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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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GENERAL

1. I would love a First Year Package, but I can't afford it upfront. What are your payment plans?​

2. How many sessions come with the First Year Package?

3. How does scheduling sessions work?

4. Are family members included?

5. I would like a Maternity session included. Can I add that on?

6. What are your hours?

7. When should I book the First Year Package?

8. It seems pretty expensive. How do you come up with your pricing?

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NEWBORN

1. What are your qualifications as a Newborn Photographer?​

2. How many years have you been working as a newborn photographer and approximately how many babies have you handled up to this point?​

3. Have you received any newborn specific posing training and with whom did you train?

4. What are the safety practices you have in place in your studio specifically geared towards the newborn client?

5. Will my newborn be supported by human hands in all upright positions as well as any poses requiring suspension?

6. What will happen in the case of illness, your own or otherwise?

7. Are you currently up to date on the necessary vaccines needed when working with a pregnant or newborn population?

8. Can you point me towards online resources from which I can learn about safe practices when photographing newborns?

9. Are you a member of an organization or association directly servicing newborn photographers and their educational needs?

10. How old are typical Newborns for a session?

11. What if my baby arrives earlier or later than my due date?

12. How long does a Newborn session last?

13. I would like to do poses on the Beanbag. Is that included?

14. I want a certain pose for my Newborn's session. Can you do that pose?

15. How long should I expect to see my photos?

16. Do I need to bring props, outfits and wraps?

17. Do you do in-home (lifestyle) sessions?

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MILESTONES

1. Are family members included?

2. Are milestone sessions in your studio or outdoors?

3. Do I need to provide outfits for Milestone sessions?

4. I would like a milk bath for a milestone session, can you do that?

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ONE YEAR CAKE SMASHES

1. When are Cake Smash sessions held, in relation to my baby's age?

2. Can we do a theme that is not available in your inventory?

3. Do I need to provide the cake?

4. When do I need to decide on the the theme if I am undecided when I book the package?

5. Do I need to provide outfits for a One Year Cake Smash session?

6. What if I do not want a Cake, but a One Year Milestone session?

7. What themes do you have available?

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GENERAL​

• Question 1: I would love a First Year Package, but I can't afford it upfront. What are your payment plans?

  • Answer: I offer 2 different payment plans​

    • Payment Plan 1: Monthly payment plan, starting the month you book until the month of your last session. So for instance, if you book your package today and your baby is born in May, your payment plan starts today and ends May of the next year.​

    • Payment Plan 2: Paid in installments, a proportion after each session

      1. Security Deposit upon booking: 20%

      2. Newborn: 25%

      3. 3 Month Milestone: 10%

      4. 6 Month Milestone: 10%

      5. 9 Month Milestone: 10%

      6. One Year Cake Smash: 25%

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• Question 2: How many sessions come with the First Year Package?​​​​

  • Answer: Essential and Deluxe Packages: There are 5 sessions: Newborn, 3, 6, and 9 Month Milestones, AND a One Year Cake Smash Premium Package: There are 6 sessions: Maternity, Newborn, 3, 6, and 9 Month Milestones, AND a One Year Cake Smash

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• Question 3: How does scheduling sessions work?

  • Answer: Upon booking the first year package, we will schedule your Newborn or Maternity session. All Newborn sessions dates, if baby hasn't been born yet, are tentative to the day until your baby arrives. After your baby is born, I ask you to inform me within 3 days of his/her birth so we can finalize a Newborn session date. After your Newborn session, we will schedule your 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and One Year Cake Smash sessions.​

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• Question 4: Are family members included?

  • Answer: Depending on which package is purchased.

    • Essential: Baby Only. If you would like to include family members, it is $50 per person, per session.​

    • Deluxe: Baby and Parents Only. If you  would like to include siblings, it is $50 per person, per session.

    • Premium: ALL Direct family members are included.

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• Question 5: I would like a Maternity session included. Can I add that on?

  • Answer: Absolutely. My Premium package does include a Maternity session. For the Essential and Deluxe packages, if you would like a add a Maternity session, I offer HALF OFF any Maternity package. To learn what comes with my Maternity packages, please visit this LINK.

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• Question 6: What are your hours?

  • Answer: For Newborn sessions, my sessions start anywhere from 9 AM through 2 PM on weekdays. If you prefer to have an outdoor session for Milestones, I always recommend times either in the early morning (Sunrise) or late afternoon (Sunset). Since my family always comes first, I do not have sessions on the weekends. If a weekend session is absolutely necessary, it is an additional $250 per session.

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• Question 6: What will happen in the case of illness, your own or otherwise?

  • Answer: If I have fallen ill, I will inform my clients within 24-48 hours notice to postpone their session. Even when I am healthy, I always wear a mask at all times during a Newborn session just as a precaution. If a client has fallen ill, please inform me within 24 hours, and we will reschedule with no rescheduling fee. ​

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• Question 7: When should I book the First Year Package?

