THE BOOKING PROCESS
I know my due date, but we all know babies never arrive when you want them to – how can I book for around 5-10 days old when I don’t know when that is?
My bookings are based around your approximate due date, and I only take a certain number of bookings per month based on these due dates. So, you book in, and we wait (and wait). You add me to the list of people you text with your good news and once I hear from you I will contact you to make a date for the session. Some babies come a month early, some come a week late. I allow for that as best I can in my schedule!
When do I need to book?
As soon as you announce to your friends and family if you like! In the past I have had clients contact me even before then – as soon as they find out they are pregnant – because they are so excited to book in and don’t want to miss out! I am a small business and I like to be able to give my clients as much individual attention as I can. I answer all my own phone calls and emails and I personally retouch every single image, so that means I can not possibly book every single client who contacts me. I have a set number of bookings that I take per month, and although there are times where a baby is born early (leaving a last minute space in my schedule) I am often booked out a few months in advance. Either way, what ever stage you are at in your pregnancy, please contact me and I will let you know my availability.
How do I book?
Simply contact me via this webform, or call me on 0402 914371. If you are ready to go ahead I will take down your details and either send you an invoice so you can deposit the booking fee into my account, or if you prefer you can pay the booking fee via credit card. Once that is paid your space is confirmed and you will receive information regarding your session, and then – we wait for baby to arrive!
I love your photos but I prefer baby to have eyes open and be awake. Why do all your images have babies sleeping?
Basically – that is my style. I love to capture the teeny tiny new in newborn babies. The way they are so perfectly relaxed and content when they are sleeping. The way they curl up into those adorable poses. New babies are often not happy when they are awake – at that age they have three needs – full belly, clean nappy and lots of sleep. If they aren’t sleeping – then one of those other two things is wrong. They may briefly open their eyes and look at the camera while I am photographing, and of course I will try capture that, but my sessions are always revolved around a sleepy, settled baby. I will pat, and rock and settle and radiate patience until baby is asleep. If you want photos of your baby awake then my suggestions are either: to book a session when they are a little older, or to find a photographer that specializes in candid, lifestyle photography who will base a session around you and your baby interacting in your own home.
PRICING
When I book, does the session fee include all images on disc?
Short answer – no. The session booking fee covers my time and talent during a 2-3 hour photoshoot documenting those first precious moments of your new baby’s life. You will be shown approx 20-30 professionally edited photographs at your premiere which will also take place in the studio, approx 1-2 weeks after your session. During that premiere you choose which images you would like printed (either on photographic paper or canvas), if you would like your prints to be framed, an album, or the full package. You can also purchase the hi res digital negatives in a few different package options. All of the pricing and package details can be found here on the pricing page.
Do I need to decide on a package now?
Absolutely not! I want you to see the final images before you decide anything. Of course, please ensure that the prices of our packages or individual prints are within your budget before going ahead with a booking, and do start to think about where in your home you may like to display your images (more about that later!) but the rest, we can work out at your premiere.
What payment methods do you have?
At this stage I accept cash, bank transfer or credit card. The booking fee must be paid in full in order to secure your session, and when it comes to your print and product order I do have payment plan options if this is required. Otherwise I require a 50% deposit at the time of your premiere and the balance when your order is ready (approx 2-6 weeks after order is placed)
ABOUT YOUR SESSION
What do I need to bring to my session?
Quite simply ~ bring baby, and a method of feeding baby. Everything else I have, or we can do without. The majority of the hats and wraps and blankets you see in my images I have here in my studio so you don’t need to bring your own. Of course, bring spare diapers, a dummy if baby has one, and snacks if you think you might get hungry – 3 hours is a long time after all! You are of course welcome to raid my pantry – though you will be hard pressed to find anything unhealthy there!
What clothes do I need to dress baby in for photos?
