If you're like me, you like to plan everything down to the detail. 

I have check lists of things to take places, routes (and back up routes) of where I am going and will leave with enough time to spare that it's highly likely that I will be early. 
I'd much rather sit in my car and wait for an appointment than worry about being late (or even worse, actually be late)

If you're even a little bit like me, then this blog is just for you. 

The aim of this blog is to answer any question you may ever have about every stage of your newborn shoot - from booking to purchasing your images.
If you have a question I've not answered, let me know and I'll add it in. 

Booking

When should I book?

I take newborn bookings any time after your 12 week scan.  I am sometimes booked up a couple of months in advance so it's best to try and book at least a few months before you're due.  It's always worth getting in touch to check whether I have space, no matter what time you start looking for a photographer. 

How do I book?

My booking process is extremely easy.  Firstly, fill out the contact form on the Get In Touch page above or at the bottom of this blog.  Let me know your due date or how old your newborn is and any other information you feel is important. 

If you decide to book I send you over a link to a Booking From and Contract, which can both be completed and signed online on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. 
On the booking form you can explain to me exactly what you want from your shoot - whether you want family images, colours, themes, likes, dislikes.  Whether you have every little detail planned out in your head or if you want to leave everything up to me, that's fine. 

Finally i'll send you a secure invoice, which can be paid online, just as if you were online shopping.

Do I pay for my images up front?

All you have to pay upfront is your Session fee, which confirms you a space in my diary.  You don't have to decide what images you'd like to purchase until you see them. 

What payment do you accept?

I have an online payment system where you can pay via card just like online shopping.  

How do we book a date when we don't know when my baby will arrive?

For now, we'll pencil in a date around a week after your due date.  That date can then be changed depending on when your newborn decides to arrive.  95% of the newborn shoots I book don't end up happening on the date they were originally planned but booking in advance secures you a date in my diary. 
I only ever book a certain amount of photo shoots a month, meaning you are guaranteed a spot, whether your shoot takes place earlier or later than expected. 

What if my baby has to stay in hospital for a while?

If your newborn has to stay in hospital for one reason or another, we'll keep pushing your photo shoot date back until they are well and safely home. 

And just like that - you're all booked in!  Your pencilled date is in my diary and it's time to wait for your little one to arrive.  You can follow me on Facebook & Instagram and send over any questions you think of via email.

Your Photo Shoot

Your newborn has arrived - congratulations! 

Send me an email to let me know and let's secure a date.  We're aiming for 7-10 days but anytime older than 5 days is fine. 
I find newborns are generally sleepier in the morning so photo shoots start at around 10:30.  There is a little wiggle room if needed.

The Day of Your Photo Shoot

Life is hectic right now.  You have a new baby to keep alive and there isn't much room in your overly tired head for much more. 
Your only mission is to get yourself to me.  Come in your PJs if you like, there's no judgement here. 

If you're late on the day - don't worry!  You have a new baby, that's the most valid excuse to be late that there is.  If you're an emotional wreck on the day, please don't feel like you have to pretend otherwise.  You will not be the first parents to cry on my sofa.  Or nap.  Everyone naps. 

What should you bring with you? 

Yourself, your baby and everything you usually take when venturing out with your little one.  If this is you first trip out - the basics to remember are:

• At least one spare set of clothes

• Nappies

• Wipes/cotton wool

• Dummy

• Muslin

• Bottles if bottle fed

• Changing Mat

• Nappy bags

If there are certain things you have told me about that you want to include in your photos (special teddy, blanket etc) remember to bring that as well. 

Can my mum/sister/best friend come?

I have enough space to fit around 3 people in my studio space.  Feel free to come by yourself, come as a couple or bring a family member or friend. 

Getting Here

Your shoot will take place at my home studio in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes.  There’s a large driveway so parking isn’t an issue.

When Your Arrive

I'll welcome you inside my house to my home studio where you can get comfy and settle in for your shoot.
We'll have a chat, get your little one undressed and get started. 

