THE EXPERIENCE
Not sure what to expect from your photographer or how to prepare for your family, maternity or newborn session?
When should I book my session with you?
You can book your session with me whenever you are ready, but it is preferable that you do so as soon as you decide you want to work with me (yay!). This is to ensure that I will be available for your session in your ideal timeframe and is especially important for maternity and newborn sessions. You are welcome to book in at last minute, but these sessions will only be booked where I have availability. Otherwise, I will fit you in as early as I possibly can!
Your maternity sessions are best scheduled for between 32 and 36 weeks but can be booked in as early as your first trimester, or as soon as you have an estimated due date. This is ideally the best timeframe for your session as your belly should look beautiful and round. Your belly will hopefully not have dropped yet, and you will still feel comfortable enough for your session.
Newborn sessions can also be booked in as early as your first trimester, or as soon as you have an estimated due date. Your estimated due date will be used as a tentative booking date, and once you have arrived at home with your new baby, all you need to do is let me know! Then when you are ready, we can arrange a suitable date for your session. Whilst these sessions are best done between 5 and 12 days of age in the hopes that your bub (or bubs!) are nice and sleepy, I am always open to photographing your older newborn bubs!
How should I prepare for my session?
My best advice on preparing for your session would be to make sure you give yourself enough time to organise getting your hair, lashes or nails done (if that’s what you’re into!) and plan out what you are going to wear for your session.
My client wardrobe is available for family, maternity and newborn sessions, if this is something you may be interested in! Let me know and I can show you what I have for use at your session(s).
It may also be worth familiarising yourself with the location of your session and planning your trip so that you can arrive for your session on time. My studio is located in the Redlands, in Thornlands, but I also travel for outdoor on-location sessions! Oh, and I find that kids (and adults!) are happier at their session after they've eaten.
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Wraps and various other items are supplied for your newborn sessions, so don’t feel that you need to bring anything with you! Buttt, if there is a specific item that you would love to have incorporated into your photos, such as a sentimental teddy or blanket, let me know! I’m more than happy to use these as part of your session.
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I prefer to keep your newborn as comfortable as possible and will guide them into natural positioning throughout your session, as well as have them nice and cuddled into you for your family photographs. My newborn session set up includes a bedroom styled set up including a rattan bassinet and a rocking chair, for a homely nursery feel!
I should let you know that I prefer not to pose your newborns into posing such as 'froggy' or 'bum up' etc. and I also prefer not to pose your newborn naked, therefore these services will not be available at your newborn session.
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I will leave your newborn in their nappy and wrap them for their photographs. I prefer to use two favourite wrapping techniques, including the full wrap and the ‘see the hands and feet’ wrap. Wrapping your newborn helps to keep them feeling snug and most importantly, safe and content. My prop collection includes wooden heart bowls, rattan baskets, daybeds and more!
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Keep in mind, you do not have to be photographed with your newborn if you don't want to and are more than welcome to sit back and relax while I photograph your newborn on their own!
What should I wear for my session?
I recommend wearing plain, neutral, and earthy coloured clothing and avoiding the blue jeans and white t-shirt look, any bright colours, labels, and bold patterns. Try and stick to the same colour palette across your outfits and add something to each that compliments what one another is wearing. Oh! And try to make sure there are no wrinkles in your clothing and avoid wearing any hair ties or watches on your wrists.
Long pants for men and boys and flowy dresses for woman and girls are best, but ultimately it depends on what you are most comfortable wearing. For the littles ones especially, try and find outfits that aren't to restricting, and have texture, such as lace or ribbed fabrics. As mentioned earlier, I also have several pieces available for all session types as part of my client wardrobe and are available for you to use during your session! Feel free to otherwise send through your ideas and ask my opinion, I would be more than happy to help you out.
I recommend wearing loose clothing if you would prefer to be topless or nude for your session, or a slightly loose nappy with a button or zip up suit and no socks for your newborn sessions. This is to avoid getting any red marks on yours, or your newborns skin!
The temperature in the studio will be set before you arrive at the studio for newborn sessions. It may get a little hot for you, but please know that the temperature will be suitable for your newborn! I recommend wearing clothes that you are less likely to get as hot in. I also recommend bringing the clothes you will be wearing for your session on coat hangers, there is a space available at the studio and I can also provide a changing space for you at outdoor on location sessions. This is especially recommended for children and if you are planning to eat before or on the way to your session!
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If you are still feeling stuck, I have put together a pinterest board with plenty of content to inspire you. Interested in taking a look? Follow the link below!
What should I bring to my session?
Feel free to bring along any touch up items that you may need, such as a hairbrush or lipstick. As well as your nappy bag with all the essentials for newborn sessions! Dummies are recommended to help with the settling process, even if your bub doesn’t seem to take to one. Buttt, don’t feel that you have to bring one!
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You are also more than welcome to bring along a blanket for yourself or children to sit or lay on at your session. And you may want to consider bringing a change of clothes for yourself, children, or newborn. Accidents can and do happen! Your children may get dirty at your outdoor on location sessions and newborns can be very unpredictable! And above all, remember to keep hydrated! Don’t forget to bring along some water for yourself and your family.
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If at all possible, try and keep your newborn awake for as long as you can on the morning of your newborn session and aim to feed them either just before you leave home or as you arrive at the studio. Please don’t stress or feel that you have to do this, it is completely OK if you can’t or simply don’t want to!
What should I expect from my session?
I believe the best captured photographs are the candid, unposed moments where you are simply present with your family. My style of photography is very much lifestyle and I prefer to give light guidance and will do my best not to pose you much or have you looking directly at the camera. This is the same for newborn sessions! My hope is to capture all those beautiful and raw moments between you and your family.
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I will do my best to settle and keep your newborn as comfortable as possible at your newborn sessions. It may take a few moments for your newborn to settle into a position, and this is completely normal and to be expected! I have completed training in newborn safety and am aware of all your newborns ques and will never place them in a position that may cause injury.
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All skin blemishes will be retouched and corrected in photoshop during the editing process but if there were any features you would prefer not to have removed, such as milk spots or flaky skin in newborns, please let me know before or during your session!
Please note that extensive editing such as altering your body shape or removal of bra straps etc. is not included in the basic retouching provided and will incur a fee.