By Jessica Mathiasz
 

A Conversation with Oshi Liyanage of Moms & Babies Studio

There’s something profoundly beautiful about the first chapters of bringing life to this world. Those memories are extremely precious and pass by all too quickly. For Oshi Liyanage, these moments aren’t just subjects to photograph; they’re stories to preserve.

What began as a side passion alongside wedding photography has blossomed into Moms & Babies, a studio dedicated to freezing time for families during their most precious phases. Oshi, a teacher by profession and a photographer by passion, sat down with me to share her journey. 

Q. You started as a wedding photographer. What drew you to maternity and newborn photography? 
A. It wasn’t planned. We kind of stumbled upon the idea. My husband, Shamil Attanayake and I began wedding photography in 2014. During the pandemic, like everyone else, we had a lot of time on our hands to experiment, reflect and come up with new ideas. I am a primary school teacher and I’ve always loved children. So I’m surrounded by their energy every day. That connection I have with kids made me curious about capturing newborns. We took the leap in 2020 and six years later, it is our main focus now.

Q. What do you think is unique about Moms & Babies as opposed to other photographers? 
A. I think it is the simplicity. I try to avoid overwhelming props and focus more on the people. The baby should be the star, the main highlight of the story we are trying to capture. 

Q. Can you share a particularly touching or unforgettable moment from a photoshoot with a mom or baby?
A. People say this all the time, but I truly mean it. Every moment is special and unique. If I had to pick one, it would be when parents walked in with their premature baby. I was so emotional because I didn't know and I wasn't prepared (emotionally). The baby was so fragile yet so brave. The parents had requested classic poses, but we adapted the entire session around him and his needs.

When they returned six months later, the baby was healthy and growing. That happiness stays with me. Now they're planning his first birthday photoshoot. What an incredible feeling to be part of their journey.

Q. What is the funniest thing that has happened during a shoot? 
A. Oh, I have a good story for this. A family wanted to do a full family shoot. They were all wearing pastel colours. Their toddler was wearing bright yellow trousers, a birthday gift he refused to take off. He rolled on the floor crying and refused to change. Sometimes you can't say no to kids. So he won. We went ahead with the neon yellow pants in the pastel colour shoot. He stood out like sunshine in every frame, but the pictures still turned out beautifully.

Q. I came across your mini photoshoot concept. Could you explain the idea? 
A. Everyone is so busy these days, so we created mini sessions. These are 20-minute shoots where we take over 100 shots, and parents get to choose 10 images. This has become one of our most popular packages because of the convenience. One mom came straight from work, eight months pregnant, and we made it quick so she could go home and rest.

We've also developed our own portal to share images with clients. We provide every family with a private online gallery through our platform. After the session, we upload all the images for them to pick their favourites. We then share the final edited images. What makes it special is that the same gallery grows with the family. We add all future sessions to the same account. Years from now, they can look back and see their entire journey in one place.

Q. What is the biggest challenge you face? 
A. I think the biggest challenge for me is the cultural belief that keeps newborns indoors for months. The first two weeks are the most crucial time to capture your newborn baby. That's when they still sleep curled up like they're in the womb, and that's when they look just like they did at birth. They change so fast after that. Because of these beliefs, by the time families come to us, the baby has already changed. I wish more parents knew how different a 2-week-old looks from a 1-month-old.

Q. What is a concept that you would like to do in the future? 
A. I've always wanted to do a shoot that shows the real, unfiltered journey of pregnancy. I've seen photographers in other countries capture this beautifully, the raw strength of a mother as her body grows a new life. But moms in Sri Lanka often choose to cover it up, which is totally understandable. If I had the chance, I would want to capture those images and celebrate what pregnancy truly looks like; not perfect, but powerful.

Q. Who is the celebrity mom and baby you want to capture? 
A. Anarkali and her baby. Their interactions are so adorable, I like their vibe. So I would like to capture their moments if I get a chance.  

Q. Where do you see Moms and Babies in the next five years? 
A. I want to teach people everything I've learned all these years. There's no dedicated newborn photography training in Sri Lanka. It's very different from regular photography. I'd love to turn my studio into a learning space for anyone who's as passionate about this as I am.

Q. Your advice for future parents of newborn babies? 
A. Don't wait. Capture your baby during those first two precious weeks. They change so quickly, and those tiny, fleeting details disappear before you know it. These moments, frozen in photographs, become treasures you'll cherish forever. A single image can hold a lifetime of love.

To see Oshi's work or book a session, visit Moms & Babies - Baby Photography Studio by Oshi Liyanage on Instagram or their website www.babyphotography.lk.