The studio is two rooms adjoined by a large doorway; a seating area where you will sit and where all my props live, and a shooting area where all the photography happens.

The studio will be WARM.  Your baby will be naked and we want them to be comfy and sleepy so please dress light and expect heat.  
At the beginning of the shoot I'll look like a half decent human but by the end I'll look like I've just completed a 3 hour hot yoga class. 

Parent & Family Photos

If you've chosen to have Family photos we'll start with them first. 
We'll discuss whether you want your little one to be naked (this comes with a wee and poo risk!) or you have them dressed or wrapped in a blanket.  My personal favourite is naked.
I'll show you how to pose and will be there in a flash if at any point you feel you need a break. 
I encourage all parents to have family photos, even if they aren't sure if they want them.  Not because I want to make more money from you but because I think they are important.  If when you get to see your images you hate them, you just don't have to buy them. 
That said, not all parents want to be in photos and that's fine. 

Sibling Photos

Some siblings want nothing to do with their new brother or sister and some want to give them a little too much attention.  I've seen it all!
I have a few laying down and sitting poses that we can try depending on how confident they are.  If it all goes wrong at the beginning we can always then give it another go at the end. 

And Now Your Newborn is the Star

From what you've told me on your Booking Form, I'll have everything set up and ready to go.  Whether that's large props like bowls and baskets or simple images on blankets. I'll have set ups planned out in advance, well aware that if needs be, I will throw all the planning out the window and do what your baby needs or likes. 

All the poses on the blankets are done on a large posing beanbag, made specifically for Newborn Photography.
Under every blanket is a waterproof pee mat to protect the one below.  If (when!) your newborn wees, poos or is sick, I can just peel back the top layer and keep going.  

You may have to feed your little one a bit more than usual to keep them in a deep enough sleep to be posed.  If you're following a schedule and don't want to change it, that's fine - we just might get more awake or wrapped poses.

I sometimes use either a Shusher or a Henry Hoover noise on Youtube to help calm babies. It really can work wonders! 

How long does a newborn shoot last?

Depending on the baby, newborn shoots can last around 2 - 4 hours.  Some babies sleep right through and others need a lot of time to feed and settle.  I only ever book one newborn a day so I have all the time they need. 

What poses do you do?

I'll gently pose your newborn, generally starting with them wrapped, then on their back, side and tummy before changing onto a furry blanket. 
Not all babies like all poses and I'd never force your baby into a pose they don't like.  Some babies just down right refuse to be on their tummy, so we stick to their back.  Some are the complete opposite. 
To see the range of poses I offer, take a look at my gallery page Here or follow me over on Instagram.

Do you have props/headbands/outfits etc?

Yes!  You can read all about my prop collection Here. 

What if my baby doesn't sleep?

Sometimes despite all of our efforts, a baby just isn't interested in sleeping that day.
If that is the case I do very similar style set ups but just without the posing.  I change blankets, hats and wrapping styles but keep your little one safely on their back where they are comfy awake.

What if my baby needs to be fed?

We can stop for as many feeding breaks as your little one needs.  Breast or bottle, as long as your newborn is happy, so am I!

They're naked?!  But what if they wee or poo?

To be honest, I'd be more shocked if they didn't.  I get wee'd on, I get poo'd on and the same goes for the blankets they lay on.  It's fine! 

How many photos will you take?

I generally take between 150 & 300 photos.  I am a serious over shooter!
When I first pose a baby I get a safety shot.  That's where the posing, lighting, camera settings etc aren't quite spot on but I take a photo just in case your baby wakes up and I don't get to finish.  I'll then spend time perfecting the pose (take a photo) perfecting the angle of the shot (take a photo) perfect the light (take a photo), change camera settings - and repeat.  In the end I only get the one perfect image but it takes me all those first images to get there. 

Editing

Once you've left I pack everything away while I transfer all of your images onto my computer and back them up on a hard drive and a cloud backup service.

How many photos will you edit?

