WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING... A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
When my families get in touch to ask me about my newborn photography sessions, naturally they have a lot of questions about how the process works. Here are some of the top questions I get asked and my answers. Feel free to add more questions in the comments and I’ll answer them too.
When is the best time to book my newborn photo session?
After your 20 week scan and at least a month before your due date. Newborn sessions are usually held in the first 2 weeks of your new baby’s life (although the can be done with older babies too). Because I tend to book about 8-12 weeks in advance and I limit the number of sessions I take each week; it makes sense to book earlier rather than later :-)
How do we know what date to book for when we don’t know when baby will arrive?
Once you book with me, I schedule 3 dates in the around starting one week after your due date. Then once your baby arrives we pick one of the remaining dates (or reschedule to another mutually convenient time). I try not to book more than 3 newborn sessions a week, so that there is room for movement. This means that if your baby doesn’t arrive according to schedule (only 1 in 4 do), we can be flexible with session dates.
Why is newborn photography best done when baby is between 5 and 15 days new?
Ideally, new born photos are taken when your baby is around 5 - 15 days new. The lower age is so that feeding is well established before the shoot (this could be slightly earlier if the baby is bottle fed and/or baby is putting on weight well). After about 15 days new, babies tend not to sleep as long as in the first few weeks (which is more ideal for the typical newborn images you may have seen), and they are less used to being curled into the womb-like positions which are recreated in some of the shots. If your baby is a touch older, don’t worry; it just might mean that we don’t get all of the curled up poses. I have photographed plenty enough newborns at 5/6 weeks too, to know that we can still achieve beautiful portraits. Babies who arrive early, can be photographed later than the15 days with more ease; and in fact I have even captured a newborn at 6 month old (adjusted age; baby was born at 23 weeks), and newborn twins at 4 months). By capturing your baby's images so early on means you can keep a permanent memory of those fast-changing features of a newborn baby.
Do you come to my home or do we come to you?
I offer newborn photography in the comfort of my conveniently-located, E16 studio (just off the A13, A12 and A11 between Stratford and Canary Wharf). I have a wide variety of props and backdrops at the studio, for you to pick from for your session. You’ll find the studio is quite comfy and more like a home from home. And rest assured that I have everything you might need, there - so if you run out of nappies, wipes or just need a really strong coffee (or a herbal tea) - you won’t be caught short.
Take a look through these images of my bright and airy, comfy studio so you can see a a bit of the environment as well as a snapshot of some props, headbands and backdrops I have available.
Why don’t you offer at home sessions?
I used to offer at home sessions, but found that the quality of the output could not be guaranteed as consistently because I cannot control the environment in homes as well as I can in the studio. This includes things like the temperature and the noise levels, as well as natural light levels and colour casts that come from the furniture and walls. In addition, the most beautiful, flattering light for baby’s and your family portraits, comes through the use of a large soft box (the black thing that the studio light shines out of). Most homes, particularly in London, do not have enough space to set up the equipment and lighting needed. As a consequence, when shooting in homes, I found that I was making huge compromises on the quality of the light.
How long do sessions take?
Typically, newborn photoshoots are around 4 hours, depending on the baby. When we plan your session we will discuss what time to start, based on your baby’s night and early morning feeding and sleep pattern (so far!). Although your baby may only be a few days or weeks old when you come to me, you’ll find that most newborns follow a very similar pattern of an early morning feed, small snooze, big feed and big nap before lunch. Once they hit around 3 weeks this pattern tends to change a bit and can make a difference to our session start time, but otherwise, we normally start around 9.30, to coincide with baby’s long nap. The actual photography part of the session can be done in about 90mins to 2 hours, but the rest of the time in the session is spent with us feeding, cuddling, burping and settling baby. I don’t rush sessions and they are untimed, so that you never feel the pressure to hurry a feed (which is actually the last thing I want).
Do you have an assistant?
There are only a couple of occasions when I need a second pair of hands, and so I like to ask for parents to be involved in the session at those times. I love the idea that as a parent you can be instrumental in achieving your baby’s newborn portraits. But don’t worry - it’s not all hands on for you - hopefully you’ll get time to kick back and relax too. (Feel free to read, watch YouTube videos, snooze etc!). When I shoot multiples (twins etc) I usually have a second photographer to assist me, who is trained in the art of posing newborn babies as I am. This is at no extra cost to you.
Who can I bring with me?
If both parents can be there, this is ideal, and of course any siblings as we can then get full family portraits. If any of the grandparents are close by then please do ask them to pop along for a three generations portrait too. I’ve had sessions with as many as aunts and cousins and grandparents to just mum and baby. We will chat about this when you enquire and try to set the session for a day when everyone you want there, can join.
What do I need to bring with me?
It’s not so much - just your typical change bag. But once you get in touch I’ll take you through these practical details, and then again a few weeks before baby is due I get in touch with you to go through the practical details (what to wear, what to bring, how to get to me etc) and I’ll call you again 24-48 hours before the session too to go through the details and remind you of the prep for the morning, and night before including foods to avoid eating (if you are breast feeding) and all the other finer details.
How do I book?
In the first instance, just ping me an email or give me a call directly. I’ll arrange for us to speak first, so I can understand what you’re after and answer any questions you have. You’ll also find some more session details and sample images on this page. If after we’ve spoken, it feels like I’m the right photographer for you; then we will pick three potential session dates and talk through some more practical details. Your session fee blocks these dates in the diary, exclusively for you. Nothing else is then payable until you come back to the studio a couple of weeks after the session, to view your portraits and pick your package of images and printed items.
Hope the information is helpful for you when considering a newborn photography session. Please comment with any other questions you have, and I'll be sure to answer!
Sara xxx