"OK, my session is done now what?"
Well it generally takes me 2 to 3 weeks to edit your photos and get them into an online gallery for you. Once your gallery is activated, I will send you an email with your password and instructions on how to view your images. You are free to share your password with anyone you wish. Your gallery will remain active for 2 weeks from the date it is published. If your gallery expires and you need it re-activated there is a $40- fee. You will notice in your gallery that each image has a grey bar across the bottom of your images with the image number. This bar and image number will not be on your final product. Once you decide on how many prints, cards, products or digital's you would like you will then send me a message with that information. You will then pay for your order before anything is sent to the lab or created. Once your payment is received, your order is processed. You will generally have it in your hands within a week or less unless it is a large specialty item which may take a little bit longer. However most orders are delivered within a week or less. I hope this information has helped you out and if you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them for you. Thank you!
Session notes, tips, ideas and suggestions...
Maternity Sessions:
First of all my goal in a Maternity Session is to help you see how truly gorgeous, glowing and sexy you really are. I know for many it is hard to feel this way especially in the last couple months when you feel so big and uncomfortable. This is such a brief and precious time in a womans life and these are photos you will cherish forever. This is a session you regret NOT doing later on, trust me I know first hand.
If you are a modest person have no fear! I would never ask someone to do something they are not comfortable with. Don't be afraid to speak up. If you are worried about stretch marks I can help with that in Photoshop so don't let that be the only thing that holds you back. If you don't want to show your bare belly, you don't have to. These are your photos. Have fun with this!
Below you will find some clothing suggestions to have handy for changes. These are only suggestions to help you plan. Please try to stick with solid colors (black, white, navy blue, bold reds, etc.). Please avoid busy patterns, stripes, designs and florals.
For the modest Mom - A form fitting tank top or two (maybe one black and one white)
Some regular non-maternity jeans you can still squeeze your hips into (don't worry about zipping them)
Some black stretchy pants
A long flowing style dress
A long form fitting dress
For the Non-modest Mom - A mans dress shirt (maybe hubby has one you can borrow)
A nude, white and black thong
Some boy shorts undies
Tube tops (black, white)
I have plenty of fabrics and lace we can drape you in!
Some other things to have handy are a sonogram photo, baby shoes and maybe a pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream or your craving of choice for some fun and silly cravings type photos if you wish. Make sure to have your nails manicured and/or clean and cut since your hands will be in many of these photos.
I hope this helps and I look forward to making this a fun and memorable experience for you!
Newborn Sessions:
What a special time this is for your family! Babies grow and change so incredibly fast, I want to help you savor that sweet innocence and newness. All that flaky skin, tiny toes and how their little head fits in the palm of your hand.
Your newborn session can last 2-4 hours. We often need to stop for clean ups, cuddles and feedings. That is OK! There is no rush. We are on the babies schedule at that time. I bring a lot of stuff with me. It may look like I am moving in with you but rest assured I will return your home in the same way it was when I arrived.
First of all PLEASE don't feel the need to clean or tidy up before I come knocking on your door. For one thing, you just had a baby, cut yourself some slack. Second, I am a Mom of two girls have no fear my home is not in Martha Stewart order EVER! I am not there to judge you or your home at all! So RELAX!!!
I try to schedule all my newborn sessions for 10 days new or younger. This is when baby generally is most sleepy and easiest to work with (There are exceptions to this rule). Does this mean I wont do a session with a newborn older then 10 days new, NO it does not. That is just what I aim for. However I know sometimes that is not always possible. Baby may have been in the NICU or there are a variety of other possible reasons for later sessions. Please don't let the 10 day time frame suggestion keep you from calling to schedule your session.
While I am setting up, I ask that you feed the baby at this time so we can get him/her nice and comfy with a full tummy. Babies are generally happiest when full and content.
I ask that your home be warm at about 85 degrees. I know we will be hot but baby will be happiest when undressed if it is warm. I also have a portable heater to help keep baby warm if needed.
Be PREPARED for ACCIDENTS! They will go when you least expect them to. Please don't let this embarrass you. I have been pee'd on, pooped on and spit up on before! It is a risk I am willing to take. You may also get in on this so please have a change of clothes for yourself ready in case you need them. Maybe even have some extra towels handy for quick clean ups and some extra receiving blankets to wrap baby between poses.
If there are any special items such as: a teddy bear, bracelet, christening gown, hat, headband, hair bows, or a blanket maybe Great Grandma or Grandma made, or even a uniform jacket or helmet, (firefighters, military, etc.) that you would like in some photos please have it/them handy. I also have many props I will bring as well. Wedding rings make a great prop on babies tiny toes if you wish to have them clean and handy.
Make sure your nails are manicured or clean cut since your hands will again be in many of these photos. I also ask that you not wear any necklaces or long earnings since they may distract from the photos with baby.
Rest assured that I am a Mom myself and have photographed many, many babies and I take the utmost care with your baby's safety and comfort always in mind. Safety is always #1~
Now lets have some fun and capture some beautiful memories for your family to cherish!
Baby/Toddler and Child Sessions:
A well fed, well rested child is generally a happy child. So please make sure your child still gets in their routine naps, meals and snacks. It is always good to bring a drink and a snack to your session. Preferably no chocolate and nothing messy. It is also a great idea to bring a "special treat" just in case we need to bribe the little one once in while. Cheerios or those small melt in your mouth snacks are great for the babies. For toddlers and older, "Pez" and "Smartie" candies work great!
Kids want to please Mom and Dad and so sometimes they get self conscious and nervous when Mom and Dad are watching them. If I see this happening, I may ask Mom and Dad to step out for a few minutes, sometimes little ones will relax a bit when Mom and Dad are not watching them.
I also have one rule of thumb for Mom and Dad and that is during our session I ask that you not use the word "NO" unless your child is in immediate danger, please let them just be themselves. This should go without saying but please, you are not allowed to yell, scold or threaten your child with punishment during this session. The best photos are the one's not posed or forced, when kids are just being kids and doing what they do best. Playing, exploring and having fun, that is what we want.
P.S. Don't mind me, I will be quite silly from time to time. I may make some funny faces, funny sounds and tell some silly jokes with your kids. All in the name of fun!
:D
