Frequently Asked Questions about photography service

I recommend booking after your  20 week scan, by this point you will know your due date and hopefully be ready to relax into your pregnancy. I only take on a few Newborn sessions a  month in order to leave room for flexibility around due dates and late bookers, please get in touch for last minute appointments I will always try to accommodate.

Cake Smash sessions are limited to the weekend and fill up fast a month in advance minimum is advisable.

A  non refundable deposit is required , the booking will not be held until payment is received the remaining balance is to be paid before the session .

We never know when babies arrives therefore I will schedule your session a week after your due date and once the birth is announced I will arrange an official date. The aim is to photograph baby ideally before 2 weeks as this is when they are the sleepiest and are still very curled. If you have just had a baby we can also do a older Newborn Baby session. My style of Photography is natural and this can accomadate any age, however if you prefer posed and props we can also accomadate this request. 

We can schedule your Maternity session/Cake Smash any time subject to availability. 

Having had complications and c-sections myself I know the need for rest and stability. I would advise we schedule your session for 14-21 days this will give you time to absorb your new world and hopefully have feeding established along with your own self care needs. 

If you are feeling well and have someone to help you at the session id be happy to welcome you at the earliest date possible . 

Please speak to me if you have any concerns at all.

Off course , I have children of my own and know the need for siblings to be photographed in various packages. As the space is limited I ask if possible Siblings attend at the start of the session and another adult is ready to take them to the park so we can concentrate on the main star. 

Your normal items within your nappy bag :

wipes 

nappies 

spare clothes 

baby blanket 

pacifier 

bottle / milk 

If you are breastfeeding do consider expressing some for the session only but please do not try anything new, With my own experience I find sometimes newborns suckle for comfort and feed for upto an hour . As we want to get the most out of your session we should aim for an easier flow, however this is your choice .

A pacifier is important and I will have some new spare , Baby will be moved slightly more than they would at home after a feed and sometimes need extra comfort instead of a feed . A few minutes on  pacifier helps to settle baby for the session. 

Please dress baby in a loose vest and easily access baby grow. My aim is to disturb baby as little as possible and as the majority wake when being undressed it is important not to dress them in complicated layers or have clothes which are tight and mark the skin.

Please leave off any headbands or tight items I will provide outfits and wraps to the style of my Photography.

Siblings look best in neutral plain colours such as , white , beige , brown , grey . Do try to coordinate the outfit and have no logos printed ,you may feel it’s best to dress Siblings in the studio so their top / dress does not get dirty, where possible please ensure you are dressed for your session prior to arrival.

Baby is likely to be wrapped for Sibling images please refer to my portfolio for examples.

Parents please consider the same coordination Whites , Blacks , linen , browns  I usually shoot on a neutral backdrop , please see my portfolio for examples. Please be advise you are responsible for outfit defects , nails and makeup. Mama please try to coordinate underwear colour with your outfit and bring hair brush or other beauty items you require .

For Maternity and Portrait Sessions styling will be discussed at time of booking.

When you arrive to the studio it will already be set up for your child. Please take your time to relax into the space and we shall keep the atmosphere calm as baby will already be nervous in a new space. You will choose Babies outfit from a selection of suits/dresses/headwear and go onto change baby. 

Once baby is ready I find its best Mum/Dad  puts them straight onto the set with my direction and we can all begin to make baby giggle. I find Parents playing peekaboo or singing the child's fav song works best. You know what your child responds to, ive had babies who do not like high energy and some who do! let me know what works best for them.

 Once the portraits are over the cake will be placed on set for baby to enjoy. You will find they will start off with a little nibble and most times gently work their way through , as the session progresses they will get messier and more into the cake giving us those naughty/ cheeky smiles and those messy hand/feet images . Baby will let us know when they have finished as they will try to walk of set. 

Whilst I clean up the area and prepare their bathtub you can wipe down baby and enjoy some toys I have for you or perhaps give them a top up meal for more energy , I find this helps if baby has not had their nap.

 Once in the Splash tub we will watch them have fun and blow bubbles for them whilst I get a variety of images for your gallery.