Newborn photography
They are only this little once…and it goes by in the blink of an eye.
Newborn babies are my favourite subjects to photograph. There really is something quite special about a newborn baby, tiny toes, tiny fingers, and perfect skin. The most overwhelming love you feel for your baby is a new feeling; something amazing, and something to be remembered. Capturing those first few weeks of your baby’s life is not only creating a time capsule of memories, but also documenting the beginning of the most incredible journey you and your child are about to go on....
Newborn photography is an art of its own - and choosing the right newborn photographer for you, can sometimes seem a little daunting. By choosing me, you know your baby is in safe hands - I am a specially trained in infant photography, with the skill and experience to make your sitting and images special and unique.
The best time to schedule a newborn session is from birth through to 3 weeks old. The reason for this is simply that baby still has its curled up shape from the womb, which increases the chances of us getting some of the classic oh-so sweet sleepy newborn poses. Once babies discover the joys of stretching, it is challenging to get them to curl up in those adorable shapes. If your baby is already over 3 weeks of age please don’t let this opinion put you off as I have alternatives to offer.
I have regularly carried out “newborn photoshoots” for older babies with great success. Your baby may be slightly more alert and want to stay awake for the most of session, and that is fine. The finished product will be worth it.
As with all of my shoots, nothing is rushed and I want to keep things as calm and stress-free as possible for both baby and parents. This is why I set aside at least 3 hours to make sure we have plenty of time to capture those perfect pictures.
When should I book in?
It is best to book as soon as you can after your first scan. This ensures your slot when baby arrives. If you leave it until baby arrives, I may not have space to fit you in during busy times. I use your due date to book you in, and schedule your session for when baby is expected. Earlier or later arrivals are not a problem.
My baby is already born, is it too late to have a session?
That depends on how old baby is when you contact me, and if I have any available last minute slots. I will always try to fit you in, so do get in touch.
Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange your photoshoot, and I will do my best to fit you in around existing appointments. I can create newborn photographs up to 10 weeks after birth if required. If your bundle of joy is a little older please contact me to discuss possibilities. I may still get those sleepy photographs you dream of.
How long does a session take?
It usually takes up to three hours to complete your photography session as it is completely led by baby. I understand that the baby will need to stop for feeding and changing; that he/she may just get a bit cranky; and need a cuddle. I only undertake one newborn session per day to allow a no stress, no rush sitting.
I will not rush your baby so please do not have anything planned for directly after your session. It might take a little longer than was planned.
Is it safe?
In short, yes. Your baby’s safety and comfort is paramount. I take great care to watch temperature, and circulation. Comfort are never compromised.
Can parents and siblings be photographed with the baby?
Absolutely! Family and siblings’ photographs are in my opinion the most important ones. They are priceless treasures for years to come and future generations. Siblings are welcome in the studio. However it will help to arrange a family member to take your older children away after they have had their photographs taken. As newborn sessions can last 3-4 hours this can be difficult for toddlers to patiently tolerate.
My baby has very flaky skin. Is this a problem?
Absolutely not. Almost all newborns have flaky skin to some extent, and I am skilled at reducing how much is visible in the images if you would like me to. However, I find that as it is a unique new baby feature that is completely normal, it is nice to leave some to show how new your baby was when the images were taken.
Can other family members come along to observe the session?
Studio size limits numbers. So the number of guests should be kept to a minimum. If you would like to bring for example Grandmother or another relative please discuss in advance.
What do I need to bring to the session?
All you need to bring with you to the session is baby, plenty of milk, nappies and dummies. I provide the rest, all props, outfits and accessories needed are provided by me, so you do not need to bring anything else. I have a beautiful variety of timeless props, outfits and backgrounds that can be used in all sorts of sessions from newborn to older babies.
During your session you will have access to water and a small selection of snacks. As sessions can last up to 4 hours, feel free to bring some extra snacks if you wish.
What if my baby cries or doesn’t settle?
Many parents worry that their baby will cry and I won’t be able to get the images they hope for. Rest assured that the session is very calm and relaxed, and that includes the baby. All new babies cry sometimes, and if your baby does I will take my time and make sure he/she is happy again with feeding or winding, just as you would at home. Some parents call me the baby whisperer so do not worry. When I am posing sleeping babies, they sometimes squeak a little. Do not be concerned about screaming preventing the session from running smoothly. In nearly 9 years this has only ever happened when baby was poorly, and we simply rescheduled. If for any reason I feel baby is unhappy with what I am doing, I will stop. No image is more important than your child’s comfort.
Why do newborn sessions only happen in the morning?
Generally speaking new babies are awake a lot in the night and sleep well in the morning. This helps me a lot, as baby needs to be asleep for me to achieve the best images. If we did your session in the afternoon your baby would probably have slept all morning, would be more likely to waken and become unsettled.
How long after the photoshoot will I see the images?
After the photo shoot I will spend time selecting and perfecting your images. During busy periods this can between 1 and 2 weeks. I will advise you accordingly.
Do you require a deposit?
A non-refundable SESSION FEE of £50 is due on booking to secure your appointment. This DOSE NOT include any prints nor digital images, which are charged individually.
Why do you charge a session fee?
The session fee is a creative one, which covers my time and talent to shoot and create professional images that you will treasure forever, and guarantees your appointment. It also covers acquisition, full use, and maintenance of quality studio props and my time to select and perfect your images for viewing.
Cancellations
I require 48 hours' notice when cancelling or re-scheduling. No guarantee can be given that a specific new slot will be available nor provided.
Price
Session Fee
£50 a non refundable SESSION FEE is due on booking to secure your space. Please note that no images or prints are included at this point and a session fee will not be deducted from the order's full amount.
BRONZE COLLECTION£ 150SWEET
SILVER COLLECTION£ 220ADORABLE
PLATINUM COLLECTION£ 300PRECIOUS
Individual digital images may be purchased in addition to the package of your choice £15 each.
