CAPTURING YOUR BABY'S UNFOLDING STORY
Hello there!
This blog-post is about what to expect at your Little Sitter Session with Starspeckled Hearts Photography in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Whether you've already booked and have got an upcoming studio Little Sitter Session or if you're still thinking about booking and would just like to have more of an idea of what to expect on the day, please have a read through this post.
I hope you'll find it helpful!
Yasmin x
FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
What is your background?
I am a trained Newborn & Baby photographer with safety being my main priority at all times. My expertise and years of experience in handling and photographing newborns and babies will give you peace of mind that your little one is being carefully handled at all times and is in the very best of hands.
How do you clean the studio/what are your COVID-19 policies? Studio cleanliness is of the utmost importance as I am dealing with babies only days old, so you can rest assured that the studio is meticulously cleaned after every session and that props and outfits will be washed and steamed after every use. Prior to entering my studio, shoes must be removed and left outside the door. Hands must be sanitised using antibacterial gel and I will wear a mask whilst posing/photographing your newborn. If you, or anyone in your household are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please get in touch to reschedule your session for a later date. Are you up to date on your vaccines? I am up to date on all vaccines, including the whooping cough vaccine.
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
What is a Little Sitter session?
My Little Sitter sessions are suitable for babies between 5-11 months old - babies must be confidently sitting up unaided. This is also a session intended for those that may want a follow-on from their Newborn shoot, to document their babies growing personality. I love seeing how much the babies have grown from their newborn days! This is such a HUGE milestone in any baby's life - they are just beginning to explore their sense of independence and individuality. They are now well aware that they are separate from you and they're all into exploring and going on their own little adventures. This stage is definitely one of my favourites to capture, I love those big gummy smiles and squishy thighs!
Where do sessions take place?
All sessions take place in my cosy garden studio, located in Aldershot, Hampshire. The studio is kept at a nice and warm temperature - for newborn and smiler sessions I make sure the temperature is extra warm, at around 27-30C.
When is best time to book a Little Sitter session? As soon as you've decided you would like to book in! I tend to book up a few months in advance and it always breaks my heart to turn clients away. However, I always aim to keep a handful of spaces open for last minute bookings. Keeping in mind, I often don't have many last minute spaces available during the busier months, so please get in touch early to secure your space!
My baby is crawling! Is it too late to book?
Not at all! It may take a little longer to get those perfect shots but I have photographed many crawling babies for Little Sitter sessions before and all with great success!
Do I have to bring any outfits for my baby along to the session?
You won't have to worry about bringing anything along. I offer a beautiful selection of high-end bespoke props, headbands, bonnets and wraps. I only use the best quality fabrics and super soft knits as I know you will want nothing but the very best for your little love! Occasionally, clients will bring sentimental items and keepsakes to include in the session. I'm always more than happy to accommodate my clients ideas so if there is anything you would like to incorporate into the session, please feel free to bring it along! It makes for a more personalised experience and those photos always end up being client favourites.
What else do I need to bring to the session?
Your baby changing bag with everything you would normally bring for a day out - milk and snacks being the most important one! I've got a baby changing mat in the studio with plenty of wipes and nappies.
Can I request a colour scheme for the session?
Absolutely. Have you got a particular request in terms of colour scheme or overall style of the shoot? Vintage, lifestyle, floral, classic? If not, that's absolutely fine! Many of my clients have a clear vision of what they'd like to get out of their session, but others prefer to let me take the lead and set up something lovely for them on the day. Either way, please let me know prior to your session as I always set up the studio the night before. Click here to see some more work from my recent Little Sitter sessions.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION
What happens on the day of our Little Sitter Session?
Upon arrival at the studio — you will receive a warm welcome and be invited to help yourselves to tea, coffee and snacks in my seating area. My studio has free WiFi and a few books and toys aimed at younger children to keep them entertained. Once you've all settled in, we will have a browse through my studio wardrobe together, to choose your favourite 2-3 outfits, headpieces and bonnets. I also have outfits available for children up to the age of 3, of which you will also have full access to during your session. How long will our Little Sitter Session take?
My Little Sitter Sessions are typically 45 minutes to 1.5 hour long and in that time we can usually get through 3, sometimes 4 different setups.
How do I prepare my baby for their session? A full baby is a happy baby! I recommend feeding baby upon arrival at my studio to ensure baby is happy and content. The shoot is designed for us to take breaks for feeding and cuddles throughout - I always take baby's lead, as the most important thing is that you and your baby are as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Can parents and siblings get in front of the camera too? Of course! If you would like to include parents and siblings in the session, I suggest we start with the sibling portraits, followed by the family portraits. Once I'm happy with the variety of the shots, I recommend taking your older children out to the nearby park or out into my garden for the remainder of the session. It doesn't take long for little children to become restless and bored, which stresses the parents and in turn may end up stressing your baby!
AFTER YOUR SESSION
When do I get to view the finished images? After your session, I will go through the images and narrow down the gallery to around 25-30 images. The final images are then hand-edited and uploaded to an online, password protected viewing gallery. This process can take up to 14 days, in busy periods up to 21 days.
How will I be able to view the images? Once your images are ready for you to view, I will send you across a link and password to your viewing gallery and you can then choose the ones you like the best as part of your package. Once you've decided on your images, the digital images will be sent across to you straight away via filetransfer. If your package includes photo prints or mounted prints, this is when you'll let me know which ones you'd like printed and sizes.
Can I purchase additional images? If you receive your viewing gallery and decide you would like to purchase additional images, you can do so at £10/image. I offer a discounted rate if clients wish to purchase the entire gallery.
About Starspeckled Hearts Photography
Hello! My name is Yasmin and I am a specialist newborn, baby and toddler photographer based in Aldershot, Hampshire - servicing the greater Surrey and Hampshire area, including Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Camberley, Reading, Woking, Horsham and Bracknell.
I offer newborn photoshoots, milestone photoshoots, cake smash & splash photoshoots, maternity photoshoots along with seasonal mini shoots in my fully air-conditioned boutique photography studio in Aldershot, Hampshire. I've got a wide variety of unique props and beautiful, handmade outfits, of which you will have full access to during your session - each and every photoshoot is bespoke and tailored to your specific requirements.
If you would like to book your photoshoot with me, please get in touch via one of the links below. I would love to hear from you!
To submit an enquiry or to book your session, please send me a message through my contact form here or send over an email to starspeckledphotography@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Follow me on social media!