  • Answer: It is best to book your First Year Package in your second trimester. This gives me a pretty good idea of how to lay out my schedule in advance. If your baby is already born, please contact me ASAP, so we can get a Newborn session scheduled. Ideally, my Newborn sessions are held when the baby is anywhere from 6-14 days old. If your baby is older than 20 days, no worries as your baby will most likely be swaddled for majority of his/her session.​

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• Question 8: It seems pretty expensive. How do you come up with your pricing?

  • Answer: Session prices includes training, photographer memberships and qualifications, experience and time, and a large variety in my inventory. You will be able to access all of my studio inventory, which includes a variety of backdrops, props, wraps, headbands, hats, bonnets and outfits. Please note that there are a lot of behind-the-scene hours that most clients do not see. Here is a time-frame ONE typical session:

    • 1-2 hours of consulting, email exchange and session scheduling

    • 1-2 hours prepping beforehand (Laundry, prop setup, backdrop setup, cleaning)

    • 1-4 hours of ACTUAL session time.

    • 1-2 hours for cleanup and take-down.

    • 12-24 hours of post-processing (selection of photos, editing, uploading to website, social media)​

    • OVERALL: 16-34 hours are spent on ONE session alone.

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NEWBORN

• Question 1: What are your qualifications as a Newborn Photographer?​​

  • Answer: I am a certified QNP (Qualified Newborn Photographer) per the APNPI (Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International). 

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• Question 2: How many years have you been working as a newborn photographer and approximately how many babies have you handled up to this point?​

  • Answer: I have been a Newborn photographer for 3 years, and photographed over 200 newborns

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• Question 3: Have you received any newborn specific posing training and with whom did you train?

  • Answer: I have watched several tutorials and webinars from world renowned Newborn photographers. Most of these webinars and tutorials go through the safety of a Newborn session, as well as posing techniques. I also have a​ Stand-In-Baby mannequin that simulates Newborn joints, which is an ideal tool for learning how to properly and safely pose a Newborn.

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• Question 4: What are the safety practices you have in place in your studio specifically geared towards the newborn client?

  • Answer: First off, safety is absolutely my top priority. I require at least one parent be ready to assist at all times and provide a hand for anytime I need to leave your newborn unattended (even for a second). For instance, if I need to adjust my lighting equipment, I will ask a parent to place a gentle hand over their baby for their safety. With my experience, I am able to get babies into most poses, however if I do not feel comfortable executing a requested pose from a client, please understand that I may not be able to do so for the best interest of your baby. If at any point a client does not feel comfortable, please inform me immediately.

  • Here are my own personal Newborn safety requirements I follow for EVERY newborn session:

    • Never leave baby unattended

    • Always support baby’s head and neck

    • Photoshop is a safety tool. Most upright poses are composite images done in Photoshop.

    • Never force baby into a pose

    • Always wear camera strap when shooting from above

    • Never stand on anything above baby

    • Always have a spotter when using props

    • Avoid ALL fall risks

    • Never use glass or breakable props

    • Baby’s safety is always more important than “Getting the Shot”

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• Question 5: Will my newborn be supported by human hands in all upright positions as well as any poses requiring suspension?

  • Answer: Absolutely. All upright and suspended poses will require a parent to assist me. These poses are mostly composite (more than one image), that are blended together to make it look like one shot.

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• Question 6: What will happen in the case of illness, your own or otherwise?

  • Answer: If I have fallen ill, I will inform my clients within 24-48 hours notice to postpone their session. Even when I am healthy, I always wear a mask at all times during a Newborn session just as a precaution. If a client has fallen ill, please inform me within 24 hours, and we will reschedule with no rescheduling fee. ​

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• Question 7: Are you currently up to date on the necessary vaccines needed when working with a pregnant or newborn population?

  • Answer: I and my family are fully vaccinated for any vaccines that are required per the CDC. I also get yearly Flu and Covid vaccines starting in September/October.​

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• Question 8: Can you point me towards online resources from which I can learn about safe practices when photographing newborns?

  • Answer: Please visit APNPI's safety for parents website: https://apnpi.com/newborn_safety/

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• Question 9:  Are you a member of an organization or association directly servicing newborn photographers and their educational needs?

  • Answer: I am a member of the APNPI (Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International), and I am a certified QNP (Qualified Newborn Photographer). ​​

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• Question 10: How old are typical Newborns for a session?

  • Answer: Newborn sessions are typically held between 6-14 days after birth. In this phase, they are extremely sleepy, which is a must, to get them into those adorable poses. Premature babies are the exception for the 14 day old requirement. All babies must have been discharged from the hospital a minimum of 2 days before any newborn session. If your baby is more than 3 weeks old, no worries since we will probably stick to more swaddled poses to ensure their safety.

