As soon as you get that positive pregnancy stick! The sooner you book the better. We would suggest around your second trimester as we book months in advance. We will set time aside in our schedule around your due date, and as your date approaches, we will be in contact with you. After the birth of your baby please do call or email us so we can schedule your session right away. We understand that babies rarely come when predicted and we will accommodate their personal plans for arrival. But a due date will give us a base line.

The best time for newborn sessions is when the baby is 6-14 days new. During this time, the baby is still very sleepy and curled up just like in the womb, making it much easier for posing. Once babies get closer to 2 weeks of age, they will go through their first growth spurt, have more awake time, and may start to develop baby eczema, gassy stomachs, baby acne and colic.

Newborn sessions are typically 2-4 hours long ( depends on the package). Sometimes we finish earlier and sometimes run over (a fussy or wide awake baby who is unwilling to fall into a deep sleep can also effect the length of the shoot). It all depends how your baby is feeling that day. I recommend not scheduling any other appointments immediately after your session. Why so long? Well, we like to have enough time in case the baby needs extra feeding time, soothing, and posing a newborn all takes time and patience.

Parents and sibling shots are included in the Gold and Platinum Packages. When siblings/parents/grandparents are included, we normally do those shots first, and a parent will take the older child home or to the park  since the session can last long and siblings tend to not to have as much patience.

I would suggest that you bring along some food, especially if mum is breastfeeding.

We do have dedicated area which can be isolated with the screen that can provide some privacy while breastfeeding.

Nappies.

Please bring a dummy with you. Even if your baby doesn’t use it; as it help to settle baby to get the perfect shot. If you have one (even if your child won’t really take it) please bring it to the session as it may help me. I always pull the dummy out before taking photos. If you do not plan on using dummy please be assured that babies don’t get attached to them after our session and they really do help calm a fussy baby.

We have limited seating space at the studio. The room needs to be kept warm for the baby as well so we do not recommend having too many people in the room. However please notify us if you’d like to bring other family members to the studio so we can prepare more available space for them (no more than 2 people). Photos with grandparents/siblings/parents are included in Gold and Platinum Packages.

Yes! We are aware that little babies already have something special like soft toy, hand knitted gift from family members, etc. You can bring it along to the session but we do ask that this be limited to one item.

The basics are… keep baby awake for 1-2hrs prior to the session. Please do not feed your baby before coming to the session (it depends how long takes your journey to the studio). We will give you space and time to feed the baby and sooth him/her to sleep once you arrive. The reason this works best is that if you feed your baby before you come he/she will start his/her sleep cycle while in his/her car seat. We want him/her to do that at the studio. Newborn sessions are a lot more of feeding and snuggling than they are photographing, so just expect lots of down time.

Sessions are held at our studio. Studio is located at:

Clarence Arcade

Stamford Street Central

Ashton under Lyne

OL6  7PT

When you are ready to book your session we will pencilled in a date for your due date. This way we know more or less a time frame for your session. We know babies make their entrance at their own time, so we would set the final date after the baby is born. We do require to be notified as soon as baby is born so we have enough time for scheduling purposes. Adding us to your “we had the baby!” text or email should be perfect that way you don’t forget. The session will be arranged within first 14 days after birth.

We don’t normally suggest matching in pictures, but newborn sessions are the exception. If mum goes with light colors, dad should go with light colors also. If dad wants to wear dark gray (or black) it would be best to have mum in the same dark tones. This helps keep unity throughout the family pictures, and keeps focus on the new love for the precious baby you are holding in your arms.

Beige, cream, and white all look fabulous for your baby’s newborn pictures! Cooler gray, black, blush, or brown are also good options. I also have black and white backgrounds available if you prefer that look. If you love color, pastels such as blush pink and soft baby blue are beautiful as well.

Soft, subtle patterns or colors are wonderful also, but be sure to keep them unobtrusive. We want baby to be the focus of these pictures!

Light Neutrals
Skip the bright and bold colors and instead go with light neutrals. Don’t feel the need to match everyone in white shirts and jeans, you can mix light browns, grays, blush, etc.
Textures
Play it up with textures. I love adding textures from sweaters, lace, sheer overlay. embroidery, etc. These types of textures really pick up on the camera as well.

Dads: If you prefer not to be shirtless, we ask that you bring a plain, tight fitting v-neck t-shirt to wear with a good, snug pair of jeans. A simple, light coloured, collared shirt with sleeves that can roll up is also nice.

Mums: A loose-fitting tank top works well. Keep the colour neutral and design simple. Also bring a strappy vest in either nude, grey or black. Please use a very natural nail polish (or none) as your hands will make their way into the images. Bring your make up bag along and rest assured, we aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in your family.

Be prepared for explosions of all kinds.  Poop, pee and spit up may go flying or spraying on anything around. Don’t feel bad if this happens on my stuff… its part of the experience. We will be prepared for this possibility. Babies cry – it’s their way of communicating. If your baby fusses it could mean number of things. We have experience that helps us know if they are hungry, uncomfortable or just not happy to be moved whilst sleeping.