Frequently Asked Questions
 

Newborn Shoots:

Q: How soon after my baby is born should I schedule my newborn session?
A: The best time is within the first 5-14 days of life so they are more likely to sleep throughout the shoot.

 

 

Q: What does the newborn session entail?
A: Please see Pricing page for all of my session fees. These include the sitting fee and all of your digital files emailed to you via WeTransfer.com. The number of images in your album will be no less than 15 shots.

 

Q: What day and time will my session be?

A: I do photo sessions on Mondays or Wednesdays anytime between 10:00am and 2:30pm. We will decide on a day as soon as we know when exactly the baby will arrive. I will reach out the week before to set an exact time as well. The photoshoot shouldn't go longer than an hour and a half (two hours if the baby doesn't sleep well).

 

Q: Where do you do your newborn shoots? 

A: I have set up my studio in the basement of my house on the east side of Wichita. 

 

Q: How should we prepare for our newborn shoot? (PLEASE TRY TO DO YOUR BEST TO FOLLOW ALL OF THESE GUIDELINES)

A: 1) Please let me know ahead of time what colors/style you like OR absolutely dislike so that I can set things up before you arrive. Feel free to bring your own meaningful props as well and I will do my best to incorporate them if you let me know ahead of time what you are bringing.

2) Please try to keep baby awake (or at least not in a deep sleep) for about an hour before the photo shoot.  We need to save that sleepy time for our session. Then you can let them fall asleep on the way to my studio. Then I will gently remove baby from the carrier and hopefully get started right away. 

3) Please feed baby right before you leave for pictures, so they are nice and satisfied and ready to sleep. They need to arrive with a full belly so that we can get started upon arrival. You may also give a bottle or breastfeed during our session if baby seems hungry still.

4) Nursing mothers, please try to avoid spicy foods or anything that could upset baby's stomach for 24 hours before our session.

5) Dress baby in loose clothes so that there aren't any lines on their skin. A simple zip-up sleeper is best (please try to avoid buttons as babies usually wake up when the buttons are unsnapped). Avoid outfits that require pulling over their heads to remove as undressing them might wake them up. It is also helpful to loosely attach the diaper for the ride to my studio.

6) Bring a pacifier please. Sometimes this can save an entire session if baby keeps waking.

7) The studio will be warm (~80F) so that baby can be comfortable when naked. I like to tell parents to dress in layers that can be easily removed if it gets too warm.

8) Please let me know ahead of time if baby has any medical issues that could affect my posing him/her. 

 

Q: Sleeping isn’t going to be a problem! My newborn sleeps 24/7 so why keep baby awake beforehand?

A: Mother’s are shocked a lot of the time when their baby is awake and alert during their photo shoot.  Newborns are not used to being posed.  Therefore I please ask that you try your best to follow all of the above tips.

 

Q: What else can we expect at our newborn session?

A: I will be in charge of the session and will have my hands on your baby most of the time. Posing newborns takes a lot of time and patience. If things don't go as planned, it is important that parents remain calm. It can be frustrating if your baby doesn't sleep right away, but if you don't have expectations and you remain calm, then it will be easier to soothe baby. I ask parents to be prepared to help assist me since baby's comfort and safety are most important throughout the shoot. Ideally, I have a certain flow that I do each session but there are always times when baby changes that plan. If a baby has a hard time getting into a certain position, then I'm not going to force it and will just move on to the next. 

 

Q: Do I need to bring anything to our newborn shoot?

A: Please bring a swaddling blanket, wipes, diapers, a pacifier and an extra bottle of milk if bottle feeding. If you have props, accessories or outfits that you want included in your baby’s shoot, then bring those items. Please let me know ahead of time so that I can plan accordingly. I have plenty of backdrops and several boy and girl props and accessories so it is not necessary to bring anything. 

Q: Can I bring my other kids to be in some pictures with my newborn? 

A: A newborn session may include just your newborn, or newborn and parents, or newborn and siblings, or lastly, newborn and parents and sibling. Please let me know ahead of time who you would like to include. Please note that I do not allow siblings to be in the studio during the part of the session where I am just photographing the newborn. You may have someone else bring them at the beginning and leave with them when sibling shots are done, OR bring them in when I am about finished with the newborn part of the session for a few shots with their new baby.

 

Other Questions:

Q: When should I schedule a photoshoot for my kids with you?

A: Please contact me as soon as possible to schedule your shoot.  Sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. I am typically booked out about 3 months ahead of time.  Since photography is a part time hobby for me, I only do 1 shoot a week (sometimes 2 a week in the fall). Also, keep in mind that half of my clientele are newborns. It is hard to tell when most will arrive, so I ask that other clients please know that I may need to ask for you to be flexible with your scheduled date. If a newborn around your time arrives early or late, then I may ask you to move a week earlier or later since I prefer to photograph newborns within the first 14 days of being born. 

 

Q: Where do you typically do your shoots?

A: I have my studio set up in my basement.  If your baby is walking or older, then we can meet at other outdoor locations if weather permits. 

 

Q: Will you be using my (baby's) pictures in any way after our session?

A: I will always own the rights to the photos that I take and will use them for self-promotion purposes at my discretion. This includes posting pictures on Facebook or Instagram; emailing vendors (the makers of my props) pictures of babies wearing/using their creations so that they may use it for advertising; or using them in my studio, portfolios or online galleries. On Facebook or Instagram, parents are allowed to share my pictures, tag themselves, or use it as a profile picture as long as my logo stays and the picture isn't altered in any way. There will be a consent form for parents to sign prior to our session. Please let me know if you do not wish to be tagged on social media sites.

 

Q: If I order prints from your website, who prints them?

A: The professional lab I use is MPix. You order from my website, they print and they mail products straight to you! 

**When purchasing prints, please double check how it will be cropped. A 4x6 is more rectangular in shape as compared to an 8x10 which is more squared so please be aware that some edges may be cut off depending on what size you order. You have the option of cropping it yourself as well during checkout.

There is also the option to put your pictures on items such as greeting cards, calendars, iPhone covers, ornaments, mugs and much more! 

 

Q: What are your fees?

A: All prices are listed on my website under the “Prices” tab.

 

Q: How do you accept payment?

A: Cash, checks, Venmo or Paypal are accepted at the time of service. 

 

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: All I ask is that you give me a week's notice so that I can find a replacement for your spot. Of course, I understand if your baby wakes up sick that day and you have to cancel.

 

Q: Will my album on your website be viewable by the public?

A: Yes, unless you tell me otherwise. If you request your album to not be made public, I can provide you a password that you can give to friends and family. Only they would be able to view your album.

 

Please contact me with additional questions at [email protected]. Thank you!