A day in the life of a newborn photography session: Parents edition
Booking a newborn photography session can be quite intimidating, its often one of the few times that we are in front of the camera and that can be nerve wracking. So heres a little break-down of a typical journey from that initial contact to you receiving your beautiful prints!
Initial contact: When I receive your message either through my website, via email or social media I think “OMG!!!!! Yay!!!!” and endeavour to get back to you right away, it will always be within 24hrs. Ill ask a few questions about your “due” date, what kind of session you’re hoping for, where you live, how many people etc. Once we’ve settled on a date - which is generally about a week after your “due” date and entirely flexible depending on your babys arrival - I will send you an invoice for you session fee. This invoice is payable online and once paid, secures your date. I will also send you a simple contract which again, you can sign online.
Next I will email you my client welcome guide which has tons of information about what to expect and outlines how to prepare for your session. It also has ideas on what to wear and how to co-ordinate outfits within your group. I have a client wardrobe which youre welcome to borrow from.
As we approach your “due” date, I will ask you to keep me in the loop if baby comes sooner or is taking a little longer to cook to perfection :-) My eldest was 11 days late so I will 10000% empathise if theyre a little later than expected. I ALWAYS have flexibility to move your date, I never over-book my calendar for exactly this reason so you will never feel pressure from me to do your shoot as scheduled if youre just not ready. Im here to serve you and your family and help make this process as stress-free as possible.
Day of the shoot: Arrive and say hi - you will be surprised that Im English because I always forget to mention that nowadays! We’ll have emailed a few times by this point so I wont feel like a total stranger and Ill have been looking forward to meeting you and hearing about your birth and how youre recovering :-) As we chat Ill look around home for the nicest light and take a few test shots. Your baby is already stripped to their nappy, snuggled up warm and has had a feed just before I arrive so is sleeping. Ill setup my beanbag, wraps and blankets and put sheer curtains up with clamps. Ill probably take a few candid shots and reassure you that even though you feel awkward at first, youll feel a lot more relaxed as the photo session goes on. We’ll pick out some cute hand knitted bloomers and soft angora wraps and settle your baby on the beanbag with white noise. If baby stirs, I pat and shush and gently settle baby until she goes back to sleep. Ill get my naturally posed newborn photographs, and all of your newborns tiny details with my macro lens. Ill adjust the position of the beanbag, the baby, the curtains to enure the light stays just right. Ill ask a parent to stay within arms reach of the baby because, even though newborns cant roll, we would never take the chance that they could fall off the beanbag. When your baby wakes, we pick them up, rock, soothe, cuddle. I would never ever allow a baby to be distressed, they are always comforted and each session is entirely baby led.
Next Ill capture photographs of both parents individually with the baby and of course lots of family shots together. By this point youll be feeling more relaxed and will have heard all about my silly family, what my crazy children have been putting me through this week, probably all about my dog…I really do love a chat and by the end of most sessions my clients feel like friends. Ill direct you into the nicest light, poses, ask you where to look and then just let you be together to capture those candid shots too.
At the end of the session Ill explain what will happen next….
Within 24hrs Ill send you a sneak peek and may share this on social media if youve agreed to that.
Within 28 days (but generally MUCH sooner) youll get an email from me with a link to your online gallery and slideshow. This will be live for 24hrs, during this time you choose and purchase your package of images and products. Payment plans are available on request and never a problem, Im always happy to arrange them for you.
You choose and download your images directly from my website, you are also able to order your printed products directs from my online shop. This is so great because youll be able to see your images as the products themselves, design your own albums, choose your frames etc. Im also more than happy to help you with any of this and as Ive already seen your home Ill be able to advise you on what products might look great and where I would hang them.
Ill let you know when you can expect to receive your products (some can take a few weeks to make and ship from my lab in SA).
You will receive your beautiful products!
I hope that this has been helpful and I really do look forward to working with you really soon,
xo rose