Q&A about your Newborn / Maternity photo session

I get asked lots of questions about the newborn session and what to except. So I thought I would try to answer some of those questions. Please if you have a question and do not see an answer here, don't be afraid to reach out and ask me. I am here to help!

*Q: When is the best time to do maternity photos?
*A: I like to photograph you around 32-34 weeks along.

*Q: What do I wear for a maternity session? 
*A: I have a client closet with dress/gowns that you may wear for your session, or you can bring your own outfit. You can wear a dress/gown or jeans. Whatever you are comfy in. I can help you pick an outfit out. If you buy an outfit online and want to sell it to me after the session I may purchase it from you or take it off your bill if you have the receipt. 

*Q: Can my hubby or other children be in the photos with me?
*A: Yes they sure can!

*Q: Where do you do the maternity sessions?
*A: Most times I have locations outside that I use. I can also do them in my studio or your home, depending on the look you want.

*Q: When should I book the Newborn session?
*A: Some photographers like you to book early and before baby is here. But for me that is not easy. I make room for my newborns as they are only little for a short time. If you know when you are having baby (if you are going in for a induction) you can call and book. If not I normally ask my parents to shoot me a message/text/call the day after or day off to get on my books. I know that sounds crazy as I am sure you will be tired. Yu can always have your hubby, friend, or parent message as well. You can book before baby is here as well. I just right you down for around your due date and we keep in touch.

*Q: Where is your studio?
*A: My studio is located in my home now. I use a spare room in my home. Once you book and pay your retainer fee I will give you my address. 

*Q: What if we don't want to come to the studio, Would you come to our home?
*A: Yes! I can come to your home to do the newborn session. I do charge travel fees to come to you.

*Q: What do I need to bring to my session?
*A: The only things you really need to bring is baby, extra milk, pacifier, and anything special you want photographed with baby. I do ask that you put baby in a button down or zipper outfit-no onesie. It makes getting them undressed for photos much easier.*baby has diaper on and no parts are showing*
You are also welcome to get ready at my home studio while I work with baby. That way you are not rushed to get ready and get here. You may bring a drink and snack with you as well. 

*Q: Can my other children come to the session? Cn they be in the photos as well?
​*A: I prefer that siblings stay home or with sitter until it is time for sibling photos. Because I work with baby first and do sibling/family last they will be board. Plus it is less stressful for you and me if they are not in the studio while working with baby. Now I do understand that some are traveling a ways to come to me and need the siblings with. That is ok. I do ask that you bring snacks, drinks and things for them to do, or bring someone with you that can help with them or take them outside or to the park. *I live across the street from a park :) 
As far as siblings being in the photos yes they can. It is an ad on in the smaller and middle collection. Comes with in the big collection. 

*Q: Do I need to pay before the session?
*A: Yes! I do ask for a $50 non refundable retainer fee to hold your spot. The remaining balance is due the day of. Now some of my clients who are doing the big collection with the maternity session normally pay half day of the maternity session and the rest on the day of newborn session.

*Q: Can I make payments?
*A: YES! I will work with you on making a payment plan. The only thing I ask is that it is paid in full by the day of the newborn session.

*Q: What do we wear?
*A: For baby nothing, unless you are wanting baby in a special outfit for the family photos. Most times I wrap baby and I do have some outfits here for the baby. As far as you, hubby and siblings, I prefer neutrals, like creams, browns, grey, black, whites. I also love burnt orange, mustard yellow, dark greens, maroon, tan, lighter colors. No Bright or neon colors. I do also have a few dresses you can wear for your session as well. Most times when doing the family, sibling photos you only see waist up. Also I recommend bringing the outfit you want to wear for photos and putting it on right before your photos. Why you may ask... well you never know if baby may spit up or pee/poop on you, and it would suck if it were on the outfit you are going to wear for photos. So you can put the outfit on just before it is your time to take photos.

*Q: What happens during the session? What do we need to do during the session?
*A: When you first get to the studio I have you sit back and relax, feed baby if baby needs fed. Then I will take baby and go straight into photos. For the most part you just sit back and relax. I have even had a few moms laydown and take nap on my couch while I worked with baby. Some moms do their hair and make up. I want it to be very relaxed. 

*Q: What happens after the session? When do we get our photos and how do we get them? Do we get to pick the photos?
*A: After your session I will load and edit your images. Depending on the collection you  chose will depend on how things will go. So if you purchased the big package I will edit all images and get them ready to send to you on a online downloadable gallery, order your 20 complementary 4x6 prints. I will text or call you to let you know when I send your gallery and when your prints come in I will contact you to make a plan on pick up or if I need to mail them. Now if you chose one of the smaller collections I will do a light edit on the photos and send a proofing gallery for you to pick your images. Once you pick the images you want I will do a full edit and get them back to you. You can also purchase the whole gallery as well. 

*Q: Will you share my photos online?
*A: Only if you want me to! I Only share if you say I can!

*Q: Can I order Prints?
*A: Yes you can! You can order prints from me or elsewhere. But I do not guarantee to quality from other photo labs. I do Not recommend Walmart, Walgreens, Costco, and cheap labs like that. I do have a few print labs I recommend. I will give that info to you after your session.

*Q: How long do you hold on to our photos?
*A: I do make a back up copy, and try to hold onto them forever. But I have had times where I have had a hard drive fail and lost some images. So I highly recommend getting your image that you want, making a back up copies and store then online if you can. I do try to keep them but I do warn that I can't guarantee that I will have them 5 to 15 years down the road.

*Q: Do you have everything for the newborn photos?
*A: Yes I sure do. I have a wide range of color backdrops/fabrics, wraps, props, hair ties for the girls, and some outfits for baby! All you need to bring is baby and any special item you want photographed with baby.

*Q: Do we get to pick the colors and props for the session?
*A: Yes, when you call to book your session we will make a plan for colors, theme and props you would like to use in the session. Depending on the collection you chose will depend on how many props we use during the session. With the sweet and simple collection it is done on creams, white or grey only and no props but hair ties for girls. The other 2 collections you can pick colors and props. 

*Q: What kind of props and colors do you have?
*A: I have so many different props such as the mini beds *I have 4 different ones* I have bowls, baskets, buckets, chairs, teddy bears, fishing stuff, mini boat, flowers, greenery, some camping stuff, boxes/crates, hair bows/tiebacks, hats, outfits, blankets, a moon pillow, mini swing and I am sure I forgetting something. I DO NOT HAVE ANTLERS: If you want antlers you need to bring them. As far as colors I have pretty much every color: creams, white, browns, tans, blues, greys, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges, greens, teal, some red, floral print fabrics, rainbow wraps, a fabric with stars on it, one galaxy print fabric. So if there is a special color you want just ask! 

*Q: What is the difference between the simple and sweet and posed sessions?
*A: The simple and sweet collection is just baby, less posed, or more wrapped up. This type of session is done on creams, white or grey. No props are used in this collection. Just baby and some wraps. The posed sessions are the middle and top collection. We can go into more detail on these to see what collection fits for what you are wanting during the planning booking call. I do some simple poses in all sessions as well. So if you want a mix of these 2 types it can be done in the middle and top collection.
there are samples of the sweet and simple vs the posed at the end!

*Q: What is a lifestyle session?
*A: A lifestyle session is done in your home and is less posed. I do not do any props unless it is an item from your home. I capture moments in your home as a family and I do some photos of baby. We use different rooms in your home. I will guide you on what to do.




I hope this helps answers some of your questions! If you have other questions Please feel free to reach out! I am here to help and want this to be a relaxed fun session!