Lifestyle Newborn Session Guide
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what to expect during your<br />
lifestyle newborn session<br />
with magnolia + grace photography<br />
www.magnoliaandgracephotography.com
Welcome!<br />
I am so excited about your interest in a lifestyle newborn photo<br />
session and hope to be a part of welcoming your new baby into the<br />
world!<br />
I’m sure that you have been doing research on finding a photographer<br />
that is the right fit for your growing family! Because each photographer<br />
has their own unique approach to providing you service,<br />
this guide is designed to help you understand the Magnolia + Grace<br />
experience and what you can expect from me.<br />
This is why it is important for you to read through this guide so that<br />
you can make a decision if I will be a good fit for you and your family.<br />
I hope this guide answers all of your questions and concerns. But<br />
if not, as always, just let me know and I’ll be glad to clear anything up<br />
for you!
What is a lifestyle newborn session?<br />
This approach to photographing newborns is less about capturing<br />
the baby alone and more about photgraphing the experience of<br />
welcoming a new child into your family. It takes a newborn and their<br />
family exactly as they are - without expectations.<br />
I fell in love with lifestyle photography before I ever started my career,<br />
because it allows people to be imperfect, to be real, and for me<br />
to capture emotions and interactions that would be otherwise lost in a<br />
formal, studio setting.<br />
With your lifestyle newborn session, I capture you and your baby<br />
in the comfort of your home in a real-life way. I have you snuggle up<br />
and hold your newborn as you naturally would. I have you cuddle up<br />
alongside your significant other and document the way you two look<br />
at the little human you so beautifully created.<br />
<strong>Lifestyle</strong> photography is a chance for you to embrace how much<br />
stinkin’ love you have for your new baby and capture those sweet,<br />
candid moments with them.<br />
I do not do high-end newborn posing (that is a craft to master all<br />
on its own), but I love to wrap up your little one in a blanket and capture<br />
their sweet face, those eyes just like dad’s, their tiny fingers and<br />
toes in a natural way.
Where does my session take place?<br />
Your session will take place in the comfort of your home. I absolutely love<br />
coming to your home, because it puts you more at ease and is the most convenient<br />
for you. Your newborn already knows your home and is comfortable<br />
there, which allows me to capture the most raw and organic images.<br />
Figure out what time of the day you get the best lighting in the rooms that<br />
you would like to use. The brightest and sunniest lighting will help me produce<br />
high quality professional images. So, let’s open up those curtains and blinds!<br />
What is the cost of this session?<br />
A newborn session cost is $250. If you live more than 25 miles outside of Baton<br />
Rouge, LA, I do add on $0.50 per mile beyond those 25 miles. If you have<br />
questions on what my travel rate would be for you, please reach out – but most<br />
of the time it’s only a few dollars more to help me cover travel time and fuel.<br />
With the above session price you get:<br />
- A pre-consultation and planning session over email or the phone<br />
- A 1 to 1 ½ hour session in the comfort of your home<br />
- A minimum of 50 edited images<br />
- Private, online gallery of your final images<br />
- Digital download of all final images<br />
- The print release; so that you can print your images anytime<br />
However, since you spent hundreds of dollars on your session, you invested<br />
time into deciding on outfits, and poured out your love for your little one on<br />
the day of your session; I would hate to see your investment go to waste by ordering<br />
low quality prints through places such as Walgreens, Target, Walmart,<br />
Costco or Shutterfly. Usually for only a few cents more, you can easily order<br />
high quality, professional prints from www.mpix.com that are delivered directly<br />
to your door.
How do I book?<br />
If you have decided to go ahead and book your newborn session, I cannot<br />
wait to help welcome your newest addition into the world!<br />
I only book a limited number of newborn sessions within a certain timeframe<br />
so that I am able to be 100% committed to scheduling a time that works<br />
with you after your baby is born. If you reach out to me for the first time after<br />
your baby is already born, there is a chance that I will not be able to accept<br />
your session because of my commitment to the parents who I have already<br />
booked in that time-frame.<br />
Because of this, I always recommend reaching out to me at least a few<br />
months prior to your due date, so that I can get you scheduled within a time<br />
period around your due date. This way, I know I can absolutely guarantee a<br />
flexible session time with you once your baby arrives.<br />
When your baby is born, have someone notify me. I will gather some available<br />
session options and we will decide on a date and time that works best.<br />
<strong>Lifestyle</strong> newborn sessions generally take place within the first two weeks,<br />
but they could be done within the first four weeks. I like to give you and your<br />
family time to adjust and figure out routines. I am always willing to be flexible!<br />
To book your session, all that is required is a $50 non-refundable retainer<br />
fee and a signed contract. The remaining balance will be due two days before<br />
your session date.
