LIFESTYLE baby PHOTOSHOOT GUIDE
Thank you for booking your lifestyle newborn photo shoot with me!
This guide should give you all the information you need to prepare for the photo shoot, what happens during and after the session and should hopefully answer any questions you may have, but do feel free to contact me if there is anything you're not sure of.
Styling for your photo shoot shouldn't cause you stress or worry, or spending lots of money on new outfits - however, you want to love your images and if you are planning on putting these on the wall you don't want to be distracted by an bright or overly patterned top. Therefore, I've put together a few hints and tips to help guide you and to get you thinking about how you want your images to look and ultimately feel about this stage in your newborns life.
At the end of the day, you have a tiny newborn and whether he/she arrived in the last few days or weeks, it's a tiring time, so wear something that is comfortable. The shoot and the images will be relaxed, so jeans, t-shirts, blouses, shirts etc will all be fine and try to aim for plain (no patterns) and pale colours - ideally white, or ivory, light cream, beige, brown, baby pink, baby blue etc.
1. BE COMFORTABLE
You could choose three or maybe four colours and use these in the outfits each person is wearing - but don't all wear the exactly same thing, as it's good to see some individuality but not uniformity!
For studio shoots these will be done in bare feet, so do wear a pale nail varnish if you can.
For home shoots I prefer bare feet, but if this is a big no-no for you please make sure the socks are matching and hole free!!
2. Coordinate but don't match
It is best to avoid branding, big patterns and logos as these really distract the eye, also if you can remove watches and leave mobile phones on the side (not in pockets!) this all helps. Please avoid shirts with collars for your baby as this will hide their face. Babies in baby grows will suffice (the footless ones are always a preference but not essential), or if you want some nice affordable simple outfits Zara have a lovely range. A nappy cover is helpful for if we do some skin shots and a blanket is nice - especially the personal ones knitted by Granny or Great Aunty!
3. Things to avoid
if you a bringing a sibling along with you then we will do their photos at the beginning of the session, but please bring dry snacks and entertainment for them for the time we need to do mum & dad and baby shots.
4. siblings
Don't forget to bring along extra nappies etc, but not to worry if you forget as I have back-ups of most baby related things ready to hand!
5. supplies
6. address
If you're coming to the Marlow Studio the address is 28 Sunnybank, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3BL. There is free easy parking outside the front of the house. Please note that there are some steps down, so please keep baby in their car seat until we get into the studio.
For home shoots please make sure your heating is on and the room is warm if we are doing the shoot in the colder months. Upon arrival I will need to check the space we are using, namely the light around the window and in the space. The master bedroom is usually the ideal place, along with some shots in the nursery - please try and keep these areas clear and clutter free - a plain white bedsheet will be fine in the bedroom.
During the photo shoot I will direct you in terms of where to stand, where to put baby etc, but we will also do some more of the documentary shots that are un-posed and just capture life as it is now. The photo shoot will take between 1-1.5 hours and this will of course include time for feeds and nappy changes when required.
After the photo shoot I will edit the images in both colour and black and white and will then text you a password to be able to access the online gallery, which will be emailed as a link for you to click into.
Thank you once again for booking your shoot with me.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries then please don't hesitate to contact me.
Feel free to send any questions you may have via email (kate.mcneil7@googlemail.com) or the Contact page