The first stage of the editing process is where I go through and narrow it down to the best 20-30 images.  I get rid of all those 'safety shots' that I mentioned above, leaving the best ones to show you. 

What type of editing do you do?

The main types of editing I do are correcting the colour, removing things like dry skin and creating composite images (where one or more images are joined together)
I remove most dry skin and baby achne unless you ask me not to.  I leave birth marks and mongolian spots unless you ask me to remove them. 

Errr Becki, can you make me look slimmer, remove my bags etc?

If you're concerned about something in particular, try and let me know before I take your photos.  It might be something we can hide with posing.  If not, I'll try my best to fix it in the edit. 

How long does it take you to edit the photos?

I aim to get all your images edited and back to you in 2 weeks.  It sometimes takes a little longer if I'm especially busy.

Can I see a sneak peek online when you're editing them?

If you give me permission to share your images online, keep an eye on Instagram after your shoot.  I post lots of behind the scenes editing and day to day work life on Stories.  I don't post any images on Facebook until you have seen them (and I don't post any online at all if you don't want me to)

Can I see/have the unedited images?

The unedited images are just less perfect versions of what I show you and are not available to be seen or purchased. 

Your Online Gallery

Your Images are ready - so what happens now?

What is an Online Gallery?

An Online Gallery is a secure, passworded gallery, which you can log in to view your images.  Your gallery is live for around two weeks and you can log in as many times as you like to choose your favourites. 
I am always available via email if you have any questions. 

Can I see more images?

I choose the best images to show you.  The ones I delete are alternate versions of what I show.  The lighting might off, the focus missed, the settings wrong etc.

What Products do you sell?

I mainly sell Digital Images but also offer Prints, Frames, Canvas' and albums.

Can I buy individual digital images?

Digitals are only available to purchase in packages, not individually. 

What's the difference between getting a print through you and ordering one myself?

When I order prints I resize and sharpen them specifically for the size you have chosen for your print.  My chosen lab is a professional lab with a calibrated printer which gives me reliable results. 
Non professional labs can be a little unreliable when it comes to sharpness and colour. 
Any print ordered through me will be checked to make sure it's perfect but I can't take responsibility for results you get from another lab. 

Do I have to come and collect my USB/Products?

Depending on how far away you live and how busy I am at the time, you can collect or I will deliver or courier your items to you,

Are there any restrictions to how I can use my digital images?

The only restriction is that digital images are for personal use only.  They can't be resold or use for advertising for any other company.  You have my full permission to duplicate the files, send them around the world to your family, print them as many times as you like, get your own albums made etc. 

How long does it take for my products to arrive?

Digitals are delivered via your online gallery within 24 hours of you paying for them.  Depending on what products you decide to buy, they take between 1 & 3 weeks to get to me.  It'll then be a few days for me to check, package them and get them to you. 

After Your Photo Shoot

Where will you share my images online?

If you give me permission to share your images online I will post some on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and my website.  If you don't give permission for me to share them online I keep them completely private.

What comes next?  Do you photograph older babies?

I do! Anyone who books a newborn shoot with me is welcome to come back and have a Milestone Mini Photo Shoot when their baby is around 6-8months.  These 30 minute shoots are the perfect opportunity to capture all their new sitting and crawling skills as well as their cheeky personality. 
You can ready all about them Here.

What other Mini Photo Shoots do you offer?

The Mini Shoots I offer change year to year but they generally include at least one in the Summer and one at Christmas.  Spots are opened to people on my mailing list first and always sell out quick.  Enter your email below to be included and look out for the confirmation email in your inbox.  (If you don't receive the confirmation email, have a little look in your spam)

How else can I keep in touch?

You can find me posting behind the scenes peaks and daily work life most days over in Instagram Stories.  I'm also on Facebook and Pinterest.

I hope this has answered any questions you might have about your Newborn Photo Shoot. 

Have a question I haven't answered?

Fill in the form below and ask away and I'll reply and add it into the blog.