Newborn Sessions
Newborn sessions
LET’S PENCIL YOU IN!
We recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth to ensure a spot on our calendar. Contact us during your second trimester and we’ll pencil you in.
WHEN!
Newborn sessions MUST be scheduled within the first 14 days of life. However, the BEST time is between 6-12 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 week.
Somewhere around day 12 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 20, 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?!
The majority of our newborn sessions take place in our studio. If the weather is warm enough and you’re comfortable with the idea, we can take the session outdoors. If your place is bright and spacious, you could opt for a home shoot. Worried because your house is a mess? Don’t even stress out! You just had a BABY!.
LOVELY LIGHT!
We ask that you open all of the blinds and curtains in your home prior to our arrival. This enables us to find the best source of natural light in your home, so that we can set up our “mini studio” in the best possible location. Nothing flatters like natural morning light, so we prefer to use it whenever possible.
For this reason, sessions are normally done mid-morning to late-afternoon when window lighting is as its best.
CRANK THE HEAT!
We recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session. (Like a toasty 27 degrees Celsius or so.)
Newborns are used to being all bundled up, warm andcozy…and then we come in and yank off all their clothes for those adorable naked baby shots. They tend not to like that too much!
LOOSEN UP!
Please loosen your baby’s diaper and clothing at least 21 minutes before the session. This gives those little imprint marks time to disappear.
SLEEPY?!
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 own sleep deprivation might feel like torture, but we think it will be worth it in the end!.
Newborn sessions1
HUNGRY?!
A well fed baby is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before our session to ensure a happy, sleepy (“milk drunk”) baby. We’ll also be more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her re-fuel. 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.
PROPS!
We have a collection of baskets, blankets, knit hats and headbands that we’ll be bringing to your session. You are also, of course, welcome to use any of your own props. Looks for items with texture and colour to help 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 gather them before we arrive. We may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but we’ll look through them with you to determine what will work best.
*We also STRONGLY recommend that you discuss any ideas, props or poses you have in mind at least a few days prior to your session!
SPEAK UP!
Your baby’s safety comes first! If there is ever a point where you become uncomfortable, just let us know! We take every measure to ensure that your baby is never in any danger. For that reason, we will always make sure that a parent or assistant 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 we think this is the perfect time to pamper yourself!
Go have your hair + makeup done (or better yet, have someone come to you!), schedule a massage or have your nails done. Looking super relaxed and at your best will make you feel more comfortable during the session. 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 colour if you’d like, but skip the busy patterns.
FOR THE MEN!
Your hands, and possibly even your feet, will play a major role in this session, so it’s important that you tend to them too!
Trim and tidy your nails and apply lotion to any dry skin. (It also never hurts to dab a little moisturizer on your face to help you look more refreshed. Those late nights can take a toll on your skin!)
A little clothing advice? Long or short sleeved knits are best. Make sure there isn’t too much bagginess in the sleeve and thatyour t-shirts are free of logos or too much writing
MAKE THE BED!
Is there anything more simple + gorgeous than a new family cuddled up in bed together? The answer is no!
So we might suggest that we move the session to your bedroom at some point. If that’s something that appeals to you, a few tips:
1. Make the bed, just this once.
2. A plain and light toned blanket/comforter.
3. We highly recommend white to light cream bedding to keep things light and airy.
Maternity
Maternity
MATERNITY SESSION FAQS
A maternity session is designed to celebrate and document the precious new life growing within. It is a combination of glamour and romance.
A maternity session can be an artistic studio shoot or it can take place at a location of your choice. Some favourites include a local beach or natural field, one of the many gorgeous parks, gardens or wooded areas.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME IN MY PREGNANCY TO SCHEDULE MY MATERNITY SESSION?
28 to 34 weeks is perfect for most moms to be. This is a time frame where your beautiful belly is of ample size yet you’re not as “puffy” and uncomfortable as you may be in your last few weeks.
Though we have shot maternity sessions up close to delivery with beautiful results, feedback from expecting moms has encouraged us to advise clients towards the earlier side where mamas-to-be are feeling their best and are more comfortable than they may be later.
HOW SOON SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY SESSION?
It’s never too early to schedule your maternity session. We usually book around 4-6 weeks out and if you’re needing a weekend appointment it is especially important to book early as my weekend availability is limited and these spots go fast.
However, we do try our best to accommodate last minute requests.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT STRETCH MARKS AND THE EXTRA WEIGHT I’VE GAINED?
We understand that you may be concerned about stretch marks and feel a little bigger all over, so removing any blemishes, including stretch marks and slimming you down a little in areas where needed through flattering poses, camera angle and expert retouching skills are all complimentary as part of your session. Just let us know what your concern is and it’ll be taken care of for you.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY MATERNITY SESSION?
Long fitted dresses can lengthen and slenderize your overall appearance yet display your ample belly. Form fitted tops are great. A snug fitting tank top with a low riding yoga pants can be a great look to show off your beautiful bump.
Don’t forget about favourite accessories to showcase your personal style, perhaps a hat, boots, jewellery, scarves, etc. Be sure to plan for 2- 3 changes and looks using different colours and styles to get the most out of your session. We offer a variety of maternity outfits at a separate rental fee. Such rental fee is not applicable on the Signature Sessions.