Bump to Baby

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Transcript of Bump to Baby

Page 1: Bump to Baby

HELLO & W ELCOME

Congratulations! You’re going to be having a baby! Whether this baby is your first, third or fifth, this is no doubt an exciting time for you and your family.

There is so much that happens in the weeks and months that pass between purchasing your first pair of maternity jeans to picking out candles for your baby’s first birthday cake . . . and well, frankly, it all happens so fast! Well, I can’t stop time, but I can help you remember some of the most pivotal moments during that very special first year of your baby’s life.

I would love to document the milestones that are most important to you from maternity to when your baby turns one year old. As a photographer, I strive to capture these moments and turn the resulting images into a work of fine art to be treasured forever. Baby photography requires a large amount of planning and an insane amount of patience, and you’ll be happy to know I am good at both :)

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SHOW CASE

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MATERNITY SESSIONS

The pregnancy stage of a woman’s life is one of the fastest growing developmental times. You are growing a baby – yay you! I know it’s not always comfortable…the cramps, the bloating, the swelling…oh my not feeling so amazing?! It’s ok. My job as a photographer is to make you look and feel amazing for just about an hour. Then you can throw your legs up and eat chocolate the rest of the day!

A maternity session is designed to celebrate and document the precious new life growing within. This is one of my favorite sessions as it is a combination of glamour, beautiful belly and romance. A maternity session can be an artistic studio shoot or it can take place at a location of your choice. Some favoritessession can be an artistic studio shoot or it can take place at a location of your choice. Some favoritesinclude a local beach or natural field shortly before sunset, one of the many gorgeous parks, gardens or wooded areas in our beautiful city.

These photos will help your children to know how proud you were to be their mother and what a privilege carrying them was.

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W HEN TO SCHEDULE

W HAT TO W EAR

30 to 32 weeks is perfect for most moms to be. This is a time frame where your beautiful belly is of ample size yet you’re not as “puffy” and uncomfortable as you may be in your last 4 to 6 weeks. Though I have shot maternity sessions up close to delivery with beautiful results, feedback from expecting moms has encouraged me to advise clients towards the earlier side where mamas-to-be are feeling their best and are more comfortable than they may be later.

The clothes that you wear during your session will play a vital role in how you feel during the shoot and about your photographs. We really want to show off your beautiful form, so choose a few outfits that accentuate your beautiful body! I love form fitting tops with chunky sweaters or long flowing dresses. You can choose your favorite maternity outfit but solid colors work best. As far as specific colors, it is completely up to you. Personally, I LOVE pastels and whites to create more vintage inspired images. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident and beautiful!

A LITTLE BIT OF ADVICEI would suggest pampering yourself before your session. Get your hair and nails done or take a relaxing bubble bath. Put aside a few hours for yourself to just relax and feel fabulous. The best photographs are created when expectant mothers are relaxed, feel confident and are able to just be themselves during the session. Don’t forget that this should be a special and fun day for you.

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NEW BORN SESSIONS

Newborn sessions are my joy. Those sweet brand new little angels are my muse. Photographing them makes my day and that is why I have chosen to make them my exclusive subjects. I spend some time every day learning to perfect my craft. Hopefully this little section will help you to prepare for your session as well.

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PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION

1. Once you've contacted me about photographing your newborn, we can set up a tentative date based around your due date. Because babies typcially come on their own time, however, once you have delivered you can then contact me to set up the actual session. Babies are best photographed within the first 5-10 days of birth as they are still very sleepy, can be easily posed, baby acne hasn't appeared yet and any signs of jaundice have faded as well. So be sure to contact me as soon as possible to book your session. If you have a C-Section, let me know so we can plan on having an extra set of hands to help out with baby's shoot, whether it is Dad or someone else. set of hands to help out with baby's shoot, whether it is Dad or someone else.

2. When we have scheduled your session we can then talk about what you expect out of it. Whether you want just familial shots with the baby, or just posed shots or a combination of both. Let me know before hand if there are certain poses you want me to try with baby or special props that you will be bringing from home. Such as if you or your spouse are into baseball and you want a shot baby posed in a baseball mitt, etc. Any props that have meaning to you will make the photos that much more special.

3. My newborn sessions typically take three hours, but plan on your newborn session being anywhere 3. My newborn sessions typically take three hours, but plan on your newborn session being anywhere from three to six or even longer. Because of this I typcially schedule newborn sessions in the morning, around nine or ten. Babies also tend to be sleepier at this time of day. I am not shooting the entire 3-6 hours. Much of this time is spent switching blankets and props, getting baby fed or diaper changed/cleaning up messes and soothing baby into poses. A fussy or wide awake baby who is unwilling to fall into a deep sleep can also effect the length of the shoot.

4. I shoot newborn sessions at the clients' home. This way not only is baby more comfortable but so are the parents and siblings. are the parents and siblings.

5. Babies are best photographed on a nice full tummy, so shortly before I am set to arrive please feed your baby. It is okay if you are still in the process of feeding when I arrive as I have bring in and set up as well.

6. I photograph babies without any clothes on, sometimes with a diaper, but otherwise completely naked. Clothes take away from showing how tiny and different newborns are within their first few days of life and also makes it more difficult to capture tiny details such as hands and feet and the umbilical cord stub. For this reason please have your baby wearing only a diaper when I arrive. cord stub. For this reason please have your baby wearing only a diaper when I arrive.

7. If Mom, Dad and any siblings are going to be in any shots I suggest wearing simple, light and comfortable clothing for shots. If we will be shooting on a black background please make sure to have black shirts to wear.

