Frequently Asked Questions

When should I book my newborn session?

I always suggest to book during your second trimester. This gives us enough time to plan, but also you'll want to make sure you're booking far enough in advance that I have your due date available.
If you're booking a maternity session, it's best to reach out at the beginning of the second trimester so we can plan the maternity session for the third trimester. If you're a first time mom, you may not start to really show until later in the third trimester, so sometimes we have to wait a little longer. But we also want to make sure we don't wait too long so you're still feeing up to it.

What does the Retainer cover

The retainer also acts as a sitting fee. It is due upon booking in order to guarantee you a date (I only take so many newborns a month) and current pricing. My pricing is subject to change, as well as what I offer in each collection. You'll be welcome to take advantage of new collections in case they have different products, but you'll also reserve current pricing when booking in case the price is raised. The retainer then covers the time of the session. This includes the setup time, duration, all planning, and access to all props, backdrops, wraps/outfits, etc.

When will the session take place? What if my baby arrives early or late?

Newborn sessions are taken Tuesdays through Fridays starting at either 10am, 10:30am, or 11am. Babies aren't really on a schedule yet, so this seems to be the best time based off of experience. I'll also send you prep instructions to help ensure things go smoothly. Occasionally I will take newborns on Sundays if both parents want to be included but your work simply won't allow a weekday or if you have older children in school. I cannot guarantee this, so a weekday option must be okay as a backup option.
No worries if your baby does not come exactly on the due date. I only allow a limited number of bookings a month to ensure we have a few date options regardless of when your baby arrives. Expect to come into the studio when the baby is 5-14 days old. This is when they are more flexible and sleeping for longer periods of time.

What if my baby doesn't sleep or my other kids don't cooperate?

This is probably what clients worry about the most. You'll want to do your best to follow the prep instructions for the baby as much as possible. Sometimes you can plan all you want and they may still not sleep. While this isn't ideal for certain poses because of safety reasons, it doesn't mean we still won't be able to get adorable pictures! If they're awake, we'll get to capture their personality. Most of the time if the baby isn't sleeping at the start, they will usually fall asleep along the way.
Try not to worry! I have years of experience with young kids (since I used to nanny) and getting them to not only cooperate, but to give cute smiles, too! 

Do I need to bring outfits for the baby? For the family? Anything else I should bring?

As far as outfits, I supply everything for the baby. No need to bring anything for them unless you have something special, like a traditional ethnic outfit. You'll want to prepare for yourself and the other family members, though. Scroll down to the next section for help on styling. However, if you're booking a maternity session, I will have a few neutral dresses/robes to choose from if you want!
I would suggest bringing a separate cooler outfit for after family photos because the room does stay pretty warm. I would also make sure to bring extra diapers and formula if needed. A pacifier is a huge help just for settling baby while they're being wrapped as it takes the focus away from their arms and legs and lets me work a little faster at getting them ready. Letting me use a pacifier is a requirement for the mini session in order to give us the best possible chance for a smooth and efficient session. 

What's included with editing?

Try not to worry if your baby has scratches, dry skin or redness. If something is extreme, you can always send me a picture beforehand and we can make a decision on whether we should postpone the session an extra week. However, most issues with baby skin can be fixed. The final edits would simply take longer depending on the severity of peeling or scratches, but certainly not impossible.

Can I buy just digital images?

Digital images cannot be purchased a la carte. A minimum collection is required for either the mini or full session. The mini is a digital only collection. And the full session starts with a combo of digital images and a linen float frame.

How long do I have to choose and pay for a collection?
After I choose my collection, how long will it take to receive the final images?

You will have one week to choose and pay for a collection starting from the day you receive
the proofing gallery. There will be incentive to choose and pay within 5 days, so make 
sure you read the entire email when receiving your proofing gallery.

Once you've chosen a collection, you'll be sent an invoice. Final edits will not be started until the invoice is paid. I can usually finish editing your session within 10-14 business days. 
If you choose a collection that includes more than 20 images or if the images need
 extra editing, then I would possibly need an additional 1-2 weeks. If you need more than one week to choose and pay for a collection, then editing will take up to four weeks and a $25 fee will be charged for each additional week needed.