How It Works

Most often, I photograph families in and around their homes. This is my favorite option for many reasons: Kids usually feel most at ease on their own turf. We get to document your family with the home as a backdrop, adding another layer of meaning to photos capturing this time in your lives. No need to pack the diaper bag or remember snacks and pacifiers.

We can also choose a nice outdoor spot, weather permitting. We will discuss possibilities for the session during our initial phone call or at our planning consultation. Ideal locations are those with good natural light and where you feel comfortable and relaxed. We do not need to go to a landmark or a manicured garden (though I am happy to do so). A little bit of foliage, a brick wall, a wrought iron fence are all we need.

Simple and comfortable clothing works well with my photographic style. Avoiding overly-fussy clothing that needs to be straightened will allow the photo session to flow more naturally and without unneccesary interuptions. It’s a good idea to stick to a color pallette of 3 or 4 colors for a cohesive look for the whole family versus everyone wearing the same color tops and bottoms. During our planning meeting, we’ll talk over clothing and accessory recommendations that will give polish to your images.

The early days at home with a newborn are a period of adjustment for the whole family. As with all of my sessions, I aim to give each and every client a wonderful experience without adding unwanted stress. I understand the first priority is caring for your baby; feeding, changing, and comforting always take precedence over photographing.

When you welcome me into your home, you can expect me to work in a warm, unassuming, yet authoritative manner. I will keep the session progressing at an efficient, yet relaxed, pace with plenty of time for parents to tend to the baby whenever necessary. I will hang back, either observing or photographing during these unscripted times, which often end up being the sweetest and most authentic moments.

Newborn sessions always take place in the client’s home in a natural way. That means we may photograph the baby in various rooms such as the parents’ bedroom or in the nursery (if there is one), alone laying on a bed or with parents holding the baby sitting all together on a couch.

Even if the home is small or turned upside down, the location can still work well for photographic purposes. I don’t care what is behind me while I’m shooting (believe me when I say I’ve seen it all after photographing hundreds of families). All we need to do is declutter or straighten the area in front of the camera. We can even just grab a laundry basket to fill with all the “stuff” that’s accumulated on night stands or laying around on the ground.

A newborn session is ideally scheduled when the baby is between 7 and 14 days old. During this period the baby will still be sleeping most of the time and will not yet be very alert to the world. The timing is dependent on individual circumstances of the client, as well as my availability. I ask clients to put me on their distribution list of friends and family to contact after the baby is born. Once I’m notified of the baby’s birth, I will contact the family right away to finalize the date and time of the session.

I don’t bring props, clothing, or accessories with me. I only use clothing or special items that belong to the client. I often photograph newborns in a simple swaddle or blanket.

About two weeks after your photo session, we’ll schedule an in-person viewing session in the comfort of your home. During our time together, we’ll go through the images, select your favorites, review the options for wall portraits, albums, gift prints, etc. and determine sizes to order. I’ll walk you through the whole process systematically and efficiently. And you’ll have me there to collaborate and provide expert recommendations on ways to beautifully showcase your images. At the conclusion of our meeting, you’ll have all the information you need to make final decisions and to place your order.