Studio sessions
Studio Sessions are done in my home studio with solid wood backdrop and props. Family can be incorporated but the session is mainly about baby. If all goes well, we will get a variety of poses and up to 3 set ups.
Preparing For Your Session:
-Once you decide to schedule a session with me (deposit and signed contract required), we will set a tentative date based on your due date. Babies have a mind of their own and rarely come when predicted so I will accommodate book limited newborns to ensure we can do your session when we need to. Once your little one is born, please get in touch with me and we will set a date and time. Babies are best photographed in the first 5-7 days as they sleep better, are more posable and usually haven’t started developing baby acne or cradle cap.
-Leading up to your session, we will have a conversation about what you are looking for. Do you want to be in some of the photos or just baby? Do you have specific props you may want to incorporate into the session or a theme? Are there specific poses you are looking for? Are you bringing siblings?
– My studio is in my home in a medium size spare room. If you plan on bringing siblings please be mindful that it may get boring and they may add a stress to the session that we don’t need. You know your child best so they are welcome to stay but must stay quietly in the room. Clients have one parent stay and the other take siblings to a park or nearby mall to spend time until the session is done. If you prefer to have both parents there for the full session you can considering bringing a friend or grandparent to take the siblings to another location during the session.
-Please don’t feed your baby before coming to see me. I will give you space and time to feed the baby and sooth them to sleep once you arrive. The reason this works best is that if you feed your baby before you come he will start the sleep cycle while in the car seat. I also ask that you try to keep the baby awake on the ride over. This way they get to the studio ready to sleep and allow us the maximum amount of time before the baby wakes or becomes restless. I know it’s hard to do but it will make your session that much smoother and get you those desired images.
-It is always nice to have a pacifier. This will help me to sooth your baby in between poses. If you have chosen not to use a pacifier, I ask that you still bring one incase. The pacifier is in the babies mouth a minimal amount of time and isn’t habit forming. A finger can be used but once a baby is in a position it isn’t always the easiest angle for parents to lean over and use the finger for soothing. If you are adamant not to then no worries. But be prepared to use your finger!
– I photograph babies wrapped in fabric that I provide. If you want to see the colours and fabrics available please visit my prop gallery here. I have yet to photograph a newborn in street clothes and hope that I am never asked to do so. Newborn babies just don’t fill out clothes properly and they are so much sweeter without all that bulky fabric. I would be happy to schedule another session down the road for your little one’s milestones and use special outfits for these.
-I have a few crates, baskets, fabrics, and beds to use but always welcome clients to bring some of their own to make the session unique to them. You can see what I have by checking out my prop gallery here.
-Bring your own blankets like the knit one Grandma made or your best friend bought for baby. We can try to tie them in by using them in the crate or as a texture for layering. Keep in mind old blankets are awesome but can be stained or have those little pill balls. Just inspect first!
-Please be on time. Sessions are scheduled to allow time for a fussy baby, feeding, changing and so on. I try not to do back to back sessions but because the studio is in my home I can’t leave when the session is over. If your baby didn’t settle until the end of the session we can add some additional time, pending my schedule, for a small fee of $50/ half hr.
What to Wear:
Wear something comfortable. Keep in mind that I rarely if ever show anything below the waist in a portrait. So you can wear shorts, jeans, or whatever else you choose. As far as tops are concerned I LOVE soft colours like grey and ivory or dark colours like navy and black. Yellows and reds can cause casting on skin so I like people to stay away from them if possible. If you want to wear something basic like tank tops (be sure to hide bra straps) or t-shirts (V-necks look best) then go for it. If you want to dress up a bit go for a cute blouse with textures or a polo or button down shirt. I love when clients stay true to themselves with style but for a more timeless look I suggest the basics. Bring something to change into after I am done photographing you with baby is cool and comfy as I keep my studio very warm. This is another trick to help them stay sleepy.
During Your Session:
-Once you arrive I will give you some time in my studio to feed and soothe your baby. Once they are happy and sleepy we can get started.
-I start my sessions by taking some portraits of parents and baby. If there are siblings we will add them in and then do ones with them and baby alone. At this point you can take siblings or children to an alternate location for the duration of the session if they are not staying in the studio room. Kids tend to get restless so like to get them done first.
