Newborns
Babies
Children
Family
Portraits
Session FAQ’s and Details
Here I answer some frequently asked questions, and (below) give session details.
Q: What types of sessions do you offer?
A: I specialize in newborn, baby’s first year and child sessions. However, I currently offer maternity, family, senior and portrait sessions as well.
Q: When should I book a session?
A: Since I do a very limited number of sessions per month, it’s a good idea to book a session 1-2 months in advance; however, as long as a date is available, it can be booked at any time. Newborn sessions are flexible, but should be set before the baby is born, to take place within the first ten days after baby’s arrival. I try to accommodate as many newborn sessions as possible, as they are a favorite of mine. 
Q: What happens after I book a session?
A: After you contact me to set up a session, and we decide on a session date, I will email you and ask you a few informal questions that will help me understand the type of images you’re hoping to get from our session, and help me get to know you and your child(ren) before the day of the session. I also work with you to answer questions about wardrobe, location and anything else you’re unsure about to ensure you have a great experience.
Q: Where do the sessions take place?
A: Classic sessions can take place anywhere, but usually I meet up with clients at a pre-determined outdoor location. I am a natural light photographer, so if we are not outdoors, good window lighting is a must. I’m happy going to a favorite location of yours, or you can choose from some of my favorites as well. For travel more than 30 minutes from 63123, an extra travel charge will apply. During the winter, I book only Newborn and Mini Sessions for babies and children, which are held in my home in a small natural-lit area area.
Q: What time of day do sessions take place?
A: If the session is indoors, it will depend on the window lighting. If the session is outdoors, it’s best for it to take place in the evening, about 1-2 hours before sunset, when the light is soft and diffused. I am very flexible and of course always try to work around nap schedules and such.
Q: What should we wear to our session?
A: For family sessions, I always tell mom to pick an outfit she feels beautiful in and then coordinate the other outfits around hers! Coordinating (but not completely matching) outfits are always a good choice. Choose a few colors and then do variations for each person – try varying textures to add interest to the images. Avoid cartoons or super busy patterns as they might distract from your child or detract from the timelessness of the images. Hats, beanies, scarves and other fun accessories like fun leggings or silly rain boots can make the pictures unique and special. Newborns are photographed in a diaper cover (which I provide, or feel free to bring one of your own!) – newborn outfits are often ill-fitting and don’t photograph well. The most important thing is for you and your children to be comfortable!
Q: When do I pay?
A: The session fee can either be paid before your session, or at the time of the session (cash or check is great).
Q: What happens after our session?
A: You will receive a password to view your personal online session gallery approximately two weeks after your session, which you can share with family members and friends. A sneak peek will also go up on my website, unless you have specifically asked that I do not share your session online. Your session gallery will expire one year from the session date. I will email you when your disc is ready. The disc will have high-resolution images and a reproduction release so that you can get prints at a lab of your choice. There will also be low-resolution, watermarked files that are easy to upload and use online to showcase your beautiful family to your blogging and Facebook friends! You may pick up the disc in person, or I can mail it to you. You will also receive information on the terms of use of the session images. Your session also includes a print credit toward an order from your online gallery. You can place orders for prints directly from your online session gallery via Paypal, or by contacting me and coordinating payment by check. You will receive pricing information for prints and products when I email you your gallery information.
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What Can I Expect During My Session?
MATERNITY SESSIONS – I love to shoot expecting moms in beautiful outdoor locations. My studio set-up also works for these sessions. Your outfit should be something you feel comfortable and beautiful in. I love simple outfits paired with colorful accessories, which can help to balance the image. I shoot tasteful pictures of you and your belly (with your shirt on or your tummy slightly exposed if you’d like), and, if desired, your partner and other children with you. Maternity sessions are usually about 1 hour long.
NEWBORN SESSIONS – I find newborns are best photographed in a diaper cover. I keep my studio area very warm, with a sound machine nearby and comfortable blankets and props. You should feed your baby right before your session – if you’d like, you can even top him/her off when you arrive. You should bring your baby in as little clothing as possible (bundling with blankets if necessary), to avoid unnecessary undressing that might disturb a happy baby. When you arrive we will dress your baby in a diaper cover, and have you top him/her off again. Then we will wait for your little one to fall deeply asleep and start the session! These sessions usually last 2-3 hours so that baby has time to eat and fall asleep. You can relax and enjoy watching the session. We’ll try several different poses with baby, along with several different materials and backgrounds. I love simple hats and accessories, so please do bring anything along that you think would add to the pictures. Also feel free to bring blankets or other props that are special to be used in the session. I also like to capture moms and/or dads with their baby, so if that is something you’d like, please be prepared to be in some of the photographs. Mostly, these will be face-to-face shots with your baby, and shots of your arms or from the waist up. Mom and dad should wear simple, solid tops for the session so their clothes don’t distract from the newborn.
CHILD SESSIONS – Children can be photographed in so many fun ways. During the spring, summer and early fall months, children sessions can take place at any favorite location. I have a small studio-type environment in my home that I use to photograph children, and I have several backdrops that result in clean, crisp images (my favorite). Children tend to photograph better in casual, comfortable clothing. Try to avoid clothing with large logos, since these can detract from the subject and date the pictures. I also love working with colorful chairs or anything vintage and different. If you have anything you’d like to use in your session, let me know so I can plan them into the photographs. Children sessions taking place at my home usually last between 30-45 minutes, and on-location sessions usually last about an hour (sometimes more, depending on the number of subjects).
FAMILY SESSIONS – Outdoor family sessions take place during the months of spring, summer and early fall, when beautiful outdoor locations are available and the variety of the shots are much more pleasing. I prefer shooting families that are wearing coordinating clothing, without matching perfectly. Choose an outfit for Mom (since we all know when Mom’s happy, everyone’s happy!) and then work on incorporating those same colors into the other outfits. I’m happy to give advice on clothing choices, so don’t be afraid to ask! If you would prefer to have your family captured in a more casual, photo-journalistic way, a good option is a session in your own home. Feel free to bring a chair, bench (or even a couch!) to use in your outdoor session. Family sessions are typically 1 – 2 hours long, depending on the size of your family and the location.
PORTRAIT SESSIONS – Teen and adult portrait sessions take place during the months of spring, summer and early fall, when beautiful outdoor locations are available. These sessions include as many outfit changes as you can fit into the session, and usually involves one overall location, which means we can go to several spots within the location. Teens should wear something that they feel really comfortable and beautiful/handsome in. Again, I love fun accessories and bright pops of color. We can even incorporate things you love into your session (e.g., a musical instrument or sport). Portrait sessions are usually 1-2 hours long.
