What to expect when I arrive …
The diary of a newborn and baby photographer is a complicated place! Nobody told your baby that they are expected to turn up for their portrait session and while some can’t wait to get here, some are fashionably late. This makes my diary a wonderfully fluid place!
When you first book your session you will be required to pay the booking fee to reserve your place in my diary. I take a limited number of newborn sessions each month so that I can ensure I can fit everybody in and work around midwife and health visitor appointments once baby is here.
Once your baby arrives and you have settled back in at home just give me a call or message me and we can then confirm the best date and time for your session.
Your portrait session will take place in the comfort of your own home, which I think is much nicer for all. I want you and your baby to feel relaxed and comfortable so you are able to feed on demand, change nappies and hopefully relax more than in a studio.
All I need is a clear space by a window with good natural light, not direct sunlight, to set up my beanbag. I prefer using natural light as I feel it gives a softer finish to my images and no harsh flash for baby.
So that I can capture your baby perfectly while they are still so brand new, for most of the session your baby will be in their birthday suit, or a nappy if you prefer. I will message you before I leave so as you can have baby wrapped up cosy in just a nappy and blanket, this will be less startling than having to remove clothes immediately before their session! I have some outfits that have been specially made and sourced and lots of wraps and props but I find shop bought newborn clothes never fit correctly so we don’t get to see all those beautiful details that say ‘hey I’m brand new!’
However, one of the downsides of this, is your baby is guaranteed to poo and/or pee on props, blankets, perhaps even me or you! This is just par for the course, something I’m used to dealing with on a daily basis and something I allow for. All of my blankets and props are washed after each session and I put a disposable changing mat under the top layer blanket on my beanbag!
Your newborn session can take up to 3.5 hours and the reason for this is your newborn will need feeding, cuddles and cleaning throughout the session which is baby led rather than photographer led! With this in mind, I would advise not to book anything else in on the day of your newborn session.