-Packages include up to 3 set up of your newborn and this all depends on how well the cooperate. If they sleep through the session we can get 3 different ones no problem. If they are fussy we try to get as many as we can in the time that we have to work with. Following my instructions listed before will help ensure your little one cooperates as best as possible. Also, just because you baby sleeps all day at home doesn’t mean they will in the studio. I have seen it before and will likely see it many times in the future. You just need to get used to your kids proving your wrong all the time!
-Before you leave, I will show you some products I offer and explain printing through me vs your local store. You are not obligated to buy anything it’s more informational. I offer some unique and handmade products that you can’t buy in the store. Heirloom type items that you can pass down to your little one.
After Your Session:
-Now you can go home and relax and dream about all the beautiful images that will soon be yours.
-I go through the images from your session and select the best based on quality, pose, angle, clarity etc. and upload those to a gallery for you. You will have 1 week to choose your favourites from your package and add any additional if you like.
– At that point I will edit those images and upload a gallery when they are complete. Turn around time is 3-4 weeks. Note: Client selects final images but feel free to ask for help if you need a second opinion.
– Black and white versions can be purchased for $50 for full gallery. I take the time to adjust each image so it looks it’s best.
Lifestyle Session
Lifestyle sessions are done in your home and are natural and candid. These images are meant to capture the first moments of a baby and their family. Some images will be posed but many will be detail images of the nursery and everyday things like relaxing on the bed, eating, getting dressed, holding moms finger, dad holding babies feet and so on. No props are used in these sessions.
Preparing For Your Session:
-Once you decide to schedule a session with me (deposit and signed contract required), we will set a tentative date based on your due date. Babies have a mind of their own and rarely come when predicted so I will accommodate book limited newborns to ensure we can do your session when we need to. Once your little one is born, please get in touch with me and we will set a date and time. Studio sessions are best done in the first 5-7 days but lifestyle can be done at any point. Some clients want their little one to develop some features and lose the newborn look just a little. They grow so fast that this can be done between 2 weeks and 3 months.
-Most lifestyle sessions take place in the home but can also be done outdoors in a park. In your home we try to focus in the nursery on details and images of you and your partner with the baby. Parents beds and couches can make great spots as well. Be sure to tidy these locations before the session. If you leave things in the background they will also be in your images. I do a quick sweep before the start of shooting but moving things around can cut into session time. If you choose to do it in a park we can discuss what to look for in a the perfect spot.
What to Wear:
For parents – Wear something comfortable. Lifestyle sessions are supposed to be true to you in the moment and we all know that getting dressed up and having a newborn isn’t all that common. Jeans and black leggings paired with a cute top or plain t-shirt is my fave. It’s more true this stage in life than anything else. Guys can wear jeans and a polo and or plaid button down but keep it simple. You want the baby to be the focus. Textures are great. Knit tops and patterns photograph well but I love simple neutral colours as they are timeless. You can also, work with the colours in your home. If you have blue on the walls then pick something that goes with that. A neutral like soft grey or tan would work well. Bare feet look best as you are in your home. Make sure to do your nails as well as I try to include detail shots of baby holding moms finger or dad feeding the baby a bottle.
For baby – I like a neutral onsie like white or grey. If you want to add a little colour go for it in the form of a repeating pattern. You know the ones with polka dots, hearts, bears etc. Again simple is best so as not to distract from the baby. Grab some swaddles and blankets to add in or wrap the baby for a different look. Muslin type swaddles work best as they are flimsy and not bulky like most. Hospital blankets are thick but because they are the blanket your baby first had they make a great addition too. Plain swaddles are best or with a simple pattern. There are some great companies that you can order from if you want something a little different.
Try Aden and Anais OR Spearmintlove
For Siblings – Keep them simple too. Jeans and solid colour t-shirts or collared shirts. No patterns or name brand logos as they will distract from the image. Kids don’t have to match each other but complimentary colours are key to the look. Bare feet are best since you are in your home.
After Your Session:
-Now you can relax and dream about all the beautiful images that will soon be yours.
-I go through the images from your session and select the best based on quality, pose, angle, clarity etc. and edit those before uploading them to a gallery for you. Turn around time is 3-4 weeks.
– Majority of images will be in colour with a few black and white (just because they look amazing that way). Note: Photographer selects final images.