FAQ
When should I book my session?
For Newborn sessions, booking at around 28-30 weeks' gestation is a good timeline for the best chance of availability. If your baby is due close to Christmas time, then please contact me earlier.
For Maternity, the ideal time to photograph is around 28-32 weeks. This way you will have a beautiful bump but you will also be relatively comfortable. Therefore, I recommend booking in c.24 weeks.
For Milestone sessions, it very much depends on the session and the baby. As soon as you know you want to book in, just get in touch and we can discuss a good time.
Sitter sessions happen when your baby can sit unaided and not yet crawling. So, I recommend booking in around 5 months and we can plan the session for when your baby is sitting comfortably and confidently.
For First birthdays, I recommend booking in when your baby is 9/10 months old and planning the session for when baby is 11 months. The reason for this is that babies can sometimes begin to make strange around 12 months old and may be getting settled into a childcare setting which can result in caution with strangers. I always give older babies a chance to acclimatise before engaging directly. Every baby is different and you know your baby best. We will work, as always, with what feels right for you and for your baby.
For all sessions, I recommend booking in advance for a better chance of availability. Once you are booked in you are in the schedule and the final date will be agreed between both parties.
What time do sessions typically occur?
All Newborn sessions occur in weekday mornings only, usually at 9:30am. This is when babies, and often, toddler siblings are at their best and sleep pressure is greatest for babies.
I work with all my clients to find the right window of time for Milestone/Sitter & Birthday sessions.
Maternity sessions are morning only too but there may be occasional Saturday morning availability if agreed and booked in advance.
How long does a session last?
All non-newborn sessions are generally one hour long.
Milestone sessions and family sessions that include toddlers are this short because children at this age lose attention after a short time, so, we move quickly! :)
Newborn sessions are 2-3 hours long depending on the session type you book.
What do I need to do to book in?
All you need to do is contact me using the Book your Session form and I will be in touch to confirm availability. I will then send you an Invoice to pay your non-refundable deposit. You'll then receive an email with the process flow so you know what the next steps are :)
What's the difference between the Newborn & Parents mini and classic session types?
The mini session is a new simple, all white session type for those who want to remember this time with simple, fuss-free images. There are no props or colour palettes. Baby will be photographed in a white wrap only and then held by parents for the parent photos.
The Classic session type is for those who want more options. All session types are created with timelessness and legacy at the forefront of how I shoot. The Classic session type gives more session time and variety to bring in more colour tones within the neutral palette which is my signature style. The Classic session also includes one prop set-up (or more if time allows).
When will our newborn be photographed?
Honestly, whenever it feels right. Generally, to maximise capturing all that squishy, sleepiness, ideally c. days 12-14.
I have photographed babies at all ages and my only rule of thumb is to avoid sessions on day 10 after babies are born. This is because babies tend to go through a growth spurt at that time and are far more comfortable at home feeding and enjoying lots of contact naps and not being interrupted by a lady with a camera :)
I love to photograph babies at any age. There are a few reasons why newborn sessions tend to happen in the first weeks after birth.
Firstly, as much as we want to freeze time, babies grow incredibly fast. So, if you want to capture the tiny, squishy, curled-up newborn stage then we can do that in the first 2-3 weeks.
Secondly, some babies can develop digestive/reflux issues after 3-4 weeks, so, often that is another reason to capture them while they are younger.
However, your baby will be comfortable in all my set-ups and I cater to all babies' needs individually as they are all so different!
Often, the thoughts of leaving home in the early days is daunting and parents worry about how it will go. That's totally normal and I would say from experience, (as a newborn parent and a newborn photographer!) it is a lot easier and smoother than you might expect ... honestly!
Either way, it is important to book in advance. Once you're booked in, then you can relax knowing you are on the schedule and we will do your session when your baby has arrived and the time is right for you.
Are prints available with all collections?
Yes! All collection types come with high quality fine art prints of your favourite purchased image. Please review the session types to see more details. Additional prints are available to purchase also. You can see full Print pricing and the Scandi frame pricing under Session Experiences.
How should we dress for our session?
Great Question!
Once you are booked in, I will arrange a telephone consultation at the best time, so we can chat about outfit choices! Honestly, outfit choice can make or break the look of your gallery, so it is never too early to start thinking about outfits, especially if you have small children already. It's definitely best to have that part organised and ready to go so you are not thinking about it after your baby arrives.
I have a client closet dress for mums, wraps & rompers for newborns and a small mini client closet for sitters and babies up to 18 months which all photograph really well and are available for all session types to help make life a little easier!
I recommend avoiding logos, strong patterns and dominant colours on any one person's clothing. Family clothing should blend and be in the same colour palette or similar tones (no need to match but no one person should 'stand out' as such). Tip: place all outfits on a table/bed and see how they co-ordinate together. Colours that photograph really well are warm neutral tones (cream, beige, tan, rust, khaki green, sage green). I recommend avoiding black unless everyone is wearing black. Colours that don't photograph well for non-Christmas sessions are red, purple, bright pink, turquoise, yellow and lemon.
The most important thing is that everyone is comfortable! Being uncomfortable will really affect how feel which will negatively impact your experience and your gallery ultimately.
When will my online gallery be ready?
I aim to have your edited online gallery available within 3 weeks of your session.
Mini session galleries will be sent by email for you to make your final selection.
Longer session galleries will be presented via zoom or can be emailed to you to make your selection, whatever you have indicated on the pre-session questionnaire.
Once your final selection is made you will have access to your online gallery to download your images within 30 days (always happy to oblige with an extension, if needed).
Do sessions finish on time, generally?
Yes, give or take 30 mins. The session length is a guide but if baby needs more feeding or is fussy and needs lots of cuddles then that's what happens!
However, session time will not be extended due to lateness on the client's part. I am very understanding of how tough it can be to get out of the house on time with a newborn. That's why I do a pre-session consultation with all new clients so they are prepared as much as possible for the session day. Obviously, things can happen outside of our control, nonetheless, sessions that run more than 30 mins late may need to be rescheduled within the terms of our contract.