If you’re reading this, you are most likely pregnant with your beautiful little miracle. They certainly don’t call babies ‘the miracle of life’ for no reason! Reading on will just give you a little insight on what to expect and when to book in etc.
Most people contact me in their mid to late stages of pregnancy. This is PERFECT! I do recommend that you book in a tentative spot, or at least tell me your due date so I have a rough idea when to expect a call or message to let me know your little one has arrived. HOWEVER, if you haven’t planned that far ahead and are currently laying in hospital looking for a newborn photographer while your new arrival is napping…you aren’t too late! Get in touch as soon as possible is what I am basically saying. Whether that be early, late or upon arrival of your babe.
When you first get in touch to tentatively book, I will discuss with you what type of shots you are looking for. You’ve no doubt seen shots that you love and would love to try with your bub. The more detail you give me the better. I will take note of all this. These details will prepare me for what items that I will be bringing along to the shoot. I will also discuss colours with you at this stage. This will prevent me from turning up to photograph your little girl with pink when you are more of a neutrals person.
I come to you for the shoot. I found that it is easier for you this way. A lot of the time in that first two weeks, you may not have even left the house yet with the baby after a slight shock to the system bringing your little one home and severe sleep deprivation. Thats OK! I did the same thing. I completely understand what it is like. I will only need a small space to work in, about the size of a double bed to set up. The smaller the room the better really, as we need to be able to heat the room to around 30 degrees. This will ensure that bub doesn’t get cold during the shoot and stays nice and sleepy throughout. If you are un able to heat the room, I can bring a portable heater.
You will have all your things on hand while I am there, so there will be no running out of milk or damn I forgot that beautiful blanket which nan knitted for the baby that I wanted to use in the shoot. I will arrive fully loaded with all my things, baskets, blankets, wraps, fur and some small props and head bands etc too. If you have brought a special outfit for the occasion, by all means please tell me about it when you book, or the day before if you remember.
I recommend that we book the shoot at a time that bub is most sleepy. This is generally in my experience of a morning, but I can be proven wrong! In a perfect world, bub would just have been fed, and gone back to sleep just before I arrive and have been asleep for at least an hour and past their first sleep cycle. Try to ensure that bub has sat upright for at least 15min+ after feeding to allow any air back out. This avoids most un-settled behaviour during the shoot, and also the *cringe face* surprise poo explosion during the shoot. Yep, it happens!
The shoot will take around 3 hours give or take. Some babies are a dream and sleep the whole way through and wake at the end of the shoot, some are unsettled and it takes time to re-settle them enough to get them into poses etc. This is what takes the longest. If you want to include pets in some photos, you are more than welcome to. If Dad is still home from work then we can do some family shots too.
Generally I would do a whole range of shots of bub in different poses, with different wrap/blanket/basket combinations. Then shots of Dad with bub, mum with bub, and family shots. Not necessarily in that order either. The shots that you want to get the most is what we try for first or while bub is the most asleep. I can do the shots with parents either clothed or bare, it is your choice entirely. Obviously they are tasteful and not showing any bits. But trust me when I say I have seen it all!
After the shoot is complete, it is generally time to feed the little super star. I pack up and am off on my way. From there you will see a sneak peek of the shoot via social media within a day or two. You should expect to get your photos back within 2-4 weeks. I will send you a small selection of photos in contact sheet form via email to choose which image you would like to be on the cover of your FREE thank you cards before this time so that I can have them ready for you with your images on USB.
If I haven’t covered something in here, please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I am a question person myself, so don’t be shy!