Absolutely none! Babies are best undressed – gorgeously natural and pure… The studio is warmed on the days that require it to keep baby comfortable, and I have a large selection of natural and beautifully textured wraps and blankets to use during your session. On the morning of your session, bring baby dressed in a simple and easy to remove onesie, preferably without singlets and extra layers underneath. That way if baby is asleep when you arrive I can quickly and easily remove their clothing without fussing over buttons and extra clothes and potentially waking them.
What should Mum, Dad (and other family members) wear to the session? I need wardrobe help!
Newborn sessions are centered around natural beauty allowing focus to be on you and your connection, rather than what you are wearing. For studio sessions I generally recommend light toned colours. Whites, creams, grey and other natural palettes without distracting patterns or logos keep things light and airy (especially if the weather outside is not) and keep things feeling (and looking) pure and peaceful. Layers are good (and allow you to adjust to the warm studio temperatures as the session progresses) and complimenting/ coordinating rather than matching is the key. No matchy-matchy denim and white shirts please! Textures add a beautiful dimension to the images and skin to skin contact in some way is encouraged, it can be as simple as mum wearing a tank top or topless with a scarf covering. If you love the idea of Dad with no shirt holding baby, please discuss this among yourselves before the session. Just in case Dad is feeling conservative, we don’t want to put him on the spot…
Regardless of what you wear, I can make beauty happen, and capture your connection!
I am not sure if I want to be in photos with my baby. Is that ok?
Of course – it is completely up to you! I have had a baby, and I know that a week after giving birth Mama’s aren’t often feeling like they are looking their best. So let’s wait and see what happens, and how you feel on the day. Of course, my suggestion is jump in a few if you feel up to it. Those images of mum and dad staring at a sleeping baby are often some of my previous client’s favorites from the session – and the images are posed in a way that focus is on baby, so you wont quite be the star of the shot anyways! But no pressure! Come prepared – and see how you feel!
My baby isn’t a good sleeper | We had a bad night – should we cancel?
In short ~ no. You never know – tomorrow could be worse (though I hope not). In theory if baby didn’t sleep last night then they are more likely to sleep all through the photo session (and you can catch up on some shut-eye while I take care of everything) and of course the more days we leave it before we do the session, the harder it may be to settle baby anyways. Though – if you have had the night from hell and can not even contemplate stepping foot out of the house, then by all means call me and I will see what I can do to fit you in elsewhere.
What if my baby just will not sleep?
I have a reasonably good track record, but if the session is dragging on and on and baby, for some reason, is just not happy (they could be not feeding properly, or have wind pains) and everyone is starting to feel stressed then I will suggest coming back the next day to finish the shoot. Not a problem, lets tackle it if it happens, and for now, think positive-sleepy-baby-thoughts…
I saw an image on your site and I want you to take the exact same image of my baby – is that possible? I have the perfect spot for it in my house.
Sure – I see what I can do! Sometimes I rotate props in the studio, so there is a slight chance I may not have the blanket or hat you might be lusting after. But other than that, explain the image to me in detail, and I will endeavor to make it happen. Just a few things to keep in mind. Every baby is different – some hate to be naked and will not settle unless tightly wrapped, some babies don’t like their arms to be bent or will protest (loudly) every time I turn them on their tummy. So to some extent we are at the mercy of your baby’s desires. That said, if you have “the one” that you must have on a huge canvas for your wall (at the expense of a variety of other images), then I will make it a priority to do that image first, and persist till it is done.
Is there anything we should avoid doing on the day of our session?
Firstly – avoid stressing! If you are running a little late on the morning of your session – no problems – just text me and let me know! Please do keep in mind that session booking times are based around the best time of day for the perfect light in the studio (and around other commitments I might have later in the day), so if you think you will be REALLY late, then give me a call.
On the morning of your session if possible please do not bathe baby or apply any skin creams. Generally they make the skin shiny, which is not a good look for photos. Please also avoid using any talc powder or excessive amounts of nappy rash creams as these will sometimes show up in photos. Though if they are absolutely necessary, then go ahead – I can work around them.
