Are you dreading planning your session?  Are you dreading the what if’s of both baby & siblings cooperation?

 

Surprise! Your session is going to be fun!!

 

As an aunt to 10 kids and a mom to a toddler, believe me when I say, I know how you feel!  It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the planning of the outfits, choosing the perfect timing and keeping everyone happy long enough to at least look happy in the photos.  It’s a good thing for you that all of those are my specialties!

Here are a few tips as we begin to plan your newborn session.  Remember that I’m here with you through the whole thing so be sure to relax and let things flow! I am very comfortable holding and posing newborns - your baby is in safe hands, I promise!

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Q: When should I schedule my maternity and/or newborn session?

I recommend reaching out to me between 20-24 weeks pregnant. This gives us plenty of time to chat about what you are envisioning for your sessions and allows me to order anything special you may be missing, and guarantees you a spot in my calendar. Though a specific date is not scheduled for a newborn session until your little one arrives, I do allow space for you give or take ten days before or after your due date.

Last minute bookings are accepted, and I can often accommodate but availability cannot be guaranteed.

 

Q: At what age should I have newborn photos taken?

Newborn sessions should be scheduled within the first 20 days of life. However the BEST time is between 7-14 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 are sleepy enough to allow us to handle them. After about 20 days they discover the joy of stretching and posing becomes a bit more challenging. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the time frame. I will still work with you to make sure we get you some adorable shots of your little one.

Maternity photos should take place between 32-36 weeks.

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Q: How should I prepare the day of the session?

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!  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! 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.

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Q: What should we wear?

Deciding what to wear for your session can seem like a huge chore.  I know you just had or are about to have a baby and you aren’t feeling your very best. This might be the best time to pamper yourselves! Schedule a massage or have your nails and makeup done. Looking relaxed and at your best will make you feel more comfortable during the session. Do not worry about what the baby will wear - I take care of this! For the most part he/she will be wrapped in one of my gorgeous wraps and we can coordinate to what you are wearing.

DO- Choose a color scheme based on where you’d like to hang these pictures.  For example, If you’re planning on a living room wall display and your living room is decorated in earth tones choose colors that will coordinate.

DON’T- Match.  Leave the jeans and white t-shirts at home and instead choose a color scheme and coordinate.

DO- Keep it simple. Throw in a bit of color that you enjoy but skip the busy patterns. This session is about showcasing your new arrival, not your wardrobe!

DON’T- Wear logos.  Logos can be an eye sore across a t-shirt or sweater.  Try to stear clear of sports or brand logos or sayings across the front of your shirt.  Again, this takes the attention away from the family and brings the eye right to the t-shirt.

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Q: Will you travel to my home for the session?

I have a full set up studio in my home located just outside of Bragg Creek. When you choose a studio session you are guaranteeing we have full control of of the temperature, lighting, sounds etc that provide a consistent, high level of quality in all of your images that we may not be able to get when shot in a clients home. You also have full access to all of my props, wraps and color schemes. Traveling to a client's home requires lots of packing and unpacking, setting up and tearing down.  I know traveling with a newborn can be a daunting task, and if you are set on me coming to your home for your newborn session, I can do this for an additional $75 travel fee.

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