Newborn Photography: When?
When to book: As soon as you’ve decided you definitely want a shoot! I do get booked up quickly, and a £50 deposit secures your date.
When to have the session: It’s best to have your newborn photo shoot within their first two weeks. At this time they’re still curled up and sleep deeply enough for us to pose them. I usually schedule mums in for around 10 days after their due date.
Then I get in touch nearer the time, in case we need to reschedule for early or late arrivals. (There’s no charge for this, and I always keep a few days clear each week to allow for this).
What if my baby is already here?
If your baby is already here, get in touch as soon as possible so that we can still get inside the magic 2 week window.
If baby is older than 2 weeks, don’t worry!
We may still be able to do a newborn photo shoot or we might choose one of my Older Baby sessions.
Newborn Photography: What?
What should I expect from my session?
Once you’re booked in, you’ll receive a Parent Prep Guide which will give you lots of information about what to expect from the session. Things like where I am, what my studio is like, what to wear, what to bring and so on.
I send all parents a short Newborn Photo Shoot Questionnaire too. This helps me to plan the session based around your tastes. I can then use colours and set-ups which you’ll love, and will work in your home.
The session lasts around 3 hours depending on how quickly your baby settles off to sleep.
I pose babies in natural positions where they are comfortable, safe and settled. All my sessions are entirely led by your baby, and what he or she is happy with. You’ll be very close by at all times! I’ll explain to you what I’m doing, while I’m doing it, and you are always welcome to ask questions – it’s really important to me that you are comfortable and relaxed while I’m handling your baby.
Babies are pure and beautiful, and my editing style reflects this. I remove blemishes and highlight their natural beauty while keeping them looking absolutely like themselves. They don’t need to look like porcelain dolls!
I ensure that every shoot has a mixture of simple, neutral colours along with beautiful rich colours and textures to add depth and variety to your final gallery. I’ll use a variety of props and fabrics to pose your baby naturally and comfortably.
I aim for a finished gallery of around 30-35 images for you to choose from. If you’ve chosen not to have family photographs, this will be around 25-30.
Real Photography for Real Families
Most of us are a bit uncomfortable having a camera pointed at us and being told to smile. And if you’re anything like me, you usually hate yourself in photographs at the best of times – let alone when you haven’t slept for days and you can’t remember if you’ve brushed your hair!
But my aim is to help you enjoy the experience, to be confident that you will look amazing and to pose you in a way that feels natural and real to you. I want to capture your family as relaxed and comfortable as you would be in your own home.
Am I the right newborn photographer for you?
Okay so here’s where we get real. It’s important you choose a photographer who suits not just your budget, but also your attitude.
If you want a photographer who will pose your baby in all sorts of elaborate fancy positions… I’m not right for you. I pose babies, but in a way that makes them look natural and un-posed.
If you want someone who will airbrush the life out of you, and make you look like a magazine model… I’m not right for you.
If you want someone who will book several shoots per day, rush though and take ” a few quick photos”… I’m not right for you.
If you want someone who is in this for the money, and will pressure you into spending way more than you intended… well who wants that? Not me!
I’m right for you if:
- you want someone who will take time to chat, relax you, and get to know you as a family
- you want someone who treats the whole shoot as a special experience, not just a quick exercise in snapping pictures
- you want someone who believes comfortable, happy babies are more important than squished up posed babies
- you want someone who believes in photographing you looking like YOU (just the best version of you!)
- you want someone who cares more about you getting what you want (and can afford) than about squeezing you for every last penny
If that sounds like you… get booking!
Can older siblings join in too?
Absolutely! Make sure you tell me their ages and how many other children you’d like included. Once you’re booked in I’ll give you plenty of information on how to prepare older siblings, what they should wear and how we’ll manage the session safely.