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• Question 11: What if my baby arrives earlier or later than my due date?

  • Answer: Since babies are unpredictable on when they arrive, all scheduled newborn session dates are tentative. Once your baby is born, I ask you to inform me within 3 days of their birth so we can update their session date if needed to fit inside that 6-14 day window.

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• Question 12: How long does a Newborn session last?

  • Answer: Depending on which session is booked, sessions can last longer than the intended duration due to multiple feedings, diaper changes, swaddling and waiting for the baby to fall into that deep sleep.​​​​

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• Question 13: I would like to do poses on the Beanbag. Is that included?

  • Answer: Poses on my beanbag are ONLY for the Premium package.

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• Question 14: I want a certain pose for my Newborn's session. Can you do that pose?

  • Answer: As I am capable to do most poses, please know that not all poses are 100% guaranteed since your little one is the boss and decides what he/she likes. Since the safety of your baby is top priority, please inform me if you don't feel comfortable with the intended pose. If a pose is requested, and I do not feel comfortable, please understand that I am doing that for your newborn's and your best interest. I require at least one parent to assist me at anytime during the duration of a newborn session.​

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• Question 15: How long should I expect to see my photos?

  • Answer: Typical turnaround time from your session to receiving all of your edited images is between 10-14 days. If my schedule is extremely busy, sometimes that turnaround can take a few more days to weeks. I always keep clients updated if more time is needed to get the images finalized.

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• Question 16: Do I need to bring props, outfits and wraps?

  • Answer: If you have anything sentimental you absolutely want in your photos, please feel free to bring them along. Otherwise, I have a very large inventory of backdrops, props, wraps, headbands, bonnets, hats and outfits.​

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• Question 17: Do you do in-home (lifestyle) sessions?

  • Answer: I do not do in-home lifestyle newborn sessions. All newborn sessions are in my studio.​

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MILESTONE

• Question 1: Are family members included? 

  • Answer: All Milestone sessions (3 Month, 6 Month and 9 Month) for all packages are baby only. If you would like to add family members, it is $50 per person, per session.

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• Question 2: Are milestone sessions in your studio or outdoors?

  • Answer: Most milestone sessions are in my studio. If an outdoor session is preferred, the time will need to be either early in the morning or late in the evening for the sun's horizontal lighting. ​If an outdoor session is requested, there is a possibility that sessions are to be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Just remember that overcast and cloudy are ideal portrait conditions. Inclement weather includes extreme high winds, thunderstorms, rain, ice and foggy conditions.

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• Question 3: Do I need to provide outfits for Milestone sessions?

  • Answer: Yes, for milestone sessions ONLY, parents will need to provide their own attire for their baby. Below is a list of how many outfits are included per the package purchased.

    • Essential package has 1 outfit per milestone session​

    • Deluxe has 2 outfits per milestone session

    • Premium has 2-3 outfits per milestone session

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• Question 4: I would like a milk bath for a milestone session, can you do that?

  • Answer: Milk bath milestone sessions are an option for the Premium 9 month milestones ONLY. For safety purposes, I require babies that do not need assistance while sitting for any milk bath sessions.

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ONE YEAR CAKE SMASHES

• Question 1: When are Cake Smash sessions held, in relation to my baby's age?

  • Answer: There are two different options

    • Option 1: If you would like photos for your baby's first birthday party, I suggest to have the session 4-6 weeks for his/her's actual birthday. This accounts for 14-21 days of editing, and also gives the client time to order prints, canvases or posters for their actual birthday party.​

    • Option 2: If you would like the photos to truly reflect their personalities and what they look like when they turn one, I can have your baby's Cake Smash session within the week their actual birthday.​

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• Question 2: Can we do a theme that is not available in your inventory?

  • Answer: Premium package comes with any customized theme. If you purchase the Essential or Deluxe package and want a theme that is not in my inventory, please see my A La Carte items for a customized theme upgrade.

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• Question 3: Do I need to provide the cake?

  • Answer: As a courtesy, I provide the cake for ALL Cake Smash Sessions. I make the cakes/goodies myself​.

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• Question 4: When do I need to decide on the the theme if I am undecided when I book the package?

  • Answer: I require the theme to be finalized within 8 weeks of the Cake Smash session.​ This gives me time to ensure I have everything I need or made before your session.

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• Question 5: Do I need to provide outfits for a One Year Cake Smash session?

  • Answer: As a courtesy, I provide the outfits for ALL Cake Smash Sessions.​

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• Question 6: What if I do not want a Cake, but a One Year Milestone session instead?

  • Answer: Cakes are not mandatory. If a simple One Year milestone session is preferred, we can do that instead.

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• Question 7: What themes do you have available?

  • Answer: Please see the table below and scroll down.​