Congrats!
The joy of bringing a baby into the world is impossible to put into words, and I'm so excited for you to experience it firsthand. I would be so honored to document your first few days at home.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
I offer a 60-minute newborn session that takes place in the comfort of your home. During your session, I'll take a variety of portraits of you and your family in different combinations while also documenting candid moments as they unfold. I will capture detailed portraits of your baby in your arms, on a bed, or in a crib as well. If requested, I can provide a basket, textured blanket, and a swaddle for close ups. There is extra time built into this session to allow for breaks, diaper changes, and small feedings if necessary. You'll receive a minimum of 30 carefully edited images two weeks after your session. This session costs $300 (half is due upfront, the rest on the day of your session).
Scheduling
When you're ready to book, send me an email with your due date and your home address. I'll let you know if I have availability around your due date, and if I do, I'll send you an invoice for half of your session fee. You'll be required to pay this non-refundable retainer to reserve space in my schedule. The best time to schedule a session is when your baby is between 7-14 days old, however a newborn session can be booked anytime within the first 3 months. Because labor is unpredictable, we will wait to schedule the exact date and time of your session until after your baby is born. Once you deliver, contact me as soon as possible so I can send you my availability and get you on my calendar! My newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your own home. However, we can rent a studio for your session for an additional $60-$80 per hour if you’d prefer. Please let me know in advance if you’re interested in a studio session so we can discuss options and availability.
CANCELLATION POLICY
I try to be as flexible as possible with newborn sessions for obvious reasons. If you have a valid reason for needing to cancel or postpone your session (such as pregnancy loss or a baby in the NICU), I will do everything I can to accommodate your needs, including returning your retainer if that feels appropriate for the circumstances. However, if you're on my schedule, and you decide at the last minute to cancel (without rescheduling), I will keep your retainer to offset the lost business. This is rare though as most clients will work with me to reschedule if something comes up.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION
Before I arrive, please feed your baby and open all blinds and curtains to let as much natural light into your home as possible. If it's not time for a full feeding, a short feeding before I arrive will help your little one sleep through most of the session, which will make it easier for us to get a lot of pictures. You may want to keep a small bottle and a pacifier handy in case your newborn gets fussy.
Just like every baby is different, everyone’s homes are different. When I first arrive, I will take a few minutes to get acclimated and figure out what camera settings I need to use. You can show me what rooms you’d like to use, or if you don’t care, I can make suggestions once I’ve looked around. I try to work with natural light as often as possible, but if your home doesn’t have enough light in the room, I may bounce an on-camera flash off your ceiling or walls.
I will start with some detailed photos of just your newborn. We can use a bed or a crib, or I can bring a basket with textured blankets and a swaddle if you prefer. We can incorporate sentimental items (like handmade blankets) if you want. From there, I'll guide you through different poses around your home. For some pictures, I'll direct you to look at me and smile, but for most of the session I'll encourage you to look at each other and at your new baby. If there are any specific photos you want, please let me know ahead of time.
FAQ
Do you include maternity photos?
I do not offer newborn "bundles" or packages, so all of my sessions are booked a la carte. You can book a mini session or a custom session if you would like some maternity photos before your baby comes! I recommend booking a maternity session when you're around 30-32 weeks.
Can we include our pet?
That's up to you! I don't mind. However, if your pet isn't super cooperative, that may limit the number of photos I can get during your session. I usually suggest waiting to bring in pets until the last 5-10 minutes of the session.
Do I need to clean my house?
PLEASE do not clean up for my sake. If anything is in our way, we'll just push it out of the frame. If you've put a lot of love and elbow grease into decorating a nursery, I would suggest doing a quick tidy there, but do not stress over it.
What should we wear?
You can dress up or dress down, it's up to you! Personally, I prefer a casual ensemble with a neutral color palette for a more authentic appearance. That said, if you want to use this session as an excuse to get dressed up, I won't stop you! I have more detailed advice on what to wear on my blog.