What do we wear?<br />
It is very important to stay true to your natural style and dress for comfort.<br />
White, grey, and beige photograph beautifully against a babys skintone.<br />
Choosing neutral tones for your clothing will also keep your photographs<br />
timeless.<br />
For mama’s, comfort is key. If you decide to wear jeans or leggings try to<br />
avoid tight fitted tops. Camisoles are great for skin to skin contact with the<br />
baby, so I recomment adding a kimono or soft sweater to your top layer. Don’t<br />
be afraid to dress casual. Just dress in something you feel beautiful in!<br />
For dads, relaxed is the way to go. Jeans/shorts and a plain t-shirt or a button<br />
down is best. Try to avoid large colorful logos.<br />
For siblings, I reccomend a neutral palette. For girls, a dress or leggings/<br />
tank top look great. For boys, typically a plain t-shirt and jeans/shorts look<br />
great.<br />
For the baby, plain white onesies are one of the most classic outfits you can<br />
put your baby in. Pick out your favorite outfits and have them nearby. I recommend<br />
only 2-3, (one for a backup incase we have any accidents). There’s<br />
always the option of no outfit with a plain diaper/bloomers, adding a bow/<br />
bonnet for the girls.<br />
You are welcome to incorporate any special items, as well. But remember,<br />
babies are most comfortable in simple outfits.
<strong>Session</strong> Preparation<br />
Tidying up — Being a mother myself, I completely understand that there’s a<br />
lot going on during those early days. Please, please, please do not stay up the<br />
whole night before sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc. Trust me, it’s fine. All that<br />
I ask is to remove any clutter from the rooms that we will be using. Such as<br />
clothes on the floor/chair, any extra items on night stands, etc. Don’t worry, if<br />
I see something distracting I will move it out of the way.<br />
Home Temperature — Living in Louisiana, I know we usually have the AC<br />
around 70 degrees. But babies love to be warm. Try to let the temperature get a<br />
little wamer than usual to make sure your babe will be comfortable.<br />
Before your session — Try to allow baby to have some awake time before our<br />
session. Right before I arrive, feed your baby so he or she has a full belly. Full<br />
Baby = Happy Baby. Also, make sure they are in a clean diaper before we begin.<br />
An interactive activity — Think of something “routine” you do with your<br />
baby that we could also photograph during my time there. Maybe it’s just a<br />
simple diaper change, feeding, giving baby a bath, but something that would<br />
be fun to document, because even the most ordinary things are something you<br />
won’t want to forget.<br />
Music — I always love to play music at all of my sessions. It helps fill any silence,<br />
create a happy vibe, and can even calm your baby. If you have a playlist<br />
you prefer, please feel free to play yours. If not, I will have one available.<br />
Upon arrival, I will meet and say hello to your family. From there, I’ll ask<br />
someone to give me a quick tour of the rooms we’ll be using. In the first few<br />
minutes, I will photograph the details of the nursery. Then I will focus on photographing<br />
any siblings while they are still in their happiest mood.<br />
From there I will go with the flow; photographing your baby alone, with<br />
mama + daddy, the whole family, an activity, moving to other rooms, etc. If we<br />
have to stop to change diapers or feed your baby, no worries. Most importantly,<br />
relax and enjoy yourselves. Soak these moments in.
After your session.<br />
My turn around time is anywhere from 2-3 weeks. If<br />
for any reason it will take longer than that I will notify<br />
you to let you know. Once your gallery is ready, I will<br />
send it via email.<br />
You’ll be able to download them all to your computer.<br />
I highly suggest uploading them to a USB drive or a<br />
website such as www.flickr.com.<br />
You’ll also be able to share with family and friend<br />
easily. You will have the option to order prints and<br />
products through the online gallery which is the only<br />
way I can guarantee 100% color accuracy.<br />
I always love to post a sneak peek on social media<br />
(facebook and instagram) within 1-2 days. So watch for<br />
that!<br />
Thank you for allowing me to capture this special<br />
time in your families lives, it means SO much to me!