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DURING YOUR SESSION

1. When I arrive at your home I will search for the spot with the most natural light and available room to set up in. Please have all blinds drawn and lights off when I arrive.

2. Newborns love to be warm, and since they will be naked for the majority of their session turn on the heater shortly before so that the house can get warm. A temperature of 80-85 degrees is perfect. If you have a noise machine, keep that handy for me to use to help keep baby calm. If you don't have a noise machine a hairdryer works too.

3. I bring with me a beanbag for posed shots of baby, several backdrop blankets, hats and bows and 3. I bring with me a beanbag for posed shots of baby, several backdrop blankets, hats and bows and other props such as the posing bowl for baby to be photographed with.

4. I like to start off the session with posing baby on the beanbag using a variety of backdrops and small props (bows/hats). After that we can move on to family shots and other posed shots.

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AFTER YOUR SESSION

1. When I arrive home I go through all the photos from the session and pick the best of the best to edit and share. Depending on how the session went the number of images can vary from 25 to 100.

2. After editing a few images I will post a sneak peek on my Facebook page, usually 3-6 images. The rest of the images will be posted on my website blog within 12-15 business days.

3. All of your edited images will be presented to you on a disc sent by mail. The cost of the CD is included in your session fee. Please allow for two to three weeks for the CD to be sent out.

4. I will provde you with a printing release so that you may get your photos printed at the lab of your 4. I will provde you with a printing release so that you may get your photos printed at the lab of your choice. You will need this with you when getting images printed. Though I also offer the sale of prints and products to make it easier for you, as the client, when choosing what products and sizes you would like. All prints and products purchased through me are printed at a high-quality professional lab.

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A CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS

Have any hats, bows, headbands, blankets, props, family heirlooms or other items you may want in the shots ready.

Make sure the room or rooms are warm. ( If we do the shoot at your lcoation). Your baby will usually have their clothes off for most of the session so it needs to be extra warm.

Have room or rooms where the baby will be photographed tidy and clutter free please.

You should wear lightweight breathable clothing since it will be very warm where we You should wear lightweight breathable clothing since it will be very warm where we are shooting. If you would like to be in some of the photographs we will shoot those first before you get disheveled or sweaty due to the warmth in the room for your little one.

Your hands may be shown in some photos. Please have nails trimmed and clean.

Turn off phones or any other distractions during the photo shoot.

Try to have atleast one other person there with you during the shoot to help.Sessions can often get long and tiring for all involved.Sessions can often get long and tiring for all involved.

Have water on hand…newborn sessions make you thirsty!!

Before feeding baby, remove all clothes and socks. Unfasten diaper so it can be easily removed and wrap baby in blanket. This will help eliminate any creases or red marks on the baby’s body.

Feed baby approximately a half-hour before session is scheduled to begin. It is imperative that baby is well fed and burped. : )

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should we bring with us for our newborn session?

Lots of diapers! If you will be formula feeding, also bring lots of extra formula. If you are nursing, be prepared to nurse a few times while you are there. I keep the room very warm for the newbies so please dress accordingly (layers are your friend).

Do we need to bring props?

I’ve got tons of stuff at my studio including hats, headbands, backdrops, baskets, buckets, you name it. Still, feel free to bring special things that you’ve bought, or family items you want included it. Still, feel free to bring special things that you’ve bought, or family items you want included (monogrammed blankets, heirloom bonnets, a special necklace that will be passed down, etc).

Can we do portraits of the new baby and it’s older sibling?

Absolutely, I LOVE sibling shots…but I can’t guarantee it for very young siblings. We will try our hardest and I have lots of tricks and different ways to make it happen but I’m sure you know how unpredictable two year olds are…if they want nothing to do with the new baby, sometimes it just isn’t possible without massive amounts of tears…from the sibling, and rarely the parent;) Something I really suggest is to have a plan for the sibling to be dropped off before or picked up after their portion of the session. a plan for the sibling to be dropped off before or picked up after their portion of the session.

When do we pay you?

On the day of the session is when I’ll take the payment in full.

What type of payment do you accept?

Cash or check, whichever is more convenient for you.

How long after the session will it be before our images will be ready?

Your images will be ready within two-three weeks. I can mail your disk or you can pick it up.

Do you also offer prints?Do you also offer prints?

Absolutely, and I recommend it! Especially with larger prints, you’ll notice a quality difference between mine and the prints ordered from the big box stores. For self printing, I have plenty of suggestions on where to get the best prints, just ask

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WATCH ME GROW PLAN

Watch me GROW! Baby plans are ideal for parents who know from the very beginning that they want the first year of their baby’s life documented with professional photography. In most cases, the Watch me GROW! Baby plans package is chosen, contract signed and purchase complete before the new little one even enters the world — crossing one (big) thing off the very busy parents’ to-do lists!

When you purchase a Watch me GROW! Baby plans you are purchasing a specific number of sessions and products/services. As such, these plans are usually scheduled based on the different stages of your baby’s development in the first year. The most common ‘stages’ are: maternity/expectation, newborn, baby’s development in the first year. The most common ‘stages’ are: maternity/expectation, newborn, sitting/crawling and 1-year/walking.

However, some parents prefer to schedule their sessions based on the baby’s age, rather than their developmental stage (i.e., at newborn, 3-month, 6-months, 9-months and a 1-year ) . . . and sometimes, we use a different formula entirely! It doesn’t matter when your baby’s sessions occur during the first year, but all Watch me GROW! Baby plans sessions must be completed by baby’s first birthday!