Lifestyle Newborn Session Guide - 2018
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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<br />
the 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<br />
each photographer has their own unique approach to providing<br />
you service, this guide is designed to help you understand the<br />
Magnolia + Grace experience and what you can expect from me.<br />
This is why it is important for you to read through this guide<br />
so that you can make a decision if I will be a good fit for you and<br />
your family.<br />
I hope this guide answers all of your questions and concerns.<br />
But if not, as always, just let me know and I’ll be glad to clear anything<br />
up 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<br />
of welcoming a new child into your family. It takes a newborn and<br />
their family exactly as they are - without expectations.<br />
I fell in love with lifestyle photography before I ever started my<br />
career, because it allows people to be imperfect, to be real, and<br />
for me to capture emotions and interactions that would be otherwise<br />
lost in a formal, studio setting.<br />
With your lifestyle newborn session, I capture you and your<br />
baby in the comfort of your home in a real-life way. I have you<br />
snuggle up and hold your newborn as you naturally would. I have<br />
you cuddle up alongside your significant other and document the<br />
way you two look at the little human you so beautifully created.<br />
<strong>Lifestyle</strong> photography is a chance for you to embrace how<br />
much stinkin’ love you have for your new baby and capture those<br />
sweet, candid moments with them.<br />
I do not do high-end newborn posing (that is a craft to master<br />
all on its own), but I love to wrap up your little one in a blanket<br />
and capture their sweet face, those eyes just like dad’s, their tiny<br />
fingers and 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<br />
love coming to your home, because it puts you more at ease and is the<br />
most convenient for you. Your newborn already knows your home and is<br />
comfortable there, which allows me to capture the most raw and organic<br />
images.<br />
Figure out what time of the day you get the best lighting in the rooms<br />
that you would like to use. The brightest and sunniest lighting will help me<br />
produce high quality professional images. So, let’s open up those curtains<br />
and blinds!<br />
What is the cost of this session?<br />
A newborn session cost is $350. If you live more than 25 miles outside<br />
of Baton Rouge, LA, I do add on $0.50 per mile beyond those 25 miles. If<br />
you have questions on what my travel rate would be for you, please reach<br />
out – but most of the time it’s only a few dollars more to help me cover<br />
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 />
- 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<br />
one on the day of your session; I would hate to see your investment go<br />
to waste by ordering low quality prints through places such as Walgreens,<br />
Target, Walmart, Costco or Shutterfly. Usually for only a few cents more,<br />
you can easily order high quality, professional prints from www.mpix.com<br />
that are delivered directly 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! I only book<br />
a limited number of newborn sessions within a certain time-frame so that<br />
I am able to be 100% committed to scheduling a time that works with you<br />
after your baby is born. If you reach out to me for the first time after your<br />
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<br />
time period around your due date. This way, I know I can absolutely guarantee<br />
a flexible session time with you once your baby arrives.<br />
When your baby is born, have someone notify me. I will gather some<br />
available session options and we will decide on a date and time that<br />
works best.<br />
<strong>Lifestyle</strong> newborn sessions generally take place within the first two<br />
weeks, but they could be done within the first four weeks. I like to give you<br />
and your family time to adjust and figure out routines. I am always willing<br />
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<br />
days before 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<br />
to avoid tight fitted tops. Camisoles are great for skin to skin contact with<br />
the baby, so I recomment adding a kimono or soft sweater to your top layer.<br />
Don’t be afraid to dress casual. Just dress in something you feel beautiful<br />
in!<br />
For dads, relaxed is the way to go. Jeans/shorts and a plain t-shirt or a<br />
button down is best. Try to avoid large colorful logos.<br />
For siblings, I reccomend a neutral palette. For girls, a dress or leggings/tank<br />
top look great. For boys, typically a plain t-shirt and jeans/<br />
shorts look great.<br />
For the baby, plain white onesies are one of the most classic outfits you<br />
can put your baby in. Pick out your favorite outfits and have them nearby.<br />
I recommend only 2-3, (one for a backup incase we have any accidents).<br />
There’s always the option of no outfit with a plain diaper/bloomers, adding<br />
a bow/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<br />
there’s a lot going on during those early days. Please, please, please do<br />
not stay up the whole night before sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc. Trust<br />
me, it’s fine. All that I ask is to remove any clutter from the rooms that we<br />
will be using. Such as clothes on the floor/chair, any extra items on night<br />
stands, etc. Don’t worry, if I see something distracting I will move it out of<br />
the way.<br />
Home Temperature — Living in Louisiana, I know we usually have the<br />
AC around 70 degrees. But babies love to be warm. Try to let the temperature<br />
get a 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<br />
our session. Right before I arrive, feed your baby so he or she has a<br />
full belly. Full Baby = Happy Baby. Also, make sure they are in a clean diaper<br />
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<br />
a simple diaper change, feeding, giving baby a bath, because even the<br />
most ordinary things are something you won’t want to forget.<br />
Music — I always love to play music at all of my sessions. It helps fill<br />
any silence, create a happy vibe, and can even calm your baby. If you have<br />
a playlist you prefer, please feel free to play yours.<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<br />
few minutes, I will photograph the details of the nursery. Then I will focus<br />
on photographing 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<br />
we 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.<br />
If for any reason it will take longer than that I will<br />
notify you to let you know. Once your gallery is<br />
ready, I will 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<br />
drive or a 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<br />
only 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<br />
for that!<br />
Thank you for allowing me to capture this special<br />
time in your families lives, it means SO much to me!