Newborn Sessions
In the comfort of your own home, or mine. All families are welcome. My newborn photography style aims to capture the cozy moments in the first few days, weeks, or even months of life. Newborn sessions typically occur when your little one is between 7-15 days old. Premies can wait a little longer. For older babies (beyond a month), see the “Older Babies” section below. Newborn sessions can be booked as early as when you know your due date. When baby comes, we will book a more specific day and time. Older babies are welcome here!
Two Styles
Choose from one of the two style options below. Please note that Lifestyle photography sessions (Style Option One) tend to result in more photos, as there is less time spent on wrapping and posing the baby. Some families may choose to have a couple posed shots in a cute bucket or other prop, while the rest are Lifestyle.
Style Option One – Natural Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle photography is casual, relaxed, and natural. This is done without the typical props you may have seen when looking up newborn photography. This style focusses on the sentimental moments at the beginning of life – closeups of their little hands and feet, moments between parents, siblings, grandparents, or pets, and photos of them cozy on a bed by themselves or in a bassinet. The baby may be wrapped, in a diaper, or nude, and can be held by family who are standing, seated, or on a bed. I will not overly pose your baby, but will keep them in a relaxed or sleepy position. Sentimental stuffed animals or outfits may be used, and we might be able to incorporate 1-2 safe props from your home if desired (like the family’s dragon plushie pictured below). Natural lighting will be used as much as possible. We can move freely to different parts of your home, as there is no lighting that needs to be set up.
These sessions typically last up to 2 hours and can result in anywhere from 75-150 photos.
This style works well for babies up to any age.
Style Option Two – Posed Newborn Photography
In this style, baby will be wrapped (in the colours of your choice), and headbands and bonnets may be added. Baby will be posed on backdrop fabrics, or in various props such as buckets etc. This is more of an “artsy” style and uses artificial lighting. I will move through a series of poses that I typically use, no thinking required on your behalf. These sessions typically begin with posed family photos then switch midway to solo photos of the baby. Sessions can take 3-4 hours with family photos, or 2-3 hours with only the newborn. You will receive between 30-40 images.
For this style, babies must fall within the recommended age range/size. Please note that no poses will be forced, and the safety and comfort of your baby is a priority over achieving particular shots. Some babies don’t like being in some positions, and if they cannot be soothed after multiple attempts to keep them in the pose, we will move on. Safety is always first.
Family Photos – Included in Both Styles
Both session style options include family photos. “Family” can mean parents of the newborn, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends. For time, this is usually just parents and siblings. If you are going with a lifestyle session and we won’t need time for prop posing, the more family the merrier. If you would rather just have photos of baby, and no family, no worries. No one will force you to be on camera!
You can wear whatever you are comfortable in. Matching neutrals works well for groups or siblings. Option for shirtless skin-to-skin photos if you wish. I will also happily capture nursing or feeding moments upon request.
What does a newborn session typically look like?
Sessions can take between 2-4 hours depending on some of the factors mentioned above. Session length will also depend on your baby’s needs. Many breaks will be taken for feeding and snuggles, especially for the posed style where sleepiness is a requirement.
Parent(s) are welcome and encouraged to stay present throughout the shoot. During solo photos of just baby, you may occupy yourself however you like in your home, and I will call you as needed for feeding or comfort, or you can stay and observe. It is often nice to have parents’ hands in some of the shots.
For Older Babies
Have you been rejected by a photographer because your newborn is “too old?” No worries! Lifestyle newborn photography in the comfort of your own home allows for older newborns beyond two weeks old. These sessions are not heavily posed, and your baby will not be wrapped or placed in props. These sessions will capture the bond between baby and family members on a couch, a bed, outside, standing, on a tummy time rug, or in a favourite place in your home. They can wear a diaper, nothing, or a favourite outfit or three. For solo photos of just baby, they can lie down, sit up with pillows, be held, or do tummy time.
Why can’t my older baby be posed the same way? When your baby is beyond about two weeks old (depending on circumstances such as birthweight and delivery date in relation to due date), they may be more alert, stronger, and more active. This makes most of the poses unsafe, as they will not be sleepy enough to maintain them. They will also no longer fit in the newborn-sized props and wraps, and will be strong enough to break out of the wraps if they do fit.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful, professional-quality photography done for your new family member.
How to prepare for the session
Clear a space in your home – a made up bed and/or couch, clear rug, etc.
Have a number of diapers and wipes on standby
Have anything required for nursing or feeding your baby
A few blankets to keep baby warm during feeding between outfits
Your own outfits, hair, or makeup as desired (can be as casual or made up as you like)
Favourite outfits for baby (for Lifestyle only. Posed photos will be done in provided wraps)
Sentimental stuffed animals/plushies/blankets/headbands (mostly for Lifestyle)
What you don’t need to worry about:
Props and wraps for Posed (Style Two) Sessions. I bring all of this with me.
Don’t worry about your baby’s skin! Babies have flaky and acne-prone skin, or they might scratch their faces right before the shoot. Mittens can be worn leading up to the shoot to prevent scratching. If it happens, don’t panic! I will edit these out.
Pricing
All newborn sessions are $750 CAD.
What’s included:
Family photos and solo newborn photos. A 2-4 hour session in your home.
All props and wraps provided.
Every single image that turns out, delivered digitally within two weeks of the photoshoot.
No hand-picking or pay-per-photo nonsense; you get every single high-resolution photo edited, colour corrected, and ready to share. This might vary from 75-150 for lifestyle sessions, to 30-40 photos for posed photo sessions, depending on how many family members were participated.
What’s not included:
Print options are available at additional cost, available under the A la Carte section. You are also welcome to have your digitals printed on your own at your favourite print shop.
Payment
E-transfers, cash, and cheques are accepted. You will be given a receipt for your records.
A $250 deposit is required at booking to hold space for your due date. Bookings are based on your due date, but the exact date will be determined after birth. This deposit payment will be subtracted from your total owing (leaving $500 payable after the deposit).
Payment plans are available, with the full amount due before the delivery of any digital photos. Payment for print options is due before prints are ordered.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the option to reschedule is available at no additional cost.
Bundles
Maternity and Newborn – take $100 off the combined total
Birth and Newborn – take $250 off the combined total
Maternity, Birth, and Newborn – take $350 of the combined total
Referrals
Get $50 off for referring a friend who books and pays a deposit.