Preparing for a newborn Session
LET'S PENCIL YOU IN!
I recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby's birth to ensure a spot on my calendar. Contact me during your second trimester and I'll pencil you in. Then, shoot me an email soon after you deliver so we can arrange a time for the session.
BIRTH DAY!
Newborn sessions MUST be scheduled within the first 14 days of life.
However, the BEST time is between 5-10 days after their arrival. We'll be moving them around and scrunching them into those sweet sleepy newborn images, so we want to make sure they're sleepy enough to allow us to handle them. Plus, babies just tend to do a lot better with the session within their first 8 days. Somewhere around day 8 they discover the joy that is stretching! Once that happens.
..they're not about to let us get them
into those curly poses without a fight! After day 14, it's almost impossible to get baby into that deep sleep that came so easily in their first few days...so it's unlikely that we'll be able to get them into any of the more bendy newborn poses.
WHERE?
Sessions take place in my home studio. Everything is setup and ready for like in shoot in Your own home iease contact me dor ericing and anow for
If you would
more time. Setting up and taking down the set does take a bit of time
SLEEPY & HUNGRY
Most of the images we'll be shooting work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. To encourage this, we recommend that you do whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted. Keeping your little one awake on top of your sleep deprivation might feel like torture, but we think it will be worth it in the end!
A well fed baby is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before we more than happy to take urs many bYeaks} needed to help himher iesuel.
It's tough work being a model!
PATIENCE IS KEY!
Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 2-4 hours. It all depends on baby's mood and willingness to sleep. Unfortunately...this isn't something we can predict! We ask that everyone remain calm, should he/she not want to sleep, since your baby will pick up on any frustration in the room. And if sleep doesn't happen, that's okay! Wide-eyed newborn photos are beautiful too.
RELAX!
Let me say it again... Relaxxx!
Moms tend to stress out because this is a new experience...and they aren't use to the waiting game that is newborn photography. They see their baby being fussy or having a difficult time getting settled and panic. take the baby's lead; getting them to sleep before posing takes time and may need to be fed or cuddled a few times first. In fact, I'd say that a good 50% of your session will involve feeding, diaper changes, and cuddling to get baby comfortable. If that doesn't work, we'll take a break or we'll work with what baby is giving us.
POOP HAPPENS!
Your baby. is going to be in the buff for the majority of this shoot. Please don't panic if your baby decides to use our blankets (or us) as his/her own personal potty. This is natural and we expect it! Please don't feel embarrassed or worry when this happens, because they all do it. I wash all of our baby props and blankets between each session with non-scented baby detergent. (This is why we only schedule one newborn session per day!)
PROPS!
I have a collection of bowls, baskets, blankets, knit hats and headbands that we can help customize your session. You are als welcome to use any of your own props. Looks for items with texture and color to he make your images unique. If you have any family heirlooms, toys, hats, props, etc. that you would like me to use in your session, please bring them with.
may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but well look through them with you to determine what will work best. I also STRONGLY recommend that you discuss any ideas, props or poses you have in mind at least a week prior to your session. I start planning out your session weeks in advance, so dropping a huge idea on us mid-session (that requires an unavailable prop) can cause stress on everyone! So talk to me early on and let me know what you have in mind
SPEAK UP!
Your baby's safety comes first! If there is ever a point where you become uncomfortable, just let us know. take every measure to ensure that your baby is never in any danger. For that reason, will always make sure that a parent is nearby to lend support if needed.
BUT WHAT DO I WEAR?
I know! You just had a baby and aren't feeling your best. But I think this is the perfect time to pamper yourself a little. This is an exciting time in your
life and we want to capture all of that...so take care of yourself first! As far as clothing? Keep it simple. Throw in a little color if you'd like, but skip the busy patterns. (And please don't feel the need to match everyone in white shirts and jeans) For mom, I suggest cotton knit camis and knit tops.
I'm also big fans of skin-on-skin portraits with you holding your baby against you. They're so simple + timeless! So if you want some portraits like this with your newborn, consider a strapless top or tank as an alternative.
Preparing for Your High School Senior Session
I usually suggest to plan 2-3 outfit changes. These are really about you and your personality. I always suggest one that is a little more dressy (this can be a dress, slacks, or anything you would wear if you were dressing up!), and one or two casual outfits that show off your personality. I do love when one of the outfit choices are jeans so we can pose the senior seated on the ground, stairs, or other areas that might be more awkward with a skirt or nice pants. If the senior is involved in sports it is great to bring along a uniform (or at the very least a jersey) for a few photographs.
Outfit choices for seniors are a great way to show off the time period, the styles, and really who you are as a person at this moment. While a parent may want a particular shirt or dress for some photos, I do encourage the senior to have control over some of the outfits. It is so much better when the senior I am photographing is comfortable and happy in what they are wearing. It really does come through in the photos! Accessories are also great to change up. Jewelry, scarves, hats, shoes, etc… bring it on!
One of the only types of sessions that has the opportunity for fun props is senior sessions. I have seen some seniors bring cool things for their session and photographing them with these props has turned out really great. An easy example would be sports equipment like baseball gloves (don’t forget the baseball!), softball gloves, bats, soccer balls, track medals, running shoes, basketballs, etc. Not into sports? Think outside of the box! I have also photographed seniors with their favorite books, instruments they play, cameras, phone! There are so many different things a senior can bring along! If you aren’t sure about something bring it along and talk to your photographer about if it can be incorporated into your session. You may be surprised!
The bottom line is that a senior session should be a fun, relaxed, and enjoyable experience. Seniors should walk away from this type of session with photographs that really captured their personalities and will remind them and their family of what they were like at this time in their lives.
Please feel free to message or call with any questions.
