There is a great deal of information that expectant parents don't know when it comes to having your baby's first photos.
So I have compiled a few questions to help you get the best out of your session.
When Should I Book?
The best time to book your session is while you are well into your 2nd or just starting in your 3rd trimester.
This way it gives me plenty of time to book you in advance, as well as organize props needed for your session.
During this time, you are welcome to visit the studio and see the props and setups you would like to have set for your session.
This is also where it gets exciting for you as you begin to envision your little darling baby!
How old should baby be at the session?
This is the one question I wish all expecting parents would know as they book their session.
There are many styles of photography when it comes to baby photography.
For the style I offer at Tamara J. Photography, I choose those sleepy snuggle poses when baby is within the first 2-3 weeks of birth.
My ideal time to capture those poses is when baby is between 7 days and 3 weeks old.
During this time, baby is still sleeping between feedings and when they are sleeping is the BEST time to capture their sweet face and all those precious details.
Some babies at an older age can be photographed (up to 5 weeks old), however they become more alert as they get older so those sleepy poses are harder to get. Plus my props are only geared for babies under 13 pounds, so the sooner, the better!!
Do You Offer Maternity Sessions?
Indeed I do!
Maternity sessions are a time for the Mom to feel glorious with her beautiful curves at every angle.
These sessions can be as dressed up or as dressed down as Mom wants to be.
All maternity events at the studio include hair and makeup design (cost is included in the session fee) so Mom doesn't have to worry about how she will look. Plus there are maternity gowns to choose from that help make Mom feel as glamorous as she wants to be!
When is the best time to have a maternity session?
This is a tricky question because every Mom is different and so is every belly. The best time is when that belly "Pops" out into a beautiful curve well before baby "drops" or engages into the pelvis.
This can be hard to dictate for Moms-to-be as no two pregnancies are identical. Especially when twins or multiples are involved as well as other high risk pregnancies too.
Generally my favourite time is 32-35 weeks into pregnancy but it depends on the Mom, if multiple babies are involved and how she's progressing with her pregnancy. If we need to do it earlier than 32 weeks, I am happy to provide photos, but the bump may or may not be as prominent at that time.
My Baby Arrived Early/Late - Can we still have our session?
Not a problem!
When I book my clients, I keep their due date as our prospective session date. Once baby arrives, I'm happy to fit them in. I only have a select amount of sessions per month so I can accommodate those early arrivals or for those babies that like to sleep in that much longer.
My Baby was born with a very bad skin condition, should we still do photos?
Absolutely!
There are many tricks to the trade of newborn photography and one of them is getting baby's skin to look soft and delicate.
It doesn't matter if your baby has copious amounts of acne, flakes, rashes. I understand those blemishes can be embarrassing for baby's first photos. I have the tools required to create the baby face that should be remembered for always without the imperfections.
Can you do photos in our home?
I would love to!
For my clients who have already booked a newborn session, I'm happy to provide at-home photography service that takes place within 24 hours of baby's arrival at home. This lifestyle photography captures those precious new moments that are often a blur to most parents as time passes. To find out more, reach out to my email at tamarajphotography@gmail.com
How long are the photo sessions in studio?
There are many varying answers to this question.
On average my sessions are about 3 hours.
However, there are times when baby is fussy and needs more feeding and snuggles. When that happens, you have to gauge your time depending on how well baby cooperates.
Plus, are siblings in the session? Young (yet older) siblings usually have a mind of their own and cooperation can take a while. As well, parents love to get in on poses with their new baby and naturally this takes up time in the studio as well.
The longest session I have ever had did take 5 hours. It was a family session with parents and siblings. The baby was so gassy and fussy. In the end, I wrapped baby up all nice and snug so they went to sleep easily, and then I bribed their older sister with goldfish crackers.
Winner Winner, Chicken dinner!!
What if my baby is awake during the entire session?
What if they are? Babies are who they are and as a newborn photographer, I am prepared for babies that choose to be awake.
Generally, when babies are awake, this means I have to pose them in more wraps and props. Not a problem, I've been through it before and I am ready to do that once again when the time calls.
My baby is so gassy/fussy or has colic and my partner and I haven't slept in days. Can we still have our session?
Of course you can!
I know how it feels when you have a newborn baby and you've been burning the candle at both ends. I've seen many couples hand me their screaming baby only to watch me settle it within minutes. I have several tricks up my sleeve for settling babies, and I'm very confident that I will be able settle your little fussy one too.
If you the parent are sleep deprived and worried about photos, do not worry. I can fix bagged eyes in Photoshop, and I can capture you and your baby in poses where your tired face won't even be noticed. Along with getting photos of you and your little one, I want you to enjoy and relax with your session. When you do relax, it shows. In the end, you'll be much happier with your finished portraits.
Why are your prop colours so muted or natural looking?
In the world of photography for newborns, we aim to choose colours that bring out the best skin tone for your baby. So your baby is the first thing you see when you look at the portrait, not the colour. Your baby in photos is the #1 focal point. As I design your session, it's important that I choose colours that not only work with what you wish to see, but a colour that shows off your baby and not overpower them.
What if my baby pees or poops on me or the props during the session?
It Happens. Not every session but, it happens.
While baby is in "the Buff" on the posing table or posed naked in a prop, I try to work as fast as possible to prevent these instances from happening. Meanwhile - 95% of my props are washable and everything is always cleaned after use.
As a newborn photographer, it is a right of passage to be peed, puked and pooped on and I have been "blessed" many times (more than my own babies)
When it happens, I am prepared with wipes and facecloths to clean up the mess in no time flat. If it lands on me, that's why I wear scrubs to all my sessions. Scrubs are easy to wash and I always have an extra shirt or a pair of pants on standby.
So let go of that worry - I'm prepared for it.
What happens after the session?
That's my favourite part!!
After your session, I will come to you OR you may escape the kids and return to the studio in 3 weeks to view your photos for the first time. When I present my parent clients with their baby's first photos, I get to see their expressions and the joy they feel when they lay their eyes on their portraits for the first time. It warms my heart when I see this happen as it tells me that my work and service is being appreciated and enjoyed.
From there you get to have more fun when you decide on wall art, digital collections as well as customizing your baby's first photo album.
Well there you have it.
Did I come up with enough questions?
Do you have any questions for me?
Please feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading, I'll see you next time!