FAQs & Session Details.

When is the best time in a pregnancy to have pictures taken? What about newborn photos?
Barring any complications or suspicions that you may have pre-term labour, pregnancy photos are usually best taken at about 36 weeks for a first pregnancy, and a week earlier for subsequent pregnancies. The bigger your belly is, the better the pictures will look - but in your last month you may be too uncomfortable to change positions easily, and any swelling may become more pronounced (which often seems to happen a week or two earlier in pregnancies beyond your first).
Newborn photos should be taken as quickly as possible after the cord stump falls off. The safest thing to do is to book a session at around their two weeks after their birthdate, since the cord stump has almost always fallen off by then. At two weeks old, babies still tend to fall asleep quite readily, which always makes for good photos.

How far in advance do I need to book my session?
Not far at all. Maternity sessions may be a bit more predictable, but babies tend to be born on their own schedule, whether you have a session booked or not. A fair portion of our business is last-minute, simply due to the nature of babies and pregnancy. Don't feel bad calling and booking a session with little to no notice - we'll do our best to accommodate you.

How long does a session last?
That varies a lot depending on what type of session it is and how many people are involved. Maternity sessions usually take at least an hour (including the time needed to set up and take down the equipment and backdrop), often longer if older children are involved. Newborn sessions often run between an hour and a half to two hours. But with all things involving children, it varies a lot.

My baby can be a little difficult to keep happy, especially when we're all tired. What happens if the baby cries a lot?
Every one's babies cry during photo sessions. Don't think this is unusual of feel guilty in any way. Over the course of an hour, a baby will likely get hungry, want lots of attention, get tired, get cranky, and go through about a million emotions in between. Take as much time as you need to calm your child, feed them, rock them, and do whatever works best for you (and them). Don't be surprised to see me snapping photos while you're taking care of your baby. Clients are often surprised when they get their album because some of the pictures they like best are of their baby crying or being soothed, simply because those moments are truthful and capture your child as they really are.

What should we wear?
Adults and older children look best in faded jeans or khakis and a light-coloured, close-fitting shirt. Button down shirts or polos usually work best for men. Newborn photos usually turn out best when taken in as little as possible - either naked (pictures will NOT show any genitalia) or in just a diaper. (Just in case, all of our backdrops are both water-resistant and machine washable.) If you're not comfortable with photos being taken of your baby in just a diaper, a white onesie or solid coloured outfit works best.