Your newborn session will be a special milestone in your baby’s life. I want to help you tell the story of your new baby. I like to create a calm and peaceful environment during our time together. It is important to let me know if we will be photographing older siblings, as well as mama and daddy shots. These will take place at the beginning of the session so that we may have the remaining time focusing on the baby alone.
The safety of your newborn is paramount and every precaution is taken prior to, throughout and after your session to ensure a safe and nurturing environment at all times. The duration of your newborn session will vary depending on baby’s temperament and time allowed for feeding, changing and of course cuddles. Please ensure that you have allowed up to four hours for your newborn session. Babies have their own schedule and can not be forced in to anything. It takes lots of patience and time for newborn photos. It may take 15-20 minutes to fee, calm and soothing baby into one pose, this is standard in all newborn photography.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The studio is kept warm to keep baby warm and comfortable, newborns can lose their body temperature quickly, especially when unclothed, so we need to assure they are kept warm at all times. You may want to dress in layers so that you are comfortable as well.
Please know that babies pee and poop on everything and you don’t need to worry. I have plenty of wipes and cloth to clean everything up!
Please try not to schedule any doctor appointments or major outings the day of your shoot. This can overstimulate your baby and cause them to be fussy.
Please dress baby in a button up or zip up onesie or loose clothing, as well as a slightly loose grip on the nappy, to avoid creases and red marks in the skin and to aid in the easy transition upon arrival to the studio. We want baby to stay sleepy and happy.
If you want sibling images, it is best to bring dad (or grandma/friend/caregiver etc) to take the siblings home (or at least out of the studio) after their images are captured. This is to provide a stress free environment (for both you and baby) so that we can get the best photos of your sleeping little one. Trust me on this, the siblings will not sit still nor be quiet which will affect the entire session;
WHAT TO BRING
pacifier – The “soothie” pacifiers are highly recommended for your newborn baby. These have been found to be the most effective in soothing and helping newborns to latch on easily. Even if you aren’t thinking you will want to use a pacifier, I encourage you to bring one to your session. The short amount of time we will be using one should not affect any habit-forming behaviours for your baby. My goal is to help keep baby happy and calm during our session.
milk – Whether you are nursing or bottle feeding we want all the milk! most babies tend to want much more than normal during their sessions because they are being posed and handled way more than they would be at home. It is best to be prepared! Feel free to bring food for yourself as well and be sure to bring a water bottle (I do have a water station in the studio for top ups).
Just a little note that if you are breast feeding, please be mindful of what you eat and drink in the lead up to your session as what you consume will affect baby and there are many foods known to upset a baby tummy;
nursery items – Please feel free to bring any items that you wish to incorporate into your session such as blankets, heirlooms or cultural items, a special toy or rattle; these are all the things that help create the story of your baby’s first few days earthside and I love photographing separate items to be used in their newborn album!
clothing – Generally I will be photographing baby unclothed, in a newborn specific knitted outfit or wrapped. Part of the experience in capturing a newborn is seeing the squishy little toes and cute tiny bums. However, you are welcome to bring an outfit if you really want to.
For yourself, wear comfortable lightweight clothing to account for the studio temperature, layering up is a great idea. If you are wanting parent and or sibling shots (which I highly recommend!) please bring neutral clothing, both pants and top as I typically photograph from the waist up but sometimes incorporate full length shots. Please try to avoid motives and or patterns! Plain black is the most popular but light (white/beige) is perfect too. Parent shots are done first up (baby permitting of course) so you can get changed after this if you choose; It is a good idea to bring a change of clothes just in case there are any little accidents.
LITTLE BOYS
If you are considering having your baby boy circumcised, we will need to make sure we allow him at least five days of healing time before his session. It is always best to schedule the procedure after the portrait session if at all possible.
My goal as your photographer, is not only to pose the baby in to the curly, squishy poses everyone loves, but to also capture natural imagery portraits of your newborn. This is a time to reflect on the true, untouched, unposed expression of the baby as themselves. Little things that help shape and hold then into whom they will become as a person are special and unique to each baby.
Remember to take a big breath and try to enjoy this occasion; It is tough going getting out of the house in the initial first few weeks of parenthood but the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed baby will be and the smoother our photoshoot.
AFTER THE SESSION
Within a few days from your session, a “sneak peek” of one or two images from your session will be posted on my Facebook page. This is a great time to tag family and friends and build up some referral credits for yourself! For each referral that books a portrait experience, you receive a referral credit.
We will do a zoom consolation and you will select your favourite images; images will be RAW straight out of camera. I only edit the images that you select for your collection package and or products. All decision makers are encouraged to be present during the zoom consultation as all orders are due at this time.
Once your order is placed, I will personally hand edit all of your selected images and order your chosen collection package and or products. Orders can take two to six weeks depending on the products chosen. If you need your order by a certain date, please make sure to let me know at your ordering session and I will do my best to accomodate you. I will let you know when your order is ready for pick up and arrange a date and time.
We will go through all of the collection options and product option in greater detail during your ordering session;
