Welcome to the newest little bundle in your family!! I love babies and I’m so excited to meet yours! Newborn sessions are my favorite!
First of all, I want to tell you right away that I am not the typical newborn photographer – I will not ‘pose’ your newborn in the artfully way some of my fellow photographer colleagues do. I like to capture natural, honest, real captures of you and your newborn. And I don’t bring any props with me; I simply capture you in your home. I don’t want you to feel like you have to clean up your house because I’m coming over. And I am really good at moving things out of the way.
I’m a mother to two, so I know what it’s like to have a newborn in the house and I know cleaning up and looking nice are two very difficult things to do. I would opt for the looking nice one! I’ve been told that my clients love how simple and informal these sessions feel. I love to bring a sense of hominess into my photography as I photograph a growing family.
I am very comfortable with babies. As mentioned above, I am a mother of two so I have experience with my own babies. But I am also the second oldest of six kids. I’ve actually experienced the birth of two of my siblings – and I remember it! I also remember helping my mom taking care of my younger siblings. When I was younger, I babysat a lot and got used to taking care of babies and toddlers at an early age. So I really understand what you are going through! I work hard to make these sessions a source of something sweet and wonderful, instead of stressful.
FAQ
Lifestyle Newborn Sessions
WHERE WILL MY SESSION TAKE PLACE?Lifestyle Newborn Sessions will always take place in the comfort of your own home. I don’t have very much equipment I use. I love to use your master bedroom, living room, nursery, another kids room. I really just look for the best light and the precious moments can happen anywhere. Your house doesn’t have to be ‘Instagram worthy’ to have a session in your own home. Let me capture your family the way I see them – absolutely beautiful.
HOW LONG WILL THE SESSION LAST?Sessions typically last 2 hours. I have had them last only an hour and I have had them last up to 3 hours. The main point is to make sure you are free most of the day. The baby is in charge here and we have to make sure they don’t get overstimulated and that they are fed and happy.
HOW OLD SHOULD BABY BE?I typically love to do these sessions about a week after the baby is born, but since these aren’t the traditional ‘newborn’ sessions, it can really be anywhere under 3 months of age! I love to capture the ‘newness’ of a newborn, which would be best at a week after birth. But, really, it is up to you when these sessions happen and how old the baby is. It depends on how you feel, you did just give birth, after all!
WHEN DO YOU SCHEDULE YOUR NEWBORN SESSIONS?I like to schedule newborn sessions whenever everyone in your family is available. I like to capture mom and dad with baby, siblings with baby, and just baby shots. So it’s important that we schedule it on a day that works for your whole family. I’m very flexible, I’m free any day of the week. Just contact me and we can schedule the best day for you and your family.
No problem at all if you need to reschedule! I understand that people get sick and emergencies come up. If you do need to reschedule, I ask that you give me a 24 hour notice.
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THIS SESSION GOES SMOOTHLY?These sessions are so laid back, I really just need you to be yourself. This session isn’t something to stress about. It’s meant to capture the memories of having a little one at home. I understand the stress this can bring, I understand that your house won’t be perfectly clean. I’m really good at working with clutter and also rearranging furniture if I have to. Let me take care of all the things that might stress you out, and all I need from you is your smiling face!
DO WE GET ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU TAKE? HOW MANY WILL YOU TAKE?I will take a lot of shots and we’ll go through different poses. When I am preparing your gallery, I will narrow it down to the best shots. This is usually around 35 images, but I am an overshooter, so you usually get more! Sometimes the poses we try, might not work out and I won’t include those. I will edit these images and give you the final products for you to download and use as you wish.
Thank you so much for capturing these moments of bringing home our little one, we will treasure them for a lifetime.
-L.P.
WHAT TO WEAR
FOR BABYI really like simplicity when it comes to newborn onesies. If you have a favorite onesie that has a lot of words or pattern on it…I would just save it for a fun day out, not your session. If you have a white or neutral color swaddling blanket, we will be using that a lot. A white or neutral onesie is perfect.