THE IMAGES
I am so excited!! When will I get to see the photos?
All going well, you will see a preview image posted on my facebook page (or possibly the blog) either late the day of your session or the next day. You can tag yourself, and share this image with your friends and family (You will receive instructions on how to do this if you don’t know) and generally shout to the whole world about how gorgeous your little bubba is. After that I will schedule in time to cull and edit all of your images and prepare them for your premiere. This appointment will take place in the studio approx 1-2 weeks after your session, depending on availability. Once your order is finalised all of the finishing touches will be applied to your images, and more will be shared on the NFE Design facebook page, as well as a full session post being shared on my blog. Depending on exactly what products you order – final delivery will be approx 2-6 weeks after your deposit is paid.
Can I share the images on facebook and twitter?
If you purchase a package that includes hi res digital negatives, then there will be two folders “for printing” and “web only” on the disc you receive. Please ensure you use the watermarked images from the “web only” folder for two reasons. Firstly they are smaller, and appropriately sized for web use (so they wont take half an hour to upload). Secondly, using watermarked images prevents your images from being stolen and used without your permission. We want to make sure your online privacy is protected at all times!
For those who purchase prints only and do not receive a disc of images – please email me if you want facebook files and I will send them over to you. These low res watermarked files are provided as a gift to you, as they are one of the ways that my business grows via the power of word of mouth advertising. I love nothing more than receiving a new enquiry from someone who saw gorgeous images on a friends facebook page and wants to book a session for their impending arrival!
Please note: you are best to wait for these images to be emailed to you (or be delivered on your disc) rather than making a screen capture of the images off my blog or facebook page. Capturing and sharing images this way significantly reduces the quality, and of course you want your images looking gorgeous, not all pixelated and distorted, right? You will receive information after your session on how to ‘share’ images, and if you need more help – just give me a call!
If I buy the disc of images – will you tell me where is best to go and print them?
Absolutely! You will receive all that info with your order as well as details on where NOT to print your images. (Because of course you want them to look as amazing as possible – and some places – they just aren’t great at printing photos! I shall not mention any names here
)
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Can I come back for more photos as my baby grows – or do you only shoot newborns?
Absolutely – I would LOVE for you to come back and see me again! There are very few things that makes me happy as seeing how a baby has grown! As I am sure you already know, my schedule is limited and I don’t often open up older baby or location family shoots to new clients, but I always make space for my existing clients to come back! Repeat clients will receive special discounts on future sessions – so please contact me for details!
I love my photos so much that I want to tell EVERYONE they need to book you! How is best to do that?
Well, I was hoping you would ask that question! I appreciate more than words can express the support that my clients show me, and the referrals that they are constantly sending my way. I am so honored to be blessed with so many amazing clients, just like you! There are a few ways you can help me out… You can share your preview images and blog posts via facebook, via twitter and via email to make sure all your friends and family see them. Don’t just share them once, because we all know Facebook is a bit choosy about who see’s posts nowadays. So you can always post and share again a few days later for those who missed seeing the images the first time. You can @ tag NFE Design in your facebook status talking about your images and directing people to my page (let me know if you need help with that) and you can post a testimonial/review on my facebook page, or email it to me if you prefer. When you pick up your order you will receive referral cards to hand out to friends that might be interested, and coming soon in 2013 I have a very exciting new way of sharing your images – so stay tuned for details on that! Don’t forget to tell your friends to say that you referred them – and you will receive a little gift by way of thank you!
.png "NFE Design Newcastle Newborn Photographer"){kind=small}
Now, that’s a whole lot of questions! I’m glad you made it this far and if you read all of the above and your question hasn’t been answered then please either ring me on 0402 914371 or contact me here.
NEXT: View the full portfolio, or if you are ready – contact me to make a booking
