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).

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 and a half years, and photographed almost 300 newborns, 90 in 2024 alone.

Question 3: Have you received any newborn specific posing training and with whom did you train?
- Answer: I have passed my Safety training per the APNPI. I have also 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.

Question 4: What are the safety practices you have in place in your studio specifically geared towards the newborn client?
- Answer: Safety is 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”

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 or adult to assist me. These poses are mostly composite (more than one image), that are blended together to make it look like one shot.

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.

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.

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/

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).

Question 10: When should I book a Newborn session?
- Answer: It is best to book your Newborn session during your 2nd trimester or at the beginning of your third trimester. If your baby has already been born, please let me know ASAP and I will try to fit you into my calendar. I require sessions to be booked a minimum of 72 hours in advance of a session, to ensure I have everything I need.

Question 11: 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 4 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.

Question 12: What if my baby arrives earlier or later than my due date?
- Answer: Since babies are unpredictable on when they arrive, all booked 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.

Question 13: 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.

Question 14: Are family members included in a Newborn Session?
- Answer: The Deluxe and Premium packages includes family. Deluxe includes both parents only (siblings not included). Please see A La Carte for each additional member. If you would like to stick to the Essential or Classic packages, and include family members, please see my A La Carte for each family member. Premium includes ALL direct family members.

Question 15: How do you come up with your pricing?
- Answer: Session prices includes training, experience and time. It also gives access to all of my studio inventory, which includes a variety of backdrops, props, wraps, headbands, hats 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 of a typical session:
  - 1-2 hours prepping beforehand (emails, calendars, laundry, prepping, prop setup, backdrop setup).
  - 1-4 hours of ACTUAL session time.
  - 1-2 hours to cleanup and take-down.
  - 12-24 hours of post-processing (selection of photos, editing, uploading to website, social media).
  - OVERALL: 15-32 hours are spent on ONE session alone.

Question 16: What time of the day and days of the week do you have Newborn sessions?
- Answer: I only do Newborn sessions that start anywhere from 9 AM through 1 PM on weekdays. Since my family always comes first, I do not have sessions on the weekends or evenings.

Question 17: I would like to do poses on the Beanbag. Is that included?
- Answer: Poses on my beanbag are ONLY for the Classic and Premium Newborn packages. If you purchase the Essential or Deluxe packages, and want to include poses on my beanbag, please see my A La Carte.

Question 18: 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 all poses are not 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 adult to assist me at anytime during the duration of a newborn session.

Question 19: Do I have to pay for whole session up front?
- Answer: I require a $100 non-refundable deposit upon booking. It is intended to hold your session date and is applied towards the total cost of the package purchased. The remaining balance shall be paid by invoice sent right after your session.

Question 20: 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 14-21 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.

Question 21: 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. I have a very large inventory of backdrops, props, wraps, headbands, bonnets, hats and outfits.

Question 22: Do you do in-home (lifestyle) sessions?
- Answer: I do not do in-home lifestyle newborn sessions. All newborn sessions are in my studio.

Question 23: What happens if I am running late?
- Answer: I understand the chaos of having a family getting ready, but please note there is a late/rescheduling fee. If the client is a no-show and does not inform me of needing to reschedule, there will be a rescheduling fee of $100 (if the client still wants a session). If the client is running late, please note that a late fee of $50 per 15 minutes, that starts at 15 minutes AFTER the intended start of their session. For example, if a session is supposed to begin at 10:30 AM, and the client arrives at 11:30 AM, the late fee is calculated as: [(60 minutes late - 15 FREE minutes) * $50/15 minutes]= $150.

Question 24: Can I split up a session if scheduling is an issue?
- Answer: Splitting time is an option, for $200 extra since it doubles the time for setup, prepping, takedown, cleanup and laundry.

Newborn FAQ's and Policies