Bulky outfits usually don’t photograph well and tend to swallow up a newborn. If you have any swaddling blankets that are special to you, I’d love to capture your little on in them! If you have a girl, a simple, tiny bow works well.
I don’t have any props that I bring. So if there is something in particular that you would like, contact me and we will figure it out together!
FOR FAMILYAgain, I really love simplicity, especially for newborn sessions. Neutral or muted colors are great choices. Consider the colors in your home and make sure your outfits will look good with that. Neon colors do not photograph well. And if anyone has on a graphic tee or a shirt with words on it, I will advice them to change. It’s nice that these take place in your own home, so if you have any worries about outfits, it’s an easy fix!
Mom: I understand that you just gave birth and that you might not be feeling your best. Wear something that is comfortable, like a white tank or tee, a flowy dress, or open blouse. You can always throw on a cardigan to change your look throughout the session. I understand that you might not be feeling one hundred percent comfortable with being in the picture, I promise you that I will pose you in a flattering way and make you look your best.
Everyone else: I love grey, white, creams, and tans. All muted colors and soft neutral colors are welcome. Again, please no neon or bright colors as they do not photograph well.
Preparing for your session:
NEWBORN SESSIONI recommend you feed your little one and turn up the heat just a little bit before the session begins. Having a warm and fed baby will make everything go smoothly.
But I don’t want you to stress about it! If we notice that baby needs to be fed or just needs a break in general, we will take one. The baby is in charge here. We don’t want them to be overstimulated. A nice, warm, relaxed, calm, happy baby is what we are after. The safety of the baby always comes first.
Before I come to your house, please tidy up any rooms that you want to be photographed. This usually includes the master bedroom, the nursery, the living room, and a siblings room. I don’t expect these rooms to be spotless – and please don’t worry about me judging how clean your house is, because I won’t! I have had my own newborns and I know what it’s like. If I have to tidy up a scene a little bit, please don’t feel embarrassed! I am more than happy to help. I will always ask if it’s ok to move anything around first, though. The goal for these sessions is to not stress – but rather, be flexible and open!
When I arrive at your house I will look around and determine which rooms will be the best for our session. Typically the master bedroom and nursery are my go to rooms. If you don’t have a nursery – no worries at all!! We will still get such sweet and loving pictures. What I am looking for when I take a look around your house is mostly the light – is there enough light, what type of light, will it photograph well. Then after that we will start photographing your sweet little bundle. Feel free to not be totally ready for me because looking around your house might take a few minutes – perfect for you to finish getting yourself and everyone ready! And also if you have any wardrobe questions, I’d be happy to help out.
I will bring my camera bag that is full of lenses that I will use throughout the session. This is really the only equipment I have. If you have some sort of prop you’d like included in your session, please contact me a few weeks before the session happens so that I can make it happen for you.
FAQ – THE SESSION PROCESS
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?Four to six weeks in advance would be great! The earlier the better!
HOW DO I BOOK MY SESSION?I prefer email! You can use my contact form to get a hold of me. Please allow 24 hours for me to message you back. Once you do that, we will pick a date that works for everyone in your family. You will be sent a contract sheet for you to e-sign as well as information about how to pay. Sooo easy!
WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE?A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking, to hold your session date. The rest of the session fee is due at the time of session.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Cash, Check, & PayPal.
HOW SOON AFTER OUR SESSION WILL WE BE ABLE TO SEE OUR PICTURES?
I always post a sneak peak a day or two after the session! The whole gallery will be available for you to download 2 weeks after the session date.
DO I GET THE DIGITAL FILES? HOW ABOUT THE COPYRIGHT?
You get the digital files so that you can print as many images as you would like. You also get a print release that allows you to print these images. Copyright stays with me, these images are still mine and you will not have the right to publish these images in anyway.
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact me and ask them.
INVESTMENT
Session Fee: $550 full session or $275 mini session
You session fee includes EVERYTHING. From the session, to editing, to receiving your digital images. I am all inclusive, you won’t have to buy any prints from me.
The full pricing guide can be found here.
I really look forward to meeting you and capturing your sweet family! I promise to make this experience fun for the whole family!
