden" phase and here she is today… 23 years old and a recruitment consultant in New Zealand. Hollie studied Health Science at Auckland University and loves to spend her spare time at the gym and brunching with her friends on Auckland's waterfront. From her mum Toni (hi Toni!)… "Hollie has extremely itchy feet and one of her great passions is traveling. She's visited places such as Greece, Istanbul, Thailand and Bali, just to name a few, and is always planning her next adventure "(me too Hollie 😍)" Hollie is also a mad animal lover "(me too!)" and has the kindest heart of anyone I know. She's fun loving and adventurous and is a truly beautiful person inside and out. And she's still as gorgeous as the day you photographed her :) "… Talk about a mother's unconditional LOVE ❤️… Makes want me to celebrate every mother in the world… because that's exactly how I feel about my girls too 😍 So if you were one of the babies in my earlier images and you'd like to take part in this series, write me at [email protected]. Send a recent photo of yourself and tell me what you've been up to. I've had many lovely responses so far (thank you!) And therefore many more stories to share with everyone XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #babylookatyounow #smallworld #daffodils #motherlove
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Jun 1, 2017 at 3:12 p.m. PDT
Although most of the before and after images he has shared on his Instagram account are from young people who are already in their twenties, he also includes some small ones that he photographed five years ago.
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! When I photographed little newborn Angelina 5 years ago, I remember thinking what a sweet name for a baby koala ☺️. And it's a sweet name for an adorable little big girl today! Angelina's mum Kati tells us that Angelina has now started school and she also is big sister to Jackson who's 2. Angie loves singing, dancing - really, performing of any description - reading, skiing, swimming, playing, talking 👀, laughing: she is kind, stubborn, determined, intelligent, independent, funny, friendly and beautiful! Way to go Angie - a girl after my own heart 😍. Enjoy your 4 months living with your family in the Australian Snowy Mountains you lucky thing! Build lots of snowmen and come back a champion skier! I'm sending you and Jackson a big cuddle 😍😍 I'll be posting more in this popular series so if you were also one of the babies in my images and you'd like to take part, email me at babylookatyounow @ gmail. com. Send a recent fav photo and tell me about what you're up to these days XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #smallworld #babies #koala
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:13 p.m. PDT
BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW! Sweet little Annabelle is the youngest participant in this series so far! Her image in the pot is in my new @taschen book "Small World" (but a BIG book) and I'll be talking about this and everything else (!) On The Morning Show - Channel 7 in Australia on Friday morning. But back to Annabelle and here she is today - 5 years old and now a big sister to little Elyssa (a seriously cute baby as well!). So I asked mum @sallyobermeder for an update on Annabelle today and here's her reply ☺️ "Annabelle is now 5 and she's obsessed with doing magic tricks which are neither magical or tricks! She shows me the coin in her hand and then throws the coin behind her head and then says 'Voila! Look magic! It's gone!' She also loves the camera - if I'm doing a shoot or recording anything she comes running. She knows that she was photographed by you and she always says 'show me when I was hiding in the pot plant 😂😂' "I love your magic trick Annabelle - keep up the good work 😍 and big hugs to you and the whole family Down Under 💕And if you were one of the babies in my images and you'd like to take part in this ongoing series, contact me at babylookatyounow @ gmail.com XOAnne #protectnurturelove #annegeddesbaby #babylookatyounow #smallworld #annegeddespaint
A shared post by Anne Geddes (@annegeddesofficial) on May 25, 2017 at 8:12 PDT
It is interesting to see what those tender and popular babies that we once saw in Anne's postcards, books and images have become. No doubt his work will continue to be iconic for many years, as it has a unique seal.
