Session Options

Stock up the diaper bag!  If you are bringing your baby into my studio, I highly suggest coming prepared with pacifiers, extra bottles, diapers, wipes, and extra clothes for baby and parents. Side note: Even if you do not plan to use pacifiers, having one on hand during the shoot is incredibly helpful to baby. Sucking is a baby's natural way of soothing themselves and allowing a "non- nutritive" suck in between position changes and during posing can make a world of difference in baby's comfort level.

Bump up the heat.  If you are in my studio, I turn the heat up and often use a space heater. I pay close attention to your baby's temperature while working with them to ensure they are not getting too hot, but warming up their environment keeps them comfortable and in a sleepy state, which is key to getting those sweet squishy, sleepy poses. If you're having your baby's photos done in my studio, I always suggest dressing in layers just in case you start to feel too warm. If we are shooting in your home, I suggest bumping the temp up to 70-75 degrees.

Encourage Rest. Ideally, you want to keep baby awake for 1.5 hours before your session time so that he or she is as sleepy as possible. Bathing baby about an hour before you're set to leave may help baby feel a little more rested and sleepy during our session. Just make sure to bathe baby before offering their feeding. Bathing a baby after their feed could discourage the digestion goal we talked about earlier as jostling the baby around for a bath could cause baby to spit or feel uncomfortable on a full belly.

Feed baby just prior to your shoot. Feed baby right before you leave for your session or 30 minutes before my arrival to your home. Be sure they burp well! Most newborns deal with some level of reflux related discomfort and this will allow your little babe to digest his/her meal prior to their photoshoot. Allowing them to digest will keep the gas to a minimum and allow them to feel much more comfortable during their sessions. During your shoot we will take as many feeding breaks as needed so be sure to bring an extra bottle if your baby is bottle feeding. 

how to prepare

Props

As new parents, the last thing I want is for you to stress about your newborn session! Because of that, I've crafted an experience that ensures you don't have to worry about a thing- especially backdrops and props. I have a variety of different backdrops to choose from that range from neutral and plain to vibrant, floral, and colorful. Worried about sourcing props? I've got it covered! From wraps, outfits, headbands, and swaddles to buckets, chairs, and bowls...you don't need to bring a thing. We'll collaborate before your session so I know your style preferences and can have everything set up at my in- home studio before your shoot begins.

What you should bring: Only bring items that are important to you.  For example, maybe a handmade blanket from great grandma or a special stuffed animal. I am happy to work in any special props you'd like to be featured.

Props & Backdrops

Session Workflow

During your session, you should expect lots of fun, giggles and snuggles! I take over most of baby’s care while you’re visiting the studio. I will be soothing your sweet little one when he or she gets upset. This keeps baby from getting too comfy in Mommy or daddy’s arms and helps keep baby from associating wanting to eat with the smell of his/her Mama. After being a NICU nurse for 7 years, I feel very in tune to infant needs. If I feel like baby needs to eat or needs a mommy snuggle to settle, I will definitely be sure to let you know. I want you to feel relaxed and to be able to just enjoy this time together as a new family. If baby cries or needs a diaper change, I’ll be the one to do so. Safety is of the utmost importance so if I need your assistance to keep baby safe in certain poses, I’ll be sure to ask. Otherwise, I like to let you sit back and enjoy. Please note: Sometimes sessions do run over so try not to schedule appointments, visits, or any other plans directly after your scheduled time slot. Studio sessions can take upwards of 3 hours or so and so I do my best to accommodate you with snacks, drinks and all the comforts of my home.

Session Workflow

Questions

Your digital images will be delivered via an online gallery. From here you will be able to download, print and share at your convenience. Your gallery will remain active for 1 month so I always encourage clients to back their photos up to a hard drive, their cloud or dropbox immediately.

Yes, of course and this is highly encouraged. There is nothing sweeter than having a photo of all your children together.

Absolutely! After each session every wrap and blanket used are put immediately into the laundry and the props are wiped down.

Please notify me ASAP and we will reschedule when everyone is well. Unfortunately, I don’t allow sick client’s to come into the studio in an attempt to keep the studio safe for all my clients but especially newborns.

Due to the fact that these sessions are completely driven by the baby’s needs and or sibling needs and comfortably, I can not guarantee a certain pose. However, you can always expect to receive at least wrapped/swaddled photos of your sweet baby + detail shots of their hands, feet, hair etc. My goal is always to get individuals of baby, baby with mom, baby with dad, baby with sibling and family shots. Certain individual baby poses may just be dependent upon the infant’s needs at the time. 

As a NICU nurse, I completely understand that this situation is out of our control. I certainly do not want anymore stress on you during this time so please know I am completely flexible. We will stay in close contact in order to determine what will work best for you and your family based on your baby’s current health and plan of care. We can always push the session to a later date or change the type of session and refunds may be issued at my discretion.

Mini sessions are 30 mins, 10 digitals and include only one set up. The set up focuses solely on baby and the infant will be wrapped. No props like bowls, buckets, crates etc will be used. Family and sibling shots are only available during a full newborn session. 

My typical turn around time is 2-3 weeks. 

I do provide print release but you are required to use a list of my approved labs. This ensures that no quality is lost in the production of your images. I also offer viewing sessions where we can view your images together. At these sessions I will personally help you decide which images to print, what sizes to choose and what frames or canvases will looks best in your home. As busy Mama’s this is such a great, stress free service that ensures your investment is printed and displayed as beautiful artwork in your home.

HOW WILL MY PHOTOS BE DELIVERED?

CAN YOU GUARANTEE ANY POSES? 

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A FULL & MINI SESSION?

WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE THE PHOTOS?

WHERE CAN WE PRINT OUR PHOTOS?

WHAT IF MY BABY IS IN THE NICU?

WHAT IF WE GET SICK BEFORE THE SHOOT? 

ARE SIBLINGS ALLOWED DURING THE SESSION?

DO YOU WASH AND SANITIZE YOUR PROPS? 

Frequently asked questions