Meet baby Amelia! She brought her mom and dad in with her and together, we made some magic. How perfect is she??

In between naps, we managed to get some awesome little expressions!

<3

Many of the pictures seen on my website, Facebook, and Instagram portray sweet, sleepy little babies that look incredibly peaceful and at ease. Let's face it- if you have ever spent more than an hour with a newborn you know they don't always sleep! Babies cry, and get hungry, and pee and poo and much of that dictates how the session goes. They do NOT always sleep! In fact, sometimes session look a little more like this:

If your any bit as curious as I am, you'd be wondering what a newborn session is really like. I'm going to take some time to break down a Newborn Portrait session, start to finish!

Newborn sessions really start much before baby is even born, when mom or dad first contact me to photograph their baby. It's best to do this as soon as you know your interested in a session (it's literally never too early!) because I only take on a certain number of babies each month. The reason for that is to allow some flexibility if your little one makes their grand entrance a bit earlier or later than expected; newborn sessions are based off of moms due date, so sometimes we have to adjust a little bit for the best timing! 

 This is one of the most exciting times in your lives, and I am so honored that you are considering me to document it. I'll ask you all about your little babe- I want to know those little details! I absolutely love learning about each of my families to provide the most tailored experience. During that phone call I can answer most of your questions a bit more fully than an email allows, and set a time for your Pre Session Consultation. 

Your Pre Session Consultation is your time to come in to see the studio, scope out all of the baby goodies, and most importantly get to know each other. I want you to feel confident and safe when you bring your newborn baby into the studio, and I believe a part of that is making sure we get a chance to meet face to face first. I want you to be able to put a face to the name! During this appointment you'll receive a studio tour and a complete introduction of each available artwork display, to start giving you ideas on what may be important for you and your family. I HUGELY believe in the power of printed artwork, and for that reason want to ensure that you find a display that you connect with. 

Next is setting a date and time for your session. I do newborn sessions on weekdays at 11:00, and I do it for a few reasons:

• Since your newborn session will be held within the first few weeks of life, you have time off! In most cases, so will your significant other, if they plan to join us at the studio. 
• This timing allows you a bit of freedom to get ready in the morning without rushing. Newborn have almost zero regard for schedules (like sleeping- what's that?) so I understand that it can be challenging to get moving in the morning. 
• This time also allows you to complete your session in the morning, allowing you the rest of the day to do all of the other things you want to do.

After your consultation, you will receive a Welcome Baby Guide. This includes a complete preparation guide for your newborn session. This also includes an artwork guide so that you and your family can start looking at the places in your home that you want to display your portraits! The night before your session you can expect a confirmation email with a quick recap of those helpful preparation tips. Then- session time!

By now we have seen and spoken so many times that you're able to bounce right into the studio knowing what to expect. We undress your bub, maybe have one more little feeding, and then off we go. Sit back and relax while your little babe is snuggled into every cute thing you picked out at your consultation. These sessions usually last about 2-4 hours, so please help yourself to snack and drinks in the studio, or hop down and grab a bite to eat at La Festa or Thirsty Moose both located just steps away. It's kept pretty warm in the studio to make sure that your little one is at an appropriate body temperature while they are undressed (or dressed in little outfits), so you are welcome to go explore to keep yourself at a comfortable temperature. This really is your time off- your welcome to even just sit back on the couch and take a nap!

Each newborn session is a  bit different- everything is based on how your baby feels about it. Sometimes they need a snack break, a position change, or just a good old snuggle from mama. Babies cry! And babies fuss. And both of those things are absolutely normal and expected during your session. You'll hear me cooing, and humming, and using the Shusher (This miracle machine from amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Shusher-Soothing-Miracle-Babies/dp/B00D2JN87I) amongst other tools to help soothe your baby. Sessions usually last about 2-3 hours or so, depending on your baby!

After your session, it's time for the best part! We've now created incredible images of you and your newest little family member, and now it's time to see them! We set a date and time for your Grand Reveal and Ordering Appointment, which is when you will see your images for the very first time and choose your favorites. Projected onto a 10 foot wall, you'll watch a slideshow of your gorgeous images! It's like your own personal movie, except so much better. Here's what it looks like:

Don't worry, we have tissues :)

This is your very own customized artwork design appointment. At this point, it's likely that you have a pretty good idea of how you want to display your photos, be that in a newborn album or as a unique-to-you wall display. With many options to choose from it's easy for each family to find what they love! 

Every family is a little bit different, and designs a slightly different artwork collection. The most incredible part of this entire experience will be when you see your baby forever preserved in stunning printed artwork. Be that a handmade wooden signature display, or your very favorite images delicately arranged in an album, the option you choose will be a daily reminder that you've created a life that is truly incredible, and I am excited to preserve the very beginning of your baby's legacy. 

Ready to reserve your newborn session? Let's get in touch!