FAQ
When should I reach out to book my newborn session?
Honest answer? The moment you think about it! Whether that's during pregnancy, or after baby has arrived. Do it while it's on your mind so you don't forget or miss out on your opportunity.
A lot of photographers hold limited spaces each month to accommodate different due dates and to allow flexibility in scheduling upon baby's arrival, so the sooner you book, the better.
I generally recommend reaching out during your second trimester if you weren't planning earlier photos for pregnancy announcements (I offer packages for announcements, maternity, and newborn combined!). But if baby has already arrived, rest assured that it's not too late. Reach out as soon as you can after baby's birth to get on the schedule!
what's the difference between a studio session and an in-home session?
In-home sessions are unique to you, and offer more of a personal touch. One in-home session will not look like another, thanks to variations in lighting, colors, and decor. There is nothing wrong with this and can offer more variety. If you want a session that has more consistent and predictable lighting, I recommend a studio.
Studio sessions offer lots of natural light, and will give a more consistent airy vibe. The studios I work with provide a variety of furniture and props, additional swaddles, and changing tables as well to keep the experience low-stress and easy to manage with a newborn.
There is no right or wrong answer, and comes down to what type of style you are looking for!
Once baby is here, how old should they be for photos?
I recommend choosing a date within the first two weeks of baby's life, especially if you are wanting the sleepy images. The sweet spot I find is around 5-12 days old for the sleepiest babies.
That being said, everyone's postpartum experience is different, and I never want a client to feel rushed. If the timing doesn't feel right for you, then don't rush. I've photographed babies 4-6 weeks old that still sleep the whole session. It just depends! But I do strongly recommend the earlier age if you really want to get those tiny details - they grow SO fast!
How Long is the session?
On average, my newborn sessions last between 60-90 minutes. This comes down to a few factors: how settled baby is, if we need to break for a feeding, sometimes tricky lighting takes a while to work with, baby might need a diaper change, etc.
I let babies lead the way in these sessions to keep things low-pressure and calm. The moment I start to see baby become unsettled, I will have a parent step in to cuddle them back into contentment.
Not all babies like to move around a lot and switch positions, so I take my time in working with them based on whether they are asleep or awake. I approach each session differently based on the flow that I feel will work best for your baby.
How many photos will I receive? DO you Offer prints?
I deliver a minimum of 50 images for every newborn gallery. I say minimum, because I never set a limit on how many photos I deliver. You receive every viable photo that I take, because I believe you shouldn't have to pay any extra for the memories that belong to you.
Photos are all digital, and I do not offer prints at this time. I deliver your images via online gallery, where you have the ability to download them at the highest resolution and take them to any printer you desire.
What should I wear for my session?
Don't come at me for saying this, because I know it seems overused, but I will always recommend a neutral color palette for your session. It helps draw the attention to your baby instead of to your outfit. Bright colors and patterns can be distracting, and take away from the timeless feel.
This doesn't mean you have to wear all beige. You can still wear color, just make sure you choose a muted or subtle solid, or soft florals. You will also want to make sure that any family members wear similar shades of the same color, or colors that complement each other.
If you need any help with styling or color palette ideas, feel free to ask! I'm always happy to lend recommendations for you and your family.
How long will it take to get my photos back?
Per the client contract, I aim to deliver every gallery within 3 weeks. Typically, I deliver them much sooner (closer to 2 weeks). But I am a mom to two toddlers and like I would expect of you, my family does come first and sometimes life gets a little chaotic around here! Which is why I set the maximum at 3 weeks, because you shouldn't have to get your photos back any later than that.
I do deliver a preview gallery of 5-10 images within 24-48 hours of your session to give you a little sneak peek at what's to come!
What if my baby doesn't sleep for the session?
Don't stress if baby is alert during your session! We will still capture beautiful photos of you and your growing family, even if baby is wide awake the entire session. Some of my favorite photos capture that bright, innocent glow in their eyes. And some of the calmest babies I've worked with were awake their entire session.
From the start of the session, I will gauge where baby might be at in their routine, and I will create a workflow based on that. If baby is asleep at the beginning of the session, I will catch the poses that work best with a sleepy little one. If baby is awake, I will start with some of the poses of you and baby together until baby starts to settle in and fall asleep (if they do). And if they don't, then that is just fine! As long as baby is content, that's all that matters.
What if my toddler won't cooperate for the photos?
Just like whether baby is sleeping or not, please don't worry about your toddler. Or any other young kids for that matter. Kids are wired for movement and chaos, exploring, being silly, and most definitely not sitting still. That's okay!
If there are young children in the session, I usually let them join in when they choose to. I don't force it. I also start by engaging with them first, instead of the baby, so that they don't feel like I'm there for them.
I always tell my clients to just exist and play with their toddler the same way they normally would, and not to fight against their children's natural desire to defy sitting still. That will just stress you out as parents, it will stress your child out, and suddenly the whole session will go off the rails.
One suggestion I offer is to give your child a "task" with baby. Include them, and let them feel like they are in control. If they don't want to be a part of it, that's okay. Eventually most kids will want to be in the picture, they just don't want to look at the camera on command. Let the candids flow in these moments, and trust that I will capture plenty of photos with them in there!
How can I prepare for my session?
No matter what session type you choose, whether in-home or in the studio, my first recommendation is to make sure to feed baby around 30 minutes before your session - if you can. And try your best to make sure that baby gets a full feed as best you can. This ensures that your baby will be full and content, and less likely to fuss from hunger.
If you are doing an in-home session, I have put together a full guide that I will send to you leading up to your session that will give you an idea of what to expect. Main note: do not feel the need to clean your home spotless. Just make sure you've got a couple of spaces with natural light that have been decluttered. I also recommend turning the heat up in your home a little higher than you usually would (or turn down A/C slightly if it's summertime) to make sure baby isn't too cold.
Have a question that isn't here? Reach out!
I'm always available to chat more about your session to make sure you feel comfortable booking with me. I will update this FAQ periodically as well, to ensure it stays up-to-date and relevant.